Disney World Crash Course #2 - Key to the World Card 101
The small, plastic card known as the Key to the World Card looks very much like a credit card. But it does so much more!
In this course you'll learn exactly what you can do with your KTTW Card. It's a powerful little gadget!
Who receives a Key to the World Card?
As a Disney resort guest you are going to receive a KTTW card at check in. Each person listed on the reservation will have their own card. Each card will have a name on it along with your resort stay dates and an ID number. Remember to sign the back of the card as soon as possible. For security reasons your room number and resort information is not listed on the card. You'll have to remember your room number!
What does the Key to the World Card do?
When you check in at your Disney resort the Cast Member you speak with should go over the basics of your KTTW card with you. If not, be sure to ask any questions that you have as they tend to be very helpful. You also need to keep each card in a safe place so they do not get lost, stolen, damaged or even wet.
Your KTTW has multiple uses - I'll list them here and then we'll go over each one of the uses in detail.
- Room key
- Park ticket
- Dining Plan credit counter
- Charge card
- FASTPASS collector
- Extra Magic Hour verification
Key to the World - Room Key
You've checked in at your Disney resort and everyone in your family has a KTTW in hand with their name on it. Now what do you do? Let's head to your assigned resort room and check it out.
Each of your KTTW cards has a magnetic strip on the back and a triangular arrow on the opposite side. This is your room key to enter your resort room. Insert the KTTW card into the key slot and wait a second and then quickly remove the card. Once the LED lights up green, push the handle and you're in! If you see a red LED then you need to wait a few seconds and try again. Everyone's KTTW card will only open the resort room that they have been assigned. Keep this in mind if you have two or more resort rooms booked if you are a larger family.
Key to the World - Park Ticket
In Crash Course #1 I covered information on Disney's Base Tickets and Park Hoppers. Assuming that you have booked a Disney Magic Your Way Package and you have a KTTW card in hand, you also have your park tickets. The KTTW card is also your admission into the Disney parks. When you booked your resort package whatever ticket options you chose (whether it was a 5 day Park Hopper or 7 day Base Ticket, etc.) are automatically attached to your KTTW card when you check in.
When you arrive at the turnstiles at one of the Disney parks for the first time, you will be asked to enter your KTTW into a slot and place your forefinger on the finger recognition scanner. The biometric reader will assure that you and you ONLY can access the turnstiles with your card - so make sure you're holding the card with YOUR name on it every time you enter a park.
Electronically Disney will keep track of your entry into the parks. If you have a base ticket this will keep a tally of how many days you have left on your base ticket. To review what exactly a base ticket is check Crash Course #1.
Key to the World - Dining Plan Credit Counter
If you have booked a Magic Your Way package with one of the Dining Plans, then your KTTW card will also keep track of your dining credits.
Let's say your family of 4 has reservations at the Crystal Palace for lunch. After your meal it's time to pay but you're on the Plus Dining plan. Simply hand your server one of your family's KTTW cards and they'll automatically deduct one table service credit per person from your dining plan. They'll return with a receipt with the balance of table service credits still available to your family.
The same applies to quick service restaurants and snack purchases. Each receipt will list the number of each credit available. The KTTW card is great for keeping track of your dining credits - and that means no silly vouchers or coupons for you to hold onto and potentially lose!
Key to the World - Charge Card
When my family vacations we tend to take very little cash with us. Cash is so 1980's! And as you know, the possibility of losing cash is scary. Who wants to have $250 in their pocket that accidentally falls out?
That's where the KTTW card comes in handy. It can also be used as a charge card. Since it's directly linked to your resort reservation it's so easy to whip out your KTTW card when purchasing a souvenir or bottle of water. And it allows you to avoid carrying a lot of cash or extra credit cards with you into the parks. Most places, not all, will accept your KTTW card as payment. I would recommend you still carry a small amount of cash with you "just in case".
Even if you do not like, or want, to list a credit card on file for miscellaneous resort room charges, that's okay. Simply use your KTTW card when making purchases in the parks, store your cash in the room safe and then the day before you check out pay for your resort charges with cash at guest services. It still lets you avoid carrying cash around the parks with you.
Key to the World - FASTPASS Collector
Once you enter one of the parks you have the option to get FASTPASSES to certain attractions. Disney World Crash Course #3 covers more details on FASTPASSES. For now let's talk about how your KTTW card helps you obtain FP's.
With your KTTW card in hand, you'll need to go to the FP machines and insert your card - very similar to the way you insert it when you enter the park. For each card you insert (one per person that will be riding) you will receive a small card that is the FP. It will have listed on it what time you should return to the ride to immediately go to the front of the line to wait with other FP guests to board the ride.
Note - It is not necessary to stay at a Disney Resort and have a KTTW card to obtain a FP. Any Disney park ticket will work.
Key to the World Card - Extra Magic Hour Verification
Extra Magic Hours (stay tuned for a course on Extra Magic Hours in the future) are only available to Disney Resort guests. For early morning EMH only KTTW cards are going to allow guests to enter the park. For evening EMH you must seek out a Cast Member that has wristbands for those that want to stay late. And you'll need to present your KTTW card to the Cast Member as your resort ID. If you do not have your KTTW card with you there is no way for a Cast Member to know you are a Disney resort guest and you may be escorted from the park.
Your KEY to the World
In a nutshell, your KTTW card is an extra perk for being a Disney resort guest. It's great that you have one, thin card that does so much for you during your vacation!
Still have questions about the Key to the World card? No worries! Drop me a note and I'd be happy to help.
Next up - Disney World Crash Course #3 - FASTPASS 101