Categories
2013 Disney World

Wahoo! Looks like we’re part of the September 2013 MagicBand test!

Logged into Disney’s website today and noticed the site was finally switched over to the Disney My Experience site. Also noticed the “Customize your MagicBand” modal that popped up.

Super excited to be part of the test. I’m a little disappointed that according to Disney’s website they only ship MagicBands to the United States other countries will get their MagicBands when they check in to their resort. It would be fun to play with the MagicBands while at home but it’s not a big deal as we can’t really do anything with them until we get down there anyway.

Also setup FastPass+ for all our days. We were even to get 3 FastPass+ reservations for our evening at Hollywood Studios even though we won’t arrive until 7pm. We will actually get to go on Toy Story Mania that night! I was looking forward to booking Illuminations and Wishes with FastPass+ but it doesn’t look like it is being offered for our test.

So far I am pretty impressed with the system although the learning curve is pretty high. I’ve had to make all sorts of adjustments and tweaks to work around the bugs and inconsistencies with the new system. Still it’s cool technology and I love it.

Categories
2013 Disney World

Our 5 Day, 4 Night Disney World Plan

Day 1: Travel/Hoop Dee Doo/DHS

  • 4am Leave for Airport from Hamilton, ON
  • 5am Cross US border into Buffalo, NY
  • 6:00am Arrive at Buffalo airport
  • 8:00am Flying
  • 10:40am Land in Orlando
  • 11:00am Magical Express
  • 12:00pm Check in to Pop Century
  • 12:30pm Lunch at Pop Century (QS -2)
  • 2:00pm Bus to Magic Kingdom
  • 2:45pm Boat to Fort Wilderness
  • 4:00pm Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue
  • 6:00pm Bus to Outpost depot
  • 6:20pm Bus to Hollywood Studios
  • 7:00pm American Idol Experience
  • 8:30pm Fantasmic
  • 10:30pm Bus to Pop Century

Day 2: DHS/Halloween Party

  • 7:30am Breakfast
  • 8:30am Bus to Hollywood Studios
  • 11:30am Indianna Jones
  • 12:00pm Backlot Express Restaurant (QS -2)
  • 1:20pm Lights, Motor, Action!
  • 4:45pm Dinner: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre (TS -2)
  • 6:00pm Bus to Magic Kingdom
  • 7:00pm Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
  • 12:00am Bus to Pop Century
  • 1am Sleep

Day 3: Epcot

  • 7:30am Breakfast
  • 8:30am Bus to Epcot
  • 11:30am Restaurant Marrakesh (TS -2)
  • 5:30pm Chefs de France (TS -2)
  • 9:00pm Illuminations
  • 11:30pm Bus to Pop Century
  • 12:30am Sleep

Day 4: Magic Kingdom

  • 7:00am Breakfast
  • 7:30am Bus to Magic Kingdom
  • 10:30am Be Our Guest Restaurant (QS -2)
  • 3pm Parade
  • 5:10pm Liberty Tree Tavern (TS -2)
  • 9pm Electrical Parade
  • 10pm Wishes
  • 11pm Bus to Pop Century
  • 12am Sleep

Day 5: Travel

  • 7:15am Airport Check in
  • 7:30am Breakfast
  • 8:35am Magical Express
  • 11:35am Flight to Buffalo
Categories
2013 Disney World

Magical Express Luggage Tags

Received Magical Express luggage tags today.

Categories
2013 Disney World

Disney World 2013, We’re going back!

So we’re going back to Disney World again this year. We were just there in May 2012, but my wife and I can’t wait to go back. This time we will be staying on site to take advantage of the September Free Dining promotion. While there are definitely much cheaper places to go for a vacation, no other place has the same appeal to us that Disney World does. Despite the kid-friendliness of the parks, which can become a little tiresome after awhile, there is just so much that appeals to me. This will be my fourth trip to Disney World, my third as an adult (a real adult, not a Disney 10+ one). I actually think I enjoy Disney World so much more as an adult. It might have something to do with my technology background but I love going through the parks trying to figure out how everything works. Disney World also appeals to the Entrepreneur in me. I love trying to estimate their costs and revenue as I wonder through the parks. I pretend to see all the people the way Disney World sees them, with big dollar signs on their heads.

Categories
2013 Disney World

Disney World 2013, We’re going back!

So we’re going back to Disney World again this year. We were just there in May 2012, but my wife and I can’t wait to go back. This time we will be staying on site to take advantage of the September Free Dining promotion. While there are definitely much cheaper places to go for a vacation, no other place has the same appeal to us that Disney World does. Despite the kid-friendliness of the parks, which can become a little tiresome after awhile, there is just so much that appeals to me. This will be my fourth trip to Disney World, my third as an adult (a real adult, not a Disney 10+ one). I actually think I enjoy Disney World so much more as an adult. It might have something to do with my technology background but I love going through the parks trying to figure out how everything works. Disney World also appeals to the Entrepreneur in me. I love trying to estimate their costs and revenue as I wonder through the parks. I pretend to see all the people the way Disney World sees them, with big dollar signs on their heads.