This was our first trip to the resort since they've begun using the Disney MagicBands.  

First, they were comfortable.  I haven't worn a watch regularly in over 10 years.  I must have looked at my wrist thinking I had a watch on 5 times.

They worked flawlessly on the room door each time.

Admission to the park was a little tough at the beginning.  Both my wife and I had problems, had to have a cast member come over, take our picture, reset the band and we were good.  After that happened to each of us once, there weren't any more problems.

Using to pay for things, initially, was brutal.  Again, it comes back to the DisneyExperienceApp.  Everything's got to jive with that and each cast member behind the register will immediately ask if you have the app, and show you how to reset the account.  All comes down to making sure your pin is correct. Make sure you check it at checkin to your resort.  Otherwise, you'll have to go to guest services at one of the parks, or back to the front desk at your resort hotel and get the pin straight.  After that, was accomplished, things went very smoothly.

Love the concept.  It's new, it will have bugs.  It's better than carrying around a card and we'll give it a big thumbs up.

A trip to Walt Disney World is always about being efficient with your time.  If you "just wing it", you'lre going to be looking back on your vacation as a lot of wandering around.  The MyDisneyExperience app helps with all of this, but it can also be frustrating. 

I have to advise that everyone get this app.  It's the first thing every cast member asks when something techno goes wrong (and it will).

I liked the feature giving updates on wait times.  It was fairly easy to add fastpasses.  Was great for keeping you advised of your dining reservations, upcoming fastpasses, etc.

The map feature could be improved.  I need a map that rotates with me in my direction as I walk, not stays constant and you've got to figure out which way to turn.

It took me a couple of days to consistently find the links to things I thought were essential from the main page (my dining plan count, my hotel bill, etc.).

You've got to get this app BEFORE you go to Orlando and start playing with it, even though you're not onsite.  I think that's really critical.

There are many times you have to arrive in Orlando prior to your Walt Disney World Vacation.  It could be the flights the night/day before are just too good to pass up vs. arriving day of.  You might have to work and want to get there in the evening.  

Our case was that we had four households convening from four different locations.  One household wanted to go see Universal, another had to work then leave, the other two were pretty much free to do whatever.

There's two scenarios I would suggest.  

• First, stay at an airport hotel with a shuttle.  In the morning, have your shuttle take you to arrivals on the B side of the airport.  Check in, take your luggage with you, and take the Magical Express to the resort.
• Second, get a room only room at a Value Resort on property.  Take the Magical Express from the airport, then, in the morning, for $25, take a Minnie Van to your resort.

Four members of our group stayed at a Universal hotel, then taxi'd to the resort.  An option, but probably the least cost effective.

We did the first option.  It was OK, but I paid a little over $200 for a Holiday Inn Express which was average for the airport hotels.  I think the second option would put me time and money ahead, plus a little more time at the resort or Disney Springs.

• Magic Bands
• Disney Dining Plan
• Using Snacks
• Using Table Service
• Using Counter Service
• Disney Transportation with wheelchair
• Scooter accessibility
• Old Key West
• Magical Express when arriving a day early
• Magical Express with mobile accessibility challenge

and probably more!