Correction to Podcast 1/20/15

[techtony]

Just watched the 2nd part of today's podcast about MyMagic+

Dustin West Stated that the magic band is just an RFID chip and that there is nothing electronic in it. I thought the same thing, but found out a few weeks ago that is not the case. These bands do indeed hold a button battery in it, an antenna, RFID Chip as well as a small printed circuit board - all encased in plastic - neat!

This website listed below shows where someone actually broke it down. It is interesting how it is all put together. Also shows you how waterproof it actually is - spoiler - it is very well put together!

http://atdisneyagain.com/2014/01/27/making-the-band-magicband-teardown-and-more/

 

[mesaboy2]

Not to pile on...just a couple of things I noticed also as I listened on the way home today.

At one point, there was discussion of having to break up your group in MDX to schedule different FPs for different people--this is not necessary. While your initial selections apply to everyone in your MDX-linked group, they can be modified afterwards to each individual's preferences. I apologize if I misunderstood the discussion but that's kinda what I heard.

Also, near the end there was a test of scheduling MK FPs and the terms "tiering" and "Group A" were used--there are no tiering restrictions at MK, only at Epcot and DHS. The FP thread uses A/B/C to define a suggested priority for getting FPs, and is not related to tiering. Tiered, Group 1 attractions are listed with purple-bolding.

Otherwise an entertaining an informative discussion on all things MyMagic and FP+.

 

[Suvadoo]

Thanks podcast team for finally giving your opinions of FP+. On previous podcasts, any negative comments about it were cut off. I realize you wanted to give it a year before you said anything, but I'm glad you finally spoke up.
I agree with you about FP+, and I really hope it never goes to DLR. I know some people think it's great, but I agree that it sucks the spontaneity out of visiting the parks.

 

[Rgonzalez79]

One more small adjustment, Kathy mentioned that Memory Maker must be linked to your MagicBand but you can actually get a Memory Maker card if you don't have a MagicBand. It essentially works the same way as a PhotoPass card but all of your photos (free or purchased) are linked to your MDE account.

Agree with the others, great job this week with what can be a very touchy subject guys!

 

[JimmyV]

Thanks podcast team for finally giving your opinions of FP+.

I second this. It is a bit tiresome on the Boards when someone posts a negative comment about MDX or FP+ and someone else has to roll their eyes and say that "it's the same 10 people saying the same thing over and over again." But now we have the opinions of a group of Disney experts who are immersed in WDW, and the collective opinion of the group is not great. While the panel does not consider the new technology to be a complete bust, they certainly did not offer up any high praise. I thought it was a fair assessment brought to us by both: 1) people who use the system frequently; and 2) people who act as agents booking vacations for "typical guests", which, members of this Board tend not to be.

 

[OKW Lover]

Just wanted to remind folks that the podcasters are not the average park goer. As they all stated, its very different for them. They don't plan visits far ahead. They often do spur of the moment park visits. For them, FP+ is pretty much a non-event.

Now their relating experiences of their clients - that's good info for most of the DIS Unplugged and DIS Board regulars.

 

[Suvadoo]

Just wanted to remind folks that the podcasters are not the average park goer. As they all stated, its very different for them. They don't plan visits far ahead. They often do spur of the moment park visits. For them, FP+ is pretty much a non-event.

Now their relating experiences of their clients - that's good info for most of the DIS Unplugged and DIS Board regulars.

I still value their opinions based on both their personal experiences and the experiences of their clients. I also did not get the impression that FP plus was a non event for them. Kathy was referring to her own experiences when she and her daughter visit the parks.

 

[JimmyV]

I also did not get the impression that FP plus was a non event for them.

Everyone can listen to the podcast and draw their own conclusions, but I agree that their reaction was somewhere below "non event", but above the "I'm burning my AP and never going back" reaction we sometimes see on the Theme Park Strategies Board.

 

[techtony]

When I visited the parks over a decade ago, we did not use fast passes at all. We just went to the park and did the same thing other non-prepared people did - gawked at a map and went from place to place in a circular fashion. We ate where ever we were at lunch and dinner was off property to save money.

Now that fastpass+ is here, I think it will be interesting to see how well it works. I am a planner - I love planning things out. When I get back from this trip, I think I can offer up some honest first time to fastpass experience. So look for the trip report in April.

As for the podcasters - I like it when they are honest and just tell it like it is. If Pete were to do this segment, I think we would have gotten a very different segment. Pete and I see a lot the same way, so I respect his opinion....and wisecracks LOL.

I am so glad I found this place!

 

[safetymom]

One more small adjustment, Kathy mentioned that Memory Maker must be linked to your MagicBand but you can actually get a Memory Maker card if you don't have a MagicBand. It essentially works the same way as a PhotoPass card but all of your photos (free or purchased) are linked to your MDE account.

Agree with the others, great job this week with what can be a very touchy subject guys!

Last I heard Memory Maker required a magic band. Glad to hear they changed that.

 

[safetymom]

I gave my honest feelings about FastPass and Magicbands. I go to the parks several times a week and continue to use them so I can report on them and answer questions for my clients and listeners. It still hasn't grown on me.

I was being honest with my feelings. I am not afraid of technology, in fact I am a techno queen in my private life.

Just like I love Fords not everyone owns one. Different strokes for different folks. If you love the new way of touring the parks I am happy for you.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I agree with you about FP+, and I really hope it never goes to DLR. I know some people think it's great, but I agree that it sucks the spontaneity out of visiting the parks.

It was announced recently that FP+ and MBs are going to DLR.

 

[Suvadoo]

It was announced recently that FP+ and MBs are going to DLR.

No, it was announced that MDE was going to DLR. But nothing was specified about FP+. I remain hopeful!

 

[Suvadoo]

I gave my honest feelings about FastPass and Magicbands. I go to the parks several times a week and continue to use them so I can report on them and answer questions for my clients and listeners. It still hasn't grown on me.

I was being honest with my feelings. I am not afraid of technology, in fact I am a techno queen in my private life.

Just like I love Fords not everyone owns one. Different strokes for different folks. If you love the new way of touring the parks I am happy for you.

Thanks again for giving an honest opinion about FP+ and MB's. I know people are going to create excuses for your dislike of the system. But everyone, including you, have a right to express your opinions.
I am a longtime Dis Unplugged listener/watcher and I know how much you love the parks, especially Figment! That doesn't mean that you don't have a right criticize Disney and offer ways that they could improve the system.
Thanks again,
Andrea

 

[mom2rtk]

No, it was announced that MDE was going to DLR. But nothing was specified about FP+. I remain hopeful!

That sums it up for me. Hopeful........even if I'm not optimistic.

 

[topolino]

Just wanted to remind folks that the podcasters are not the average park goer. As they all stated, its very different for them. They don't plan visits far ahead. They often do spur of the moment park visits. For them, FP+ is pretty much a non-event.

Now their relating experiences of their clients - that's good info for most of the DIS Unplugged and DIS Board regulars.

Hmm. I listened to the podcast episode in question, and it doesn't seem to me like for the team FP+ is a non event at all. In fact, they all seemed to have pretty strong feelings about it, one way or another.

 

[techtony]

what is DLR and MB?

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

what is DLR and MB?

DLR=Disneyland Resort

MB=MagicBand?

 

[techtony]

you know it took me two weeks to figure out what DH, DS, DW, DD, AK, HS and MK meant? We seriously need an acronym legend or thread LOL. I figured it our after reading the trip reports and put two and two together, but sometimes I get lost with some of these.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Last I heard Memory Maker required a magic band. Glad to hear they changed that.

You need a magic band for some aspects of Memory Maker to work like the automatic loading of photos from rides and the videos on 7 Dwarfs and Tower of terror. It reads the powered RFID chip in the band where as everything else reds the unpowered one which they put in tickets and cards.