Part One of the FASTPass+ tour took guests through how the system is generally supposed to work. Remember, it is still in the testing phases of things, and that means that a lot can change and nothing is cemented down as perfect yet.
With that being said, it is time to take you through the next part of understanding how this whole situation is going to work.
Guests that are able to take part in the MagicBand testing will be able to access FASTPass+ and enjoy all that comes along with it. Now, it’s time to fully understand making your reservations and booking FASTPass+.
When you log into your My Disney Experience, you’ll be led in the direction of booking your FASTPass+ reservations and given options to schedule those attractions that have regular FASTPass and those that are FASTPass+. Guests that don’t have Magic Bands won’t be able to use FASTPass+ for those attractions.
When you begin doing this, you’ll be given your attraction options of which three you want to schedule for that particular day and then the next and so on. This will also be where you’ll be able to schedule a FASTPass for lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant…IF you are presented with that option. As of this writing, Be Our Guest is the only Disney restaurant with FASTPass.
If you’re lucky, you may even be given a BONUS attraction which will give you a total of four for the day.
From there, all of your FASTPass times and dining reservations and park tickets and room keys will be on your MagicBands and making everything easily accessible to you and your whole party.
Sounds simple, right?
Well, this is still a testing phase for Disney, remember?
As advised by those involved with the process of MagicBands and all that goes with it, you should still have Key to the World cards for all of those included in your party. Here are the reasons that you might want to seriously consider – GET THEM – getting your Key to the World key cards.
~ Traditional FASTPass machines aren’t set up to work with MagicBands
That’s right, the original FASTPass machines still are working with key cards or card tickets only. If all you have are MagicBands, then you’ve got no card or ticket to put in the FASTPass slots and get paper FASTPasses out. Remember, you’re only allowed to schedule three FASTPass+ attractions per day so you may want to end up getting another or two.
Keep this in mind if you park hope as well. FASTPass+ can only be scheduled at one park per day, and not at say…Epcot and Magic Kingdom. So, if you have your KTTW card, then you can get some more FASTPass attractions in.
~ Not all Disney dining locations are yet set up for the MagicBands
This is directly from Disney management to me. MagicBands are set to make your trips easier, but again…this is testing. That comes up a lot, doesn’t it?
Well, not all Disney dining locations are yet prepared to take the MagicBands, and therefore, they can’t accept your payment from them. Those locations aren’t set up to read your Disney Dining Plan or credit cards that are attached to your MagicBands.
Therefore, you’re going to need a Key to the World card so that your DDP can be recognized.
There are a lot of reasons of argument for still having a KTTW card on your person at all times, even if you’re using the MagicBands, but the previous two reasons are the biggest.
Make sure that once you arrive at your Walt Disney World Resort and check-in, ask for a KTTW card for yourself and every member of your party. Put them away in your purse or wallet or bag and you may never even have to take them out. But…it’s sure not going to hurt to have them on you.
Do you know if you still get the key to the world card if you have the magicbands or do you need to request the card at checkin?
John, you will need to request one at check-in. I did not receive one and I have asked numerous others that have been using the MagicBands, and I’ve come across no-one that has simply been given one without asking for it.
Just stayed at Pop & participated in magic band testing. We were given kttw cards at check-in and told to keep them on us for the reasons you mentioned above & because we would need them for extra magic hours. They were sealed in an envelope attached to our other check-in docs. We did not ask for them.
Thank you so much for this info, Krista. It is good to know and I’ll pass this onto everyone. Wasn’t sure if Disney would end up doing this or not, but am glad they decided to do so.
We are going in December. How far in advance can we make fast pass+ reservations?
As of right now, it is varying. I was able to make mine on two different occasions at two different times – 35 days out once and then not until 21 days out another.
A friend of mine just was able to make hers the other day at 17 days out, and another friend of mine made theirs last week at 21 days out. I would honestly say that from 40 days out, start trying and then try every 2-3 days or so to see if you’re eligible to do it yet. Until the full roll-out comes along, we may not have a set date.