[ADVISORY] WDW - MagicBand-Only Testing Begins at Disney's Pop Century Resort

[myhouseofmouse]

Seeing how it seems like the POP test is going to be here for good. I am really thinking of changing our up coming Ressie to another resort. But now the gamble game...We check-in at POP on Sat. 30, do we either move to All Star Movies for the same price or we could upgrade to Port Orleans for about $400 more. (now we have stayed at both in the past and like both of them, I will admit a special place for Port Orleans though so willing to pay a little extra for there) So what any opinions for what might be the next resort?? (any guesses would be great)

Also, as a side note, we are doing a one night, no ticket stay at AOA the night before we check into POP (just to check it out) At this point they will be giving a KTTW key when we check in there. Does anyone think that will work for FP- during our stay for the rest of the week???

 

[wn01aa]

Seeing how it seems like the POP test is going to be here for good. I am really thinking of changing our up coming Ressie to another resort. But now the gamble game...We check-in at POP on Sat. 30, do we either move to All Star Movies for the same price or we could upgrade to Port Orleans for about $400 more. (now we have stayed at both in the past and like both of them, I will admit a special place for Port Orleans though so willing to pay a little extra for there) So what any opinions for what might be the next resort?? (any guesses would be great)

Also, as a side note, we are doing a one night, no ticket stay at AOA the night before we check into POP (just to check it out) At this point they will be giving a KTTW key when we check in there. Does anyone think that will work for FP- during our stay for the rest of the week???

That is very interesting, reminds me of posts back in August of a people booking a ghost Pop room only before their trip in order to get MagicBands. If AOA is still giving KTTW and there is no theme park tickets, I assume it would work (considering people posting of KTTW from years ago working). I can see it now, guests making a room only reservation at the start of their trip to get a KTTW (maybe even on the same night, can you book a room on the same night for 2 different resorts and check-in to both?)

 

[momimouse27]

I am at POP now. I have a MB, but we have military tickets and a room only ressie. I purposely didn't link my MB to my tickets. We have been pulling normal FP today and yesterday. No one has questioned this even though we are wearing MB, but my hubby has pulled them all for us and he has no band-he's staying offsite.

We really haven't needed the FP except a few times. It was crowded at MK today but wait times were moderate. If something was too long, we just returned later when it was shorter anyway.

Otherwise, no probs with the MBs.

 

[The Hub]

For those of you at Pop Century wishing to pull paper FastPasses, there is good news. Our leaders informed us that some guests are "upset" about the change and while this won't prevent a further rollout, we are currently being encouraged to provide FastPass keycards. Today, at my attraction, we distributed over 50 FastPass keycards to guests staying at Pop Century and for other forms of Guest Service Recovery (mostly due to ticketing issues at the main entrance showing the theme park admission was not used today.) If we are issuing one for Pop Century, we just need to inform our leaders or coordinators after one is already distributed, just so they have an accurate count of how many guests are requesting one. I cannot speak for other attractions, parks or lands, but that is how it is being done in my location.

These keycards are on request only and the backup KTTW cards for Pop Century are different. They will only display the name of the guest and will exclude any resort stay information. We will also be able to use "touch to identify" with iPod touches to verify your reservation details, if warranted. After testing these out earlier today, they are much faster than our FastPass+ touchpoints and main entrance touchpoints. These were able to verify a non eligible park ticket, KTTW and MagicBand instantly, as well as eligible ticketing media.

 

[Minniekins]

Thanks for your updates, much appreciated!

So, does this mean that a guest staying at Pop, upset with no Kttw card for extra FP-, and to help if hopping to another park, they can request this Fastpass keycard to use to pull paper FP? Is this something to pull paper FP for a specific one time use, or for at any attraction, so can be used thru out one's trip for paper FP? And, guests have to ask for this, correct? So, how will guests know they need to ask for this and how will they know where to ask for this? Is this something guests from other resorts may also be asking for, or something especially for those without kttw cards from Pop? Is it only for use with ticket issues and paper FP?

I'm sorry, please forgive so many questions. I appreciate if you can answer any, understand if not!

I'm thinking that 'some guests are "upset" about the change ' is putting it mildly, or they wouldn't have come up something to pacify the upset guests! I'm also thinking that maybe, seeing how upset guests at just one resort are, and at a time when it's not as crowded as it will be getting, they just might rethink rolling out to more resorts until after the holidays! At least I'm hopeful that is the case! Of course, I could be totally wrong in thinking anything like this, lol!

 

[curemyreed]

For those of you at Pop Century wishing to pull paper FastPasses, there is good news. Our leaders informed us that some guests are "upset" about the change and while this won't prevent a further rollout, we are currently being encouraged to provide FastPass keycards. Today, at my attraction, we distributed over 50 FastPass keycards to guests staying at Pop Century and for other forms of Guest Service Recovery (mostly due to ticketing issues at the main entrance showing the theme park admission was not used today.) If we are issuing one for Pop Century, we just need to inform our leaders or coordinators after one is already distributed, just so they have an accurate count of how many guests are requesting one. I cannot speak for other attractions, parks or lands, but that is how it is being done in my location.

These keycards are on request only and the backup KTTW cards for Pop Century are different. They will only display the name of the guest and will exclude any resort stay information. We will also be able to use "touch to identify" with iPod touches to verify your reservation details, if warranted. After testing these out earlier today, they are much faster than our FastPass+ touchpoints and main entrance touchpoints. These were able to verify a non eligible park ticket, KTTW and MagicBand instantly, as well as eligible ticketing media.

Once again, thank you for your willingness to let us know of changes to this ever-changing test.

Also, TheHub, it appears you want to maintain your anonymity. With your latest update you note that you are providing these FP Keycards at your attraction. I just wanted to caution you to not inadvertently reveal which attraction/land/park you work at if responding to others regarding this. I'm sure you don't need me telling you this...the mom in me can't help it!

 

[mom2rtk]

For those of you at Pop Century wishing to pull paper FastPasses, there is good news. Our leaders informed us that some guests are "upset" about the change and while this won't prevent a further rollout, we are currently being encouraged to provide FastPass keycards. Today, at my attraction, we distributed over 50 FastPass keycards to guests staying at Pop Century and for other forms of Guest Service Recovery (mostly due to ticketing issues at the main entrance showing the theme park admission was not used today.) If we are issuing one for Pop Century, we just need to inform our leaders or coordinators after one is already distributed, just so they have an accurate count of how many guests are requesting one. I cannot speak for other attractions, parks or lands, but that is how it is being done in my location.

These keycards are on request only and the backup KTTW cards for Pop Century are different. They will only display the name of the guest and will exclude any resort stay information. We will also be able to use "touch to identify" with iPod touches to verify your reservation details, if warranted. After testing these out earlier today, they are much faster than our FastPass+ touchpoints and main entrance touchpoints. These were able to verify a non eligible park ticket, KTTW and MagicBand instantly, as well as eligible ticketing media.

Wow, that sure doesn't bode well for the rest of the rollout. But then I never thought this tiny little piece of the rollout would happen smoothly.

Does anyone remember all those heated fights here about using late FPs? People complained that only those who knew the "secret handshake" got that advantage and that it was so unfair. Man, I can think of one prior poster whose head would likely explode at this little tidbit.

Thanks HUB as always!

 

[AmyB2006]

Seeing how it seems like the POP test is going to be here for good. I am really thinking of changing our up coming Ressie to another resort. But now the gamble game...We check-in at POP on Sat. 30, do we either move to All Star Movies for the same price or we could upgrade to Port Orleans for about $400 more. (now we have stayed at both in the past and like both of them, I will admit a special place for Port Orleans though so willing to pay a little extra for there) So what any opinions for what might be the next resort?? (any guesses would be great)

Also, as a side note, we are doing a one night, no ticket stay at AOA the night before we check into POP (just to check it out) At this point they will be giving a KTTW key when we check in there. Does anyone think that will work for FP- during our stay for the rest of the week???

Somebody posted the list of resrorts that MB testing was rolled out to in order, I would ASSume, it might follow that list. I could be wrong, of course.

 

[delmar411]

This will no longer be the case, as well. Starting Monday, November 18, Magic Kingdom Park (and possibly the others) will be issuing an iPod touch with an RFID scanner to the greeter Cast Members at every attraction. Hollywood Studios has been periodically testing this now for a few weeks. The CastApp that we will be using will show us what resort you are staying at, how long your stay is and if you are authorized to use Extra Magic Hours this evening. If you are staying at WDW Swan/Dolphin, Shades of Green or Hilton on Hotel Plaza Blvd, you will still present your room key and we will check valid dates.

I'm not as confident as you or other cast might be that this will work as intended. Every time a CM scans my band for assistance they try to confirm that I'm staying at the boardwalk. I'm staying at the boardwalk in April. Not currently and not for a quite a long while in the future. And every time I say no I'm not staying there, they look very confused because the screen says I'm staying there.

I have not seen the new screen for EMH but hopefully it can tell the difference between the current date and the future. LOL

 

[magicbob]

Does anyone remember all those heated fights here about using late FPs? People complained that only those who knew the "secret handshake" got that advantage and that it was so unfair. Man, I can think of one prior poster whose head would likely explode at this little tidbit.

And, as I just read on another thread, you can apparently use a FP+ late. Just re-schedule (subject to availability) for a later time even though you already missed the reserved time for your return window. I thought FP+ was ostensibly implemented to "fix" the rampant problem of late FP abuse. Where is the "exasperated" emoticon when you need it?

 

[delmar411]

And, as I just read on another thread, you can apparently use a FP+ late. Just re-schedule (subject to availability) for a later time even though you already missed the reserved time for your return window. I thought FP+ was ostensibly implemented to "fix" the rampant problem of late FP abuse. Where is the "exasperated" emoticon when you need it?

You can only reschedule if there is availability. Often there isn't any other availability. You can change it to another ride too if you want. A FP+ change be changed before, during or after the window up to the end of that day.

 

[AmyB2006]

And, as I just read on another thread, you can apparently use a FP+ late. Just re-schedule (subject to availability) for a later time even though you already missed the reserved time for your return window. I thought FP+ was ostensibly implemented to "fix" the rampant problem of late FP abuse. Where is the "exasperated" emoticon when you need it?

As told to me by several CMs on our October trip, "you have a 15 minute grace period at the end" kind of like an ADR I guess, that your FP+ will still work. We showed up about 10 minutes late to one of our FP+ and it turned green still.

I guess it remains to be seen if this is going to be the way it is, or if it will change in the future.

 

[myhouseofmouse]

For those of you at Pop Century wishing to pull paper FastPasses, there is good news. Our leaders informed us that some guests are "upset" about the change and while this won't prevent a further rollout, we are currently being encouraged to provide FastPass keycards. Today, at my attraction, we distributed over 50 FastPass keycards to guests staying at Pop Century and for other forms of Guest Service Recovery (mostly due to ticketing issues at the main entrance showing the theme park admission was not used today.) If we are issuing one for Pop Century, we just need to inform our leaders or coordinators after one is already distributed, just so they have an accurate count of how many guests are requesting one. I cannot speak for other attractions, parks or lands, but that is how it is being done in my location.

These keycards are on request only and the backup KTTW cards for Pop Century are different. They will only display the name of the guest and will exclude any resort stay information. We will also be able to use "touch to identify" with iPod touches to verify your reservation details, if warranted. After testing these out earlier today, they are much faster than our FastPass+ touchpoints and main entrance touchpoints. These were able to verify a non eligible park ticket, KTTW and MagicBand instantly, as well as eligible ticketing media.

Great info, Thank you again for all your updates. I assume by your statements that it is NOT POP that is giving out these keys that you are talking about here???

 

[delmar411]

As told to me by several CMs on our October trip, "you have a 15 minute grace period at the end" kind of like an ADR I guess, that your FP+ will still work. We showed up about 10 minutes late to one of our FP+ and it turned green still.

I guess it remains to be seen if this is going to be the way it is, or if it will change in the future.

It also turns green 3 mins early.

 

[mom2rtk]

And, as I just read on another thread, you can apparently use a FP+ late. Just re-schedule (subject to availability) for a later time even though you already missed the reserved time for your return window. I thought FP+ was ostensibly implemented to "fix" the rampant problem of late FP abuse. Where is the "exasperated" emoticon when you need it?

Actually what we need here is a head exploding emoticon. Anyone seen one of those?

Ah, the memories......... some of those threads were EPIC!

 

[My3Princez]

As told to me by several CMs on our October trip, "you have a 15 minute grace period at the end" kind of like an ADR I guess, that your FP+ will still work. We showed up about 10 minutes late to one of our FP+ and it turned green still.

I guess it remains to be seen if this is going to be the way it is, or if it will change in the future.

I don't think the running-15-minutes-late use of late FPs was ever the real problem. I think it was the hoarding an entire day's worth of FPs and using them all at the end of the day that was a big issue. If I had to guess, I would say the 15 minute courtesy will continue.

 

[AmyB2006]

I don't think the running-15-minutes-late use of late FPs was ever the real problem. I think it was the hoarding an entire day's worth of FPs and using them all at the end of the day that was a big issue. If I had to guess, I would say the 15 minute courtesy will continue.

Oh I agree, I was just saying that it's only supposed to be a 15 minute window. I didn't try ours after that window, so I don't know. But has someone reported being able to use a FP+ later than 15 minutes?

 

[wn01aa]

Doing this new test with just one resort was a bad PR idea. Pop guests would see everyone with MagicBands pulling FP- and when asked are told everyone can use it except for them because they are at POP.

 

[auralia]

I am at POP now. I have a MB, but we have military tickets and a room only ressie. I purposely didn't link my MB to my tickets. We have been pulling normal FP today and yesterday. No one has questioned this even though we are wearing MB, but my hubby has pulled them all for us and he has no band-he's staying offsite. We really haven't needed the FP except a few times. It was crowded at MK today but wait times were moderate. If something was too long, we just returned later when it was shorter anyway. Otherwise, no probs with the MBs.

I linked my tickets for fast pass plus and was still able to use the ticket to pull fast pass - with the ticket.... I'm staying at pop.

 

[mom2rtk]

Doing this new test with just one resort was a bad PR idea. Pop guests would see everyone with MagicBands pulling FP- and when asked are told everyone can use it except for them because they are at POP.

So what...... did you want everyone upset all at once?????

The problem isn't how they rolled out the test. When you have to structure the test so the testers don't feel cheated, the problem is the PRODUCT.