MyMagic+

There's some additional magic coming your way at the Disney Theme Parks.  Disney defines it as "an incredible new suite of products, services and experiences known as MyMagic+"  So you might be wondering how this is going to work for your family.  You might be familiar with the My Disney Experience app on the Disney website.  It enables you to plan all the details of your vacation in one spot.  Once you have a reservation number through your travel agent, you can sign in and view your resort reservation as well as make and link dining reservations.  In addition, the FastPass+ service will enable you to choose what you want to do and when before you leave home.  Beforehand, FastPass was a ticket you had to retrieve from the ride kiosk, then come back later for your designated ride time.  Now, you have the opportunity to reserve a ride time before you even step into the Parks.  No more crossing the Parks in the early morning hoping to receive those optimal ride times.

Now there are some restrictions that you must know.  First, the number of selections you can make as well as the ride window is limited.  Second, these are only going to be available to those with valid Park admission as well as guests staying on Resort property at this time.

So first things first, you will receive your MagicBands also known as the touch to admission card directly from Disney in your mailbox prior to travel.  The cool thing about this wristband is that you get to personalize it yourself with your name and choice of color.  This way, you may use them to check into Magical Express at the Orlando International Airport.  You may also use it to access your resort room and Park entrance as soon as it is available to you.  So all it takes is a touch on the scan machine to pay for food and merchandise.  You will also be able to reserve your favorite shows, parades and nighttime spectaculars, including special seating arrangements.  You will be able to access PhotoPass as well as reserve Character meet-n-greet and picture taking opportunities.  With your smartphone or tablet, you will be able to access your reserved times and you can change them as you go about your day.

To sum it up think about your MagicBand with all of these features wrapped into one personalized plastic wristband:

Money/Payment

FastPass

PhotoPass

Park Admission

Room Key

Have fun out there and I hope to be wearing the pink MagicBand in 2014!