Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
by Brittany DiCologero
10. Customize your band before your trip
When you customize your Magic Band online before your trip to Walt Disney World, you’ll have the option of choosing which color you’d like. This might not sound like that big of a deal, but when you check in and are given a grey band, and you later find yourself wishing it was blue, you’ll realize that you would have been better off customizing it online before you arrived. Once you’re checked in and given your grey band, the only way to really get another one is to buy it, and why would you want to go out of your way to buy something that you could have gotten for free in the first place?
[google_ad]
9. Remove the grey edge to fit smaller wrists
If your Magic Band seems to be a little too big, or you have children wearing Magic Bands, be sure to rip the grey edge off of the band. If you open the band and flip it over, you’ll notice a perforation along the back. Break the colored part of the band apart from the grey edge piece, and you’ll be left with a smaller, and likely more comfortable band.
8. Be sure your band is linked to your resort reservation, park tickets, and Memory Maker
If you purchase a package and ordered your bands ahead of time via the My Disney Experience website, this should already be done for you. However, if you purchase a new Magic Band in the parks, or buy your park tickets and Memory Maker later, you’ll want to make sure that everything is linked properly. It’s really easy to link everything to a Magic Band on the My Disney Experience app by editing the cards and bands attached to your profile, but it does get confusing, and it you need help the cast members at Guest Relations would be happy to assist you.
7. Be sure your My Disney Experience account is linked to your family and friends
While this point really applies to the way you use the app more than your bands, it is important for what could possibly happen while you’re using your bands. If your family and friends are not linked to your account, you might not realize that you’re only making Fastpasses for yourself and not the rest of the group. To make Fastpasses for everyone you’re traveling with, you’ll want to be linked up on the app. This can be an easy fix, by selecting the link friends and family option on your account, again however, if it does get tricky, any cast member at Guest Relations will be able to help.
6. Design your own bands
One of the best ways to make your Magic Band a little more unique, is to design one for yourself! You can do this at Walt Disney World using tablets, like you would with the cell phone cases, at stores like the Space Mountain gift shop, and D-Tech at Disney Springs. These locations allow you to choose colors and graphics, which feature a number of Disney characters, and can be ready for pickup in as little as thirty minutes.
5. Purchase Band-its and Sliders
Some guests are not interested in buying Magic Bands simply because you really don’t need more than one. A great solution for wanting to customize a band without repeatedly purchasing new ones is to purchase sliders and Band-its instead. These fun Magic Band accessories can add some unique styles to your otherwise plain band, and are interchangeable and more affordable than buying new bands all the time.
[google_ad_btf]
4. Don’t forget your annual pass!
When you have an annual pass, you are entitled to a number of discounts on dining and merchandise. Even though you’re probably going to be using your band rather than an actual ticket, it is important to remember to bring your annual pass as well. There is no way for cast members to tell that you have an annual pass from your band (and no, the little AP slider does not count). So to make sure you’ll be able to receive your discounts, make sure to bring your pass and a valid photo ID.
3. Buy limited edition/special event bands
Even guests who prefer to not purchase new bands frequently can find themselves falling victim to the sales of event-specific Magic Bands. If you are going to buy a new Magic Band, I would suggest going with any of the limited edition or special event ones over any others you might see. They’re more limited quantities make them a little bit more exciting (and unique since few others will have them) and they sometimes make different sounds, or light up in new colors when used at the touch points.
2. Understand how obtaining and viewing photos will work
Believe it or not, there are lots of guests who do not really understand what happens when photos are loaded onto their Magic Bands. These photos are linked to your My Disney Experience account, where you’ll be able to view and purchase them later (unless you have Memory Maker, in which case you can download them all for that one set price). This means that you’ll want to have your band linked to your account so you can view them online after your trip. It’s also helpful to know that you do not need to scan your bands at the touch points in ride photo viewing areas. The rides can pick up the bands while you’re on it, so your photos will already be there whether you touch it or not.
1. Set up charging privileges
If you’re staying at a Disney resort, you have the ability to use your Magic Band as a way of charging to your room. Even if you don’t plan on using the band to charge anything, it’s still a good idea to set up a pin, and have the ability to use charging privileges just in case. It’s good for if your party splits up, and the person with the money isn’t with you, or if you plan on paying off a resort bill with gift cards at the end of your trip.
