Hey there, Mary! It's great to welcome you back to planDisney. How exciting that you'll be visiting with your friends in 2024.
This question is close to my heart because a few years ago I took my very first friends-only vacation to Walt Disney World and those days created core memories that make me smile even as I write this to you. I know that no matter what is on your agenda, you'll have a Magical time.
Mary, I'm happy to report that each person can purchase their own ticket and you can
link all of your reservations together once they have been secured. You'll first want to make sure everyone has created a (free) My Disney Experience account. Standard theme park tickets (and
tickets with the Park Hopper® Option) beginning on January 9, 2024, are date-based and will not require a separate theme park reservation. When your friend group is making their theme park ticket purchases, you'll just want to communicate what days you'll be visiting the parks so everyone selects the same dates, type, and length of ticket.
So that you can plan as a group, you can link all of your My Disney Experience accounts together using the Family & Friends option. This can be done through your browser or the
My Disney Experience Mobile App. When you open the app, click on the three horizontal lines in the lower right corner. You'll then scroll down until you see "My Profile." When you click on "My Profile," you can toggle to your Family & Friends List at the top of the screen above your character icon. Follow the prompts to "Add a Guest" and let the planning begin!
Mary, from your question it sounds like you only need theme park tickets and not a vacation package that would include a Disney Resort Hotel reservation.
MagicBands and the new MagicBand+ are only available for pre-order if you are booking a vacation package or Disney Resort Hotel stay. If you aren't staying onsite but still want a MagicBand to use as your park ticket, you can purchase them at a variety of shops around Walt Disney World or on
ShopDisney. There is a number on the inside of the band that can then be linked to your account.
Now, Mary, if you are planning to stay onsite at a
Disney Resort Hotel with multiple friends in one room, one person from each room would book the package. When you book a package (that includes tickets and your hotel room), you can
put down a deposit and pay over time (with multiple cards or
Disney Gift Cards to make payments easier with a group). Payments can be made in any increments and any frequency as long as the balance is paid at least 30 days before check-in.
I hope this helps as you are planning for your upcoming visit. If you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to come on back to planDisney! In the meantime, I'll be wishing that you reach out and find your
Happily Ever After.
Lauren