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

[mikat]

I actually don't think anyone can answer that since your trip is still so far out, and things seem to be changing every day.

Yes, you're so right, the Powers that Be seem to be changing the rules on a daily basis! I guess I should say, will we be ok under the current rules. this uncertainty is really difficult, especially with the holiday crowds. Good luck to all at Pop and the new resorts when they're named. It sounds like the Hub (in his / her addition to Post #1) knows that new resorts will be added sooner rather than later.

 

[mikat]

Check out this post on another thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50078953&postcount=11

Checked in today, 11/14 at Pop

NO KtTW card given at all. I requested one as a backup understanding that it would not work in FP machines and the CM said Pop was not issuing ANY KTTW cards.

 

[TDC Nala]

That's interesting, they were supposed to be issuing cards as an alternative for people who could not or did not care to wear the bands.

 

[myhouseofmouse]

Post #1 has been updated.

thank you for all your info and comments

 

[The Hub]

If you are staying at Disney's Pop Century Resort and feel as if this will have a negative impact on your stay, the best option would be to approach a Cast Member at any FastPass Distribution Kiosk and explain the issue and ask if they can provide you a FastPass Keycard for use that day. It is a hit or a miss as to if you will get one on the first try, but eventually a Cast Member will. These will allow you to pull paper FastPasses throughout the day. Although front desk or Guest Relations will not make an exception, a Cast Member at FastPass Distribution will be your best chance at getting paper FastPasses.

 

[goofyfigment]

Checked into pop today no kttw card. Used mb to enter park and was able to use ap to pull fp -

 

[curemyreed]

If you are staying at Disney's Pop Century Resort and feel as if this will have a negative impact on your stay, the best option would be to approach a Cast Member at any FastPass Distribution Kiosk and explain the issue and ask if they can provide you a FastPass Keycard for use that day. It is a hit or a miss as to if you will get one on the first try, but eventually a Cast Member will. These will allow you to pull paper FastPasses throughout the day. Although front desk or Guest Relations will not make an exception, a Cast Member at FastPass Distribution will be your best chance at getting paper FastPasses.

 

[curemyreed]

Checked into pop today no kttw card. Used mb to enter park and was able to use ap to pull fp -

Good information to have...thank you for taking the time on your vacation to let us know. I hope you are having big fun!

 

[Andrea817]

Checked into pop today no kttw card. Used mb to enter park and was able to use ap to pull fp -

Great to hear, thank you! Now I will keep my fingers crossed this is still working by 11/30

 

[AuroraRora]

Checked into pop today no kttw card. Used mb to enter park and was able to use ap to pull fp -

Thanks so much for reporting back! So glad you're still able to use FP- for your trip, have a great vacation!!

 

[goofyfigment]

I pulled 2 at mk this morning and have my 3 fp+ scheduled for Epcot tonight. So as long as we still have that to fall back on Im ok. Peter pan was out of fp - as of 11 am with a 70 minute wait but everything else still had fp- available

 

[matthewhavens]

I pulled 2 at mk this morning and have my 3 fp+ scheduled for Epcot tonight. So as long as we still have that to fall back on Im ok. Peter pan was out of fp - as of 11 am with a 70 minute wait but everything else still had fp- available

I thought after the refurb Peter Pan opened FP+ only?

Are you sure it was out of FP- or there just isn't any?

 

[lugnut33]

We are traveling down on Nov. 27th, staying at Saratoga Springs, and got this interesting e-mail today:

Plus, there's still time to make or update your Disney FastPass+ selections.
If you're planning to visit the Theme Parks during this test, you can select times to experience FastPass+ attractions and shows in advance—or if you've already selected your FastPass+ experiences, you may update your selections at any time**. And best yet, using the FastPass+ service is included with Theme Park admission.
If you are participating in this test, please confirm your address
by November 16, 2013 to have your MagicBands shipped to you.
.
.
.
Step 4
Customize Your MagicBands by November 16, 2013
From the My Disney Experience home page, choose "Personalize MagicBands" to select MagicBands for your travel party. You'll also need to confirm your address by November 16, 2013 to have your MagicBands shipped to your home.

Then the double asterix says:

**FastPass+ experiences, the number of selections you can make and arrival windows are limited.

From the looks of it they are pressing hard to get everybody off the KTTW card in order to free up FP- for the holidays. Good chance by Thanksgiving week nobody will be getting KTTW cards.

 

[DisneyElite4]

This news is making me so incredibly glad I rented DVC points for our room and purchased tickets separately directly from Disney. We've had them at home for two months now - they are the kind with stripes on the back that should work in the FP- machines. We were also able to link them up on MDE to pick FP+ attractions and have our MBs at home ready to go as well. We will be sure to use our hard tickets with the stripes to enter the parks so we can pull FP- with them. (That is, if FP- is even available when we go in two weeks.)

I feel bad for everyone who doesn't have APs or separate, hard-copy tickets. Especially since someone currently at SSR is reporting that their KTTW isn't working to pull FP- any longer. I have a feeling they are just going to roll this out to all resorts ASAP, probably with no advisory and immediately.

 

[stickeymouse]

I pulled 2 at mk this morning and have my 3 fp+ scheduled for Epcot tonight. So as long as we still have that to fall back on Im ok. Peter pan was out of fp - as of 11 am with a 70 minute wait but everything else still had fp- available

Just curious, how are the crowds today?

 

[HopperFan]

This is in "beta test" mode ("alpha test" was completed by cast members) and by nature that phase moves very quickly. They are following all normal testing timelines and at this point no resort will be safe from the elimination of KTTW. By starting the change at POP it shows they are ready to "release" the program = roll it out as fast as possible. I would not expect a step backward or a delay. They will want to get all onsite guests on the same ticket program to avoid what is happening now - upset POP guests.

 

[TDC Nala]

We will be sure to use our hard tickets with the stripes to enter the parks so we can pull FP- with them.

Are there any old-style turnstiles at the parks that you can actually use those tickets with? Or will you have to exchange them for RFID tickets?

There are no turnstiles at the International Gateway, it's all RFID now. I didn't really look at the other park gates. You might have to use the Magic Bands to enter the park.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

If you are staying at Disney's Pop Century Resort and feel as if this will have a negative impact on your stay, the best option would be to approach a Cast Member at any FastPass Distribution Kiosk and explain the issue and ask if they can provide you a FastPass Keycard for use that day. It is a hit or a miss as to if you will get one on the first try, but eventually a Cast Member will. These will allow you to pull paper FastPasses throughout the day. Although front desk or Guest Relations will not make an exception, a Cast Member at FastPass Distribution will be your best chance at getting paper FastPasses.

Thanks for the advice Hub. I check in Thanksgiving day. I'm willing to try FP+ for a couple days to see if it negatively.impacts me first, but I might practice being extra sweet in case I need to ask a CM at a kiosk. Really hoping I don't have problems with my MB getting into the parks and such.

 

[DisneyElite4]

Are there any old-style turnstiles at the parks that you can actually use those tickets with? Or will you have to exchange them for RFID tickets?

There are no turnstiles at the International Gateway, it's all RFID now. I didn't really look at the other park gates. You might have to use the Magic Bands to enter the park.

Honestly, I have no clue, as we haven't been to WDW since 2011. Perhaps the tickets I have are RFID? I bought them online directly from WDW two months ago, so one would assume I have the correct ticket media to enter the park without having to do additional work. Another poster mentioned they were able to pull FP- today because they bought their tickets in advance at the Disney store, and that's what they entered the park with - I am assuming the tickets I have are the same type that they have. I just have been reading on here that you need the ticket with the stripe on the back. This is not a paper ticket I am talking about.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, but they can put the stripe on the back and still not have the stripe be active in the FP- machines.

And if you don't use the ticket to enter the park the FP machines won't read it. What I don't know is if using the Magic Band is the same as using the hard ticket for the purpose of activating it for Fastpass. The old fastpass machines do not read RFID.