Recently, a new experience has been added to your Walt Disney World vacation – MyMagic+. This includes MagicBands, FastPass+ and the My Disney Experience app. Together, these aspects can make your vacation even more magical! Let’s take a quick look at what these include.
My Disney Experience
Using your Disney account, you can log into the website prior to your vacation. Here you can make dining reservations, customize your MagicBands and select your FastPass+ options. However, the website is just part of it – you can also download the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone or tablet! This is where My Disney Experience shines. While on your vacation, you can click on the app and see what dining or FastPass+ reservations you have for the day. You can also see a map of the parks, check the wait times of your favorite attractions and even see what character meet and greets are nearby!
MagicBands
MagicBands have replaced your Key to the World cards. These bands act as your Magical Express ticket, Disney resort room key, park tickets, dining credits, room charge option and FastPass+ tickets. These bands have a similar feel to a Garmin or GPS watch. 60 days before your trip, you can begin the process of customizing your MagicBands which includes choosing a color (gray, red, blue, green, orange, yellow or pink) and choosing a name to inscribe on the band. The bands will be delivered to your home (unless you don’t customize them or make your resort reservation too close to check in). While they can be slightly annoying to wear on your wrist, they allow you to ultimately bring nothing with you to the parks!
FastPass+
The normal FastPass tickets and kiosks are going away, making way for the new FastPass+ option. Using the My Disney Experience website or app, you can choose 3 FastPass+ options a day, in one park. You will be given various hour-long time periods for each of your selections, however you can change them if needed – even while in Disney! One thing to note is that Hollywood Studios and Epcot currently have a tiered system, meaning that you can only choose one of the “headliner” attractions, then choose your next two from the lesser attractions.
But how can they enhance your runDisney race weekend? Here are our thoughts!
– With early (or late) race times, MyMagic+ allows runners to still enjoy the parks without long waits at their favorite attractions! You are able to schedule your FastPass+ options for the afternoon, which is wonderful. Prior to FastPass+, runners were at the mercy of possible long wait times or had to arrive at a park to secure at paper FastPass and then wait for their ride window. Experiencing a headliner attraction using FastPass was almost impossible prior to Magic Bands.
– MagicBands allow you to walk through the parks and resorts with ease. Along with your band, all you need to bring is a camera (and possibly an ID)! You can charge purchases to your room, enter the park and use FastPass+ with only your band.
– Want a photo with a certain character after receiving your runDisney medal? Using the My Disney Experience app, you can find out where that character is in the parks! (Added bonus, with all the hydrating you are doing – you can find the closest bathroom quickly as well!)
I have a magic band. If I buy my park tickets at the gate, do you know if I will get a paper ticket still or are they able to add my tickets to my magic band at the point of sale?
You can add them using the My Disney Experience app.