There is a lot going on lately with the world of MagicBands, MyMagic+, and FASTPass+, and with that…there are a lot of questions to be asked. The great readers for the site and over on the Doctor Disney Facebook Page have plenty of questions and they’ve asked them of me so I’m going to answer them.
Please know that all answers are according to information that is current and in place now and released by Disney. Things are subject to change without any notice at all and they have been known to do so.
Melissa: Are there any new colors of MagicBands coming soon?
Disney has not confirmed which new colors are coming or when, but it has been stated that others will be on the way not limited to but possibly including black, purple, and others.
Stephy: How hard is it to get a fastpass for the biggest rides such as Toy Story Mania, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Expedition Everest?
They can be quite difficult. Many guests will actually start making their FASTPass+ selections at midnight on the start of their 60-day (resort) or 30-day (non-resort) windows. Sometimes, Disney does open up extra times, but the big-ticket rides and most popular attractions are going to go first and they will go fast.
Some of the older big-ticket attractions like Everest, Tower, etc… are a little more likely to be gotten. Seven Dwarfs, Anna and Elsa, Toy Story Mania…they all go very fast. The same can be said for the parades and nighttime shows/fireworks.
Jessii: Will they (MagicBands) be replacing actual tickets here soon and fully switching to this system?
With the start of long-range capabilities for MagicBands beginning, it seems more and more likely that the actual tickets/cards are being phased out. Many have said that RFID tickets will always be an option, but a number of Imagineers I’ve spoken with, have advised me that the cards themselves will cease to exist in the future. This is in much the same way that metal keys were fully taken away once Key to the World cards were released in full.
Annie: Exactly how does the new “fourth fastpass” work? When you use your first three do you automatically become eligible for more?
Upon using your first three selections, you do become eligible for your fourth FASTPass. Once you use the fourth, you become eligible for your fifth and so on. For now, you must make any additional (over three) FASTPass+ selections at the in-park kiosks.
For more info, check out a review and FAQ of the new FASTPass+ system.
Stephy: When you get your fourth fastpass can you get it using the app or do you have to use the systems in the park?
At this time, you must use the in-park kiosks to make any additional FASTPass+ selections after your original three. You cannot use the app. Disney has gone on record as saying that the goal in the future is for guests to be able to use their My Disney Experience app to make all of their FASTPass+ selections including their first three, their fourth, their fifth, and so on.
For more info, check out a review and FAQ of the new FASTPass+ system.
Kristina: Can you change one of your pre-reserved fastpasses once you have entered the park?
Yes, you can change them. Disney has said that you need to go to an in-park kiosk, scan your Magicbands, and change them, but that hasn’t proven true from my experiences lately. I’ve been able to change my FASTPass+ selections via the My Disney Experience app or website. That could end up changing, but give the app a shot first and if that doesn’t work, head to one of the in-park kiosks.
Terri: Photo passin’ for a florida resident.. How long can you leave the pics on your band before you have to buy the cd? Is it possible to have the whole year stored on your band?
They do not last for the entire year, even for Florida residents. I know this because an email was just sent to me a couple of days ago and letting me know that my PhotoPass pictures were set to expire. They still will expire 45 days from the day they were taken so don’t forget that they are there.
Holly: Since they have added more FP+ after you use the initial 3, will the system then allow you to park hop with the additional?
Yes, you can indeed park hop with FASTPasses now. The way it goes is that your initial three are made and you must have them used or their time expire. Once that is done, you can park hop and make a fourth FASTPass and then a fifth and so on. You must use the in-park kiosks to make your additional FASTPass+ selections by scanning your MagicBands and going through the process.
But…to park hop, you can only make your additional selections after getting to the new park you want to be in and using the in-park kiosks there.
For more info, check out a review and FAQ of the new FASTPass+ system.
Cindy: What about groups of about 20…..can you make fastpasses for everyone??
You can indeed. There are a couple of options for doing this:
1.) Create one primary My Disney Experience account and invite everyone else’s MDE accounts to be your friends and family. Once they all accept, you can make FASTPass+ selections by using the “Select All” option.
2.) For Walt Disney World Resort reservations…obviously, 20 people can’t stay in one room. With multiple rooms and everyone having their own MagicBands, you can have multiple MDE accounts for each room. With multiple computers, you can all access your MDE accounts and try to get the same FASTPass selections at the same time.
Obviously, option two is a bit more work, but option one means having a lot of MDE accounts too. It is possible, but there’s a process for it.
Danielle: Since they opened up more Anna and Elsa FP ressies, until park closing now…do we still need to book them at midnight of our 60 day mark (for onsite stays) or can it be done in the morning?
My recommendation would still be to get them as quickly as possible once your time-window opens up. Yes, that will likely change in the future, but having witnessed it personally…many FASTPasses for big-time attractions (Anna and Elsa, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Soarin, etc…) are still going very fast.
Katelyne: How far out can you book your fastpass example for Anna and Elsa?
Those staying at a Walt Disney World Resort can book FASTPasses in a 60-day window prior to their arrival date.
Daily Guests and Annual Passholders can book FASTPasses in a 30-day window prior to arriving at the parks.
