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

[doconeill]

If I checked in and they didn't allow me to exchange my MagicBand for a KTTW card (regardless of the fact it wouldn't pull paper FASTPASSES), I would be very upset.

There's no way you should have to wear a bracelet around all day.
For cripes sake a card fits so nicely into my wallet, I can't think of anything more convenient than that.

If you don't want a MagicBand, DO NOT CUSTOMIZE ONE online. THEN you should have the ability to opt-out (vs. getting the "Iconic Gray").

I was saying that if you DID go through the customization, then you likely CANNOT opt-out. You explicitly opted in, and Disney went through the expense to customize and ship them to you.

 

[One Hit Wonder]

If you don't want a MagicBand, DO NOT CUSTOMIZE ONE online. THEN you should have the ability to opt-out (vs. getting the "Iconic Gray").

I was saying that if you DID go through the customization, then you likely CANNOT opt-out. You explicitly opted in, and Disney went through the expense to customize and ship them to you.

Darn I already customized with no knowledge of this.
You figure they would explicitly say this on the website.

 

[mom2rtk]

Why was it fair when POP was the first to get FP+ access (WAY before most other resorts), and now it is NOT fair for POP guests to be the first resort to lose FP- access? I don't get it.

Because the people being disadvantaged now are not the same people who got the advantage at the early rollout?

 

[jonmar]

If you are staying at POP but purchased your park tickets independently from Disney months ago, will those park tickets be able to get FP- in addition to the FP+ from the magic bands? I have two plastic and one paper ticket. They all have the stripe on them.

 

[doconeill]

If you are staying at POP but purchased your park tickets independently from Disney months ago, will those park tickets be able to get FP- in addition to the FP+ from the magic bands? I have two plastic and one paper ticket. They all have the stripe on them.

Currently yes.

 

[wn01aa]

If the hub is with us still, I am wondering how the POP test is going now into its second week. Are many people still asking for FP cards?

Had anyone heard if more resorts will be added in the next week or two?

 

[myhouseofmouse]

If the hub is with us still, I am wondering how the POP test is going now into its second week. Are many people still asking for FP cards?

Had anyone heard if more resorts will be added in the next week or two?

I can not speak for "the Hub" on any updates, but I think he/she posted that it looks like possibly more testing to continue after the holiday

 

[rebbyparker]

I miss The Hub.

 

[My3Princez]

I miss The Hub.

Still around - logged on at 3:29 am today.

 

[Mkrop]

Why was it fair when POP was the first to get FP+ access (WAY before most other resorts), and now it is NOT fair for POP guests to be the first resort to lose FP- access? I don't get it.

Those guests are not the same as they were when all this started no matter what resort it is.

 

[jonmar]

Currently yes.

Do I need to enter the park with the ticket or can I use the magic band for entry?

 

[doconeill]

Do I need to enter the park with the ticket or can I use the magic band for entry?

If they are linked to your MDX profile, it should not matter which you enter with. Who knows how long this "loophole" will remain.

If they are not linked, you MUST enter with the actual ticket (but then you can't pre-book FP+).

 

[mphall]

First, thank you to the Hub and the PC guests who shared their experience with the rest of us. We checked in 5 rooms (13 guests) on Saturday. Here's a brief summary of our experience since we made the reservations 18 months ago.

First, I can't stress enough how poorly informed Disney CMs are on the details of the MB transition. If you talk to 3 different people, expect 3 different answers. Two months ago we called with questions about the initial magic band rollout and on a single day 3 different CMs told us (a) if you get MB's you will not get a KTTW (false at that time), (b) if you get MB's you will get a KTTW as backup but it will only pull FP- after you use all 3 of your FP+ (also false), and (c) you will get a backup KTTW and it will pull FP- as usual (true at the time).

We found out about PC's new MB-only policy after my mother (who booked the trip for my family and my brother's family) stumbled on this website. She called Disney and talked to 2 CM's, including one who was supposedly at PC and all 3 assured us that we would receive KTTW that would pull MB-. It seems like the only people who actually know what's going on work at the PC registration desk and you can't get to those people by phone.

Second, as of 2 days ago there is still no way for a PC guest to get a KTTW that pulls FP-, so if that's important to you as it was to us, be willing to move resorts. Your results may vary, but here's what worked for us. We asked to talk to a supervisor and explained our frustration, especially with the lack of communication. He told us the only option was to change resorts. After checking their system, he informed us that the only resort that could take us (5 rooms with 2 sets of adjoining rooms) was the Yacht Club. We asked him if they would move us free of charge and he said he would call and ask but it was ultimately up to the Yacht Club. As he's on hold with the YC we chatted with him about different things, including how difficult the MB rollout had been for CMs at PC. The YC comes back and tells him that the upgrade will cost us approximately $200/room/night which comes out to $6000 for our 6 night stay. We tell him that we can't do it and we disappointedly but politely tell him we'll stay at PC and thank him very much for his effort on our behalf. He says he understands and turns us back over to the CM checking us in. Less than 5 minutes later the supervisor comes back and says he talked back with the YC and they agreed to take us for no additional charge if we were still willing to change resorts. We obviously jumped at the chance. We checked in at YC an hour later where we received KTTW cards without asking and we've been pulling FP- with no problem.

So, FWIW my advice is to talk to a supervisor and express your frustration calmly and directly. Treat them like a human being and there's a chance they'll work on your behalf.

One last thing. Our experience with the MB's has been spotty. My wife and one of my sons can open our room door but the rest of the family has to use the KTTW backup. Front desk has tried to fix it without success. One of my nephews had issues with his FP+ not working but they keep letting him through the FP line anyway. In our first 2 days in the parks we've seen a lot of problem with MB's not working at FP+ stations and I've yet to see an attendant turn someone away.

 

[mom2rtk]

First, thank you to the Hub and the PC guests who shared their experience with the rest of us. We checked in 5 rooms (13 guests) on Saturday. Here's a brief summary of our experience since we made the reservations 18 months ago.

First, I can't stress enough how poorly informed Disney CMs are on the details of the MB transition. If you talk to 3 different people, expect 3 different answers. Two months ago we called with questions about the initial magic band rollout and on a single day 3 different CMs told us (a) if you get MB's you will not get a KTTW (false at that time), (b) if you get MB's you will get a KTTW as backup but it will only pull FP- after you use all 3 of your FP+ (also false), and (c) you will get a backup KTTW and it will pull FP- as usual (true at the time).

We found out about PC's new MB-only policy after my mother (who booked the trip for my family and my brother's family) stumbled on this website. She called Disney and talked to 2 CM's, including one who was supposedly at PC and all 3 assured us that we would receive KTTW that would pull MB-. It seems like the only people who actually know what's going on work at the PC registration desk and you can't get to those people by phone.

Second, as of 2 days ago there is still no way for a PC guest to get a KTTW that pulls FP-, so if that's important to you as it was to us, be willing to move resorts. Your results may vary, but here's what worked for us. We asked to talk to a supervisor and explained our frustration, especially with the lack of communication. He told us the only option was to change resorts. After checking their system, he informed us that the only resort that could take us (5 rooms with 2 sets of adjoining rooms) was the Yacht Club. We asked him if they would move us free of charge and he said he would call and ask but it was ultimately up to the Yacht Club. As he's on hold with the YC we chatted with him about different things, including how difficult the MB rollout had been for CMs at PC. The YC comes back and tells him that the upgrade will cost us approximately $200/room/night which comes out to $6000 for our 6 night stay. We tell him that we can't do it and we disappointedly but politely tell him we'll stay at PC and thank him very much for his effort on our behalf. He says he understands and turns us back over to the CM checking us in. Less than 5 minutes later the supervisor comes back and says he talked back with the YC and they agreed to take us for no additional charge if we were still willing to change resorts. We obviously jumped at the chance. We checked in at YC an hour later where we received KTTW cards without asking and we've been pulling FP- with no problem.

So, FWIW my advice is to talk to a supervisor and express your frustration calmly and directly. Treat them like a human being and there's a chance they'll work on your behalf.

One last thing. Our experience with the MB's has been spotty. My wife and one of my sons can open our room door but the rest of the family has to use the KTTW backup. Front desk has tried to fix it without success. One of my nephews had issues with his FP+ not working but they keep letting him through the FP line anyway. In our first 2 days in the parks we've seen a lot of problem with MB's not working at FP+ stations and I've yet to see an attendant turn someone away.

I'm glad they took care of you. They needed to.

It's almost like somewhere along the way Disney lost touch with the fact that fastpass IS ride access for many people. And lost touch with the fact that people have expectations after spending hundreds of dollars each for access to those rides.

Yes, they are allowed to change the way FP is structured in the parks. Their parks, their rules. But I just continue to be AMAZED that they are treating their current guests as collateral damage in the way they are rolling this out. It really is such a dichotomy. They are know as a leader in customer satisfaction. Then when you see this pile of crud, you just have to shake your head in bewilderment.........

 

[mjtatman]

First, thank you to the Hub and the PC guests who shared their experience with the rest of us. We checked in 5 rooms (13 guests) on Saturday. Here's a brief summary of our experience since we made the reservations 18 months ago.

First, I can't stress enough how poorly informed Disney CMs are on the details of the MB transition. If you talk to 3 different people, expect 3 different answers. Two months ago we called with questions about the initial magic band rollout and on a single day 3 different CMs told us (a) if you get MB's you will not get a KTTW (false at that time), (b) if you get MB's you will get a KTTW as backup but it will only pull FP- after you use all 3 of your FP+ (also false), and (c) you will get a backup KTTW and it will pull FP- as usual (true at the time).

We found out about PC's new MB-only policy after my mother (who booked the trip for my family and my brother's family) stumbled on this website. She called Disney and talked to 2 CM's, including one who was supposedly at PC and all 3 assured us that we would receive KTTW that would pull MB-. It seems like the only people who actually know what's going on work at the PC registration desk and you can't get to those people by phone.

Second, as of 2 days ago there is still no way for a PC guest to get a KTTW that pulls FP-, so if that's important to you as it was to us, be willing to move resorts. Your results may vary, but here's what worked for us. We asked to talk to a supervisor and explained our frustration, especially with the lack of communication. He told us the only option was to change resorts. After checking their system, he informed us that the only resort that could take us (5 rooms with 2 sets of adjoining rooms) was the Yacht Club. We asked him if they would move us free of charge and he said he would call and ask but it was ultimately up to the Yacht Club. As he's on hold with the YC we chatted with him about different things, including how difficult the MB rollout had been for CMs at PC. The YC comes back and tells him that the upgrade will cost us approximately $200/room/night which comes out to $6000 for our 6 night stay. We tell him that we can't do it and we disappointedly but politely tell him we'll stay at PC and thank him very much for his effort on our behalf. He says he understands and turns us back over to the CM checking us in. Less than 5 minutes later the supervisor comes back and says he talked back with the YC and they agreed to take us for no additional charge if we were still willing to change resorts. We obviously jumped at the chance. We checked in at YC an hour later where we received KTTW cards without asking and we've been pulling FP- with no problem.

So, FWIW my advice is to talk to a supervisor and express your frustration calmly and directly. Treat them like a human being and there's a chance they'll work on your behalf.

One last thing. Our experience with the MB's has been spotty. My wife and one of my sons can open our room door but the rest of the family has to use the KTTW backup. Front desk has tried to fix it without success. One of my nephews had issues with his FP+ not working but they keep letting him through the FP line anyway. In our first 2 days in the parks we've seen a lot of problem with MB's not working at FP+ stations and I've yet to see an attendant turn someone away.

Thank you for taking the time to send feedback! Sounds like it was kind of a pain, however, what an awesome deal that you are now at YC! I hope you enjoyed it, I'm jealous, I've always wanted to stay there!

 

[serene56]

F

So, FWIW my advice is to talk to a supervisor and express your frustration calmly and directly. Treat them like a human being and there's a chance they'll work on your behalf.

I will be speaking to a supervisor when we arrive. and I will heed all your advice. (although I dont see any place that has availabilty for m 5 rooms.

This whole process has been a nightmare for us.
(I still dont have FP for our Tuesday although my account shows we have 136 of them for times we are not even in the park.

 

[rebbyparker]

i will be speaking to a supervisor when we arrive. And i will heed all your advice. (although i dont see any place that has availabilty for m 5 rooms.

This whole process has been a nightmare for us.
(i still dont have fp for our tuesday although my account shows we have 136 of them for times we are not even in the park.

136?

 

[wn01aa]

Has anyone yesterday or today received at KTTW card at POP Century. I will hazard to guess no but I thought I would ask. Also, has anyone talked to the front desk about in the last day or so.

 

[dlinne]

When we checked in the family next to us was expressing their frustration with the changes and inability to pull FP- at Pop. They were moved to AOA--not sure if its the same person who posted here. I was dealing with a different manager. I didn't want to change resorts (&that was not offered to me ). Instead they walked me down to concierge where she added some extra FP+ to our magic bands. For 13 nights I estimate that she added about 9-10 total. She probably would have done a few more but I was having a brain freeze about what to ask for.

I did not ask to add anything that I already had (to ride 2x). Normally with FP- there r rides we would ride 2-3x per day.

I did get a couple of days with FP+ in two different parks. One of my concerns was park hopping though we only planned hopping on 2-3 days. I was worried about these working but we hopped from HS to MK yesterday and it worked fine.

To note-- though I did get some extra FP+ I did not get two of any single ride which I would normally with FP- Also I normally would pull 6-8 FP- per day. So adding 9-10 for my 10 day hoppers was helpful but still not close to what I'd normally get.

I had MVMCP tickets which I picked up at will call in DTD our second night here. Did not try to use them to pull FP- the party night but the next day they worked on dumbo. I've been able to use them to pull FP- since then. However I haven't used them much. Since we r here 13 nights we have more days to get things done

BTW I've tried changing FP+ on the app in the parks--- I get constant error messages. I have successfully made changes but rarely. Also the extra FP+ that concierge scheduled cannot be changed by me at all

We used BOG FP and it worked great. Also liked the electric parade FP.

 

[wn01aa]

When we checked in the family next to us was expressing their frustration with the changes and inability to pull FP- at Pop. They were moved to AOA--not sure if its the same person who posted here. I was dealing with a different manager. I didn't want to change resorts (&that was not offered to me ). Instead they walked me down to concierge where she added some extra FP+ to our magic bands. For 13 nights I estimate that she added about 9-10 total. She probably would have done a few more but I was having a brain freeze about what to ask for.

I did not ask to add anything that I already had (to ride 2x). Normally with FP- there r rides we would ride 2-3x per day.

I did get a couple of days with FP+ in two different parks. One of my concerns was park hopping though we only planned hopping on 2-3 days. I was worried about these working but we hopped from HS to MK yesterday and it worked fine.

To note-- though I did get some extra FP+ I did not get two of any single ride which I would normally with FP- Also I normally would pull 6-8 FP- per day. So adding 9-10 for my 10 day hoppers was helpful but still not close to what I'd normally get.

I had MVMCP tickets which I picked up at will call in DTD our second night here. Did not try to use them to pull FP- the party night but the next day they worked on dumbo. I've been able to use them to pull FP- since then. However I haven't used them much. Since we r here 13 nights we have more days to get things done

BTW I've tried changing FP+ on the app in the parks--- I get constant error messages. I have successfully made changes but rarely. Also the extra FP+ that concierge scheduled cannot be changed by me at all

We used BOG FP and it worked great. Also liked the electric parade FP.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Well, now besides old room-only KTTW, current back-up KTTW cards and expired media pulling FP-, it looks like the plastic tickets given for MVMCP can now also pull FP-. What next?