Tag Archives: MagicBands

FAQ: FastPass

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FastPass is Disney’s attraction reservation system.  It allows you to reserve a time for an attraction with a short wait.  Here are some frequently asked questions about the FastPass+ system.

How much does it cost? It costs nothing, it is included with your park ticket.

Where are my FastPasses?  These are connected to your ticket media, so it may be a physical ticket, or your MagicBand.

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How many FastPass reservations can I make?  You can make 3 FastPass reservations initially, after you use those you can make additional reservations one at a time.

How to make more FastPass? You can make additional FastPass using the My Disney Experience app or website, as well as the FastPass+ kiosks in the parks.

How do I make my initial 3 FastPass reservations? You can make these reservations on the My Disney Experience app or at www.startyourdisneyexperience.com at 60 days prior for Walt Disney World Resort guests, 30 days for off-site and annual passholders.  You can start to make these reservations at 7am.IMG_0139

How long do I have to use my FastPass?  Generally you have 1 hour to use your FastPass.  However if you are using this for a show the time will generally be 20-30 minutes prior to the show.

Can I show up early for my FastPass? Generally, no you have to wait until your FastPass window to open.

Can I show up late for my FastPass? Again, generally, no.  If you get lucky and get a really nice Cast Member, they may let you in late but don’t wait too long, over 15 minutes late and your FastPass will essentially expire.

Can I change my FastPass?  Yes you can change the experience or time of your FastPass if you change your plans or you mind.  You can do this in the app or online.

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Does everyone have to have the same FastPasses? Not at all!  This flexibility makes it easy to be able to do what appeals to everyone in your party.

How long are the FastPass lines?  The FastPass lines vary based on attraction, time of day and how busy the standby line is for the attraction.

 

Do you have any other burning FastPass questions?  Ask away!

Podcast Episode 94: Disney Discounts 101

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Disney discounts can be very confusing so in this week’s episode we’ve given you a primer on everything you need to know to navigate the Disney discount waters!  We walk you through what happens when a discount is released, how you can take advantage of a discount, and even what to do if a discount doesn’t apply for you.  Don’t miss this episode!  It could save you money!

Happy listening!

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Disney Visa Perks

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You have maybe heard about the Disney Visa before, particularly when promotions are released.  On occasion Disney Visa cardholder have been granted early access to these discounts for booking a Walt Disney World vacation.

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So what do you get with your Disney Visa?  How much does it cost?

There are two types of Disney Visa cards a free one and the Premier which is an annual fee applied directly to your card of $49.

One of the perks of having either card is the 10% off any purchase of $50 or more at Disney stores and Disneystore.com.  Which as we know doesn’t take long to get past that $50 price tag. 

A 10% discount is also available at dining locations in Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.

Points can also be earned on purchases made with the Disney Visa.  These points can then be turned into a Disney Visa Rewards redemption card. You can earn up to 2% in rewards dollars at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and Disney locations.  Also you can earn 1% everywhere else. These points can be used for booking Disney vacations, spending at Disney parks, and Disney stores.  You earn points after you have paid on the card.  The points never expire but your card can be inactive so be sure to check on this before leaving home and making purchases.

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Disney Vacation discounts are also available at times with this card.  It will be similar to the discounts and promotions that Disney offers to the general public such as a room only discounts or dining promotions.  On occasion these promotions are offered prior to general public sales allowing the cardholders a couple of days head start.

Discounts on tours are another great perk.  You can save 15%!  At Disneyland you can try out Welcome to Disneyland, A Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps, Discover the Magic, Cultivating the Magic and Disney California Story.  At Walt Disney World you can try out: Disney’s Family Magic, Keys the Kingdom, The Magic Behind our Steam Trains, Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom, Gardens of the World, Undiscovered Future World, Behind the Seeds, DiveQuest, Seas Aqua Tour, Backstage Tales, Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP, Day for Young Families VIP, Epcot Food and Wine Festival, Backstage Magic, Holiday D-Lights, Yuletide Fantasy, Wilderness Back Trail Adventure.

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In Disneyland and Walt Disney World you can present your card for a private meet and greet with Disney characters.  At Walt Disney World it is located in Epcot, Innoventions West daily from 1-7pm.  You will receive downloads of the pictures onto your MagicBand.  In Disneyland Resort go to Disney’s California Adventure Park next to Monster’s Inc. Mike and Sully to the rescue, daily from 10:30am-1:30pm.  Downloads are also available here.

For Food and Wine at Epcot there is the Chase Visa lounge with free soft drinks, water and a place to have a break and charge your phone.

10% off select recreation experiences at Walt Disney World are available such as carriage rides or horseback trail rides.

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For those that want pampering there is a 15% discount for salon treatments valued at $45 or greater or any 50 minutes or longer spa treatments at Walt Disney World.

For Disney Cruise Line you can get at $50 onboard credit when you pay for your Disney Cruise Line vacation in full with your Disney Visa card.

You can also check out the full printable guide here https://disneydebit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2014/07/9392_WDW_Debit_ThemeParkPerks_PocketGuide_02.pdf

If you are like me, you probably learned a little bit about a card you already hold!  I didn’t know about many of these discounts, which means my Disney Visa may get a workout next time I am at Disney, for the perks of course!

 

How Parking Works at Walt Disney World

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Whether you are taking your own vehicle or renting one once you get to Walt Disney World there are a few things you will want to know before you arrive.

Resorts
Self-parking at any of the Walt Disney World Resorts is complimentary if you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

Valet Parking is available at select deluxe resorts and is $25 per day. Should you go from one resort to another you do not have to pay an additional time, your valet parking will transfer to another resort.

Parks
At the 4 theme parks, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom guests will pay a single fee per day.

If you are a resort guest, Annual Passholders, Premium Passholders and Disney Premier Passport holder you do not have to pay for parking. You will show your MagicBand at the parking plaza.

As of March 2016 here are the prices:
Car or motorcycle- $20 per day
Shuttle, limo, camper, trailer or RV- $22 per day
Bus or tractor trailer- $25 per day

You can pay this fee with cash or credit/debit card.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are available at Epcot. 4 ChargePoint charging stations are located in the Journey parking section, on a first come, first serve basis. You will need to use a credit card or chargepoint card to pay for the electricity. The cost is $.35 per kilowatt hour with a minimum service amount of $1.50.

One important parking note for Magic Kingdom is that parking is actually at the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) and from there a transfer must be taken by Ferry, boat or Monorail.

Water Parks
Self-parking is complimentary at both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach for all guests

Disney Springs
Self-parking is complimentary.

Valet parking is available for $20, payment will be collected at pick up.

ESPN Wide World of Sports
Self-parking is complimentary for all guests.

Guests with Disabilities
Designated parking areas are available to guests with a valid disability parking permit at each of the theme parks, resorts and Disney Springs.

MagicBand On Demand

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Have you been itching to create your own MagicBand that fits your personality?  Well now you can!  The creation station is located in the Tomorrowland Power & Light Co near Space Mountain.  There will be 8 different colors to choose from…including the much requested purple!  There will be 40 different graphics that you can choose from to customize your band, including some Magic Kingdom ones that will ONLY be available at the creation location.

In addition to the graphics, you will also have the opportunity to print your name on the outside of the band!  This should be lots of fun!

The printers will use UV ink that dries instantaneously and requires no cooling time.  In addition, you can link them to your My Disney Experience account right away, or you can save them to give as gifts.

The cost for a customized retail MagicBand is $21.95 and a personalized retail MagicBand will be $29.95.  Have fun creating!

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Resort Check-In Testing- Skip the Check-In Line

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A new testing phase is taking place right now at Walt Disney World. From June 16-28th, 2014 guests can bypass the check in desk by receiving a text message or email letting them know their room number. That means it will automatically be keyed to their MagicBand without visiting the front desk. It is taking place at the following resorts:

• Contemporary Resort
• Bay Lake Tower
• Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas – Jambo House and Kidani Village
• Port Orleans Riverside
• Port Orleans French Quarter
• Pop Century

In order to be eligible to test this check-in process you must have a My Disney Experience account with a completed profile and resort reservations must be linked to your My Disney Experience account. Also, you must have received your MagicBands from Disney, have your room balanced paid in full and completed the online check-in set up (along with a PIN number). One last thing, the room packet with a resort map and other information will still need to be picked up at the check in desk. These aren’t necessary but some of Disney’s resorts are very large so this can help you find the layout of the resort while you are there.

It is important to remember this is just a testing phase and so there will probably be issues to work out but it could be a really great option to have if you want to go straight to the parks upon arrival.

Do you think the new text check-in process is something you want to try? Tell us if you do and how it worked for you!