Hi Kathy! Welcome to planDisney!
You will be enjoying the attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort in just a few days! Yay! There are so many exciting things happening around the theme parks including my favorite event, the
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. I hope you have plans to check it out!
As you have heard,
FastPass+ Service has said its farewell and we all are anxiously awaiting the start of
Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane. We know that this new technology will begin this fall through the
My Disney Experience mobile app, but we don't know exactly when yet. I have been keeping a close watch on the
Disney Parks Blog for more information to be released.
MagicBands have been around for quite some time now and they are my favorite Disney fashion accessory! They can be linked to your My Disney Experience account and used as your ticket to enter the theme parks, capture
PhotoPass photos, open your
Disney Resorts Collection hotel room door, and even make purchases around the Walt Disney World Resort (purchasing abilities are only available if staying at a Disney Resort hotel). They worked with FastPass+ when it was operational to scan for FastPass+ queue entry, but since FastPass+ has not returned they no longer function in that capacity.
While we wait for Disney Genie+ to arrive, Guests will simply head to the standby queue to experience attractions. I found that wait times haven't been that high in general, especially in the early mornings and late evenings. You could also look into
Disney Private VIP Tours to skip some of the long lines if your budget allows!
I hope you have the BEST vacation, Kathy! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Tabitha