Many readers ask me about the status of Walt Disney World’s Magic Bands and FastPass Plus at the Shades of Green Resort.
They wonder:
- Does Shades of Green provide Magic Bands for free?
- How can I get a Magic Band?
- Can I link my Shades of Green reservation to my My Disney Experience account?
- Can I use a Magic Band when I stay at Shades of Green?
- Will a Magic Band Open my Shades of Green room?
- Can I use my Magic Band for FastPass Plus when I stay at Shades of Green?
- Can I use my Magic Band for Charging when I stay at Shades of Green?
- How many days prior to my Shades of Green vacation can I make my FastPass Plus reservations?
This post will answer all of those questions and more!
(Updated Nov 2020)
What Are Magic Bands?
Disney World’s Magic Bands are just one part of WDW’s My Magic Plus program. Granted Magic Bands are the most visible of this system as they are the device which guests use for many of their needs while on a Walt Disney World vacation, but there is a lot going on behind the scenes as well.
A Magic Band is a plastic and rubber bracelet, which come in several basic colors with a Mickey Mouse icon where the face would be if it were a watch. There are also many special, ever changing designs.
There is a small RFID transmitter installed in the band, which interacts with various Disney systems on property. They are provided for free, by Disney to all Disney Resort guests (Shades of Green is not a Disney Resort).
Magic Bands can:
- Be used as your Disney Resort Room Key
- Be used as your theme park ticket
- Be used for your FastPass Plus return time redemption (FastPass+ currently not available)
- Be used to charge items to your Disney Resort room
- Act as your Disney Resort Access (Parking, Pools, Club Level, etc.)
- Be used as your PhotoPass/Memory Maker Token
You can also check out our Disney Technology Overview Page
What is FastPass Plus?
FastPass Plus is Walt Disney World’s new attraction reservation system, which took the place of the old legacy FastPass system.
FastPass Plus has been discontinued until further notice, until the need for social distancing is deleted.
Under the old system you had to physically go to an attraction to pick up a ticket with a time to return to that attraction. When you returned you would then bypass the standby waiting line and experience a short to no wait for the attraction.
With Fastpass Plus you can make attraction reservations before ever leaving home for your vacation (or anytime thereafter). You’ll pick from available attractions and return times online using My Disney Experience. When you arrive at your scheduled time you will bypass the standby waiting line and experience a short to no wait for the attraction.
Those guests staying on property at Walt Disney World (Disney Resort Hotels, the Swan and Dolphin, the Disney Springs Hotels, and Shades of Green) can make their FastPass Plus reservations for their entire trip on the 60th day prior to their check in date. Note: If your stay is longer than 2 weeks, then FastPass+ selections can be made for up to 14 of the days in your trip.
Those guests not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort can make their FastPass Plus reservations on the 30th day prior to the desired date.
See this post for more details on FastPass Plus.
Shades of Green Guests Now Considered Disney Resort Guests for FastPasses
While Shades of Green is not a Disney owned Resort (it is a Department of Defense owned facility). In December 2017 it joined the family of non-Disney Resorts eligible to make their fastpasses 60-Days out from Check in.
While it is located on WDW property and does participate in some of the Disney Resort benefits (Extended Evening Hours, package delivery), Magic Bands and linking your Shades of Green reservation to My Disney Experience are not included.
SOG 60-Day FastPass Plus Announcement
Walt Disney World Tech Overview Page
Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests
My Disney Experience for Shades of Green Guests
As a Shades of Green guest you will still use your My Disney Experience account to make your Fastpass Plus reservations.
Here are the steps to do so:
- Sign up for an account or log in here: disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/. You can use the website or the free My Disney Experience App
- Link your Shades of Green reservation to your My Disney Experience account
- Purchase your WDW tickets prior to 60 days before check in for your vacation. You can buy them at your local Base Ticket Office, via phone/FedEx from Camp Pendleton, or pre-pay with Shades of Green.
- Link your tickets to your My Disney Experience account.
- 60 days prior to check in make your FastPass Plus reservations
See our Start to Finish FastPass Guide for Shades of Green Guests
Now your FastPasses are all set for your vacation!
How Can Shades of Green’s Guests Use Magic Bands?
As mentioned above, Shades of Green does not use or provide Magic Bands. You will use the actual park tickets that you purchased and linked to your account to enter the parks and for FastPass Plus. The tickets have a RFID transmitter just like the Magic Bands.
But if you would like to use Magic Bands for convenience during your vacation, you can!
You can use Magic Bands that you purchase for your park tickets, for your FastPass Plus reservations, and PhotoPass/Memory Maker Token.
Keep in mind that your physical ticket will do the same things for you, but if you would like to use Magic Bands you can buy your own.
You can buy Magic Bands from the Disney Store online or from most Disney World gift shops once you arrive.
If you buy them ahead of time you can use the number printed on the back of each to link them to the person who will use each band using your My Disney Experience account.
If you get them after you arrive you can link them yourself with MDE or have a Disney Guest Relations location do it for you.
I Always Use Magic Bands
I travel to Walt Disney World often [someone has to do all the research ;-)]. Sometimes I stay at a Disney Resort, other times I’ll stay at Shades of Green or other locations, but I always use my magic band!
It is just a little more convenient, especially for larger parties.
Back in the day when we used tickets, my family’s standard was that I kept all the tickets in my wallet (to keep the kids from losing theirs). When we got to a park I’d have to get out my wallet, pass out the tickets, and then collect them after entering. Then when entering a FastPass location, I’d have to pass them out and collect them again. I’d also have to get mine out at PhotoPass locations.
Magic Bands make that all unnecessary. You band is secured to your wrist and always accessible.
So if you run into me at Shades of Green, you’ll see me sporting my Magic Band! Probably my patriotic one…
That’s it for our discussion and instructions.
How about you, are you going to use Magic Bands during your Shades of Green trip to Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!
Disney Tickets and Technology Links
Tickets
Disney's Armed Forces Salute Tickets The biggest military discount available on tickets
- Disney Armed Forces Salute FAQ The questions that I get most often
Regular Disney Military Discount Tickets The permanent Disney Military Discount
Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
What’s the Right Military Discounted Disney Ticket for Me?
11 Differences Between Disney Armed Forces Salute and Disney Regular Military Discounted Tickets
WDW's Park Hopper Plus Option Information
Technology
Disney Technology Overview Page
Memory Maker and PhotoPass+ Military Discounts
Linking Disney Military Tickets
Disney FuelRod Stations are Available at Disney Parks for Recharging Your Devices
This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio. Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link. |
Information on Shades of Green the Military Hotel on Disney World property
See all the current Shades of Green Discounts and Packages
A Special Note on Shades of Green Discounts: Something to be aware of is that Shades constantly changes the dates and discounts offered of their specials and packages. Shades of Green Links
- Shades of Green
- Military Members Review and Rate Shades of Green
- Why Stay at Shades of Green?
- Shades of Green Rooms
- Shades of Green Room Rates
- How to make reservations at Shades of Green
- Shades of Green Resort Activities and Amenities
- Disney Tickets at Shades of Green
- Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests
- Shades of Green Fact Sheet and FAQ
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused?
See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
- Dining Overview Page
- Transportation Overview Page
- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort
Military Disney Tips' Recommended Disney Travel Agent Ears of Experience Disney Only Travel Agency. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts! |
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