Help a Confused Disneylander figure out MagicBands, etc.

[DrAlice]

I'm a DL native, and have only been to WDW once, way back in the "before times" (before Fastpass+/Genie+/MagicBands). At DL, I can very easily use the Disney app on my Android phone for park tickets, lightning lanes, and even some purchases with a disney gift card (sometimes - that part is finicky). I use my phone for my entire party of 3 and it is fast and easy. No, I'm not holding up the Lightning Lane line. Yes, we can use Magic Bands at DL, but I find that I've got my phone out a lot anyway for mobile food orders and lightning lane, so it seems silly to purchase another thing for the same function.

I just opened up the My Disney Experience app and added park tickets for my party of 3. The setup for the WDW app is very different than the DL app and requires me to add the tickets to my Google Wallet. Does anyone have experience with using MDE on Android at the parks? Why did I have to put them into Google Wallet? Do I open Google Wallet to enter the parks or the MDE app? Do I have to open Google Wallet for every lightning lane?

Yes, I'm being cheap and not wanting to spend $30-50 a person for Magic Bands that we will likely never use again. Keep in mind that we are NOT staying at a WDW resort. If the consensus is that the MDE app isn't quite as useful as tapping in with a physical band, then I'm wondering if there is a place at the parks to request a RFID card instead, even though we aren't staying on property?

Thanks for any advice you can give!

 

[networkpro]

Yes, you can pick up RFID cards from the ticket booths. IMHO much easier than swiping around in MDE. That's where tickets and passes are stored.

 

[DrAlice]

Thank you! I'm doing that.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

I'm not well versed in Disneyland, so I can't give any information comparing the two, but you can use MDE for most of what you describe.

I am not sure why it is telling you to save the tickets to wallet. My WDW tickets have long been saved directly to MDE, but sometimes I have added them using MDE via my laptop.

That said, I usually use (re-use) a magicband when entering the park as I prefer using the band. In your situation, I would not buy one either. As someone else suggested, you can request a plastic card when you get to WDW.

If you are using a plastic card, and want to keep it handy, a lanyard might be a good solution. Universal uses plastic cards, and I use a lanyard there to hold my park ticket. Just make sure to choose a study one with a clear sleeve. If you don't won one already, I think you can get one for a dolllar or two.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Why did I have to put them into Google Wallet? Do I open Google Wallet to enter the parks or the MDE app?

You would open Google Wallet, but the tickets should also just pop up when tapped. Everything is tap-to-enter, so no scanning of any bar codes at the park entrances or Lightning Lanes. There is no need to open, much less navigate, the Walt Disney World app for park or Lightning Lane entry.

Just tapping a phone can be easier than digging out individual cards. Entry might be an exception since it’s not a one-at-a-time setup and everyone has to do the biometrics.

You can also get cards at Disney Springs if you end up there before a park.

Most importantly, you don’t have to commit to any one method. You can freely switch between the cards and phone as you desire and test to see which is more convenient for you. At a minimum, the tickets on a phone are a nice backup incase the cards end up in the wrong pocket or something.

 

[DrAlice]

You would open Google Wallet, but the tickets should also just pop up when tapped. Everything is tap-to-enter, so no scanning of any bar codes at the park entrances or Lightning Lanes. There is no need to open, much less navigate, the Walt Disney World app for park or Lightning Lane entry.

Ok, please explain this a little more to me, like I'm an idiot.

Are you saying I don't need to do anything with my phone (other than unlock it)? In other words, just wave my unlocked phone around the tap point, and *poof* pixie dust happens and it finds the lightning lane or tickets? Can I do that if I'm tapping in for 3 people?

Sorry, I'm used to DL and bar code scanning. This system is just different enough to throw me off my Disney parks game!

 

[lazyboy97o]

Ok, please explain this a little more to me, like I'm an idiot.

Are you saying I don't need to do anything with my phone (other than unlock it)? In other words, just wave my unlocked phone around the tap point, and *poof* pixie dust happens and it finds the lightning lane or tickets? Can I do that if I'm tapping in for 3 people?

Sorry, I'm used to DL and bar code scanning. This system is just different enough to throw me off my Disney parks game!

Yes, you just place your unlocked phone at the reader and it should open your wallet and bring up the tickets. Tap the first, scan finger (at park entry only), swipe to the next, tap it in, repeat.

 

[DrAlice]

Thanks @lazyboy97o !