Not everyone wants their name up in lights When planning a Walt Disney World vacation, there is a lot of talk about MagicBands, FastPass+, and the My Disney Experience App. We live in a world where technology makes life easier. What do you do if you don’t want Disney to be able to track your every move? Can you still even plan a few days at Walt Disney World?
Of course you can go to Disney without giving too much of yourself away. If you’re staying on property there will be things that they need to know, just like any other hotel. That’s not what I’m going to talk about here. This is more about the theme parks.
MagicBands
You do not need a MagicBand in order to enter a theme park. You can use a regular plastic ticket instead. Without a MagicBand, Disney will not track where you go, what you ride, where you eat, etc. If you don’t want to scan your finger at a park’s entrance, have an ID ready and that will be enough.
My Disney Experience App
The My Disney Experience App is a great tool to keep you informed while you’re in any of the Walt Disney World theme parks. That doesn’t mean that you have to have it. There are other Wait Times apps that you can download. If you want pictures, the PhotoPass photographer will be happy to use your camera or phone. If you do download the My Disney Experience App, there are features that you can turn off, such as notifications and location. If you don’t want to be reminded that the restaurant that you just walked by offers Mobile Ordering, opt out of notifications.
FastPass+
If you don’t have the My Disney Experience App or a MagicBand, you can still use FastPass+. If you don’t have an account with Disney you won’t be able to make reservations ahead of time, but you can still make them once you arrive in the park. Just find a FastPass+ kiosk and scan your ticket. Then follow the prompts to make your reservations. Once it’s your FastPass+ return time, scan your ticket instead of a MagicBand at the ride’s entrance. That will work just as well.
Showtimes and General Information
Most of the information that you will need you can pick up when you enter a park. Times Guides and Park Maps are loaded with information. They don’t care who you are, they don’t drain your battery, and they’re sometimes quicker to use than waiting for an app to open.
Personally, I don’t mind the fact that Disney can keep track of me when I’m in a park. I like it when I see my name at a ride’s exit, and I think it’s convenient to be able to access FastPass+ while waiting for another ride. I do understand, though, why some people have privacy concerns. Rest assured that you can keep some of the control but still have a great time at Walt Disney World.