Tips for Making the Most of a Disney Day

Tips for Making the Most of a Disney Day
(ANY day!)

No matter if you're planning on staying for just a few days or for a week or longer, it's always good to do a little bit if planning in order to make the most of any day at Disney World.

There is so much to see and do that it can easily become overwhelming, and if you wait until you get INTO a particular park, it may be too late for you to do some of the things that your or your family really, REALLY want to do.  A little planning is key to having a successful Disney trip.  Here are a few of my suggestions for making everything work and avoiding waiting in long lines, missing out on great events or rides, and basically keeping everyone - including YOU - from having a meltdown at some point during the day.

Download the MyDisneyExperience app on your phone.

This can be a valuable tool not only in the planning before your trip, but also while you're in the parks or at your resort. 

Photo: floridareview.co.uk

Here's what you can do on the app:

• View the wait times for attractions at each of the parks
• Check on existing dining reservations and cancel, change or even make new reservations
• View and edit the FastPass+ reservations you already have, or make new ones
• Check character meet and greet times and availability, as well as any updated times for these and other events
• Check times for daily parades and fireworks
• Look up the locations of restrooms
• View a map of each of the parks

Know your "must do" attractions, shows and rides.

If you have a general idea of what everyone wants to do -  either separately or as a group - you'll be able to fit more into your day.  Maybe someone wants to play golf, while the others would rather go back to the resort for some pool time. If a couple of people in your party really want to ride Haunted Mansion for the fourteenth time while someone else would rather watch the Electric Light Parade (this is a personal experience), everyone can get what they want.

I don't know what everyone ELSE is doing, but...
Photo: dadsguidetowdw.com

Knowing what parks and attractions are open earlier and/or later, or if they are closed for refurbishment during your trip (which can and does happen on a regular basis) is a bonus, too.  Checking the Walt Disney World website in order to help you plan your days is always a good idea.  The website has park hours listed for six months in advance, so you should have plenty of time to determine what park may be opening earlier or staying open later on a particular date during your trip.  I use this tool in determining what park I want to end my days at more than anything; the Extra Magic Hours in the evening are perfect for my family, who would rather sleep in than get up for the rope drop first thing every morning.  

Use the "child switch" option if you have small kids or guests who can't ride.

Most rides in each of the parks have the "child switch" option. This allows families with children or other party members who cannot ride a ride, or families with younger children who do not WANT to ride a particular ride, to ride or experience the attraction without waiting in line twice.  All you need to do is let a Cast Member know when you enter the line that you'll need to use a "child switch", and they will instruct you on how to make sure everyone who wants to ride gets a chance to do so, without leaving children or other family members unattended.  

Photo: undercovertourist.com

Arrive early.

At every park, on every day of the year, there is a "rope drop" first thing in the morning, as each park officially opens for the day.  It might not be an actual rope, but it is the time when those who are in attendance are let into the park.  I've never attended one of these rope drops, but I'm hoping to do so during my October trip to see what the experience is like.  

Once the rope "drops", people make a mad dash for their favorite ride or attraction in order to avoid a long line.  Some people actually do this so that they can get back ON the same ride after they've experienced it at "rope drop".  I can see where this would be a bonus.

Hmmmm...maybe not...
Photo: mouseplanet.com

Also, getting to the parks earlier means you have more hours to enjoy while you're there.  The Extra Magic Hours I mentioned above could either be an extra hour in the morning, or a couple of extra hours at night, depending on the park, the day, and the time of year.  For instance, Animal Kingdom currently only uses the early morning Extra Magic Hours so that the animals can rest after 5 or 6 p.m.  The latest closing for this park is 6 p.m., so if you have a Park Hopper pass, you can leave Animal Kingdom and head to another park to spend the rest of your evening without paying for a full day ticket somewhere else.

Stay late!

Again with the Extra Magic Hours, Disney resort guests can stay later at a different theme park, water park, or at Downtown Disney every day of the week.  Check the Walt Disney World website for the dates of your trip to determine the operating hours for your favorite park or parks.  

Generally, Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are open two hours later on the same night(s) each week, so you can certainly do some planning in this respect.  

Fewer people, more photo ops...what's not to love?
Photo: blog.touringplans.com

Also, it has happened - and I have been there - when Magic Kingdom has decided to stay open even LATER THAN the posted Extra Magic Hours.  Say they are normally scheduled to close at 11 p.m. during summer hours.  During Extra Magic Hours, they stay open until 1 a.m.  On random nights they stay open until 3 a.m.  Now THAT'S a day in the park!  

During the winter months, the parks generally close at 9 p.m. but may stay open until 10 p.m. or later, or as late as midnight for the "hard ticket" special events such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (September-November) or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (November-December).

Use FastPass+ for your "must do" rides and attractions.

If you are staying at a Disney World resort, you will have first access to the FastPass+ option for your family 60 days prior to your trip.  See my article on "Important Disney Planning Dates to Remember" for this and other time-related tips HERE.  

If you know that your family wants to ride Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios or the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, be sure to get a FastPass+ for these rides so your family won't have to spend 90 minutes OR MORE waiting in line at each ride.  Just remember that you can only book three FastPass+ options per day using this 60 day advance booking, and that all three of those options MUST be located in the same park.  

If you have Park Hopper passes, you can always go from park to park as you normally would, but you will have to wait in line somewhere.  Use FastPass+ plus at the park AND on the attractions that are the most popular and to maximize your time.

Photo: mickeyandminneytips.com

FastPass+ times are good for one hour, and the times for each of them are provided to you on the Walt Disney World website as well as the MyDisneyExperience app, so you know the hour window in which to check in for that ride or attraction at the entrance.  If you are a couple of minutes early or late that is usually okay, but if you are too far off of your FastPass+ time you will be asked to come back if you're early or be told that your time has expired if you're late.  

Remember that YOU are ultimately responsible for your FastPass+ options, and it is not the Cast Member's fault - or anyone else's fault, for that matter - if you took too long somewhere else and 'assumed' that your place in line would be held indefinitely, because it won't.

Plan your meals at off-peak times.

This may seem weird, but if you are really looking forward to eating at a popular restaurant or counter service location in one of the parks, consider eating earlier or later than the traditional breakfast, lunch or dinner times to ensure that you won't either have to wait in line forever or miss the experience altogether.  

Photo: wdpromedia.com

In the case of really popular new restaurants such as Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom, making a breakfast reservation instead of a dinner reservation as soon as you can should get you in the door.  Believe me when I say that there are people who are waiting for 12:00 a.m. on the 180th day before their trip so that they can make a dinner reservation for dinner at Be Our Guest in six months.  The restaurant can - and will - be sold out for dinner very quickly.  Lunch is another option that is counter service only at this location and there are currently NO reservations being accepted for this, but you will probably have to wait in line, because it is very popular at any time.  Another option is...

Bring your own food.

This may seem illogical, but it IS an option.  Disney parks DO allow you to bring in your own food, but no glass bottles or alcohol. You can pack sandwiches or just bring snacks if you're a family of light eaters, if someone has a dietary restriction, or even if you just don't want to pay high prices for theme park food.  Even though it can get expensive, there are Disney Dining Plans that can even be free and included in the price of your trip (depending on when you book and the length of your stay).  

Just remember, you will miss out on Mickey-shaped food if you bring your own!
Photo: blogs.disney.com

Also remember that Animal Kingdom does not allow straws because they are a danger to the animals.  Use common sense when you bring in food or snacks to any of the parks, and always respect that  the security guards at the park entrances have the right to search your bags at any time.

Stay in the park to eat your meals!

Believe it or not, some people think they should leave the park in order to get a good deal on a cheaper meal.  The money you MAY or MAY NOT save by dining outside the theme parks might not be realized because you will have to pay for gas for your car or for a taxi.  In addition, when you return to the park, there's no guarantee you'll be able to get back INTO the park, especially if your visit is during the peak months.  Capacity crowds are a distinct possibility, and just because you have a pass or a Park Hopper and were already IN a particular park does not mean you get to go back in again.  Unless you work there, there's no guarantee whatsoever.

Photo: bestoforlando.com

So use the tools you have, and enjoy your trip from beginning to end!

Important Disney Planning Dates to Remember

I'm not talking about a specific date or dates on the calendar, but instead the dates when you can start some serious planning (and not just planning in your head, like I do 24/7/365).

Once you have your resort booked, the DisneyWorld website (disneyworld.disney.go.com) keeps track of the days until your trip and will send you email reminders when these very important dates come up:

Photo: ThisGirlTravels.com

As soon as you book your trip - reserve Disney's Magical Express (no email specifically for this service, but an email letting you know that you can book if you haven't already done so)

If you're staying at a Disney resort, you'll be able to reserve your FREE and FUN transportation as soon as you book your room and your flight (you will need both pieces of information to book your Magical Express trip to and from your resort so they can make sure they get you where you need to be safely and with plenty of time to spare).  It will save you headaches and money on rental cars, worrying about where you're supposed to go, parking at the theme parks, and the countless toll roads between Orlando International Airport and your Disney resort.  

Disney's Magical Express will take care of your luggage from the moment you land in Orlando until the moment you leave, so that's a big relief for anyone, but especially if you have little ones.  I enjoy riding the bus to my resort and watching the Disney TV they have with all things new, fun, and different I may want to try.  Not having to handle my luggage is an added bonus.

Be aware when making your return trip that the Magical Express will depart from your resort approximately three hours before your flight is scheduled to leave in order to ensure that you get to the airport - which is almost 30 minutes away - without worrying about running late for anyone's flight.  So, if you have a 9:00 a.m. flight, they will probably get you on the bus and to the airport at 6:00 a.m.  The exact pick up times will be referenced in your Disney packet that you will receive about 30 days before your trip. Something to consider when planning.

180 days until your trip - time to make dining reservations!

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Photo: easywdw.com

This may seem absolutely crazy, but if you've been looking at character dining or a specific restaurant, such as the hugely popular and still really new Be Our Guest restaurant in the Magic Kingdom, this date is extremely important.  It means that you can make a reservation for your whole family for breakfast, lunch or dinner (depending on where you're looking to reserve and what they offer) and not have to worry about getting to the resort or one of the parks and waiting - and hoping, and possibly praying - that you'll be able to find that "must-do" meal for your kids, or for your spouse, or just you.  When that email pops up, hopefully you will have done a little research on restaurants you'd like to try so that you can make a reservation...six months before your trip.  Sounds excessive, but restaurants like Be Our Guest will book full up the same day they become available.  Trying back closer to your vacation dates may get you a reservation if someone else cancels theirs, but that's a risky venture.

Also, if you use one of Disney's Dining Plans (check the website for pricing and options), you may be limited as to the number of meals each member of your party is allowed per day.  A higher-end restaurant may count as two sit-down meals.  Sometimes you can substitute snacks for full meals.  Be sure to check out the options and pricing for each dining plan before you select one.  We don't use them because we don't eat enough to justify the cost.  If we stayed longer (a week or more), they might make sense for us.

60 days until your trip - time to make your FastPass+ reservations!

Photo: vinylmationkingdom.com

If you will be staying on property and have already booked your room and park tickets, you will have the opportunity to make FastPass+ selections for each of your vacation days up to two months before you arrive.  Why does this seem important?  The extremely popular new ride at Magic Kingdom, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, has a 90-minute queue almost from park opening if you just walk up and get in line when you get to the park (unless you're one of those people who are at the park at "rope drop" when they officially open the park and you RUN to the ride).  Same goes for Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios; there is always a line, and it is never short.

However, if you get on the DisneyWorld site or on the MyDisney Experience app 60 days out, you will be able to select three FastPass+ rides and/or attractions and modify them to fit your family's tastes and "must do" lists.  There are limits to the FastPass+ service:  the selections must all be at the same park on the same day for everyone in your party (pick all four passes at Magic Kingdom on whatever day you'll be visiting, and make selections for Epcot for another day during your trip, but not two at each park in the same day, for example).  

Sign up - no fees!
Photo: thenextweb.com

You can book more FastPass+ passes after you have used all of the ones you have reserved when you are actually IN the park, but this will give you a leg up - and you will spend less time waiting - than if you were to show up at the park and then try to score even a single FastPass+.  Booking additional FastPass+ passes after using all of your previously booked passes is a bit risky, because the next selection you want to make may not be available if it is either extremely popular, or if it is later in the day.

There is a chance that any FastPass+ times will be unavailable once you get to the parks, or if you wait to book them closer to your trip dates.  If you wait, your only options would be to A) wait in a very long line with everyone else and waste a lot of time you could be spending doing something fun, or B) skip that ride or attraction altogether.  I am of the opinion that it is good to have some planning.  My family sometimes thinks I go too far (I really don't; I just like to know what my options are and make my decisions based on all the facts), but I make sure that we have things to do and we are prepared for any day without over-planning, but also without wasting precious park hours, especially during the shorter winter park months when parks may close 3-4 hours earlier than in the summer months.

*** The big FastPass+ options (in my opinion) for each of the four parks are...

Magic Kingdom:  Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain

Epcot: Soarin' and Test Track

Hollywood Studios: Tower of Terror, Toy Story Midway Mania! (almost as popular as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with long lines) and Rolling Stones Rockin' Roller Coaster

Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Kali River Rapids

If you are traveling alone or do not mind being split up from the rest of your family or traveling companions, there are three rides that offer a "single rider line" option: Expedition Everest, Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Test Track.  The wait times are far shorter than the regular lines, but again you probably won't be sitting with someone you know, and you may not even be riding at the same time.

Choose wisely.  Using the FastPass+ selection on the website will give you four combinations based on what is available and the "classes" of the rides and/or attractions.  They may even tell you that your "best option" is something you don't agree with at all.  On our last trip, the app tried to tell me that I wanted to book Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad each two hours apart.  Uh...no!  If I'm getting FastPass+, I want them closer together, so I can get on OTHER rides that don't have long queues, go to a restaurant, or even go to another park.  

Be sure to check all four of your options before you select.  You can always change them later if you'd like, including when you are in the park on the day you're visiting if you use the Disney Mobile App available on iTunes or Google Play.  Again, it will be based on availability.  There are only so many FastPass+ passes available per ride, per hour, and per day.  Once they are gone, they are gone.

60 days until your trip - check in at your resort

Check in online and skip to this line instead of waiting in queue
Photo: trb.com.au

This is not a HUGE deal, but it IS a timesaver of sorts.  Again, you'll get an email stating you can now check in 60 days prior to arrival, and you'll be able to put in room preferences (pool view, king beds, upper floor, etc.), credit card information, and verify all your personal information so that when you get to your resort, you just sign a document and head to your room - or to the parks.  If you've used Magical Express, you won't have to tote your luggage anywhere other than the airport in the city you left from, so you can go and have fun right away.

Booking special events and tours

You won't get an email for this one, but you can check the website to see what events are happening during your trip and buy advance tickets for big events such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.  These tickets cost extra, and they are not cheap, but they are certainly worth it if you want to immerse yourself in Disney fun during your trip.

Who would NOT want to be a part of this???
Photo: lebeauleblog.com

Look at this photo - it's SNOWING in Florida.  They make it SNOW!
Photo: mrschristmasblog.com

These also can become unavailable on popular dates (think weekends and closer to the holidays), so planning as soon as you see the tickets available under "Special Events" on the Disney site is important if you really want to attend something special.  For the Halloween and Christmas parties, they are available for purchase more than 6 months before the parties start, so there is plenty of time to plan.

Hayley and I took the Behind the Seeds tour at Epcot in January 2015.
We loved it!  Only $15 per person, too.

Other tours, such as the Behind the Seeds tour at Epcot, have limited availability but multiple tour times each day.  Once they get 15 or so people booked for a specific time, you'll have to pick another time, or another date.  You can call Disney toll-free at any time to book one of these other tours, but you could be waiting on hold for a long time; you are put in a queue with everyone who is booking ANYTHING for Disney World.  Try the website, or wait and book through your concierge or at the park if it's a smaller tour.

These are all great planning tools, so don't waste them!  A little planning goes a long way to having a great trip.

Link to Article: 10 Sensational Benefits to Staying On Property at Walt Disney World

Disney's Grand Floridian - the Mother of all Disney hotels
Photo: dadsguidetowdw.com

Recently posted on disneyfanatic.com, this article raises some very good points:

Be Our Guest!

If you're going to make a trip to Disney World, why not totally immerse yourself in all things Disney?  It is great fun, and the convenience factors are worth it if nothing else is: no renting a car, paying for parking, etc.  Sure, you might be paying a higher price for a Moderate or Deluxe resort if you want to, but the money you save on transportation, parking and toll fees - as well as the headaches that can come along with any and all of those things - are worth it.  

Shades of Green - for military families and veterans
Photo: hotelodat.blogspot.com

There are over 30 Disney properties to choose from, and all of them are uniquely themed and will carry you away to another time and/or place.  

Wilderness Lodge interior, decorated for Christmas
Photo: disneytouristblog.com

Do it for yourself, AND your family!

Pirate themed room at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Photo: familyvacationcritic.com

Link to Article: 12 Overlooked Attractions at Walt Disney World

Railroad station - Magic Kingdom
Photo: wdwfacts.com

This article on disneyfanatic.com lists some great stuff that is usually overlooked:

Don't Miss It!

At one time or another I have enjoyed most of these, but I will say that I have not been on Magic Kingdom's PeopleMover or the Carousel of Progress (although I have them on my "to do" list for October).  I have also recently learned about the Animation Academy at Hollywood Studios - that is something I would find interesting, because I can't draw ANYTHING!

Animation Academy at Hollywood Studios
Photo: themeparkinsider.com

Some of my favorite missed items are at Epcot; every one of the eleven countries has so many hidden goodies, including shows, street performers, shops and museums, as well as some really great restaurants that are not crowded at all.  

Epcot has become my new favorite park for all-around entertainment.  Magic Kingdom is a close second - there is so much to see and do at both of them that I could spend days at each of them and not see or do everything in a single trip.

Voices of Liberty - Epcot's American Pavilion
Photo: landallears.net, Scott Thomas Photography

Look for the out-of-the-way stuff when you're there.  It's always worth the extra effort, and you'll be glad you did.

Link to article: The 13 BIG Changes That Are Coming to Walt Disney World

An artist rendering of what a ride in the new Avatar World at Animal Kingdom will look like - cool!  Credit: themeparktourist.com

I knew about some of these, but there are some very interesting things going on in WDW right now.  A list of the 13 biggest changes coming in the next year are listed here on themeparktourist.com:

Something BIG!

I am looking forward to most of these, especially making Animal Kingdom more of a "full day" park with the addition of a nighttime show, an expansion of Africa, and the whole new Avatar World.  These are things I would love to see.

The addition of Star Wars to all things Disney has been a great success, and I think even more families will go to what is currently Hollywood Studios (although it will change, but to what is anyone's guess) to see an entire Star Wars WORLD.

I've not been completely smitten with Toy Story at Hollywood Studios, but some of the new rides might draw me in.  I can see a whole new theme for the park going in when they "officially" change the name to...whatever it's going to be.  I'm just glad I have both an MGM Studios AND Hollywood Studios pin in my collection already!

Disney Springs is about 60% complete and should be done before Christmas.  I will be taking lots of photos around Halloween, so I hope most of it is done by then.

I am REALLY glad they are adding a third section to Soarin' at Epcot - the wait for this ride is always extremely long, unless you have a FastPass.  Even after all this time, it never gets old, and I love it.

I also think that the addition of the Frozen-themed ride in Epcot's Norway pavilion is going to create a LOT more traffic where people with small kids probably avoided that whole area before, sadly.  I tend to think of Epcot as a whole a more "grown-up" park, especially the pavilions 
in the World Showcase at the back.  The front of the park currently has all of the rides, and I haven't seen as many families spending too much time wandering through the 11 pavilions as I have, with many of them indulging in an adult beverage, or two, or three.

Still, this is why WDW never gets old - there is always something new going on!

Drinking Around Epcot's World Showcase

This is definitely a good idea for adult couples who enjoy a nice beverage or two while they wander.  And families - believe me, Dad would like to have a beer in Germany, or any other country, for that matter.  It's a lot of walking.

There's a sign for everything.
Photo: Pinterest.com

For the most part, Walt Disney World's parks are dry.  That is, Magic Kingdom currently serves alcohol in only one of its restaurants (Be Our Guest), and Hollywood Studios offers alcoholic beverages at The Brown Derby Restaurant.  Both of these are for dine-in only, meaning you can't take them with you when you finish your meal, and you can't just buy a beverage to walk around with.  Animal Kingdom does not offer any alcoholic beverages that I am aware of.

BUT...go to Epcot, and you will be surrounded by alcoholic choices in each of the eleven countries that are represented there, and not just one drink choice, either.  Each of the countries has a selection of alcoholic drinks available for purchase every day, and you can walk around with them instead of sitting a a restaurant.

Or wine!
Photo: thesipadvisor.com

To this end, the "Drinking Around the World Showcase" idea came about because I'm sure there were some couples who couldn't wait to try a little bit of everything.  From beers to wines and specialty drinks, there is something for every taste.

My personal favorite: the Grand Marnier slush in the France pavilion.  Delicious!  AND there's a beautiful, quiet little seating area nearby so that you can people-watch, which is one of my favorite past times anywhere.

The Grand Marnier slush and the Grey Goose slush - delicious!
Photo: DisneyFoodBlog

As a reminder, the eleven countries are (from right side to left side):

Canada
United Kingdom
France
Morocco
Japan
United States
Italy
Germany
China
Norway
Mexico

A full list of the beverages - and snack foods - are available on the WDW website for each of the individual countries.  If you don't want to try one of everything, it will help you plan to drink what you really, really want to try. 

If you decide to do this "tour", make sure that you follow a few common sense rules:

1) This is still a theme park with lots of kids.  Don't get drunk, and don't act like an idiot.  They will throw you out if you are acting extremely drunk and stupid, and it doesn't matter how much you paid for those tickets.

2) Drink lots of water in between your alcoholic beverages. The hot Florida sun and humidity can make you ill, and you'll be spending more time in your resort room than you intended if you don't.

3) Have a snack.  Or two.  Or three.  It's better to take some time in between your alcoholic beverages, so why not get a snack to share?  For that matter, why not share your beverage AND your snack if you're not a big eater or drinker, but want to sample everything?

My best advice for trying to "Drink Around the World" is to take your time, check out all the interesting things there are to see and do in each of the countries, and enjoy yourself completely.  There are little museums, shows, and lots of shopping opportunities while you're walking around Epcot, so don't forget about any of them.

Link to DisneyDining.com article: Top 8 Amazing Special Effects in the Parks

I really must be a big kid at heart.

DisneyDining.com's article about the top 8 special effects at WDW parks is right on - and I actually have NOT seen #1 (Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios) or #7 (Maurice's Workshop in the Magic Kingdom).  Fantasmic! has been on my list, and Maurice's Workshop will be on it now.

Fantasmic!
Photo: disney.wikia.com

Here's a link to the whole article:
WOW!

If you have small kids, be sure to take them to see #3 on the list: Turtle Talk with Crush in Epcot's The Seas pavilion.  It is the best interactive "show" for little kids, because Crush will ask them questions.  It's not a super-long show, either, so it will hold their attention.  It is cute, funny, endearing and entertaining.

Photo: land.allears.net

My personal favorite: the Hitchhiking Ghosts of the Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom.  But that's not really a surprise since it's my favorite ride.

Photo: cl-evolved.com

Magic Bands : What are they?

Magic Bands are a fairly new addition to Walt Disney World.  They have been in existence for about two years, and during the first year they were completely experimental and not given to everyone.  This allowed the Disney powers that be to see how well things worked and tweak some things before they rolled them out to everyone.

This is how they will be delivered to your home before your WDW trip.
Photo: wordpress.com

The Magic Band is worn like a bracelet, and comes in several different colors:  

Gray (the standard color if you don't choose one, or if wait until you get to your resort or the park to get it)
Yellow
Blue
Pink Red
Green
Orange

When you book your trip, go to the Walt Disney World website, pick a color you like for each person in your party and personalize a name on each of the bands.  The name isn't visible; it's under the band, but it helps identify whose is whose if you have several people in your party. The RFID chip inside is linked to each individual band, so once you link your Magic Band to you it is yours for life.  Your bands will be mailed to you approximately 30 days before your trip.  Be sure to put your Magic Bands on at the airport!  You will be using them to check in for your Magical Express bus at Orlando International Airport, and from then on you will be using them pretty much everywhere until you head back to the airport again.

Photo: passporterboards.com

The Magic Band replaces the former "Key To the World" card, which is a card that was basically used for everything Disney: room key, a credit card for charging to your resort room, accessing the Disney Dining Plan, and for obtaining Fast Passes for the parks.  Magic Bands are waterproof, so you don't have to worry about getting them wet on a water ride, at a water park, or just by sweating throughout the day.  Having a Magic Band on your wrist means you won't have to carry a room key, a credit card, or any other form of ID, so your hands are free and no purse or backpack is really necessary in the parks or when you go to dinner.  Unless you have small children.  Then all bets are off.

The top of each Magic Band has a Mickey head on it that contains an RFID chip, and this is the part that activates everything from your resort room door to credit card charges.  It can even be used for Photo Pass purchases and Fast Pass+ selections.

Photo: mouseonthemind.com

As a Room Key
When you check into your Disney resort, you will touch the Mickey head on your Magic Band to a small Mickey head on the resort desk and enter a PIN.  This will officially activate the credit card charging ability and give you some security.  Children under 10 years of age do not use a PIN, since they generally are not allowed to purchase anything without parental permission (or shouldn't be allowed - who knows how many Mickey ice cream bars they would buy when you're not looking).  When you get to your room, just touch Mickey's head against the Mickey head on your resort room door, and the light will turn green.

Photo: attractionsmagazine.com

As a Credit Card
If you didn't link a credit card to your Magic Band when you personalized them online, you can do so at your resort.  This will allow you to "charge" any purchases you make at the parks, restaurants, and Downtown Disney to your account by just touching your Magic Band to another Mickey head at the time of each purchase.  At the end of your stay, you will get a detailed report with all of your charges listed, and your credit card will list one charge for all of your purchases made via the Magic Bands.  If you have any questionable charges, you can visit the front desk to go over them in person before you leave.

Photo: militarydisneytips.com

For Park Entry
If you purchase your Magic Bands in advance, you can link your theme park tickets to them, as well.  When you get to your first theme park of the trip, you will touch your Magic Band to another Mickey head at the entrance but also use one finger (pick one you will remember) to "activate" the Magic Band at ALL of the parks from that moment on.  Like the PIN associated with the band for credit card charges, the finger you use will be linked to that Magic Band as long as you use it.

Photo: allthingsd.com

For the Dining Plan
If you sign up for the Disney Dining Plan, you can use the Magic Band to track your meals and snacks used on a daily basis.  Depending on the type of Dining Plan you get for your party, you may have a lot of meal choices to keep track of, and you can get a printout from any restaurant or quick service counter to see how many meals and snacks you have left in your plan.

Fast Pass+
This is my absolute favorite benefit of the Magic Bands.  You can make Fast Pass+ reservations on line 60 days in advance, up to three per park (all in the same park), per day, in order to bypass the lines at the parks for some of the more popular rides.  Also, you can reserve Fast Pass+ times for everyone in your party at the same time, so that none of you are separated and can all ride or experience shows together.  At the parks, you can also select a fourth Fast Pass (and a fifth, if you plan it right) after you have used your first three for that particular day.  Not all rides have Fast Pass+ available, but most do.  Also, some rides cannot be chosen together.  (I will go into this in another article.)  Just go to the WDW website when your 'window' opens up at 60 days and start planning for your favorite rides.

Photo Pass
There are photographers everywhere in the parks, and you may want to have your family's picture taken everywhere you go, especially at Character meets and in front of Cinderella's castle (who wouldn't?).  Just ask an available photographer to take your photo, and they will scan your Magic Band and "link" your photos online so that you can view them for 30 days after your trip.  This will allow you to purchase any (or all) of the photos and personalize them with Disney borders and other special effects.  They also take special effects photos that add Tinkerbell and other characters to your photos magically, as you will see online when you view them.  These photographers will also take photos with your camera at no charge to you, so don't be afraid to ask.

Tinkerbell!  Hayley and I didn't see you when the photo was taken!

Other things you may want to be aware of:

Lost...and Found?
If anyone in your party loses their Magic Band, ask a Cast Member where you need to go to replace it as soon as possible.  They will make sure that the old one is deactivated and no one else will be allowed to use them to charge, enter your resort room, or use your passes.  If you find it again, you can reactivate it again, or you can just keep it as another souvenir.

Limited Editions
In addition to the Magic Bands you get for free online when you book your stay, you can also buy Limited Edition Magic Bands at the parks.  These have special designs or cover and include everything from Star Wars themes to Christmas and character designs.

Photo: wdpromedia.com

And this is the coolest marriage proposal idea EVER!

Oh. Em. Geeeeee!
Photo: howheasked.com

Bling it!
There are many, many ways to personalize your Magic Bands, from "skins" to something called "Magic Bandits", and they can be found in many shops throughout the parks.  They can be character pieces or just bright and shiny stuff.  Lots of options there.  You can also purchase some items online from the WDW online store before you go if you'd like:
Yourwdwstore.net

Photo: Pinterest.com

Get your Magic Band before you go!  You don't want to be stuck like this:

Photo: blog.ges.com

That photo seriously made me laugh out loud!

What are you waiting for?  Start planning!

Special Events at Walt Disney World (Magic Kingdom)

Photo: lebeauleblog

Depending on the time of year you travel to Walt Disney World, your trip may coincide with a "hard ticket" event, meaning you have to have an actual ticket specifically purchased for the event in order to get into the park, and you cannot use your Magic Bands, Park Hoppers, or Annual Passes to do so.

These "hard ticket" events are called Special Events on the WDW site.  You can purchase your tickets directly from the official WDW site: disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets/events/, or even through one of several third party vendors if you're particularly adventurous.  

I would highly recommend going directly through the WDW site to ensure you are getting a "real" ticket, and not one that has been re-sold and may not be valid for you.  It would be a shame to get to the park on the day of the event and find out that either your tickets are not good for the event, or that the park is SOLD OUT because of the Special Event, and your family will not be able to attend.  That would be a real bummer, especially if there are little kids - or adults - in your party who were really looking forward to something.  

On these Special Event nights, the Magic Kingdom is actually closed to ALL other guests, even those staying at Disney Resorts.  If you are already in the Magic Kingdom prior to the Special Event, you will have to return to the front of the park prior to the Special Event in order to get a special wrHere's a list of the biggest Special Events that Disney World has every year that require a "hard ticket":

Night of Joy (September) - Christian bands performing on two nights, in the Magic Kingdom.  Cost: $65.00 + tax per person.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, or MNSSHP (September-November 1) - 7 pm until midnight on select nights (check the WDW calendar).  Candy, special performances, the Disney villains, a special parade with a ghostly Halloween theme, and extreme fireworks are the benefits of having a ticket to this event.  Oh, and much shorter lines for the rides and attractions.  This year will mark the first time I've attended this event, and I am very excited! The closer you get to Halloween, the quicker the tickets may sell out.  Cost: $63.00 - $68.00 + tax per person.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (November-December) - As with MNSSHP above, these tickets are available for select nights only, and the closer you get to Christmas, the tickets will be harder to get.  Christmas is a very popular time for families to visit the parks.  There are special fireworks displays, and Elsa from Frozen lights Cinderella's castle each night.  That is sure to set the little girls off on a scream fest!  Cost: $69.00 - $74.00 + tax per person.

So check the website for these events, and book your tickets early to make sure you get your first choice.

Link to Article: Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar to Open this Fall at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort

Photo: io9.com - ADORBS!

I am a fan of the Indiana Jones movies.

I adore Harrison Ford (in pretty much everything).

When I saw that WDW would be opening Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar in Downtown Disney this Fall, it made me very, very excited because I will BE THERE this Fall!

More information and artist renderings on the Disney Parks blog here - it looks like it will be a neat place to visit:  

Indiana Jones

They will serve tapas-style plates (small plates) and alcohol, so this is the sort of place for the adults to visit.

The article doesn't give an exact date, but I hope it's open by October 22nd when I arrive, because I want to pay a visit!

Hollywood Studios map - 2015

Hollywood Studios map - 2015

Click on the image to enlarge it and print it off if you want to.  

Current park maps are always available at the park entrances.

Photo: totaldesign.net