Currently testing My Magic Plus/Fastpasses at BLT

[hakepb]

The dynamics in this rain out situation will change when 60,000 people are using FP+ in the park. But this does give some new insight into how the text/email will work.

I expect lots of offers, tips, updates, and bonuses.

The current FP- policy allows you a late return if a ride closes to weather or breakdown. I was even able to use a TT FP- the next day because the ride shut down right before park closing.

Although fewer guests may take advantage of those extended FP- times vs guests that get email notifications.

 

[CarolMN]

That makes me think that there is a lot to the band tech that they can take advantage of. For instance GPS tracking for lost children or even GPS tracking for family members who get separated. Just have party members approve tracking in MDE and they can show up on a smartphone. I wonder if the Mouse has looked at GPS inserts for the bands for a future upgrade.

There isn't a GPS in the device so the only way they can track it is by point of use. For example, if you purchased something or if you just checked into a ride. Additionally people are very hesitant already about what info they are gathering etc. I'm not one of those people. I have two small kids and would be grateful if they did have GPS in them. I just don't think it will happen because of the added cost.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoard

I really wasn't thinking GPS - just that the band would be tied to the parent's info so that a CM could easily find a phone number and call the parents if necessary.

 

[Belle's Castle]

Today was another great day of magic band usage!!! We got drinks at the pool bar, water in parks etc and everything worked perfectly. When we use our fastpasses we were treated like Disney Royalty! All the cast members ask about them and think they are pretty cool.

However, we found another drawback...My wonderful DH and I took the kids to the pool this morning. Well we took nothing to the pool but our magicbands and phones. Did not need money or room keys because it is all on the magicbands. Well DH got into the hot tub for 10 minutes, got out, and felt something hard...I guess his iPhone needed a super good cleaning! I always said that hot tubs make my jewelry look so much better. Apparently not so much for an iPhone! Tomorrow we will test out how simple it is for replacement phones to be delivered to BLT.

Moral of the story: Despite having a magical magicband, check your pockets before going into water! Magicbands = waterproof; iPhone not so much

Any questions about the bands? I still I find the bands comfrontable. The more we wear them I am finding that they will pop off if hit at the correct angle.

 

[sunfun94]

I was going to ask you that given the fasteners from pics I have seen... I'm wondering if bringing a "lil reinforcement" for them when we go in Oct (IF we have the bands) would be a good idea...

 

[sb127]

I have a question about under three year olds and Magic Bands. Do they also get a magic band even though they will not need a ticket? I know that my DGS will want a magic band just like everyone else as he will almost be three when we go in early December (birthday is Dec 24). If his older brother has one he will want one! If the testing goes well I think that we will probably have to use the magic bands for our December trip. I would also like it if at the character location they would call him by name. I know that he is listed on all the dining reservations. Anyone know how I can note a Birthday Celebration on the dining reservation? We will have three Birthdays to celebrate (both DGS and myself) during our trip.

 

[hakepb]

Do you not need a photo ID to order a drink with the Magic Band? (And they just go with the age put into the system?)

 

[kc10family]

good information, thank you OP

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Thanks to OP and her H for giving so many updates. I have to say, though, that you guys are far, far more patient than I would be. It looks like you're dedicating at least an hour per day dealing with Magic Band issues. That's far, far more time than I'd be willing to dedicate while on vacation. I'm only generally an annual visitor, though.

BTW, I had to have a package delivered to me staying at BLT last year. They'll call you and say you have a package. You have to go pick it up in the business center over in the convention area of the Contemporary. It's a long walk and very un-Disney over there, IMO. It's bizarre how you go from being in the bubble to feeling like you're just in another business convention center just by going down an escalator and turning a corner!

They'll also charge you (I think it's $5) for the ability to pick up a package there.

 

[DebbieB]

Do you not need a photo ID to order a drink with the Magic Band? (And they just go with the age put into the system?)

I'm sure if you looked under 21, they would ask for ID. Otherwise they are going to get in trouble with Liquor Laws. The bands can be switched between people so someone underage could switch with someone older if they didn't ask for ID.

 

[SFlaDisneyfans]

There isn't a GPS in the device so the only way they can track it is by point of use. For example, if you purchased something or if you just checked into a ride. Additionally people are very hesitant already about what info they are gathering etc. I'm not one of those people. I have two small kids and would be grateful if they did have GPS in them. I just don't think it will happen because of the added cost.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoard

I should have been more clear. I was forward thinking what they could do if they were to include GPS with the bands. Hopefully as the tech becomes less new it becomes cheaper to produce.

 

[erionm]

I should have been more clear. I was forward thinking what they could do if they were to include GPS with the bands. Hopefully as the tech becomes less new it becomes cheaper to produce.

And kill the battery even quicker. The battery life is currently reported as 2 to 3 years. Add GPS or a clock (yes someone wants a clock on the MB), and the battery will be drained in no time. The battery is not replaceable.

 

[SFlaDisneyfans]

And kill the battery even quicker. The battery life is currently reported as 2 to 3 years. Add GPS or a clock (yes someone wants a clock on the MB), and the battery will be drained in no time. The battery is not replaceable.

It's funny, but from an engineering perspective it almost always comes down to either power or heat.

 

[dmunsil]

And kill the battery even quicker. The battery life is currently reported as 2 to 3 years. Add GPS or a clock (yes someone wants a clock on the MB), and the battery will be drained in no time. The battery is not replaceable.

Why would it have a battery at all? RFID cards don't require a battery. What is inside the MagicBand that requires power?

 

[hakepb]

And kill the battery even quicker. The battery life is currently reported as 2 to 3 years. Add GPS or a clock (yes someone wants a clock on the MB), and the battery will be drained in no time. The battery is not replaceable.

The "promise" of RFID tags was a warehouse could have several scanners, they would do a sweep (like RADAR) and you instantly get a full inventory...but they never figured how to "sweep" through metal shelves or parts...

But on a similar note, it may be possible to have some more powerful scanners "sweep" an area to find a missing child, but I don't think you want those scanners on 24x7

 

[sb127]

This afternoon I went to the Disney site and clicked on Chat in the FAQ on MagicBands. I asked my question about under 3 year olds receiving a band since they do not need tickets. They will not get a band. Now to find something for my DGS if they are in use for our December Trip. Maybe we can get an unactivated one at check-in. Thanks for all the other helpful info on the MagicBand test.

 

[erionm]

Why would it have a battery at all? RFID cards don't require a battery. What is inside the MagicBand that requires power?

In addition to the RFID chip, there is an active transmitter in the MagicBand. That transmitter will also be used in interactive experiences in attraction queues and character meet and greets. It will also allow Disney to collect information on crowd flow.

 

[OneMoreTry]

...

Something I forgot to mention is that we are not able to use our PAP cards to get additional fastpasses. So we are only using the 3 a day and it is a bit of a bummer. ...

Is this the way it is going to be? Will we be limited to 3 fast passes?

 

[SuperRob]

I'm sure if you looked under 21, they would ask for ID. Otherwise they are going to get in trouble with Liquor Laws. The bands can be switched between people so someone underage could switch with someone older if they didn't ask for ID.

There is no liquor law in any state that says they must ask for ID. Every law is written that you must not serve anyone who is under 21. Whenever someone tells you that they have to check ID, they're citing company policy, not the law.

I have a class 12 mixologist permit in Washington State to be able to serve beer/liquor. This was one of the points they spent an inordinate amount of time on in the class I had to take, because they apparently have a big problem with people saying that the law says they have to card, when it doesn't.

Of course, this does mean that it's in your own best interest to card someone, irrespective of policy, since you can be personally held liable.

 

[SuperRob]

Why would it have a battery at all? RFID cards don't require a battery. What is inside the MagicBand that requires power?

The MagicBand uses a combination of RFID and Bluetooth Low-Energy. It's likely the Bluetooth component that needs the battery.

 

[thegib95]

This afternoon I went to the Disney site and clicked on Chat in the FAQ on MagicBands. I asked my question about under 3 year olds receiving a band since they do not need tickets. They will not get a band. Now to find something for my DGS if they are in use for our December Trip. Maybe we can get an unactivated one at check-in. Thanks for all the other helpful info on the MagicBand test.

Well OP and her DH said their 15 month old received a magic band, and thinking back to the old system my DD got her own KTTW and we used it for fast passes and things to get on KS at DAK....
She also was given a FP+ card for our test of that last year...IMO your DGS should get one.