If you are new to Disney, you are probably wondering about some of the terms that get thrown out all the time! This entry is the first (but likely not the last) that helps to define some things for the Disney newbie (or new to the 2017 version of Disney):
Dining Plan - Ok so Disney actually has several dining plans,
but when people are talking about "the dining plan" they generally are
talking about a plan offered to people staying on Disney property that
have gotten a ticket and room package. The plan is priced per adult or
child per night and includes a table service credit for a sit down
restaurant, a counter service credit for a fast-food type experience,
two snack credits, and a refillable mug. To purchase, everyone in the
room must be on the plan and it is per night not number of total days
you are at Disney which confuses some people. There are lots of restaurants to pick from and
generally casual Disney visitors generally like the plan so they can
schedule some nice meals in to their trip that are basically pre-paid.
Occasionally Disney offers free dining promotions for full-price room
packages. If you book with me and free dining or any discount is
announced I monitor that and add it to your package if it is available
for your room.
Disney Springs - This is the
downtown area of Disney. It doesn't require a ticket or admission and is
a lovely area of outdoor shopping, restaurants, and activities like a
movie theater, bowling, and a Cirque show. Buses run from the hotels and
later in the day, directly from the theme parks.
Fast-pass - This is basically like a go near the front of the line reservation for rides and shows. Each guest gets three a day they can schedule in advance. If you are staying on property you can reserve yours 60 days out; if off property you reserve them 30 days out. They are electronically added to your account so you just show up to the entrance at the correct one-hour window and they scan your magic band (will get to that in a minute) or ticket, and in you go. Instead of waiting in the regular line, you'll likely wait 2-5 minutes. Once you use your three fast-passes, you can get more, one at a time. There are only a limited amount of each though so they run out (even at 60 days out!) for the most popular rides. There are also tiers of ride experiences at Epcot and Hollywood Studios so you can't get avoid a line for every super popular ride, but these definitely help!
Magical Express - Disney's Magical Express is complementary
bus transportation to and from Orlando International Airport for Disney
guests staying on property. While it is great because it allows you to
not have to rent a car or uber/taxi to the resorts, the best thing about
it is the luggage service. When you leave home, you simply attach
special Disney luggage tags to your bags. When you arrive in Florida,
skip baggage claim (unless you have a late night flight!) and head
straight for the bus. Disney will pick up your luggage for you and it magically arrives in your room 2-3 hours later. On the way home you can
use resort airline check-in the morning you depart where you check your
luggage in at your hotel just like you would at an airline ticket
counter and then you'll see your bags back at your home airport baggage claim after
you trip. This is one of my favorite perks of staying at a Disney hotel!
Magic band - This sort of looks like a fitbit. It is a bracelet that guests staying on property get for their vacation. Off site guests can purchase them. They hold everything electronically - your tickets, your fast pass reservations, your dining reservations, your room key, pictures you have purchased, etc. If you assign a credit card you can even use it to charge purchases in the park (with a pin). It allows you to carry almost nothing in the parks (well, unless you have kids with you!)
MyDisneyExperience - Ok, if the magic band is your wearable electronic system, mydisneyexperience is the website/ap that powers it all. It is sort of the Disney cloud. It is the account you use to link your reservations, fast passes, pictures, etc. initially that the magic band basically pulls information from. You can link to other travelers (extended family, for example, staying in another room) and do your planning all together from this system. It helps you find park hours, wait times, and all of your reservations and if you have a smart phone, you MUST download this ap before you arrive. You will add additional fast passes in the park or switch reservations around using this system. When I book your package, we will share your MyDisneyExperience account so I can book meals and fast-passes for you at the 180 and 60 day mark!
Rider/Baby Switch/Swap - This is a system that allows adults to split up and go on the thrill rides without each waiting in a full-line when they have kids too short (or scared) to ride a ride. It basically works like this. Family shows up at the line and Parent A and big kids/friends/family get a ride swap pass and wait in line and ride the ride. Parent B stays out with little kid(s). Parent A comes out, hands Parent B the pass and they and at least one other then take the pass and go to the front of the line and ride. Many times Disney allows more than one extra rider the second time but the policy as written only allows one extra person to go with Parent B. And if your short folks are awake while this is going on, they don't just have to sit and wait and be bored - there are many play areas throughout Disney which are excellent places to take the little ones while the big ones experience the coasters and such.
Ok so that is it for post one as I try to up your Disney vocab! If I or others throw around other words or things you don't understand, comment and we will help you out! And as always, I am here to book your trip to Disney with just a $200 (plus insurance if you want it) deposit so hit me up with some dates and I'll get things moving for you!
