Currently testing My Magic Plus/Fastpasses at BLT

[Belle's Castle]

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...

I don't think you need reinforcement....I think part of the issue is a 15 month old boy who thinks he is a monkey. All of the squirming sometimes causes him to kick the band off of us. However, were my magic band snaps in, it is starting to separate. If it does break completely Disney will replace. We were also told that every trip we can customize them to new colors if we wish.

 

[Belle's Castle]

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.

Our 15 month old did get a magic band and I customized it before leaving home. There is nothing on it but I do put it on him because it gives him something clean to chew on.

 

[Belle's Castle]

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?)

We have not been carded at the pool bar yet....not sure about others

 

[Belle's Castle]

Today started off later than normal. I have not set the alarm clock since we arrived and have let our DS wake us which is typically around 7. Well this morning we did not wake up till 9!!! It was wonderful but at the same time made things difficult. Our first fastpass was for Toy Story between 9:45 and 10:45. We had about 30 to 40 minutes to get 7 people breakfast, showered, and out the door. Not going to happen, so the fastpass time needed to be changed.

Because of all our issues I was advised not to change our fastpasses (my parents were showing they are out of fastpasses). So I got dressed and down to the front desk I went. In no time they moved the time to later in the day.

We went over to Hollywood Studios and headed right to Tower of Terror. The standby line was at 120 minutes so we used an extra fastpass we had received. We were in the fastpass line for an HOUR!!! That hour did not include time in the Pre-show or on ride. Now I know that waiting 60 minutes was better than 120, however I would not have waited 60 minutes for the ride because by the time we got off it was 90 minutes total and 12:15. We had 10 minutes to use our Star Tours fastpass and get to our lunch ressie. Tried to run to Star Tours but gave up because it was so hot out. So we lost that fastpass and I could not change the time without going to guest relations.

We used our other to fastpasses with no issues and left the park around 6. Did pool and watched fireworks from BLT room.

One benefit of the fastpasses for us is that we have slightly changed our touring style this trip because it is so long (15 days). I have scheduled the fastpasses in chunks, a bunch are late in the day. We go to the pool most mornings and late afternoon (3/4:00) head to a park to use the fastpasses. This has been more relaxing then or normal trips. However, if I did not have an annual pass I would not use an entire park ticket to do this and would probably be in park open to close with time for naps.

 

[Hitched2BellesCastle]

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.

We may be making ourselves out to sound like saints....trust me I am not a patient person. However, we agreed to do this knowing it most likely wouldn't go smoothly. I alluded earlier that we were compensated....it was time for time, a few extra fast passes. The few hours we spent working out the kinks was made up by not having to wait in line. It all worked out. We are annual visitors as well. I agree, the business center was very unDisney. They told me it was $3 to get the package....I thought they were kidding. The guy repeated it. I gave him the three bucks looked at my wife and said, you gotta be sh**ting me!"

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[Hitched2BellesCastle]

I don't think you need reinforcement....I think part of the issue is a 15 month old boy who thinks he is a monkey. All of the squirming sometimes causes him to kick the band off of us. However, were my magic band snaps in, it is starting to separate. If it does break completely Disney will replace. We were also told that every trip we can customize them to new colors if we wish.

Yes it's our Son. He is VERY strong and when he is not happy I'm convinced steel magic bands wouldn't keep it on my wrist... I truly think its a non issue.

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[sunfun94]

hee hee.... thanks you two! I hope you all continue to have an enjoyable vacation! And thanks so much for the updates! They are so helpful!

 

[sb127]

That is good news about everyone even under three year olds receiving magic bands. As usual the CM who responded on the chat feature on the website was not correct. I am glad that the DIS has the best and most accurate info!

 

[Cobern]

Our 15 month old did get a magic band and I customized it before leaving home. There is nothing on it but I do put it on him because it gives him something clean to chew on.

I don't know why but I love the comment about him chewing on it! My son is almost 15 months and cutting his 4th molar, teething is the worst

 

[Belle's Castle]

So the little monkey woke up late again so I am going to head back to guest relations to change our fastpasses. We were suppose to go to Studios and do Star Tours, see Beauty and the Beast, and ride Toy Story. Then be back by 12:30 for pool and naps before hoop dee doo.

Now we are going to the pool and relax or go to Downtown Disney before Hoop Dee Doo and hit Magic Kingdom after the show for our three fastpasses...

Positive of fastpasses is that I will go to Magic Kingdom tonight ride a few rides, see fireworks, and be home not exhausted.

Negative: I have to go to guest relations to do this. I also feel like I have to use the fastpasses.

 

[Anal Annie]

Since we weren't originally going to WDW this summer and thought we were going to DL & Aulani instead I had pretty much been ignoring threads about these Magic Bands figuring I'd catch up on them for next year. Well, now that we've had a last minute change of plans and are going to WDW next week and again in January I am sitting up & paying attention.

I just skimmed thru this thread real quick & am trying to make sure I understand everything in case we are stuck with having to use this new system on our January trip. Are you saying that you had to pay $3 to get the bands and that you are limited to having only 3 FP's in one day? I am pretty sure we use way more than 3 of the old paper FP's in a day right now. I will not like that limitation at all. Only 3 / day seems pretty darned stingy to me.

So, in the future, will guests be able to make changes without going to Guest Services?? I am one of those hold-outs on the cell phones as I don't want to pay an extra $30 / month for internet - so I don't have a "smart phone" or internet access so where does that leave people like me? How do we schedule our FP's? I can only imagine the lines at Guest Services. DH has a "smart phone" but sometimes it dies before the end of the day. We don't like to be tied to ADR's so I visualize hating to schedule a specific time for a FP. Is it a time window like they have now or literally a specific time. We prefer to park hop depending on crowds & stuff so I just don't see this new system working very well for us.

 

[SuperRob]

Touring Plans just posted their run down of the testing and answers they received to questions. It's a good write-up.

One thing I noticed is that they plan is for extra FastPass+ allotments to be granted to certain levels of guests, and specifically mentioned were DVC members!

There will be a “frequent flier” bonus. Cast members on site at the Bay Lake Tower testing center were quite clear that eventually there would be MyMagic rewards for certain categories of guests. While no specifics were given (and I really don’t think they have specifics in mind yet), it was mentioned that eventually “better” or more loyal customers (DVC members, Annual Pass holders, Grand Floridian guests, etc.) would get perks like more FP+ reservations or earlier FP+ reservation windows. This is somewhat akin to the Castaway Club program on the Disney Cruise Line where frequent cruisers can make meal and excursion reservations earlier than other guests.

 

[SuperRob]

So, in the future, will guests be able to make changes without going to Guest Services?? I am one of those hold-outs on the cell phones as I don't want to pay an extra $30 / month for internet - so I don't have a "smart phone" or internet access so where does that leave people like me? How do we schedule our FP's? I can only imagine the lines at Guest Services.

Touring Plans mentioned that there would be kiosks around the parks where you can change your FP+ schedule times.

I asked about day guests with no access to a smartphone or tablet. I was told that these folks could make their FP+ reservation in the parks at special FP+ stations. And indeed, I found that these stations are well on their way to being ready. The lobby of Town Hall in the Magic Kingdom is already filled with iPad FP+ reservation stations and several helpful cast members to assist in their use. Additional MK stations will be at Stitch’s Great Escape in Tomorrowland and at Splash Mountain in Adventureland.

 

[OneMoreTry]

What about lost bands? I'm sure that will occur. Will there be a way to replace them and retain all the associated information? Eg. we usually buy 10 day tickets with no expiration and use them for 3-4 trips over a couple of years. I would hate to lose the band and have to buy new ($750) tickets.

Also DD 14 is special needs and guaranteed she would remove the band. I read that equivalent cards would be issued and I guess we would need to use that for her.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I think the biggest question mark for me in all this is...it's all well and good that OP and her H have someone from GR who are holding their hands through this test and helping it be as successful as possible from a Guest Relations standpoint, but how dynamic is the system going to be when it's actually up and running? How many changes are you really going to be able to make when you're clamoring with thousands of other guests for the same spots?

This test seems good in that it seems to be revealing technology limitations in the system, but I have no faith that the ride reservation system is actually going to be so accommodating when it's up and running. I'm a bit of a Chicken Little when it comes to this whole thing, though.

 

[erionm]

What about lost bands? I'm sure that will occur. Will there be a way to replace them and retain all the associated information? Eg. we usually buy 10 day tickets with no expiration and use them for 3-4 trips over a couple of years. I would hate to lose the band and have to buy new ($750) tickets.

Also DD 14 is special needs and guaranteed she would remove the band. I read that equivalent cards would be issued and I guess we would need to use that for her.

Nothing is stored on the band itself except for a unique ID number. The MagicBands ID number links back to information stored in other databases on Disney's servers. MagicBands can be marked as 'Lost' which will make that band inactive and a new MagicBand can be associated to that persons My Disney Experience profile and all entitlements will work with the new band.

 

[erionm]

I just skimmed thru this thread real quick & am trying to make sure I understand everything in case we are stuck with having to use this new system on our January trip. Are you saying that you had to pay $3 to get the bands and that you are limited to having only 3 FP's in one day? I am pretty sure we use way more than 3 of the old paper FP's in a day right now. I will not like that limitation at all. Only 3 / day seems pretty darned stingy to me.

MagicBands will be provided free of cost to Disney Resort Guests, Annual Passholders and those that purchase a PhotoPass+ package.

Off-site guests using a MYW ticket will be given the opportunity to purchase a MagicBand. If they don't purchase a band, they will use a RFID card.

 

[cruiselover914]

Do you get to keep the magic bands after even though they're still testing them?

 

[erionm]

Do you get to keep the magic bands after even though they're still testing them?

Yes. Once a MagicBand has been linked to a person, they can't be used by anyone else. Even though they are just testing currently, MagicBands are intended to be reused on multiple trips by the same person. The battery is reported to last 2 to 3 years.

 

[Hitched2BellesCastle]

Since we weren't originally going to WDW this summer and thought we were going to DL & Aulani instead I had pretty much been ignoring threads about these Magic Bands figuring I'd catch up on them for next year. Well, now that we've had a last minute change of plans and are going to WDW next week and again in January I am sitting up & paying attention.

I just skimmed thru this thread real quick & am trying to make sure I understand everything in case we are stuck with having to use this new system on our January trip. Are you saying that you had to pay $3 to get the bands and that you are limited to having only 3 FP's in one day? I am pretty sure we use way more than 3 of the old paper FP's in a day right now. I will not like that limitation at all. Only 3 / day seems pretty darned stingy to me.

So, in the future, will guests be able to make changes without going to Guest Services?? I am one of those hold-outs on the cell phones as I don't want to pay an extra $30 / month for internet - so I don't have a "smart phone" or internet access so where does that leave people like me? How do we schedule our FP's? I can only imagine the lines at Guest Services. DH has a "smart phone" but sometimes it dies before the end of the day. We don't like to be tied to ADR's so I visualize hating to schedule a specific time for a FP. Is it a time window like they have now or literally a specific time. We prefer to park hop depending on crowds & stuff so I just don't see this new system working very well for us.

The $3 was not for the fastpass+ usage. It was to receive a package...I drowned my iPhone in the hot tub. The 3 a day is correct. I spoke at length with numerous cast members, several at the management level. I heard over and over again that they had to start somewhere with the amount of fastpass+ attraction reservations. It is not concrete that the amount will be locked to 3. It's the same with park hopping. They intend to introduce park hopping as well. We have had a few problems with this TEST. The big problem was some people in our family were not being selected to join us on our ride reservations even though we selected them. This is why we are asking the front desk for assistance. I am hoping that most people reading this are seeing the good in the bands and not just the bad. To be honest, the bad are just glitches that are being worked out which is why people are being invited to test. They want it perfect. It's not there yet, but I'm thinking they are going to get real close. Also, I'm not having an issue with my smart phone dying mid day. It is a one hour time block just like paper fast passes. This is not meant to be snarky....but go back and read all our posts....it might help alleviate some of your concerns. If you have more questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

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