MyMagic+ Delivers More Magic For Walt Disney World Guests…here’s how…
Last week we got to fully test drive the MyMagic+ system that is reshaping the vacation experience for guests who visit Walt Disney World. Disney has invested a reported $1.5 billion into the system that is supposed to help guests customize their vacation and help them create even more lasting memories with their family and friends.
Guests are able to design the Disney vacation they want and that means having the ability to personalize everything from home before they visit the happiest place on earth.
The system starts at the web site MyDisneyExperience.com and the free My Disney Experience mobile app where guests register and can then start to plan their vacation even before they set foot on a plane or start the drive. The system is designed so that families can begin their experience from home, planning as much or as little as they wish. There is complete information about the attractions, experiences, dining and hotels as well as interactive maps, videos and itinerary tools on the web site to help plan the perfect vacation.
The big attraction is the ability to lock in “must do” experiences in advance through the FastPass+ system that neatly dovetails into MyMagic+. Guests can make show, ride, fireworks, parade viewing or even Disney character greetings in advance. That means that with everything already planned in advance, families can enjoy a more relaxing vacation to enjoy each others company. What makes this system unique is the ability to plan with other family members or with friends by simply linking tickets to each other in order to co-ordinate plans as well as share photos.
With the simple click of a mouse on MyDisneyExperience.com guests can select up to three FastPass+ experiences at one park per day for each day they have a valid park admission. Once guests have redeemed their first three selections they can then make another FastPass+ selection by visiting an in park kiosk. Once they’ve used the fourth, they can select another and so on. FastPass+ is included in theme park admission for all Walt Disney World guests and as the system comes more and more into play, so the choices will become bigger and better.
Another exciting innovation that Disney have brought in is the MagicBand, The MagicBand is an all in one device that effortlessly connects guests to all the vacation choices they make online. It serves as park admission, access to FastPass+ experiences and Disney PhotoPass photo association, all rolled into one. For those staying on Disney property, it also serves as the room key and it also has an additional payment option.
The Magicband is a non-latex, hypoallergenic material that is flexible, durable, waterproof and generally, comfortable to wear product. They are easily scaled to fit any user and they feature comfort ridges that help circulate air between the band and the wrist. Guests don’t have to wear one but from expeirence, I can safely say that it does greatly help not having to search for a plastic card every time you want to use the FastPass+ system.
The secret behind the MagicBand is that it uses radio frequency (RF) technology to connect guests to their plans and entitlements. Guests simply touch their band to various touch points located at theme park and FastPass+ entrances. Guests personal data is not stored in the MagicBand and extensive measures are in place to protect guest information.
Day guests have two choices when they visit. They can use their RF enabled theme park ticket to plan their visit or enter the theme park or they can purchase a MagicBand at $12.95 plus tax. All guests can still enjoy the benefits of MyMagic+ without the need to purchase a MagicBand.
Overall, from our experience, the system works very well. Naturally, living in the area, we didn’t get to use the hotel side of the system but we did thoroughly test the theme park and FastPass+ systems. They worked seamlessly and perfectly. In fact, the only slight issue we had was with the Disney PhotoPass system. We had some photos taken on Main Street in front of the castle and they appeared on the system well within the 24 hours Disney tells you they need to display them. We also had a photo taken in Ariel’s Grotto and that didn’t work out so well. Some 72 hours later the photo still hadn’t appeared but a quick email to Disney Guest Services resolved that issue and a few hours later we had that photo.
It’s entirely up to you whether you decide to get a MagicBand but we found great value in not having to hunt for the credit card sized theme park ticket each and every time. I will say the MagicBand wasn’t entirely comfortable for me, but, I don’t wear a watch or any jewelry so having a piece of plastic strapped to my wrist was always going to take a period of adjustment.
In conclusion, we found that MyMagic+ and FastPass+ greatly enhanced our visit. Even as frequent visitors to the theme parks, we always felt this gave us a slight edge because we knew we had reserved our rides and parade experiences in advance. You can see from the picture below that the special fastPass+ area for the Festival of Fantasy Parade offered us a great view.
So that’s about it. Another fabulous innovation from the leading entertainment company in the world. Did we really expect anything less?
