about those magic bands- update re UK tickets -do NOT link them to magicband -post 36

[disneyholic family]

i admit it....i haven't been paying attention to anything about magic bands or FP+...
haven't read anything, no articles, no threads, nothing....(i didn't know i'd be going to WDW any time soon, so no need to plan...then this quickie trip came up)....

so..

i've had the my disney experience app on my iphone since it first came out..
but i never look at it..

then yesterday, out of curiosity, i decided to see if my upcoming reservations appear there.

so i went into the app.
and whadya know....there were our reservations (several different ones - multiple rooms, multiple arrival dates due to a cruise in the middle)..

so i kept exploring and noticed the magic bands section...

click...

oh gee...."you have 8 days to customize your magic bands before they're shipped"...

shipped?

to where?

oh great....to my billing address, which isn't where i live by a long shot...in a completely different part of the world - where i'm definitely not going to be before i go to WDW..

say what???

why didn't they notify me by email that i was about to be the lucky recipient of magic bands??

i called them up to give them a piece of my mind..

you don't notify me by email? email is the generally accepted mode of communication in the modern era...
you could call - but you didn't do that either..

what is wrong with you?????????????

so hopefully the nice woman at the other end of the phone managed to stop the shipment into the black hole of the post office...
and hopefully, they will be waiting for me at my resort..

but do they really think i'm going to link my paper tickets to this rather questionably run system??????

where once my tickets are linked and become paperless i'm a hostage of their system?????

.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Yesterday the Disney IT department released the new options on My Disney Experience for everyone even if they didn't have a trip planned; I was included which prompted some research. Supposedly it was a glitch and only those who were randomly selected to test the Bands were supposed to be able to see it. However, we all could.

Only those who received an email stating they were testers will have access to the bands even if you can go through the steps of customizing them on the site. If someone didn't receive the email in time and was, in fact, selected, they will be alerted of this upon check in and have the option to use them. Those who didn't receive the email stating they were testers will not - again, even if they customized online.

It was a huge mess yesterday because of this glitch. With that being said, it makes me wonder if it's a glitch at all or just a way to get everyone excited about the new system. Unfortunately for some, the exact opposite has happened and people are becoming very upset. I even read a post by another DISer who wanted to cancel her trip because of it.

Here's the bottom line....

1. If one was notified by email that they have been selected for testing, he can opt to do so and use the features on MDE.

2. If one wasn't notified, but is told so at check in, they can opt in for testing and receive Bands there.

3. If one wasn't notified (or selected) and used the features on MDE including customization of MagicBands, he will not be receiving and using them.

4. Regardless of whether one is testing the Bands or not, he's going on vacation. There's absolutely nothing to stress over. Enjoy it.

 

[skier_pete]

Disneyholic I am a bit confused by your post - you are upset they didn't send you an e-mail, but you say you knew next-to-nothing about them and now don't want to use them anyway? What kind of response are you looking for, or are you just use the DIS to rant?

What I would say to you: The system is new and there are clearly bugs in it. Some people love the idea of being a "beta tester", others hate it. So, if you don't feel comfortable with it, just tell them you prefer to take your trip the "old-fashioned" way. They won't MAKE you use the magic bands. Even when implemented, they aren't going to MAKE people do it.

Truthfully, I am still on the fence as to whether I want to try it if it's available come November. I feel the new system will restrict us in terms of the number of FastPass opportunities we can get. It is not uncommon for us to have 6-8 sets of FPs per day. When they announced only 3 per day, I was really uncertain. They've since raised it to 4, and their are extra experiences - just as reserved seatings for parades - that might sway in it's favor. I think for someone familiar with the old system - the new system will not really be "better", just "different".

So, don't be afraid to say "No Thanks!" if you don't want to try it out.

 

[disneyholic family]

Yesterday the Disney IT department released the new options on My Disney Experience for everyone even if they didn't have a trip planned; I was included which prompted some research. Supposedly it was a glitch and only those who were randomly selected to test the Bands were supposed to be able to see it. However, we all could.

Only those who received an email stating they were testers will have access to the bands even if you can go through the steps of customizing them on the site. If someone didn't receive the email in time and was, in fact, selected, they will be alerted of this upon check in and have the option to use them. Those who didn't receive the email stating they were testers will not - again, even if they customized online.

It was a huge mess yesterday because of this glitch. With that being said, it makes me wonder if it's a glitch at all or just a way to get everyone excited about the new system. Unfortunately for some, the exact opposite has happened and people are becoming very upset. I even read a post by another DISer who wanted to cancel her trip because of it.

Here's the bottom line....

1. If one was notified by email that they have been selected for testing, he can opt to do so and use the features on MDE.

2. If one wasn't notified, but is told so at check in, they can opt in for testing and receive Bands there.

3. If one wasn't notified and used the features on MDE including customization of MagicBands, he will not be receiving and using them.

4. Regardless of whether one is testing the Bands or not, he's going on vacation. There's absolutely nothing to stress over. Enjoy it.

when i called, the woman said - "oh i'm sure you aren't actually getting bands"
but then when she checked my account she said, "oh, you've been selected for the august test and you're getting 8 magic bands"..

so why the blazes didn't you ask me where you should mail them?????????

you're mailing something that potentially has my tickets and all my information to an address without asking me or telling me that you're doing that???????????

 

[disneyholic family]

Disneyholic I am a bit confused by your post - you are upset they didn't send you an e-mail, but you say you knew next-to-nothing about them and now don't want to use them anyway? What kind of response are you looking for, or are you just use the DIS to rant?

What I would say to you: The system is new and there are clearly bugs in it. Some people love the idea of being a "beta tester", others hate it. So, if you don't feel comfortable with it, just tell them you prefer to take your trip the "old-fashioned" way. They won't MAKE you use the magic bands. Even when implemented, they aren't going to MAKE people do it.

Truthfully, I am still on the fence as to whether I want to try it if it's available come November. I feel the new system will restrict us in terms of the number of FastPass opportunities we can get. It is not uncommon for us to have 6-8 sets of FPs per day. When they announced only 3 per day, I was really uncertain. They've since raised it to 4, and their are extra experiences - just as reserved seatings for parades - that might sway in it's favor. I think for someone familiar with the old system - the new system will not really be "better", just "different".

So, don't be afraid to say "No Thanks!" if you don't want to try it out.

they are shipping magic bands with my details to an address without ever asking me if they should ship it there
and without ever informing me that they're doing so..

you don't think there's a problem with that??????????????????????

 

[disneyholic family]

4. Regardless of whether one is testing the Bands or not, he's going on vacation. There's absolutely nothing to stress over. Enjoy it.

when something is shipped to me without letting me know that they are shipping it and without finding out if that is the correct address to use - there is a very big problem with that.

 

[pdarrah]

Your information is not really ON the bands. All the bands have is an identification number that when read by a Disney computer can look up your information in a Disney database.

My guess is that if you had not noticed and arrived at the resort without the bands, they would be able to cancel the bands in the system. Once canceled, if someone came in with those bands and the computer read the code & tried to look up the details it would show that those bands were canceled.

Also, whenever I make a reservation with WDW, they ask me for my address. They then confirm that address EVERY SINGLE TIME I contact them. If you have an obsolete address on your reservation, why wouldn't you know that? Why would you leave it? I often receive mailings before my trip (usually something like a welcome back to whatever resort - we look forward to seeing you.) Those mailings are also going to a wrong address. How do you even make a reservation without giving them the correct address? I guess you can deliberately give them a wrong one, but why would you do it?

 

[disneyholic family]

Your information is not really ON the bands. All the bands have is an identification number that when read by a Disney computer can look up your information in a Disney database.

My guess is that if you had not noticed and arrived at the resort without the bands, they would be able to cancel the bands in the system. Once canceled, if someone came in with those bands and the computer read the code & tried to look up the details it would show that those bands were canceled.

Also, whenever I make a reservation with WDW, they ask me for my address. They then confirm that address EVERY SINGLE TIME I contact them. If you have an obsolete address on your reservation, why wouldn't you know that? Why would you leave it? I often receive mailings before my trip (usually something like a welcome back to whatever resort - we look forward to seeing you.) Those mailings are also going to a wrong address. How do you even make a reservation without giving them the correct address? I guess you can deliberately give them a wrong one, but why would you do it?

it is my billing address
not where i live.. (my credit card lives there, i do not)...
it's not where anything should be shipped

and certainly not without informing me that you are shipping a package to me.

as for mailings - they ASK you on the phone when you make a reservation if you want a mailed confirmation and i always say NO.
i get the confirmation by email. as do most people in the 21st century.

 

[skier_pete]

they are shipping magic bands with my details to an address without ever asking me if they should ship it there
and without ever informing me that they're doing so..

you don't think there's a problem with that??????????????????????

I do think it's wrong that they didn't let you know they were coming, particularly since you weren't expecting to be part of the program. It's definitely a screw-up on their part. I very much doubt that they would have "activated" the Magic Bands without getting confirmation that you received it.

However, I do think it odd that you are so surprised/offended that Disney would send stuff about your trip to the address you provided them. Because, as I think about it, that's what they do to everyone that books a trip with them. It's standard operating procedure. It's why they ask for your mailing address when you book.

And I can't say I would expect them to e-mail me ahead of time that somethings coming. Anytime I've traveled to Disney, they've sent our package with our Magical Express / bag tags to my address, but they didn't inform me ahead of time that they were going to do it. Same thing our recent ABD trip (which was our first) they mailed us a package that had a special present as well as our bag tags and our itinerary. I didn't know ahead of time that it was coming. We have a DCL cruise booked for next year - and they sent us an envelope with more information about the cruise, and I imagine will send us more stuff as the trip approaches.

Do you not normally get these things from Disney?

 

[disneyholic family]

I do think it's wrong that they didn't let you know they were coming, particularly since you weren't expecting to be part of the program. It's definitely a screw-up on their part. I very much doubt that they would have "activated" the Magic Bands without getting confirmation that you received it.

However, I do think it odd that you are so surprised/offended that Disney would send stuff about your trip to the address you provided them. Because, as I think about it, that's what they do to everyone that books a trip with them. It's standard operating procedure. It's why they ask for your mailing address when you book.

And I can't say I would expect them to e-mail me ahead of time that somethings coming. Anytime I've traveled to Disney, they've sent our package with our Magical Express / bag tags to my address, but they didn't inform me ahead of time that they were going to do it. Same thing our recent ABD trip (which was our first) they mailed us a package that had a special present as well as our bag tags and our itinerary. I didn't know ahead of time that it was coming. We have a DCL cruise booked for next year - and they sent us an envelope with more information about the cruise, and I imagine will send us more stuff as the trip approaches.

Do you not normally get these things from Disney?

yes, i get stuff from them - sometimes..
mainly DCL sends stuff...
i have two different addresses..
my billing address and my shipping address..
DCL manages to get stuff to my shipping address...

as for email - from what i've read over the past 24 hours, everyone in the beta was supposed to get an email informing that of that..
in fact, when i spoke with disney IT she said she doubted i was in the test since i hadn't received an email..
and then she checked my account and saw that we were in the test for both of our visits (we check in twice with a cruise in the middle)...
she was really surprised that we hadn't received an email telling us about the test...
and it's really curious since i get multiple promotional emails from disney every single day.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

when i called, the woman said - "oh i'm sure you aren't actually getting bands"
but then when she checked my account she said, "oh, you've been selected for the august test and you're getting 8 magic bands"..

so why the blazes didn't you ask me where you should mail them?????????

you're mailing something that potentially has my tickets and all my information to an address without asking me or telling me that you're doing that???????????

I guess I'm just not following why you are so upset.

If you don't want to use the Bands, you don't have to and tell them upon check in at your resort.

If you do want to use them and haven't received them, you let them know this at check in (they will ask anyway) and they will give you new Bands.

As far as information on the Bands being mailed somewhere, your Bands are not activated until check in when done so by a cast member. Even still, in order to use them for purchasing items (if you choose to link a credit card) a pin has to be entered; that pin is set up by you when you check in.

when something is shipped to me without letting me know that they are shipping it and without finding out if that is the correct address to use - there is a very big problem with that.

While I agree that you should have been notified (does your account have the correct email address? did you check your spam folder?), it was obviously a mistake and mistakes happen. If Bands were sent to this address and it is a credit card company's address, they will probably be returned to sender. If not, nothing bad can happen because they are not activated.

yes, i get stuff from them - sometimes..
mainly DCL sends stuff...
i have two different addresses..
my billing address and my shipping address..
DCL manages to get stuff to my shipping address...

as for email - from what i've read over the past 24 hours, everyone in the beta was supposed to get an email informing that of that..
in fact, when i spoke with disney IT she said she doubted i was in the test since i hadn't received an email..
and then she checked my account and saw that we were in the test for both of our visits (we check in twice with a cruise in the middle)...
she was really surprised that we hadn't received an email telling us about the test...
and it's really curious since i get multiple promotional emails from disney every single day.

I would suggest changing your profile to have the address you use on file. If one is no longer used or incorrect, Disney did not put it there and can only assume that it is the correct address. I can't fault them for using the information that was provided to them.

I hope things work out in whatever way you hope them to, but please don't let something like this ruin your vacation. Many people would love to be in your shoes right now and can't afford to visit, and I know you'll have a wonderful time.

 

[blairbear]

Hey Nikki,

Do you know if it the same with the Fastpass+ option? The system allowed me to go in a add Fastpass+ options and it shows up under my itinerary. If it is going to mess something up I will go in and cancel it.

Thanks in advance

 

[tjevans]

you don't notify me by email? email is the generally accepted mode of communication in the modern era...

Could I get you to inform the many people I work with (and these are professionals) who don't have email addresses about this "fact"?

The only problem is you couldn't email them about it.

 

[tjevans]

when something is shipped to me without letting me know that they are shipping it and without finding out if that is the correct address to use - there is a very big problem with that.

I get mail I'm not expecting all the time. What's the difference?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Hey Nikki,

Do you know if it the same with the Fastpass+ option? The system allowed me to go in a add Fastpass+ options and it shows up under my itinerary. If it is going to mess something up I will go in and cancel it.

Thanks in advance

Hey There,

Did they contact you by email saying you were selected to be a tester? If so, then you'll be able to use MagicBands and FP+ features during your trip. If not, then you have not been selected (if for some reason you never received the email, they will let you know upon check in). What happened was the IT department apparently let these features on the site go live to everyone instead of just those who were selected for testing. That's why we all have the options to select FP+, etc. It won't mess anything up though, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[niccikatie]

Hey There,

Did they contact you by email saying you were selected to be a tester? If so, then you'll be able to use MagicBands and FP+ features during your trip. If not, then you have not been selected (if for some reason you never received the email, they will let you know upon check in). What happened was the IT department apparently let these features on the site go live to everyone instead of just those who were selected for testing. That's why we all have the options to select FP+, etc. It won't mess anything up though, so I wouldn't worry about it.

We don't know that this is true. As is usual, there are many different answers being given to the same question. Currently, the consensus seems that people are getting their email/ups package containing an invitation to test 17 days before their trip. The same people have been able to customize MagicBands before they actually received their email/ups package. Still others have been told that everyone at the resort is eligible and some have been told that there is not even a test happening. The bottom line is, you should take everything with a grain of salt. I'd recommend reading through a few threads and figuring out the pros and cons of customizing even if you don't end up getting the bands/fp+. For me, the benefit of possibly getting to test outweighs the slight risk (by my own personal calculations) that we may not test and have a hassle to straighten out when we get there.

 

[mla1977]

disneyholic -

Which resort are you staying at for you trip? Not everyone is included in the testing.

 

[disneyholic family]

yes i am in the test (according to the people i spoke with at Disney IT)..

and yes the bands were actually just shipped...

i just got an email (the first one i've received related to magic bands)..

the email is to tell me that my magic bands have been shipped and are on the way to me by UPS and gives me the UPS tracking number..

so i went into the UPS website, plugged in the tracking number and guess what?

the bands are being shipped to.......the resort in lake buena vista florida..

so disney is paying UPS to ship the magic bands to me at disney....

stranger and stranger..

 

[niccikatie]

yes i am in the test (according to the people i spoke with at Disney IT)..

and yes the bands were actually just shipped...

i just got an email (the first one i've received related to magic bands)..

the email is to tell me that my magic bands have been shipped and are on the way to me by UPS and gives me the UPS tracking number..

so i went into the UPS website, plugged in the tracking number and guess what?

the bands are being shipped to.......the resort in lake buena vista florida..

so disney is paying UPS to ship the magic bands to me at disney....

stranger and stranger..

When is your trip? Are you international? It seems like trips that are sooner and international guests are having the bands shipped to the resorts.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I've been told that everyone in selected resorts is going to be selected for the biggest phase of testing. I'm starting to think that may be why you never received an email.