Walt Disney World's Magic Bands Questions and Answers

With the New Disney Magic Bands out there are so many questions so we thought we may answer some of them for you! 

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1. What is the Disney Magic Band?

A. Disney Magic Bands are part of Disney's Next Generation initiative so far only at Walt Disney  World to integrate all aspects of the guest experience in their " My Disney Experience" Account. The Magic Band is a actual band you wear on your wrist. Each person of your party 3 and up will get one when staying on Disney Resorts property. (AP and Florida Residence are still in testing as of 3.4.14)

 
2. Who gets the Disney Magic Bands?

A. Anyone staying on site at a Walt Disney World Resort will receive a Disney Magic Band. Off site guest will not receive the Disney Magic Bands (including those staying at the Swan & Dolphin, Shades of Green & The Bonnet Creek Area)

3. What does the Disney Magic Band do?

A. The Disney Magic Band is the key to everything in your My Disney Experience account.  You will use it to open your resort room door;if you have tickets you use it to enter the parks; if you left a credit card on file you will use it to charge back to your room account (with a PIN code);if you have the Disney Dining Plan you use it to "pay" for your meals using your credits; if you've made Fasspass+ reservations9in which you should!) you use it to enter the fastpass queues; if you are using Disney Magical Express you use it yo the check-in fr your transfers. The Disney Magic Band operates using RFID technology and to access all of the features you touch the Mickey head on the band to the Mickey head on the door, payment pad and or entry point, etc.

4. Are the Disney Magic Bands adjustable?

A. Yes, the Disney Magic Band you will receive is one size fits all. You can adjust the band following the instructions that accompany the band, there is a grey outer edge to the band that makes it large enough for larger adults, and that band can be removed to fit wrist as small as a toddler. There are several holes to make it fit your wrist.

5. Can I customize my Disney Magic Band?

A. Yes the Disney Magic Band you will receive can be customize as long as you book your reservation far enough in advance you can choose the color you prefer (and the name on the inside of the band): pink, red, blue, green, orange, yellow 7 grey are the choices. Once you arrive in the Walt Disney World offers several items that you can purchase to enhanced your ban--Covers, Magic Bandits (inserts that go in the holes) and Magic Sliders that fit over the center of the band. Here is a picture of some even paining theirs to match their favorite Disney theme.

6.Can I get it wet?

A. Yes you can! Keep in mind popular attractions like Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids, it is safe to get your Disney Magic Band wet.

7. When do I get my Disney Magic Bands?

A. As long as you book more than 30 days in advance currently living in the United States you bands will be mailed to you so you can take them on vacation with you. If you book your vacation less than 30 days in advance or live outside the US, your bands will be waiting on you at your resort check in desk.

8. What if I lose my Disney Magic Band?

A. Not to worry each Magic band has a 4 digit pin code at check in to access charging privileges with your band and the entry points still utilize the fingerprint scan to match you to your band, so it can't be used without that information. You will need to visit your resort frond desk or guest relations to get a new band and right now your only choice is grey.

9. What are the Magical Features associated with the bands?

A. The bonus features that will roll out soon are personal greetings from the characters, Mickey singing happy Birthday, custom message on attractions such as It's a Small World and more.

10. Will I get a new Disney Magic  on every Disney trip?

A. Although the bands are designed to be reused, Disney is currently offering new Disney Magic Bands each time you visit. It seems that as long as your Disney Magic Band is listed as active in your "My Disney Experience" account you can continue to use it on a subsequent trip. Even having more than 1 active Disney Magic Band with you. A different one to match each outfit if you want! There is a limited battery life for the RFID chip to transmit, so if your trips are spread out over a few years your original band might not work anymore.

Check back for a new Blog that will show you How Travel time Agents Disneyfied their Bands!

www.traveltimewithmickey.com

Special Diets at Walt Disney World

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For many people with special dietary needs, planning a vacation can be a stressful event requiring extra suitcases just for special foods. Disney World has extended their magic to make dining for all people regardless of diet, as easy and enjoyable as possible. With just a little extra planning, Disney guests can expect a wide variety of delicious and safely prepared food and caring, knowledgeable cast members. Disney cast members are well trained in allergies, celiac disease, diabetes, kosher, and vegan food prep. All dining locations has separate food prep areas to avoid cross contamination. 

Planning ahead is essential to any Disney vacation. Table service meals should be reserved in advance and all special dietary needs should be noted on the reservation. It is Disney policy to have a chef check in with you before you place your order. You can expect the chef to meet you at your table and advise you what is available to meet your needs and take you on a tour of the buffet if necessary. Often the chef arrives very quickly but do expect a small wait especially during the busy season. Your food will be delivered to your table separately from the rest of the order and will be on a special plate or noted by a flag . Again, they are very good about getting all food out at once but special food is cooked in a different area of the kitchen and prepared as ordered so expect a bit of a delay.

Quick service dining does not require reservations but does take a little extra planning. It is helpful to look at menus ahead of time to get an idea of what is offered at each location. Your travel agent can provide you with an updated list of foods to meet your allergy need. When you arrive you will get in line with everyone else and let the person taking orders know that you have an allergy. It is helpful to place the allergy order separately from others if possible. The cast member will call the manager in charge of allergies to help with the menu and place your order for you. Your order will be placed on its own tray when delivered.

Disney is of course the world of “all things possible” so do not be afraid to make a special request. Chefs love to make guests, especially the tiny ones, happy and will do everything they can to prepare whatever you are hoping for. We have eaten triple decker gluten and dairy free grilled cheese, gluten free fried chicken, and dairy fee milkshakes all because we asked. 

Disney's Wilderness Lodge and concierge Old Faithful Club

Be sure to Like our Facebook page to keep up on our Travel Blogs! Recently my family and I stayed at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and had a Standard View Club Level room.  Wow!!!  I am sure this one is on a lot of guest's bucket lists. This resort is inspired by National Parks and has a wonderful homey feel.  From the moment we stepped off the elevator on the 7th floor we were greeted by wonderful cast members welcoming us to our home away from home and to the Old Faithful Club. This by the way is only accessible by using your magic band.  Our room had a nice cabin feel with bunk beds that my daughter loved. When you stay club level you get nightly turn down service with chocolates on your pillow, and super comfy bathrobes. You also have access to the concierge desk from 7am-10pm if you need reservations or have questions.

Another service you get is almost 24/7 access to specially prepared food including continental breakfast, afternoon tea, desserts, candies, snacks, wines and cheese hours, beverages and more.  Our favorite breakfast item was the oatmeal. Some of our evening favorites included peanut butter and jelly shots, venison burgers, capris salad, and paietta with scallops, sausage and shrimp. We thought by staying here was a great splurge. We loved the fact that we could fuel our family because we were not on the dining plan. We took afternoon breaks to grab a drink , snack, and relax before heading back out to the parks. View of lobby from club level floor The overall experience of this resort was amazing. I would recommend it to everyone.

Dumbo, the Flying Elephant

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Since Walt Disney World opened in 1971, millions of people have ridden Dumbo the flying elephant but it still remains as one of those staple rides, that one ride you still go back to year after year even as an adult. In 2012 when Disney World expanded their Fantasyland area, Dumbo was actually moved to the Storybook Circus area of Fantasyland and it got a well needed facelift!

Earlier Dumbo Version

The renovated Dumbo ride included a more intricate and detailed center for the ride, and a brand new interactive queue area.

If you look closely you’ll notice that the story of Dumbo is pictured on the center of the ride itself. Around the bottom of the ride are water fountains that spill out over colored LED lights, you really should stop by this ride after sunset!

The other new feature of Dumbo is the amazing new interactive queue area! I wish every queue line could be this much fun! Disney gives you your very our pager (like that you would get in a restaurant) and you can let your kids run, climb, and slide to their hearts content in the (air conditioned) big top! They even have an area for parents to sit and a space specifically for very little ones.

Toddler Area

By Travel Time Agent Heather

Heather@traveltimetravel.com

Fantasyland at Disneyland!

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Are you going to be visiting Fantasyland for the first time?  Here are some basics!

At Disneyland you'll find many magical places, but Fantasyland is as Walt would say "dedicated to the young and young at heart," Step into a world of dreams come true.

In Fantasyland, you'll find attractions such as it's a small world, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and King Arthur Carousel. Recently they added Frozen character meet and greet with Anna and Elsa. You can find them between Pinocchio's Daring Journey and Village Haus Resturant. To avoid a wait time, pay close attention to meet and greet times and arrive early. These two are in high demand! Other meet and greets in the area include Merida in Fairytale Garden and Tinker Bell in Pixie Hollow.

If you are looking for a bite to eat, you'll find Troubadour Tavern, Village Haus Restaurant, and Edelweiss Snacks. All of which are quick service.

Other attractions you'll find are Sleeping Beauty Castle, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Fairy Tale Treasures, and The Mad Hatter shop.

It has been said that Fantasyland was Walt's favorite land. When I visit for the first time in a month, I'm sure it will be mine as well!

Have a magical day!

RUN Disney...What is all the fuss about?

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Looking for something different to do on your next Disney Vacation? A Run Disney run may be just the thing to change up your Disney Vacation. Each year the Disney Parks hold a number of runs, Disneyland hosts the Tinkerbell and Disneyland Half marathons while Disneyworld holds five races each year, including the Expedition Everest Challenge, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-miler, Wine and Dine half marathon, Walt Disney World Marathon, and the Disney Princess Half Marathon.  

The above runs may say they are half marathons or full marathons, but many of them include different options for runners of varying experience levels. Many runs offer kids races and shorter 5 k runs. Along with these options, the Expedition Everest Challenge also offers a family edition of the race where families can register to compete as a team of 2-6 people.

The cost to participate in the runs varies widely depending on which weekend you wish to participate in and which length event interests you. The cost covers registration as well as a participation prize pack that varies depending on event. Many of the races do sell out and are popular attractions, so be sure to book quickly when the event you are interested in opens up for registration.

Each of the runs has a finish line party, admission to some parties is included with the registration cost but this varies on the race, otherwise additional party passes may be purchased for a cost. Family and friends are welcome to purchase admission to the post-race parties as well but tickets are limited. Another popular option on race weekends is adding a spa package at one of the Disney Spas such as at the Grand Californian and Grand Floridian Hotels, guests wishing to have a spa treatment on these weekends should consider booking spa services in advance of traveling (407-WDW-SPAS).

There are some cool products available for runners, or for those who like to pretend they might run someday:

Prior to the start of the race, participants must pick up their race package from a designated location, for Disneyworld runs this is usually in the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. As previously noted many of the races do sell out and so it is advisable to register for the race of your choice as early as possible. Registration can be done online at rundisney.com, and is straightforward. 

 By Melissa, melissa@traveltimetravel.com

Disney's Haunted Mansion Attraction

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January 25, 2014

                                                                             

If you have never climbed in a Doombuggy, you are missing out, plain and simple.  I’ve even seen a website devoted to the Doombuggy, www.doombuggies.com! The Haunted Mansion is iconic and beloved, and has so many fun facts and interesting details that you could ride them over and over, daily for a year, and still spot new and fun things.

You start off in the Stretch room…my favorite character is the girl walking the tightrope.  Hint…if you’ve never experienced the attraction, when you hear thunder, look up!

I love the ballroom.  Ghosts intermittently appear and disappear…hanging on chandeliers, dancing, sitting at a nicely set dining room table where you might spot a Hidden Mickey. 

Then of course there is the graveyard, where popping ghost heads will make you jump and the singing heads will make you smile. The opera singer holding a head is cute.  I have been fortunate to ride the Haunted Mansion at Disney World with an imagineer speaking to me through a headpiece throughout the ride during a tour, and the details he pointed out during the ride were fascinating.  Did you know that the framed drawings of spooktacular creatures that line some of the hallways are actually drawings done by cast members before the last update, when they were trying to come up with some new creatures?  They had a brainstorm…why not put them up!

About  Madame Leota…what isn’t mesmerizing about a floating head in a crystal ball?  “Serpents and Spiders, tail of a rat…”  When Disney revamped the ride, they also revamped Leota…and used one of her actual descendents to make sure the bone structure was correct for the new globe.  Disney is nothing if not dedicated to getting the details correct! 

The ride music is catchy…in fact, my favorite part of the Boo To You Parade, which is a feature in the Not So Scary Halloween Party, is the Haunted Mansion section with the grave diggers, the real dog, and the deadly dancers.  Perhaps because Disney is NOT scary most of the time is one of the reasons why the Haunted Mansion is such a treat.

At the end, you get to see a ghost practically sitting in your lap…and then hear the extra creepy voice of the bride as you leave…”Hurry baaaaack…be sure to bring your death certificate”.

Unfortunately, several years ago they had to get politically correct (which is unlike Disney, a company that is steadfast in calling Christmas CHRISTMAS and not “the holiday season”) the cast members at the Haunted Mansion no longer tell us to “drag your dead bodies to the center of the room” or say any of the other spooky cool things they used to say.  Disney gave in to the bunch of whiners that thought it was too scary, and despite their new “script” and acting classes for the cast members (who used to ad-lib), the cast members might look spooky but they are now boring.

Just remember…there are 999 happy haunts in residence, but there is always room for one more!

Have a Haunted Day!

Lucy

Travel Time Travel