On my last weekend off, my husband and I went over to EPCOT to claim our new MyMagic+ passholder tickets.

We went to the Odyssey Center that is next to Test Track because that is where they were doing the swap out.  I had never been in there before because it’s just a space for conventions and special events (like cooking classes during the food and wine festival) so that was a treat.   What’s inside the Odyssey center?  Looks like a restaurant with a bunch of different spaces in it.  Not that bright either.   But whatever.  We were immediately escorted to one of the several long tables set up with computers on them manned by cast members.  We presented our current passes and photo ID’s and we were done in less than five minutes (for both passes)

We were given a short presentation on our way out about what kinds of benefits these new passes will afford us now and in the future.

First these great new passes are plastic and we had a choice of four characters to choose from: Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy . We chose Goofy and Minnie respectivelyThis new pass offers easier and quicker entrance to the main entrances to the parks.  All the parks are currently set up with this new “touch to enter” technology.  I am guessing that alternate entrances such as the back entrance at EPCOT are not yet available but will be in the future. We tried it on our way out of the Odyssey Center and I didn’t even have to take it out of my wallet!!

Later this year Disney anticipates a new and exciting feature for pass holders, regarding obtaining Fastpasses for the most popular rides at the parks.  In conjunction with the new Mobile App My Disney Experience or online you will be able to reserve up to three fast passes in one park for one day before you get to the park or even when you first get there.  That’s exciting. You’ll be able to reserve access to even more attractions—plus shows, parades, fireworks and Character Greetings!  The mobile app also allows you to make resort and dining reservations and coordinate your Disney experience with family and friends who also have the mobile app.

Soon there will be Magic Bands available.  These bands are lightweight and flexible. connect you to all the vacation plans you make using My Disney Experience. MagicBands can be used to enter Walt Disney World parks, access FastPass+ attractions and more. MagicBands will be provided to Passholders whose passes provide admission to Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Magic bands are not yet available but soon we will have more information regarding them.  A bonus only pass holders will enjoy! They will come in many colors.  They look like this.

You can start exchanging your paper passes now.   Through May 19 the only place to do this is at EPCOT’s Odyssey Center.  EPCOT is an easy monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom and a short boat ride away from Hollywood Studios. Just bring your paper pass and a photo ID and it will be easy as pie to get your new MyMagic+ pass.   Conveniently, this is going on during the Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT so come on down and enjoy the beautiful flowers and fauna at EPCOT today!