Magic bands and fastpass - information for the out-of-the-loop?

[mom2morgan]

Can anyone point me to the best sources of information to figure this all out? My understanding with the magic bands is that they are simply the all-in-one replacement for separate tickets, room cards, etc. So, when you book - they send you one and then you can access your room, the parks, charge meals, etc. So if there is nothing else I need to know about that, I'm good. For Fastpass I have the general idea of booking those in advance but don't know all the ins and outs. Does that mean using an app instead of running half way across the park with a handful of tickets to get a fastpass? That sounds good. And I get that you can do three per park (only one park a day), and that not all rides are included (like the old system). are there specific strategies or details I need to know? Thanks!

[VWL Mom]

The magic band does replace the items you mentioned. Go into your MDE account and you can pick your colors and customize the names. They are usually shipped out to you (provided you are in the US) 30 days prior to check-in. If you re out of the country they will be waiting for you upon arrival.

FP arrangements can be done 60 days before if you are onsite, 30 days if off site. You can select 3 in one park and when you are done you can make one at a time either via the app or one of the kiosks located throughout the park. There are different strategies used by different people. Some that are early risers or a park hopping choose to use their FP for the afternoon and just wing it in the morning while others book early and keep adding on throughout the day. Neither is right or wrong just how you prefer to do it.