Disney’s Next Generation Theme Park Experience

Planning Your Vacation For Success Part 5

 

Now, it could be that by the time you read this, Disney will have changed all the rules, but I want to give you our experience with this new Disney program to enhance your Disney World vacation. Called “My Magic +,” the program is designed to help you get the most out of your vacation dollars. Does it accomplish that task? Well, I’ll let you know when our next vacation is over. Here’s what I can tell you though. If you’ve ever gone to Disney World in the past you’ll find that much of what you’ve come to expect is very different. I’ll contrast the way things used to be done with the way that they are now.

1. Making your reservation.

You’ll find this hasn’t changed much. Whether you use a travel agent or book on your own, the process is the same. Booking on your own allows you direct control over your reservation, whereas booking with a travel agent may give you perks you can’t get anywhere else. The Disney World website has been updated for the new program and I’ve found it to be somewhat buggy. It tends to work better with Google Chrome rather than Microsoft Internet Explorer. Until they fix this you’ll want to make sure you have Chrome loaded onto your computer. New to the Website is a feature called “My Disney Experience.” It is through this tab that you make all of your plans and reservations for your trip. Make sure you build a profile for yourself and log in for this feature to really help you.

2. Key to the World Card versus Magic Bands.

Previously upon checking into your resort at Disney World each member of your group would be given a “Key to the World Card” (KTTW) which would serve as your room key, admission media , track meal plan purchases and allow charging privileges. This has been replaced with the Magic Bands. Like the KTTW the Magic band covers all of the above. It is worn on the wrist and can be customized with name and color as well as numerous other modifications that can be purchased in the parks. But the Magic bands go a step further. They also track your Fast Passes (more on this later) The Magic Band is a RFID tag that will allow the guests to interact with the parks in ways that never could be experienced with the KTTW card. Future uses for this technology include use as an interactive game piece, PhotoPass identifier, Magical express voucher and an activator for special effects on rides or in the resorts. At some point between 70 and 90 days prior to your trip you will be able to customize your Magic Bands by logging into the Disney World website and clicking on “My Disney Experience.” (MDE) then selecting “Personalize Magic Bands.” At that point you’ll be able to select which color you want your magic band to be and what name you want placed on it. You can put your name or nickname on the bands.

3. Fastpass vs. Fastpass +

The Fastpasses are changing. With next generation you will be allowed to log in to the Disney World website 60 days before your trip and select the rides that are MUST DO’s for your family. These pre-arranged Fastpasses are called Fastpass + (FP+). This particular plan of Disney’s is probably the most radical of the new program and the most controversial. You will be allowed only 3 FP+’s and you will need to make sure that you are online at 60 days to select for the best times. Disney is also now limiting the FP+’s that you can book. In certain parks where there are not many “E-Ticket” rides Disney will allow you two of these high end FP+’s but not three. That third one will have to be one of the lesser rides. Rumor’s flurry about Disney’s ultimate plan for this perk but as of right now this is what they have offered. Here’s my take on it. On the legacy (traditional) FP’s, one would have to be quick to get one for certain rides because Disney would run out of FP’s, especially during the busy seasons. FP+ allows you to ensure the ride you want to go on, without the enormous wait time attached to it, and you can have this assurance before you even leave your home. I think this is great. But, here’s where it can hurt Disney. Experienced Disney park goers know to be on their computers at certain intervals to make sure they have first pick of popular experiences. The average park-goer does not. I’ve experienced many people with Disney Dining Plans turned away at many restaurants because they failed to make reservations. I foresee this being a problem for the FP+. Sure you’ll be able to pre-arrange your FP’s but you’ll need to be on-time to do it or you’ll be disappointed. This program engenders a degree of planning that I do not believe the average person is not interested in and simply does not understand. However, that’s why you’re reading this article, isn’t it? To have a leg up on the competition.

4. Disney Dining.

Here’s where there is little change to your park experience. You can still make your reservations 180 days in advance. (190 if you are staying on Disney property) But now your reservations are tracked with the MDE site. This helps in planning your days and FP+. You will have all of your plans in one easy to find place. Adding to this convenience is a new program of FP+’s for certain dining experiences. Currently these dinning experiences are not counted as rides on your FP+ so you will still get your 3 ride FP+’s and for now you can set up a FP+ for dining at the “Be Our Guest” restaurant during lunch. So, rather than waiting in that long line to eat at the popular counter-service restaurant you can make a reservation by going to: https://beourguestlunch.disney.go.com

The window for this opens up sometime after your 60 day window so you’ll want to check daily for the best times. Once you are able to log in, you’ll be able to pre-schedule a lunch and miss the line. I’m hoping that they’ll roll this experience out to other eateries as well. You will be able to either pre-select a time or pre-select a time and pre-order your meals. You can even tell them to hold the mayo on that sandwich as well. Very cool. Here’s a tip for you. The site requires a reservation number to get into it. However, it doesn’t take the resort reservation number you were given when booking your vacation. Instead, It wants your Magic Band number. You’ll get that number when you customize your Magic Bands, so make sure you make note of it.

The My Disney Experience App.

Now, what good would all of this preparation and planning do you if you’re computer is at home and you’re in Disney World? What if, you decided at the last minute you need to change your plans and want to switch around your FP+? Or, you forgot your reservation time? Well, Disney thought of that. Now, you can download their app onto your smartphone and track all of your reservations and even make changes to them on the fly if need be. Remember, that article I wrote earlier in the year about technology and travelling? Here’s where it pays off.

Overall, I have been happy with this process so far. It has been buggy and signing up for those FP+’s could be a lot more streamlined but overall, I got what I wanted for the times that I wanted and in just a few days our Magic Bands will be mailed out to us, so I’ll have them to place under the Christmas tree for a surprise. I guess my next article will be about our experience in Disney World during the Most Busy Time of the Year!