There have been a lot of changes since this post was published back in 2013. We’ve listed some additional posts at the end.
Walt Disney World Resort’s new MagicBands and Fastpass+ systems are causing quite the buzz down in the Land of Mouse. Many guests with upcoming vacations may not be sure how the system works, or that it even exists. I had the chance to try it out last month during my stay at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. In order to help eliminate some of the mystery and confusion surrounding the new program, I’ve come up with ten things every guest needs to know about MagicBands and Fastpass+.
10 Things You Need to Know About MagicBands and FastPass+ (Yes, MagicBands are waterproof!)
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Related: 35 Fun Must-Dos at Walt Disney World
The MagicBands and Fastpass+ system are still in the testing phase. The rumored official roll-out is set for December 2013, but this can change at any time. You can check if your stay is eligible for MagicBands by logging into the MyDisneyExperience website and looking for this popup:
Start familiarizing yourself with the MyDisneyExperience website and app now. These portals will be used to customize your bands and add/change Fastpass+ reservations before you leave and once you arrive. Can’t use your smartphone? Fastpass+ kiosks are available in several locations in the theme parks and resort concierge Cast Members can help you add or change your Fastpass+ plans.
MagicBands come in one size. For children and adults with smaller wrists, simply peel the backing away from the color portion of the band. You can also purchase covers and accessories for your band at almost every Walt Disney World shop. Eventually, guests will reuse their bands for subsequent trips and the accessories will make it fun to wear the same band again and again.
MagicBands are waterproof. I wore mine continuously for four days and even ran a 10 mile race with it. It can get a little sweaty and sticky underneath during hot days, but it’s nothing that bothered me to the point of wanting to remove the band. I still don’t know that I’d wear it down Summit Plummet, though. We’ll be locking our bands up in lockers at the Water Parks, just to be safe.
You’re not required to wear the band on your wrist in order to use it. If you have a small child or, like me, have a child with sensory issues who refuses to wear anything on their wrist, simply attach the band to a lanyard or carry it in a pocket. And, while my band never fell off, I still do not feel confident allowing my three year old son to wear it around the parks without taking it off and losing it.
MagicBands are shipped directly to your home in a plain, brown package. If you’re trying to surprise your children with a Walt Disney World Resort vacation, do not throw away the outer box! The Incredibles packaging inside is a dead giveaway, so you’ll want to keep it hidden.
MagicBands are a mom’s best friend. Being able to simply touch my band to my resort room door or to the register touchpad to pay for snacks makes life a lot easier when you’re trying to juggle sleeping children, balloons, toys, and stuffed Mickeys. Entering a park is much easier when you’re not digging out and distributing tickets, too. The kids get a kick out of making the Mickey head on the MagicBand posts light up.
As of now, guests can only select three Fastpass+ attractions per day and only in one theme park. I suggest making them for the afternoon hours and using the morning to visit attractions with lesser wait times. If you’re planning on a Park Hopper day, make the reservations for the second park, when wait times are at their longest. Remember, you can always move your Fastpasses around via the kiosks or app! The most popular attractions and experiences may be unavailable, but you may discover a great alternative.
Pay attention when you touch your MagicBand to the posts at certain Fastpass+ entry points. You may just hear a spooky sound at the Haunted Mansion entrance or other special effects at different attractions.
Be patient! MagicBands and Fastpass+ are new and there are many changes being made, almost daily it seems. Cast Members may not have all of the answers. Fastpass+ reservations may get jumbled up and the app may not work perfectly 100% of the time. You’re still at Walt Disney World. Forget the mix-ups and enjoy the magic. I promise your vacation will still be just as magical without that Fastpass+ for Space Mountain.
Related: 9 Things to Know About the New FastPass+ System at Walt Disney World
So there you have it! Ten things you should know about MagicBands and Fastpass+. Have you had the chance to test out the new program yet? You can purchase MagicBands and accessories before you arrive on the Disney Store website.
Ashley is a thirty-something military wife and mother who writes about travel, her obsession with Disney, and trying to find time to train for her first marathon at FiddleDeeMe.com. Find Ashley in smaller doses on twitter and instagram.
Newer posts:
Update: 9 Things About the New FastPass+ System
Update: Off Property Disney Guests – Things You Need to Know
Everything You Need To Know About MagicBand 2
If you are going to Walt Disney World, here are some Disney tips. I recommend the following hotels. Note that I have stayed in some of these resorts as part of press trips, but all opinions are my own. You can also save up to 28% on Disney Resort hotels here, and see various discounts on Walt Disney World tickets here.
- Disney’s Beach Club
- Disney Swan and Dolphin
- Disney’s Art of Animation
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Gaylord Palms
- JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
- World Center Marriott
More Disney Posts:
Walt Disney World Crowd Tips
The Best Hotels for a Walt Disney World Vacation
Should You Stay On Property at Walt Disney World?
Looking for more Disney tips and tricks? Follow my Disney Pinboard here
Erica says
Do you know if these are available to guests not staying at the Disney resorts? We will be staying at a timeshare resort nearby.
Jodi @ Family Travel Magazine says
Hi Erica,
They are available only to guests of Walt Disney World Resorts, or the Swan/Dolphin resorts. The only exception is Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, where it’s available to all guests.
Marianne says
Hi Erica,
You are able to purchase the magic bands for $12.95/ea even if you aren’t staying in WDW. Once you get there, you’re able to even put your tickets on them as well as all your dinner reservations and entertainment. I spoke with a WDW rep yesterday (5/3/14) and they stated that you need to set up the My Disney Experience App on your phone or on the WDW website and once purchased, WDW will transfer it all over for you. YAY!!!
Have fun!!
Stacey says
I went to Disney world in October and we had magic bands. I went swimming with it on and had no issues. Many other guests were wearing them in the pool as well. The bands were great!
Rachel says
I went on a family vacation to Disney a month ago and used the new Magic Bands – they worked out great for us! The app is easy to use and though we were a little skeptical of using them for snack purchases, the pin system was secure and it definitely made things easier.
Another Fast Pass tip: if you really want to make it to Toy Story Mania, add this as your #1 Fast Pass on the app, or get to Hollywood Studios first thing in the morning and run (literally, run!!!) to get your fast passes. We noticed that seemed to be the most popular ride; the crowd levels were low but there was always a steady 90 minute wait for TSM. My Dad ran to get ours first thing in the morning and our Fast Pass time was already for the early afternoon. It is a lot of fun though! We love Disney and will continue to go – I hope they keep the Magic Bands and keep improving the technology!
Heather says
If you reserve your fast pass+ online before you arrive, do you have to do anything once you are at the park? Also can you use new fast pass system plus the old one?
Nicole says
Hello! I also have a husband that is in the military and wondering how you go about planning your disney world vacation? We have never been as a family before and want to get the best deal possible! Thanks!
vhunsberger says
Nicole,
We are a military family too. If you stay on property at Disney, that is the only way you can reserve fast passes in advance. If you are staying off property or at shadess of green, you have to wait until you get there and activate your tickets. This means you can only get whatever is leftover after on property guests have made their reservations. It puts off property guests at a distinct t disadvantage. Disney is not planning on working on this for shades of green guests anytime in the near future and it will not be offered at all for off property guests. I have spoken to a few military families that have gone since the old fast pass system was disabled and they said they were forced into the standby line A LOT because there were very limited fast pass plus reservations available once they arrived and were able to activate their tickets. Or the ones that were left were bad times that conflicted with young children’s nap times. I just see this as bad and very unfair for off property guests. The fast pass system should be fair to anyone that is paying to get into the parks. I have emailed Disney twice about it to no avail.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
We used the Magic Bands when we were there in January. I always seem to have my kids and bags hanging off my arms and never noticed when I lost my Magic Band. You need to enter a PIN whenever you charge to your resort room account or debit from your Meal Plan, but I still made sure I deactivated it. It happened at the end of our last day, so I never had to get a replacement Magic Band.
Erika says
Nicole, we’re also a military family and just booked our first WDW family vacation. Or boys will be 3 and 1 at the time of travel. I looked into Shades of Green and it is actually cheaper to stay at Pop Century! I don’t know your category (we are category 2 at SoG), so it might be cheaper for you, though the dining plan isn’t available at SoG.
We added the dining plan and are getting our tickets on base before we go. We also used an Authorized Disney Travel Agent (MouseFan Travel) and she was able to access military discounts with the resort. Our final cost was $300 more than we had initially expected, but we had been planning based on NOW and not our actual travel time. I’ve been thrilled with the level of service we’ve received from our agent, and since it’s a free service, I don’t think I’d ever not use an agent for future trips!
Betsy says
Great information! I wish they would have the option of a “magic pendant” that could be worn like a necklace-I would be more inclined to use it, only because I am not fond of wearing things on my wrist in the heat and humidity.
Allen says
Magic Bands.when to wear them,going to the airport before you go Orlando?Or when you are at the airport in Orlando?
Jodi Grundig says
You won’t need to wear them until you arrive at your resort!
Amy says
On a trip to Disney in May 2014 we used the Magic Bands. We linked it with Memory Maker (which is totally worth the money, book it before your trip to save $50). After you use your three FastPasses of the day you can book three more. It is awesome!
Autumn says
I will be going to Disney soon. I am excited about the magic bands and fastpass system! I’m not sure but from the comments I’m guessing only people on the Disney properties can really get a true advantage. This will be my sixth time staying at Disney and I have stayed at Universal even more times where only people staying at the Universal properties (now just the original properties) can automatically have access to fastpasses. Therefore, I think that it is not all that unfair because the lines are already long and it would be nice to have an extra perk especially since a lot of money had to spent to stay on a Disney property.