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Ears the News with Richard

New details on how MyMagic will work when it launches towards the end of the year! The exact details are changing fairly frequently and there will still likely be changes between now and the full launch. So remember, none of this information is set in stone.

FASTPASS+
You will be able to make FASTPASS+ reservations 60 days out from arrival, plus 10 days, similar to resort reservation dining.
The guest will select the park and the three preferred experiences. The system will then return up to 4 groups of availability from which to pick - early, mid day, late, or all day.
Grouping of guests allows one My Disney Experience user to copy the details to others traveling in that party with same FASTPASS+ reservations.
FASTPASS+ allows one park per day.
Return policies will be similar to current FASTPASS - must arrive within time window.
You will be able to modify your selected park until you use your first FASTPASS+. Once you use the first FASTPASS+ you can then only modify your remaining FASTPASS+ reservations at that park, and cannot switch park.
If you do not have a My Disney Experience account setup you will not be able to use FASTPASS+. Old non-RFID tickets can be converted but will be tied to a My Disney Experience account. This will make reselling of partially used tickets very difficult.
MagicBands
Colors available will include: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink, Orange, Gray, and Purple.
The bands will be shipped worldwide to the guest within 30 to 10 days of arrival.
If inside 10 days, the MagicBands will be shipped to the resort.
If within 5 days of arrival no color choice is available, and gray will be supplied and shipped to resort.
Any replacement bands will be gray.
The band is waterproof, but does not float, and is equipped with a 3 year battery.
Each MagicBand can handle multiple ticket entitlements.
Annual Passholders
AP holders will have the same FASTPASS+ rules as resort guests, with 60 days out reservations, for one park only per day, and three selections per day.
Passholders will be able to add a credit card to the MagicBand and RFID card to allow 'touch to pay' charging.
First replacement band will be free, additional replacements will cost $50.
The RFID card will still be required for discounts.
Parking with MagicBands
The parking plaza booths will be equipped with RFID touch points to validate parking.
In Park Kiosks
For those without a smartphone, there will be kiosks in the parks. All guest relations will be equipped, and each park will also have a dedicated area. Magic Kingdom already has a location setup in Town Square Theatre. Epcot will use the old World Key kiosk area. The remaining locations are to be determined.
Another interesting aspect of MyMagic+ that we have not touched on until now is the MagicBand customization accessories. Coinciding nicely with this week’s test, gift shops at both Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney's Contemporary Resorts began selling a whole range of MagicBand accessories. Designed to allow guests to personalize their bands, the range includes almost every way of attaching something to a MagicBand. There are three components of the accessory line, CoverBands, MagicSliders, and MagicBandits. We've got an overview of each below, along with lots of photos at the end of this article.
CoverBands
Priced at $6.95 for one, or $15.95 for three, CoverBands do exactly what the name implies - they cover your MagicBand. Made of a cloth-type material, the CoverBands wrap your MagicBand with a whole range of different designs. You can choose from a variety of Mickey and Minnie designs, Pirates of the Caribbean, or some more much subtle patterns. So if you don't like the color of your band, or just want to change it up - the CoverBand seems to be the way to go for a complete transformation.
MagicSliders
At nearly twice the price of the CoverBands, MagicSliders attach to the MagicBand by sliding onto the strap. You can choose a Mickey or Minnie shape from $12.95. They are quite large, and although they look great, it would seem that they would add to the bulk of the MagicBand.
MagicBandits
Starting from $6.95, MagicBandits are small pin-like objects that snap onto the band adjustment holes. Lots of designs are available, including Mickey and Minnie, Nightmare Before Christmas, Muppets, Tink, and Phineas and Ferb.

Visit WDWMagic.com for pictures of the new accessories.

Curl by Sammy Duvall is now open in its new location at Downtown Disney West Side.
The surf apparel store was originally located in Pleasure Island, but closed on Friday to make way for the upcoming Disney Springs expansion. The new location next door to Splitsville features an expanded range of merchandise, including clothing, eye-wear and footwear. The store typically opens at 10:30 AM and closes at 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and midnight Friday and Saturday.
Peter Pan's Flight in the Magic Kingdom is scheduled to close for month long refurbishment. The closure begins on 9/28/2013 through to 10/31/2013.

Disney has announced that the 'Long-Lost Disney Friends' character meet and greets will be returning for a second run as part of Limited Time Magic. 

This time you get to help choose the returning characters by placing your vote on the official Disney Parks Blog site. No time-frame for when the event will take place has yet be announced. Voting is open now, and characters up for votes are:

Clarabelle Cow and Horace Horse Collar
Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John
Fifer Pig, Fiddler Pig, Practical Pig and Big Bad Wolf
Clarice, Chip and Dale
Wendell, Liver Lips, Shaker and Big Al
Chicken Little and Abby Mallard
Brer Bear, Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit
Flick and Princess Atta
June and Leo from Little Einsteins
Tweedle Dum, Tweedle Dee and Queen of Hearts
Louis the Alligator and Dr. Facilier (Face)
Penguins from Mary Poppins

Suzy and Perla

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