Special Info:
- Disney's US Parks and Cruise Line Closed! Plus DoD Travel Ban!
- When Will Disney's Theme Parks Reopen?
- Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket Refunds
Many readers ask me about the status of Walt Disney World’s Magic Bands and FastPass Plus at the Shades of Green Resort.
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 7/15/2018)
What Are Magic Bands?
Disney World’s Magic Bands are just one part of WDW’s My Magic Plus program. Granted they are the most visible as 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 customizable colors with a Mickey Mouse icon where the face would be if it were a watch. There are also many different custom 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 park ticket
- Be used for your FastPass Plus return time redemption
- 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
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.
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 (Extra Magic 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!
My Disney Experience Your Key to the World
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
Stars and Stripes Passes From Shades of Green at Walt Disney World, are available to any Shades of Green eligible person who is staying anywhere on WDW property.
Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
What’s the Right Military Discounted Disney Ticket for Me?
WDW's Park Hopper Plus Option Information
Technology
Disney World's new Fast Pass Plus (FP+) system and the Magic Bands are great new benefits that are part of the set of new technologies collectively known as Disney Next Gen or My Magic Plus.
Disney Technology Overview Page
Memory Maker and PhotoPass+ Military Discounts
My Magic Plus - What all this New Disney Technology?
Linking Disney Military Tickets And Fastpass Plus Reservations
Waiting On Your Walt Disney World FastPass Plus Window To Open (what you'll see in your account)
Disney FuelRod Stations are Available at Disney Parks for Recharging Your Devices
Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests
FastPass Plus for Shades of Green Guests
All You Need To Know About Disney World FastPass Plus For The Military Traveler
Walt Disney World’s FastPass Plus - Creating a Classed Theme Park Society
FastPass Plus – Does It Really Work For Highly Desired Attractions?
Military FastPass Plus Ticket Options for Disney World
Disney World Lines iPhone App - Current Crowds, Recommended Parks, Wait Times, & Fastpass Return Times on your iPhone (Free)
My Disney Experience - The Official Disney iPhone App (Free)
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
- Shades of Green Rooms
- Shades of Green Room Rates
- Disney Tickets at Shades of Green
- Links to Everything Shades of Green
- Shades of Green Blog Tour
- Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See our:
Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. For where to stay see our Resorts/Hotel Overview Page. Disney doesn’t discount dining for the military, but there are a few places on property that do, see the Dining Overview Page to learn where plus more dining info. You can also learn about Transportation Options. Be sure to check out our Technology Overview to learn about Magic Bands and My Disney Experience to see how they work with military tickets. Walt Disney World visitors might be interested in staying at Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort.
See: Top 8 Reasons to Use An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Steve Recommends
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Walt Disney World for Military Families 2020 - Available in Print, Kindle, and Digital PDF Download
The Essential Guide to Shades of Green - Available in Print, Kindle, and Digital PDF Download
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Ears of Experience - My recommended Travel Agent, Fee Free, Disney Only, Military Family Owned
Need a Little Extra Help Planning your Disney Vacation? Check Out Ears of Experience's Concierge Service
Military Disney Tips Negotiated Military Discounts
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EzPacking Cube Organization System, Tame Your Suitcase! - MDT Readers get 15% off with MILITARYDISNEY at checkout
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thank you for all of your help!!!!
We received our bands from the Disney Store online today. Can’t wait to use them in November while at Shades.
For a last minute trip last year, Shades of Green was booked and we had to stay on property. I thought the bands were pretty convenient. However, if I understand this correctly regardless of paper ticket or band and staying at Shades of Green you can only book your fast passes 30 days in advance, the only benefit of the band is not having to drag out your ticket, right? And the cost of the bottom tier wrist bands would be $13.00 per person. Unless I am missing something I don’t think the extra $52.00 (for a family of 4) would be worth it. Is there some other benefit to having the band over a ticket while staying at Shades of Green?
Thank you for all your help and resources!
Hey Tracy,
You are correct, while staying at Shades the bands are really only a novelty item to replace your physical ticket for entrance and FP+.
Just curious as to whether there is any benefit in using the magic bands instead of the physical ticket? Are the magic bands easier for kids?
There is a convenience factor Tania. You or the kids don’t have to dig the ticket out of your pocket or wallet every time you enter the parks or use your FastPasses.
Some just like wearing the bands to make themselves feel more like they are on a Disney vacation.
I have many bands and I always wear mine when I stay at Shades.
Ok so I have my tickets (vouchers) linked to My Disney Experience account. I don’t understand how the system knows when to start allowing me to schedule fast passes 30 days out. I don’t remember ever entering my travel dates any where! Our first day in the park will be Oct 15 so I was thinking 30 days prior would be today in order to do the fast passes but when trying to get a fast pass, only the month of September comes up, no dates for October. Help, please explain???
Thanks!
Tania
Hi Tania,
When you have tickets linked the coming 30 days are always available (no matter what day you look at your account.
Did you click on the little arrow to the right of where it says September 2015 above the calendar?
My question was similar to Tanya’s, if I send for Salute to the military tickets in January from Shades of Green, (assuming that Disney continues the 4 days tickets in 2016, which I pray they do!), Shades will send the ticket order form 45 days prior (January 1st is my 45 days prior) to my stay at Shades, , I send that back , they send me or email me the tickets within 2 weeks which would be January 15th, which is the 30 days prior to my stay and I can make Fast Pass reservations? How does Disney know I am staying there in 30 days if the reservations aren’t linked ? IS it just Fast Pass reservations are always available to everyone at 30 days ahead of time and I just need the tickets in hand to link the numbers?
Sorry for all the questions but the last time we went to Disney was 5 years ago and we bought our tickets at Shades once we in Florida and we only had to go to a kiosk in the park to get a fast pass.!
Thank you so much for your website,
Susan
No worries Susan,
Yes, once the tickets are linked the coming 30 days are always open for fastpasses (up to the number of days on the tickets). You just need to wait till that 30 day window rolls to the first day you want fastpasses for to make them. the following day you’d make the next set.
I was wondering about EMH shades of green guest have this benefit. However, everywhere I read online it says you have to show your shades of green resort ID to have access. I know if you are staying on site you just scan your magic band as you get on a ride but as a shades of green guest would the magic bands also be able to do this or is that something that can’t be linked to them?
No Karla, sorry.
Magic Bands have no functionality as far as Shades is concerned. You’ll still need to carry and show your resort ID. The 2 systems (Disney/Shades) do not communicate.
Thank you so much. Very helpful, we are weighing our options for our trip in December. We’ve already booked Shades of Green since we’ve heard about them being booked up to a year in advanced but we are considering switching to a Value Resort that will be around the same price because of all the conveniences you get.
Really appreciate your website, so informative. Best place to find information for military families that I’ve stumbled upon until now. And my online research has been extensive to but it lightly haha.
Thanks so much Karla!
That is exactly why I do this, to help in my small way. Have a great trip.
We were wanting to stay at pop century with tickets from shades of green. Is it possible to link those tickets to our magic bands? Also would pop century still give us a magic band if it says no ticket?
Absolutely to both questions Kelly.
Just make your Pop reservation, link it to your My Disney experience Account, and then customize your Magic Bands.
Then (or prior) order your Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets from Shades of Green, link them to MDE, and you’ll be all set.
Can you reuse magic bands at subsequent stays?
Absolutely Sarah, I do it all the time.
Like you Steve, I go to DW a lot to bring my clients updated information, first hand. I also share my stays between SOG and DW resorts…..love my MB and the convenience of it. …one of those must have accessories no matter where I’m staying…!
You know it Cat!
If only we could use them around home and town…
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87rc7s2-QrI This is old but a riot!!!
Can you buy magic bands off eBay and use them or do they have to be new and unused? If one can buy them off eBay, how would one “reprogram” them?
Hi Rachelle,
The original owner would have to have them deleted from their account prior to selling (by calling in). You’d have to trust that this was done.
If they did that you simply add them to your My Disney Experience Account. If they didn’t you have some bands the kids can wear around the house when playing, as the system will not let you link them since the system has no way to know they are not stollen from the person who’s account they are linked to.
I don’t go on eBay anymore, how much are you saving (with the shipping) off of the $13 Disney charges at the links above?
Buying a Magic Band on eBay is as risky as buying theme park ticket there (I think).
Just to make sure I’m understanding correctly with Magic Bands and Shades of Green…
-The Magic Bands can’t be linked to a credit card (since we aren’t on a Disney Resort) for ease of food and item purchase?
-The Magic Bands can get you in a park and get you pictures (if you purchase the package separately) and that’s about it?
Returning to Disney isn’t something my family can do yearly, so I am working on weighing out the costs.
Thank you!
Hi Amy,
Yes correct on the purchases/credit card
Regardless if you purchase the Memory Maker you can still use the bands for linking PhotoPass pics to your account for later a la carte purchases.
Can I buy my Disney salute tickets in advance by mail through Shades of Green if we are not staying there? Will those be activated so that the service member (brother) can sleep part of the first day from driving so he would not need to go in with us? If we can buy tickets, will we be able to link them to our magic bands if they are not activated?
Hi Miranda,
Yes to all of your questions.
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/my-magic-plus/linking-disney-military-tickets-and-fastpass-plus-reservations/
Steve,
When I go to link my Shades of Green reservation in the My Disney Experience website/app so that I can make fast pass reservations 60 days out, do I just go to the link my reservation and put in the SOG reservation number? I guess I am wondering if the disney system will recogize the SOG reservation? Thanks in advance for your help.
Valerie
Hi Valerie,
Yes the Disney system recognizes the partner hotels, like Shades and Swan/Dolphin reservation numbers.
You should know that Shades reservations are notoriously finicky, they tend to drop off… and have to be re added.