MagicBands and Fastpass+ for offsite guests

Good morning!!

On Monday, March 31st, Disney continued there expansion of the MyMagic+.  Now guests staying offsite can enjoy some of the same privileges of MyMagic+ as onsite guests do.  I say some because there are some differences.

Difference number 1 - onsite guests can book their Fastpass+ reservations at 60 days out from checkin.  Offsite guests have to wait until 30 days out.  While this will not hugely impact most selections, popular attractions may be long gone by the time their window opens - think meet and greet with the Frozen characters Anna and Elsa!

Difference number 2 - onsite guests get a MagicBand for FREE with their resort reservation, whether it be a room only and they buy their tickets separately or have them from a previous trip or as part of a package.  Offsite guests have to purchase their MagicBand for $12.95 plus tax per band.  If they chose not to purchase a band their park ticket will work the same as a MagicBand would.

Difference number 3 - obviously just as before when staying offsite your MagicBand or ticket would not have any charging abilities.

Here's the media sent to travel agents from Disney:

As part of the test-and-adjust process for MyMagic+, Day Guests (those Guests who are not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel) are now able to make FastPass+ selections 30 days in advance of their trip and can purchase MagicBands to link to their plans in My Disney Experience.

Day Guests may make FastPass+ selections for each day they have admission linked in My Disney Experience starting 30 days in advance of their visit.

While day Guests are not issued MagicBands, they may use their RF-enabled theme park admission to enter the theme parks and redeem FastPass+ selections, or they may purchase a MagicBand and link their theme park admission to the MagicBand.

MagicBands will be available to purchase for $12.96 plus tax at Walt Disney World Resort Park merchandise locations and atDowntown Disney®. They will be available in all seven colors – pink, blue, red, green, orange, gray and yellow.

After a MagicBand is purchased, Cast Members will link the Guest’s admission media (or other RF media such as an existingMagicBand or Memory Maker card) to the retail MagicBand. If the Guest’s ticket is already linked to his/her My Disney Experience account, all of the plans, such as tickets, dining reservations and FastPass+ selections, will be seamlessly linked to their new MagicBand.　

Touch to pay is not available for day Guests. Only Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels who establish charging privileges upon check-in are able to touch to pay using MagicBands or RF-enabled theme park tickets.

As a reminder, MagicBands are available to all Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Magical Monday! (Late)

Good Evening everyone!!

Yes it is Tuesday and not Monday, but hey, at least I am posting something, right?  LOL

Promotion News:

So yesterday ended the springtime promotion for up to 30% off your room and discount on your park tickets once you purchased 4 days or more, BUT that doesn't mean you still can't go to Disney this spring on a discount!!  The Intro to Magic offer is going strong through April 20th.  This great deal includes the Memory Maker for free as well as a room discount!!  Dates available - 4/27 to 6/15 AND 8/15-9/27!  While the discount is not quite as good as the spring promotion it still is there and a savings!!

If a spring trip just isn't in the cards for you this year, but you want to head there this summer, well there is a great summer promotion going on as well!!!  This promotion can be booked through 6/15 and is good for dates from 6/15 to 8/28!  It includes a room discount AND a deal on tickets if you book for 6 nights or more.  The room discount is there for 5 nights or less too, just better when you add that sixth night!  Be sure to check it out here!


Around the World News:

Yesterday also marked the start of Magic Bands and Fastpass+ PREbooking being available to off site guests.  I plan to write up a blog post on this, so stay tuned for more information on how this will effect your offsite trip.  Key points - off site guests can book their fastpass+ up to 30 days out, onsite guests keep the advantage here with a 60 day booking window.  If offsite guests want a MagicBand it will cost them $12.95 plus tax, where it is FREE for onsite guests.



Parking fees went up yesterday in WDW as well.  The second increase this year.  It is still less to park in WDW then it is a local sporting event though, so that is saying something.  AND onsite guests as well as Annual Passholders still enjoy FREE parking.  Parking is now $17/day at Walt Disney World parks.  It is transferrable from park to park, so if you park hop you will not have to pay the fee again. When pricing out an offsite vacation to WDW, be sure to include parking fees in your budget.

What's New With Me:

Well.....we are going to Disney World!!  That's right, this May my kids and myself, along with my mom are headed to Disney!  I am so excited to test out all the newness that has happened since our trip last June, less than one year ago.  Since then Legacy Fastpass has left, fastpass+ is all the rage, no more room keys, just Magic Bands, hopefully a ride on the Dwarf Mine Train, new parade and I am sure more that I am not even thinking of!  We are taking part in BOTH Star Wars dining experiences and will get to enjoy Star Wars Weekends for the third year in a row.  Look for regular posts via twitter and Facebook and definitely some fun reviews when I get back!!

That's all for today guys!!  Have a great night and make this week Magical!!

PS - Starting Friday at midnight I will be participating in 5 minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party 2014!  Look for my post and join in the fun!!