Disney4me Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 When we all had our first glimpse of Magic Bands a couple of years back, did any of us have an idea that MyMagic+, Disney’s all-inclusive planning system, would impact so significantly the way we dine in Disney World?As soon as we saw those super cute bracelets (how many colors do you have??), we had an inkling that they’d spell major changes in the way we enjoy our Disney mealtimes. Almost immediately we put together this post, which gave our predictions for the MyMagic+-ful future.Fast forward a couple of years, and we’re definitely seeing the impact of Disney’s commitment to the technological overhaul. So today, we thought we’d share with you some seriously helpful information from the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2015!And if you find these tips to be helpful, pick up your copy of the Guide today for $4 off using code 2015 right here!So let’s talk about some ways that MyMagic+ is impacting your Disney World Dining!Schedule Meals and FastPasses — Without ConflictThis is probably one of my favorite things about MyMagic+. Use of the My Disney Experience app to preschedule my Advance Dining Reservations and my ride FastPasses means that the two don’t ever conflict.Choose Between Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Be Our Guest? Now You Don’t Have To!In the past, when the FastPass machines simply spit a time out for your return, there were times that I had to choose between Soarin’ and La Hacienda de San Angel’s Crema de Elote. (And seriously. You do know that the food always, always won, right?)Sorry — But I Will Always Choose La Hacienda’s Corn Soup Over Soarin’But in the time since MyMagic+ was introduced, I’ve been able to schedule attractions around meetings, meals, and anything else I’d like! Seriously — I’ve ridden so many more rides since MyMagic+ came on line!Touch to Pay is Awesome!If you ask me — and pretty much all of the DFB Staff! — we agree that the Touch to Pay using our Magic Bands is one of our favorite things about MyMagic+ System.Touch to Pay at a Counter Service LocationAcross the board, we love that you no longer have to search through your bag or wallet for a Key to the Kingdom card or credit card to pay.Touch to Pay at Raglan RoadTeenagers especially love the freedom of being on their own in the parks, knowing that they can pay for meals with their Magic Bands, which are much less apt to be lost than Key to the Kingdom cards.Magic Band Bling is All Kinds of AwesomeAnd even younger kids love “paying” for their meals with their Disney Dining Plan credits and a touch of Magic Band.Counter Service Menus…At Your FingertipsThis was an unexpected perk, but something that my team has told me over and over again that they love — thanks to the My Disney Experience app, you can view counter service menus at the touch of a button! That means that you can compare two spots that your party is considering, even if they’re on opposite sides of a park, and make a decision.Check Out the Columbia Harbor House Menu Directly On Your PhoneStill, when MyMagic+ was first introduced, we were promised that you could plan as much or as little as you choose, and enjoy your Disney trip either way.So…does the flexibility equal spontaneity? This is a developing story, but on the whole, we’d say absolutely not.Want to Watch the Fireworks While You Dine at California Grill? Then Be Sure to Make that ADRPlanning, especially booking Advance Dining Reservations, seems to be more important than ever. It seems like getting a table by walking up to the podium is more difficult than in the past, even with the introduction of cancellation fees.So rather than advising you not to plan, we suggest that you plan as much as possible ahead of time. Then when you arrive, sit back and enjoy your visit! Should you need to change things, My Disney Experience makes it much easier to do so.The Negatives?Well, I’m honestly pretty pleased with how MyMagic+ has affected my Disney dining planning, but I will say that I have one giant annoyance that comes with the system: waiting for the My Disney Experience app to actually function in the theme parks.Maybe it’s just me, but I often have to wander around for ten minutes or more before the cruddy Disney park WiFi actually pulls up the app. And sometimes it doesn’t ever get its “app” together (I crack myself up), and I end up missing out on booking or changing a reservation.Also, with so much new technology, Disney sometimes has slip-ups. Before you leave for your trip, make sure that all of your dining reservations are associated with your My Disney Experience account so that they’re easy to pull up when you’re out and about, and so that you have them just in case the restaurant cast member can’t find your hard-won Be Our Guest Restaurant reservation.Don’t miss out on Be Our Guest! I recently had an experience where my resort reservation was not associated with the correct Magic Band and it took me about an hour and a half to actually get checked in.Hopefully these issues will be rectified in the near, near future… .Ready for All of Our Best Tips?We’ve got TONS of Disney World Dining Tips — including LOTS of helpful info on how MyMagic+ is changing the landscape of Disney World Dining — in our big, bold, 490-page DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 — and the guide is your ticket to planning your best Disney trip yet!The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!With sample dining itineraries, plus our “Disney Dining at a Glance” section, featuring “Where Can I Find?” options, you’ll have everything you need to plan the best vacation ever. Click here to get your copy of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 E-book — and use code 2015 for an extra $4 discount for a limited time!Now let’s hear from all of you! Tell us in comments below the most significant ways that the dawn of MyMagic+ has impacted Disney World Dining for you!Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook FanRelated posts:Tips From the DFB Guide: Our Top 3 Tips for Late Night Disney World Dining Tips from the DFB Guide: Best Character Dining for YOU! How MyMagic+ Will Affect Disney Dining View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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