Hi Sandy,
Welcome to planDisney! Thanks for bringing an important question our way as you get ready for your wonderful
Walt Disney World Resort vacation. You’re arriving at a wonderfully festive,
spooky time of year – I just love seeing those Mickey pumpkin wreaths adorn Main Street, U.S.A. and I know they will make you smile!
I’m glad to hear you have your theme park tickets purchased – have you made
theme park reservations for your Magic Kingdom visit, and any other parks planned? Please be sure to do so as soon as you can, if not. Then all that’s left is for you to gather everyone and physically enter the park! As you shared, there are
several ways to access the magic so let’s review together. Your “vacation entitlements” (theme park tickets, resort reservations,
Genie+ purchases and Lightning Lane Selections) are organized in your
personalized digital hub of My Disney Experience. You can access these on your vacation with your mobile app, a MagicBand or MagicBand+, or a physical ticket. These work interchangeably on vacation based on your needs and mood.
As much as I love tech, I do understand the appeal of low-tech options for many scenarios. You may pick up a physical card to act as your theme park ticket and for
scanning into Lightning Lanes when you arrive at the Walt Disney World Resort. If staying at a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel you can request one at the front desk. If not, you may visit any ticket booth at the front of every theme park upon arrival. A friendly Cast Member will provide physical plastic cards for each member of your party promptly.
A few tips for using this option, Sandy. I suggest bringing a bold permanent marker with you in your park bag; you can write each person’s name on their ticket to ensure you know who it belongs to. This will help in the event of the cards gathering in a pile or if any confusion over a certain attraction entrance scan if not everyone plans to ride. I also strongly advise you take a photo of the back of each card in the event of a lost card. You could also purchase plastic zipped pouches on fun themed lanyards for your party to wear and carry their card securely throughout the day – this is a popular practice onboard Disney Cruise Line but works well in the parks too. They are easily found online or at party favor stores, in my experience.
Once you have those cards, you’ll be zipping through the theme park like Lightning McQueen in one swift motion as you scan through attractions – ka-chow!
Please let us know what other questions you have as you finalize the details of this special trip, we’d love to help!
See ya real soon,
Amy