Testing has been going on for just about a week now, but full FASTPass+ for non-resort Disney guests will begin next week, and that is complete with all of MyMagic+ options and optional MagicBands.
UPDATE: MagicBands for Daily Guests will cost $12.95 each, and they can be purchased at the parks. Offsite guests will need to link their ticket/band to their MyDisneyExperience before booking anything.
Beginning on March 31, 2014, FASTPass+ will be made available to all non-resort Disney guests.
Guests using single-day or multi-day tickets will be able to make FASTPass+ reservations up to 30 days before their park visit, much in the same way as Annual Passholders.
Guests do need to link their park tickets to their My Disney Experience account.
MagicBands are going to be available for non-resort guests to purchase, but they won’t be required. Those guests can still use their RFID-enabled ticket media for entry into the parks and for FASTPass+ reservations.
Daily Guests will be able to use all functions of My Disney Experience via the app and the website. Some FASTPass+ kiosks will still be available in the parks, but these guests won’t be limited to them.
Full FASTPass+ for non-resort Disney guests ensures that all guests to Walt Disney World parks will sort of be in the same category. Guests of Walt Disney World Resort hotels still have the one advantage of being able to make their FASTPass+ reservations at 60 days out.
We are going on our first trip to disney April 21-27th. Do you know the cost of magic bands for guests staying offsite? Do you know how long it takes for them to be sent? Would love to get them if we can! Thanks!
They have not yet released the price for those bands. I’ve heard a few rumors swirling that they will only be available in the parks for purchase, but I don’t necessarily believe those as of yet.
My suggestion would be to call Disney on March 31 or April 1 and ask them directly. With three weeks remaining until your trip, from that point, I would assume you could get yours in time.