Disney’s MyMagic+ FAQ
MyMagic+ is a planning program at Walt Disney World that utilizes the My Disney Experience app, MagicBands, and other technology to assist guests on their vacations. This post offers tips and provides answers to frequently asked questions and advice for how to get the most out of the My Disney Experience app, MyMagic+, MagicBands, and more.
The MyMagic+ system completed its rollout a couple of years ago, with FastPass+ and MagicBands now being available to all guests, and the My Disney Experience app now fully functional, even for guests staying at off-site hotels when visiting Walt Disney World. Tweaks to My Disney Experience and other components of the system have continued throughout Late 2016 (this post was last updated October 21, 2016). This FAQ has been updated several times since then to cover all of the updates to MyMagic+.
With that said, we anticipate further tweaks to MyMagic+ even though it is now fully rolled out, as adjustments are made based on full scale use of the system. As information changes, we’ll revise and supplement this page. Please note that this post has been revised heavily since MyMagic+ initially began testing.
Note that this post on MyMagic+ covers the entire system Walt Disney World uses, from MagicBands to unlock their hotel room doors to the My Disney Experience app to make dining reservations. The most important part of this, for most guests is FastPass+. We also now have a huge Guide to FastPass+ at Walt Disney World complete with screenshots from My Disney Experience and tips for best taking advantage of FastPass+. That post is a much more “essential” read than this one…
With that said, let’s cover the basics of the MyMagic+ system…
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is MyMagic+?
Beyond the general description above, to the forward-facing public, MyMagic+ is a planning and enhancement tool consisting of the My Disney Experience smartphone app, FastPass+, and the MagicBand bracelet, all of which are proprietary Disney technology.
To guests, MyMagic+ is a way to seamlessly integrate various aspects of their Walt Disney World experience into one system, making dining and FastPass+ reservations via the My Disney Experience app, and redeeming FastPass+, charging expenses, and opening their hotel room doors (among other future functionality) with their MagicBands.
To Disney, MyMagic+ is a way to track guest behavior to maximize spending, manage labor more effectively, and assist with strategic planning. In theory, the system should also allow Disney to be more responsive to in-park traffic patterns as they shift, and deploy additional entertainment or increase (artificially underutilized) capacity at certain attractions with demand. In theory at least.
In a perfect world, the system will be beneficial to both guests and Disney.
What is My Disney Experience?
My Disney Experience is the smartphone app for the iPhone, iPad, and Android that is now available for download, which is also a web-based client on DisneyWorld.com. Guests can view wait times, make or change FastPass+ reservations, make dining reservations, and utilize other functionality. It is expected that advanced functionality for the app will be added over time.
What is FastPass+?
FastPass+ is a digital ride reservation system that has replaced paper FastPass tickets. FastPass+ can be obtained via the My Disney Experience app/website in advance of visits or via in-park kiosks for guests who don’t have smart phones, and will be stored on the MagicBand or park tickets. Guests can “redeem” their FastPass+ by swiping the MagicBand against an RFID reader outside applicable attractions. Guests are able to book 3 FastPass+ tickets in advance of their vacation (so, from home) at scheduled times. FastPass+ effectively spells the end of the morning Toy Story Mania FastPass dash!
Not all FastPass+ attractions are created equally–many were added in order to have sufficient capacity in the system so that each guest can book 3 per day. Do research before booking these, as some attractions with FASTPASS+ normally have no wait. You are wasting a FastPass by using it at one of these attractions. Our Disney Ride Guides for Walt Disney World each contain recommendations concerning the best uses of FastPass+.
How does FastPass+ work?
Much like Advance Dining Reservations, guests can select three “preferred experiences” (attractions and reserved seating for shows/parades) guests then can choose from available time slots. Some parks have FastPass+ “tiers,” and you may only select 1 attraction from the top tier (meaning no FastPass+ for both Soarin’ and Test Track at Epcot!) All advance selections must be in the same park, so guests who Park Hop will essentially be limited to day-of kiosk availability, if any.
Guests staying at Disney resort hotels at Walt Disney World can book their FastPass+ experiences up to 60 days in advance of their stay. Annual Passholders and off-site guests may book their FastPass+ experiences up to 30 days in advance of their visit.
Are you limited to 3 FastPass+ per day?
NO! Not anymore, at least. You can now book additional FastPass+ on the day-of once you’ve used the 3 FastPass+ that you booked in advance. This works similarly to the old FastPass system in that these day-of FastPasses can be booked one at a time, once you’ve used your previous FastPass.
You are still limited to book 3 per day in advance of your trip, but this change effectively means no limit on FastPass+ once you start using the FastPass+ that you booked in advance. This opens the door to using FastPass+ when Park Hopping, too. Same day FastPass+ availability isn’t as good as advance booking availability, so we still strongly recommend booking in advance.
Expect continuing adjustments to the FastPass+ process as Disney responds to guest patterns now that MyMagic+ has been rolled out to the general public. If you notice more changes during your visit, please report them to us in the comments below!
What is a MagicBand?
The MagicBand is the little bracelet that guests wear around their wrists. It stores guest information, including park tickets, FastPass+ reservations, Memory Maker photo package details, and can also be used to charge purchases to the guest’s room and as a room key. It will also contain a code that identifies the guest’s profile in Disney’s system, which the guest (at their election) can complete with a variety of encrypted personal information to make elements of their visit more interactive (for example, in the future, characters might say, “happy birthday” to a guest on his or her birthday).
For many guests, a MagicBand will replace all of the papers and cards you carry with you on a given day in the park. You could potentially just carry a MagicBand and an ID, and leave behind the rest of your wallet.
Optimistically, in the future it is likely that the MagicBand will offer a more tailored experience throughout the parks. Pessimistically, Disney will use MagicBand as an “ankle tracking bracelet” of sorts that monitors just about everything guests do in parks for the purpose of maximizing guest spending.
MagicBands are available in seven colors (red, blue, green, pink, yellow, orange, and iconic gray). For guests staying at Walt Disney World hotels, they will be shipped to a guest’s home prior to arrival. If the trip is booked within 9 days of arrival, the MagicBand will be provided upon check-in. Annual Passholders may order a MagicBand and have it shipped to their home, free of charge. Iconic gray will be the default color for replacements and late arrivals. The MagicBand is waterproof, but doesn’t float. Each band will have a 3-year battery.
For guests staying off-site, MagicBands may be purchased in the theme parks, Downtown Disney, and various other locations for $12.95 each. MagicBands are not required for park admission or FastPass+ redemption, so they aren’t technically necessary at this time. Because of that, we do not recommend off-site guests purchase them.
Tables in Wonderland and other “membership” cards cannot be added to the MagicBand as of right now.
Is MyMagic+ available to the general public?
Yes, the only restrictions on MyMagic+ to the general public (as in those guests not staying in Disney-owned hotels) at this point is that their MagicBands are not free, and they have a 30-day advance window for booking FastPass+ once they have their park tickets. For this reason, we recommend purchasing park tickets in advance.
As a practical reality, we have noticed no actual disadvantages for off-site guests. Sure, there is convenience in being able to use the MagicBand for a variety of purposes including room charges and a hotel key, but even without the MagicBand, these weren’t things off-site guests could do.
As for the 30 v. 60 day window, we haven’t seen that make much of a difference. That could change as more people continue to use MyMagic+, but as of right now, there is usually very good FastPass+ availability at 30 days.
We do anticipate some future features that will require a MagicBand, but that is not presently the case. If/when that happens, off-site guests will be able to take full advantage by purchasing a MagicBand.
How much does MyMagic+ cost?
MyMagic+ will be available for all on-site guests, Annual Passholders, and Cast Members at no additional visible charge. However, since this entire NextGen project that includes MyMagic+ has cost Disney an estimated $1.5 to $2 billion dollars, you can bet that Disney will be rolling the costs into existing charges. Sort of the same way Disney’s Magical Express and transportation are ostensibly free, but Disney builds these “freebies” into the cost of vacation packages. Disney is a for-profit business, so you can bet you’ll be paying for this one way or another.
Off-site guests will have to pay $12.95 if they want a MagicBand. Again, at this point we really view that as an unnecessary purchase for off-site guests unless you really think the bands look stylish!
Add-on accessories and other trinkets for customizing the MagicBands are also available, called “MagicBandits” at an additional cost. Disney will have to sell a lot of Little Mermaid MagicBand dinglehoppers to pay for the system completely! 😉
How will MyMagic+ enhance my park experience?
MyMagic+ allows for greater advance planning and less racing around collecting FastPasses when in the park. It reduces a bunch on interconnected, but separate, aspects of a Walt Disney World vacation into a single, seamless system.
Going forward, it could also lead to increased interactively in the parks. Examples include characters at meet & greets saying hello to you by name and knowing a few of your personal details to humanize the experience. Similarly, advanced Audio-Animatronics in queues may interact with you. It’s also possible that queue games and experiences may be able to store your “achievements.” None of these things are “live” right now, but Disney has such projects in the works.
These are just a few examples of what is possible with MyMagic+. Much remains unknown, and is dependent upon how Disney is able to utilize the system going forward.
How will MyMagic+ detract from my park experience?
While the advance planning might be a plus for some, it’s likely to be a negative for many others. A portion of all FastPass+ will be allocated towards day-guests who don’t make reservations in advance, but there’s no question that there will be fewer FastPass+ for day-guests, who could find themselves waiting in long lines at FastPass+ kiosks when they arrive to the park. However, since you’re reading this article, it’s unlikely that this will detract from your experience–you now know that it’s important to make FastPass+ reservations in advance.
The main people who will be disadvantaged are those who do not do any advance planning before their trips. In fairness, these people are pretty much always disadvantaged, and are disadvantaged for failing to do their own due diligence.
Serious planners may also be disadvantaged, especially those who typically were able to utilize more than 3 FastPasses under the old, paper FastPass system. Efficient guests could regularly use 5+ FastPasses in a single day, and those people will likely find themselves waiting more time in line by being limited to 3 FastPass+ per day.
Elements of spontaneity will also be gone, as the new system requires more advance planning, some of which may not be practical for many guests 60 days before their visit. Beyond these concerns, there are great concerns by many over privacy information that Disney will collect as part of this initiative. Disney’s goal with MyMagic+ is a more enjoyable and intimate theme park experience, but its other main goal is to increase guest spending and efficiency. Many guests probably already feel as if they are spending too much at Walt Disney World.
Will you be able to opt out of MyMagic+?
If these privacy concerns don’t sit well with you, fear not, as MyMagic+ is an opt-in program that will not require participation. However, the number of perks afforded only to those who use MyMagic+ will be such that most guests will feel compelled to participate. If not, you’ll be stuck with waiting in the same-day FastPass+ lines and will have a difficult (if not impossible) time scoring FastPass+ for the most popular attractions, like Toy Story Mania.
What about Annual Passholders?
Annual Passholders can now register to receive their own MyMagic+ accounts and MagicBands free of charge. FastPass+ rules are slightly different for Annual Passholders, who have the 30 day advance booking window but also are limited to only 7 days worth of FastPass+ reservations for any 30 day period. For Annual Passholders who visit more than 7 days per month, this means some days with 0 FastPass+.
Replacement MagicBands for Annual Passholders will cost $50 (given the $12.95 cost for a MagicBand for day guests, we’re not sure whether this replacement cost will change, but it’s the current cost). Annual Passholders will be able to tie a credit card to their MagicBands for purchases at Walt Disney World.
What about guests without smartphones?
While a smartphone is necessary to use the My Disney Experience app, it is not necessary to use MyMagic+. Guests can pre-book their FastPass+ experiences from home or on kiosks set-up within the parks. Kiosks are located throughout the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. One thing we noticed in Epcot is that the first FastPass+ kiosk in the park always had the longest lines–try going to one further in the park for shorter lines if you need to use the in-park kiosks. However, we highly recommend advance booking of FastPass+.
The user experience likely won’t be quite the same for those who can’t make adjustments on the fly with the My Disney Experience app, but a smartphone is still not required to partake.
What if I miss a FastPass+ window?
Disney is pretty efficient given its size, but it has a number of inefficiencies and variables beyond guest’s control. If transportation, dining, etc., outside of the guest’s control causes a guest to miss their FastPass+ window, Cast Members have limited discretionary authority over accommodating the guests. We don’t recommend “testing” the amount of discretion they have unless you have real circumstances beyond your control preventing you from making the window. It’s more of a hassle than it’s worth.
What if I book through a travel agent?
If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World hotel, you will have the same advantages. You can even have your travel agent book your FastPass+ and other reservations via My Disney Experience (if you want, and if that’s one of the services they offer).
What is Memory Maker?
Memory Maker is the photography service component of MyMagic+ that effectively replaces PhotoPass+. Although there are some differences between Memory Maker and PhotoPass+, they aren’t expected to be significant. Essentially, this is just a renaming as Disney integrates the photo service into the Magic Bands and My Disney Experience. If you liked PhotoPass+, you’ll probably like Memory Maker. If you didn’t like PhotoPass+, same goes. If you are unfamiliar with PhotoPass+, read our post explaining its pros and cons.
Our Thoughts
While I do have some concerns about the privacy aspect and the money Disney has spent on the infrastructure for this new system, I already heavily use Google products, so the privacy concerns aren’t a big thing. I’m not exactly wild about the direction society is going with privacy, and I think corporations are diminishing our expectations of privacy, but this is far from the most (or even close to it) egregious example of that.
My greater concern lies with how much Disney has spent on this whole NextGen initiative, and how that money could have been used on actual substance or necessary maintenance in the parks. To me, the gains from a streamlined system aren’t a big deal. As for other aspects of NextGen and what MyMagic+ might be able to do in the future, I enjoy video games, but I don’t go to Walt Disney World to experience them, and it seems the whole direction of the Disney enterprise has been to cater more to the video game and iPhone-addicted generation.
I hope quality dark rides and themed environments continue to be a huge focus for Disney (and if Cars Land is any indication, they are), because this billion dollar investment represents nothing that I personally couldn’t do without. Now, if Disney quickly sees a huge return on investment, great. But I’d still rather see capital expenditures made on attractions and transportation infrastructure, rather than Disney Vacation Club resorts and NextGen. Not to say DVC and NextGen don’t have their place, but right now they seem like the primary focus of Disney in the theme parks realm (at least at Walt Disney World).
As for the actual functionality of MyMagic+? While it was initially somewhat problematic during early testing, our visits in 2016, MyMagic+ has worked flawlessly. This isn’t to say there aren’t still some kinks with the system, but it’s now (mostly) operating as intended.
For Walt Disney World trip planning tips and comprehensive advice, make sure to read our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide and related articles.
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Your Reaction?
Now that we have a good amount of concrete information about MyMagic+ and the NextGen project, what are your thoughts? Do you see this as the evolution of the theme park experience, a profiteering and data-mining folly that is bound to fail, or is your opinion somewhere in between? If you’ve had a chance to use FastPass+, we really want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments!
I’m heading to the World on September 6th and I just received an invite to be a tester last night. I am super excited!
Beth, I only checked out the page to sign up for FastPass+ real quick, but I didn’t see any place to signh up for preferential viewing areas for fireworks and parades. Is this on one of the later pages?
They are offered if available under the Fastpass selections. Perhaps they are already booked for your visits.
Wow! it came the last minute ! Actually on hold with Disney reservations, as I write this, to try to take advantage of 30% off room discount. I’ll try to be super nice and take the survey after the call.Once again, by December maybe every resort guest will get it. Thanks again for the info.
Hi, All- I just received an Overnight Express envelope from Disney announcing that we have been selected for MyMagic+ for our upcoming WDW visit. I thought I’d share the terms that are outlined on the paper they sent- It states that we will have the opportunity to “make multiple FastPass+ selections for select attractions and shows in one Park per day, for each day [we] have a valid Theme Park ticket.” Once I accessed my new account, I was able to book 3 FastPasses per day, per park, and was even given a bonus 4th pass on most days. Over the course of our 5 day visit, I was able to book all the marquee attractions as well as preferential viewing areas for all the different firework shows and parades we wanted to see and for the times we wanted to see them. They even come up with 3 or 4 itineraries for you to optimize the timing of your selections. I have to say, on paper, this is pretty brilliant and the equivalent of a highly addictive drug for an OCD planner such as myself. 🙂 We will see how it rolls out in reality!
You’ll have to report back on your experience. So far, initial testing has been going really, really well. Of course, during this test phase, only select guests are using the system, so there is no “competition” for good slots (imagine how easy it would be to make ADRs for Be Our Guest and Chef Mickey’s if only 1% of guests were allowed to call). Guests in the test also have had access to the old system, essentially allowing them to double up on FastPasses.
It will be interesting to see how the test scales from less than 1% of guests using it to the majority using it. I do think Disney has ironed some of the kinks out of it, so hopefully it works well!
Hi, Tom!
I will be sure to report back, and I’ll try to “work” the system and double up on FP’s to see what happens.
We did have a glitch in the assigning of bands- something that the technical services agent said he had never see happen before and couldn’t fix on his end. Basically my husband was assigned 2 bands instead of one for each of us, so he is listed with 2x’s the FP’s. According to Disney, this can only be fixed by hotel personnel at check in, as they have different access to the system, but they’ve promised it won’t cause any issues. They did mention that they couldn’t cancel the FP’s and reissue the same times, as things had already booked up, and this was less than 24 hours after initial issue. I guess when you are dealing with number of Disney proportions, even 1% can jam a queue!! If there is anything you’d like me to specifically try out with the bands (must be legal in at least 18 states) let me know. 🙂
Beth, I’m interested in when your date of arrival is. We’re not arriving until early December, so I’d like to determine when to expect the package if we were selected.
Hopefully, by then it won’t be a test and all resort guests can participate!
Hi, John-
We are going the first week of August, and I received the overnight package on July 22nd. Interestingly enough, the package came right after a really phenomenal phone interaction with a guest services agent that was helping me secure dining reservations. She was tremendously informative and helpful, and we ended up chatting about our respective childhood experiences in the parks. I complimented her on “embodying Disney” and for providing exactly the kind of service we associate with the company. I took a survey about the call afterwards, and….poof- the envelope arrived shortly thereafter. I had made calls to our hotel weeks prior asking about FastPass+ and was told they had no info about it. This makes me wonder how much leeway Disney employees have to randomly “perc” guests with this service. The bands themselves are pretty cool- they came in a completely themed box personalized with our names on them. 🙂
This has been one of the most fascinating conversations I’ve read on Disney World in a long time. We own a technology company and employed a senior engineer from Disney who spent the last 30 yrs working with their upgrades in technology. He often talked about this new experience in a mixed way. There are parts of it that I don’t mind as I am very active with social media and like the covenineces of technology. However, as a mom who’s been to Disney hundreds of times (grew up a little over an hour away) my kids have higher expectations and demands for their visit. Lack of patience and the need to always be connected is, I fear, robbing them of the true magic we experienced growning up. Quality time with the ones your with, meeting new people, conversing with cast members. Just being in the moment and absorbing the magical atmosphere around them. We rarely use FastPass. I’d rather skip a ride than be on the other side of the park when our time comes around.
I also think all these issues discussed in the comments are weighing on the cast members. Or maybe it’s a breakdown in their training. We huddled under a cabana for about 45 mins in Typhoon Lagoon last weekend with some lifegurads. It was an awful experience. One of them rattled on the entire time abotu how awful some of the other lifegurads were then went on an on about some of his interections with guests. he wasn’t being quiet about it. He mentioned how he couldn’t believe these cast members passed some test adn they weren’t fit to wear the uniform. I wanted to turn around and kindly tell him that Walt would roll in his grave if he heard the way he was talking and in front of guests.
Times are changing and, unfortunately, there’s no stopping it. As for our family, we will stick to ejoying the resorts only in the busy season and pull the kids out of school in off season to enjoy the parks.
We are going for our Honeymoon in October, and I’m not sure how I feel about all these changes. I’m more than willing to try out new technology, but my main concern is about the bracelet. If all your information is included on it,including the option to buy items from it, I’m worried about it falling off or someone being able to snatch it off. I have not seen the bracelets – I know you mentioned they are like the livestrong one, does that mean they are more fitted and can’t really fall of?
I would love to se You and Sarah on a reality show in TLC or something… haha, love your blog! HI, from MEXICO!!
I just wanted to comment on your mention of FASTPASS windows and my personal experiences at WDW and Disneyland Resort.
I live in CA and frequent the parks here. In all of my visits since FP was released, I have worried about the times listed on my tickets. If we got held up in a show, dining or on another ride, they would honor our FPs anytime that day after the window. This is true for every ride in both CA parks without exception.
We just returned from our honeymoon at WDW and I was shocked when a cast member said that we could not ride after our window. She clearly saw the shock in my face and gave us FP alternatives so we could ride anyway.
I am curious why this is the case. Perhaps there are more loyal fans who really use the FP system at WDW than DL? What are your thoughts?
This is no longer the case in Florida. CMs are instructed to turn people away and they do.
Maybe I should be more trusting of Disney, but I am not happy about any of this. It seems like a big poke in the eye to their regular visitors who have been using the current FP system to their advantage. I just don’t see the payoff for the average guest to having 3 fastpasses that they have the schedule months in advance of their trip, especially when they are adding FPs to rides that don’t need them and other acitivites like fireworks and characters, just so they can say they have enough to choose from. I use multiple FPs for the same headliner attractions in a given day. This will be impossible. I’m happy to get to the park by rope drop and use a good Touring Plan, but it sounds like whatever steps I take the trips will never be the same. We are torn between traveling in December this year or next year. I would love to avoid the full rollout if possible. Tough to decide….
Thanks for the great report on all this, Tom. Always love your website.
I agree 1000000% with your thoughts.
We are planning a trip for 2014 and will be buying our tickets through Shades of Green. Does anyone know if well be able to get fast pass plus with these tickets? Thanks
Assuming the system is live at that point, you will. The mechanics of how it will work are unknown, but all tickets purchased through authorized sources will be eligible for FastPass+.
I am wondering, since the bracelets can contain personal information, and can be used to track your movements through the parks, can they be used to find lost parents so that they could be called to be reunited with their children?
There have been rumblings of that, but no confirmation of it yet. My assumption is that this will be a feature, but not a heavily publicized one. On the one hand, it’ll be a great tool when necessary, on the other hand, it’s a reminder that Big Brother is watching.
I’m out I you can’t get paper tix. It’s bad enough when you have to show up on the WINDOW. Bring back the good old days when you could spend the first half of the day horsing fast passes and the second half riding rides like a maniac!!!
I’m a bit confused… will the Magic Bands be available for all Disney guests? or are they only for annual pass holders?
All guests!
I think this was a great write-up on the NextGen system, certainly the best I’ve read on it so far. Right now, my thoughts on this have been pretty mixed. While I’m as wary as the next person about Disney potentially knowing where I am in the park at any given time, it has upsides too. As someone who was part of a family who temporarily lost a child once at Disney (my little brother wandered off at Typhoon Lagoon back in 2001) this could potentially ease a lot of parents’ minds. And admittedly, I think that the possibility of characters and interactive queue elements knowing your name and stuff is really cool; like ET at Universal Studios except hopefully WAY better (ET always butchers my name, so that part kind of sucks).
To be honest, though there are a few good reasons to use it, I can’t see myself doing so on my next trip – whenever that might be. I love the spontaneity that comes with a Disney trip for me and my friends/family. While dinner reservations are great, I don’t think I’d want to reserve my FastPasses in advance. Though the thought of finally getting to ride Toy Story Mania is tempting… lol I really don’t even use FastPasses that much because I like to go through the full queue, I don’t feel like you get the complete experience using FastPass.
Oh, and on the bracelet thing, I’m wondering what they’re made of and if they’re removable of not. Gotta say, on my last trip we stayed at the Nickelodeon Hotel for a few days and had to wear bracelets to be able to use the pools and stuff. Those were terribly uncomfortable and not meant to be reusable.
They are removable. To me, they pretty much look like a thicker “Livestrong” bracelet.
Just back from a week of using FastPass+, and pleasantly surprised. I have a very low tolerance for things around my wrist in high heat and humidity, which is inevitable in an August Disney vacation! I’ve killed more watches than I can count because I take them off and stick them in my pockets. So I really thought I’d hate the new Fastpass bracelet. But it was surprisingly comfortable, and very convenient. I loved not having to find a place to put my room key when I was at the pool! It is easy to remove, but not easy to lose, and doesn’t make your wrist sweaty. I’m amazed.
If I booking my reservation for December 23, I receive the Magic band by mail? Automatically. ( sorry for my english I’m a spanish speaker)
I can’t wait for this to be available to everyone! I love that you won’t have to carry park tickets, FASTPASS repository, PhotoPass, room charge card, and room key. Very excited and hope we can use it for our trip in December!
What I want to know is WHY? have they not updated Disneyland at all? I mean, it’s not even like WDW is currently. I grew up on WDW and my husband on west coast grew up with Disneyland. Every time we go to Disneyland it is frustrating and confusing…nothing like the WORLD!!
Just recently found your blog, love it!
The plan is to roll it out to Disneyland eventually, but I’m not sure how well it would go over with the large local fanbase there (which I believe is also Disney’s concern). I personally have no interest in this, and I’d imagine most regulars share a similar view.
I still find it all confusing. And what if you have someone with special needs in your group? Doesn’t this throw the whole ‘fast pass+’ off?
Making a ‘reservation’ two months in advance is great in theory. Being an ‘oldster’–I know that bumps happen along on the road in life. Lots of planning changes/things can happen in two months. If you need/have to make changes—and you can’t get a new FP time—you’re out of luck like the casual visitor, right??
when the magic band is officially available to everyone, how will you be able to decide the colors of the band in advance for your entire party to avoid the rather dull “iconic gray?” Do you think it will be right in the app or on the website or will you have to go through a travel agent? And with the band being tested now, when do you think it will be officially available for everyone? My family is going in late December-do you think it will available then?
I presume it will be part of the online booking process, the same way you select your attractions.
From what I understand, MyMagic+ will only be available at WDW. Do you know if they plan to expand it into other parks and what that cost might be? I foresee the cost of Disney entertainment to increase world-wide to cover this expense, not just park tickets…
Love the blog! Growing up my family was all about Disney. We went many times, the most when I was a teenager (I think 5 times in 3 years). This was in the early 2000’s and we loved having my Dad run around the park collecting fastpasses for all of us. My husband had a conference in Orlando in 2010 so I went along and we stayed a few extra days so we could experience Disney as adults. I was a little shocked at how downhill I thought the fastpass system had gone. I wanted to ride Peter Pan, one of my all time faves since childhood, and we waited for over an hour, not just in line, but in the same spot because the standby line DID NOT MOVE FOR ONE HOUR! I’ve heard since that Disney has changed it’s rules regarding fastpass and is stricter about returning times. So I was optimistic about the new FastPass+. But the more I hear the more nervous I get. I’m planning our first trip as a family for September 2014. I’m super excited for my son to experience that Disney Magic that only a 3 year old can experience. But I am confident My Magic+ will be fully rolled out by then. I’m a little nervous to be honest. With a toddler, a Disney trip is all about spontaneity, letting him lead the way. Do you think Disney, or any or the numerous blog sites (maybe touring plans, hint, hint) will offer suggestions on how to best utilize the Fastpass+ and numerous other offerings from My Magic+?
I totally agree that waiting in the same spot for an hour for Peter Pan is ridiculous, however, that ride is ALWAYS a long wait. I haven’t quite figured out why since it’s a continuously moving ride…but It’s always a long wait. I waited once for 45 minutes at 1:30am during EMH…and I said never again! Either you get a fastpass for that one or just wait until the standby time sign says 20 minutes and then maybe you’ll get out of there under 30 min. The only good thing is that it’s a little bit less crowded as of recently because of New Fantasyland, and I expect when Snow White’s mine car ride opens it will help even more to decrease the crowds at Peter Pan.
Two questions…1) Does using FastPass+ mean that you can’t use regular paper ticket FastPasses ever? In your article, you said, “…guests who parkhop will essentially be doing their non-FASTPASS+ park entirely via standby. Guests utilizing FASTPASS+ will not be eligible for paper FASTPASSes.”
I know that sounds straightforward, but it’s also very vexing to me in that it doesn’t make a lot of sense to do the vast majority of attractions via standby just for the convenience getting “advance” FastPasses for 3 rides.
2) If you don’t have a smartphone, but opt to use the MyMagic+ wristbands, how do you know what time to return to the ride? I assume there will be a readout on display at the FastPass kiosk, but obviously, that is not transportable like the paper ticket is and I assume with everything else on people’s minds, a lot of people will forget the exact time slot. Does this mean that you’ll have to write it down somewhere? If so, that doesn’t sound like much of an upgrade. Or…will you be able to swipe your wristband under an RFID reader and it’ll remind you of your time slot?
You cannot get traditional fast passes anymore. There are FP kiosks with humans with I pads – you get one choice on the 1 tiered rides – the good ones and 2 on the 2 tiered. It sucks.