For those who have tried the Magic Bands

[granmanh603]

Well Epcot only has Illuminations and if you have a Chase card, you could just go over to the lounge at the American Adventure and get wristbands for their area for Illuminations. That might be easier and then you could do FP+ for Soarin, test track and something else.

Oh wow thanks...did not know about the Chase thing for fireworks Last year I remember getting a wrist band for the concert but did not know about fireworks Oh wait now it does ring a bell, we did go to somewhere in the front of World Showcase, we spend alot of time at Epcot at night when we stay at BWV.. that would be nice , thanks for reminding me..

 

[rwcmath]

I did not know about chase & Illuminations !

 

[disfanforlife]

Well Epcot only has Illuminations and if you have a Chase card, you could just go over to the lounge at the American Adventure and get wristbands for their area for Illuminations. That might be easier and then you could do FP+ for Soarin, test track and something else.

I see Illuminations available on Sat Oct 12th. Not sure if that is helpful but it is there.

I didn't know anything about that either! So, you just show your Chase Visa and get a good spot for viewing? Now, I am going to have to look at a map and see where that would be!!!!

 

[delmar411]

I didn't know anything about that either! So, you just show your Chase Visa and get a good spot for viewing? Now, I am going to have to look at a map and see where that would be!!!!

You need to get a wristband from the lounge and show that for Illuminations.

 

[dizfan]

For our Sept stay, the fireworks showed up close to our arrival.

The FP+ MK parade area was great for the electric parade. Hands down worth it for us. Many, many people wanted to get in and the CMs did a great job enforcing the restriction.

The MK fireworks area in the rose garden would have been great except it rained that day so the grass area was closed. Everyone had to stay on the concrete path in that area. Our FP+ MK fireworks was on a Monday, so it can appear on other days.

 

[dunnhorn]

Does the magic band have to be worn on the wrist or can you like feed it thru your belt loop??

We watched people wrestling with using the bands all last week with a 50/50 success rate. I wondered if they shouldn't be worn so 'reader' is on the inside of the wrist. Having it on the outside is awkward.

We just got back and as it worked out, the "reader" gravitated to be on the SIDE of our wrist, not on top of the wrist. I think this may actually be how it was designed because it makes it much easier to "tap to pay" wear bling, etc.

I bought bling for the Magic Band and it occurred to me - if the reader was on the top, then the bling would be on the side/bottom. So, I moved the bling to the top and the reader to the side and voila - fit well, worked perfectly.

One warning though - the bling can come off easily so keep and eye on it. I wore it in the pool and one of the bling pieces came off - so I would say no bling in the pool.

One thing I LIKED is that you can adjust your FP+ experiences on the fly. This was GREAT! For example, we had FP+ at the HM at 10:20 a.m. We arrived and it was a 5 min wait. So, I cancelled the FP+, waited in stand by and booked another attraction for another time. Really appreciated that feature.

Also, we had FP+ to TT. It rained when we were there, so we got an EMAIL telling us our FP+ to TT were cancelled, and that they were giving us a FP+ to use at ANY attraction in Epcot, for the entire rest of the day. The email said all we had to do was tap on entry and it would recognize it.

This started us thinking.... If they can "adjust" these FP+s on the fly, then they can conceivably add more to certain accounts, even "sell" them, or have FP+ tied to certain resorts - for example - 7 for Deluxe, 5 for Moderate, 3 for Value. I know this would be something controversial, but we have been hearing "rumors" for years that FP will be fee based or somehow tied to room tier. Let me just say - we know NOTHING, but this thought just occurred to us. We mentioned this possibility to a CM, and they smiled and said "who knows."

Just thought I would pass this on. Right now, we give the Magic Bands two thumbs up. Supposedly, we keep them for 2 years and then in the future when we need replacements we can purchase them for $15.

In the interim, JSYK, if you use your hard ticket to get in the park, you can use that for FP and use your band for FP+. The CMs were even recommending that folks do that while the FP machines were still out. They will be removed once the entire MB thing goes live.

HTH

 

[granmanh603]

We just got back and as it worked out, the "reader" gravitated to be on the SIDE of our wrist, not on top of the wrist. I think this may actually be how it was designed because it makes it much easier to "tap to pay" wear bling, etc.

I bought bling for the Magic Band and it occurred to me - if the reader was on the top, then the bling would be on the side/bottom. So, I moved the bling to the top and the reader to the side and voila - fit well, worked perfectly.

One warning though - the bling can come off easily so keep and eye on it. I wore it in the pool and one of the bling pieces came off - so I would say no bling in the pool.

One thing I LIKED is that you can adjust your FP+ experiences on the fly. This was GREAT! For example, we had FP+ at the HM at 10:20 a.m. We arrived and it was a 5 min wait. So, I cancelled the FP+, waited in stand by and booked another attraction for another time. Really appreciated that feature.

Also, we had FP+ to TT. It rained when we were there, so we got an EMAIL telling us our FP+ to TT were cancelled, and that they were giving us a FP+ to use at ANY attraction in Epcot, for the entire rest of the day. The email said all we had to do was tap on entry and it would recognize it.

This started us thinking.... If they can "adjust" these FP+s on the fly, then they can conceivably add more to certain accounts, even "sell" them, or have FP+ tied to certain resorts - for example - 7 for Deluxe, 5 for Moderate, 3 for Value. I know this would be something controversial, but we have been hearing "rumors" for years that FP will be fee based or somehow tied to room tier. Let me just say - we know NOTHING, but this thought just occurred to us. We mentioned this possibility to a CM, and they smiled and said "who knows."

Just thought I would pass this on. Right now, we give the Magic Bands two thumbs up. Supposedly, we keep them for 2 years and then in the future when we need replacements we can purchase them for $15.

In the interim, JSYK, if you use your hard ticket to get in the park, you can use that for FP and use your band for FP+. The CMs were even recommending that folks do that while the FP machines were still out. They will be removed once the entire MB thing goes live.

HTH

Ok so great that they sent you and email... how am I suposed to get an email in the park....run over to a computer? no access to it and have no intention of carrying around my ipad. I guess I am like Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys that they were ridiculing over the weekend for having a flip phone.. personally I do not even want the phone with me. If they remove the FP machines. I have a feeling they will be removing me too. But from what I can tell they really do not care and are not going for that market

 

[dunnhorn]

My family has iPhones, so checking email is no biggie. As for folks who don't do the smart phone thing - just as a FYI, they are putting up FP+ kiosks EVERYWHERE. Some are in the queues, some have independent kiosks. The monitors in the queues aren't working yet, but we could see a glimpse of what is coming. It's like - a queue of the future. For the kiosks that were working - you can just tap your band and find out the status, and make changes right there. And of course you can make changes on the MDE app on your phone, whenever. So, if you don't have a smartphone or aren't in a position to get email on the fly - I'm certain you can check status through one of the many kiosks that are popping up everywhere and see that you would have an extra FP+ to schedule or use.

Also - FWIW hubby and I noticed that there is now wifi EVERYWHERE in the parks. It is much much better than what they have at the resorts - I was on wifi just about everywhere, even in the bottom of buildings and in the backs of rides (no, I wasn't completely checking my phone the whole time! Just struck me as odd because for eons Disney has had horrible wifi/cell coverage.) Hubby and I realized this probably was due to the RFID that likely must have wifi to work. So all those folks walking around with bands - they need to have wifi.

Anyway - just some food for thought... I think this whole MB thing is much more complex, more complicated and has so many more possibilities than most of us (including me) had realized.

 

[granmanh603]

My family has iPhones, so checking email is no biggie. As for folks who don't do the smart phone thing - just as a FYI, they are putting up FP+ kiosks EVERYWHERE. Some are in the queues, some have independent kiosks. The monitors in the queues aren't working yet, but we could see a glimpse of what is coming. It's like - a queue of the future. For the kiosks that were working - you can just tap your band and find out the status, and make changes right there. And of course you can make changes on the MDE app on your phone, whenever. So, if you don't have a smartphone or aren't in a position to get email on the fly - I'm certain you can check status through one of the many kiosks that are popping up everywhere and see that you would have an extra FP+ to schedule or use.

Also - FWIW hubby and I noticed that there is now wifi EVERYWHERE in the parks. It is much much better than what they have at the resorts - I was on wifi just about everywhere, even in the bottom of buildings and in the backs of rides (no, I wasn't completely checking my phone the whole time! Just struck me as odd because for eons Disney has had horrible wifi/cell coverage.) Hubby and I realized this probably was due to the RFID that likely must have wifi to work. So all those folks walking around with bands - they need to have wifi.

Anyway - just some food for thought... I think this whole MB thing is much more complex, more complicated and has so many more possibilities than most of us (including me) had realized.

Well good that they will have another choice for getting FP like the old way but guess you will have to wear that band too to use that. I just have to get there and see if it will work for us. If we can get a FP just like before that will be fine. just don't want to have to access wifi or plan. I guess next Wed will be the test when we get there and see if we can adjust to our schedule which is none.

 

[erionm]

Well good that they will have another choice for getting FP like the old way but guess you will have to wear that band too to use that. I just have to get there and see if it will work for us. If we can get a FP just like before that will be fine. just don't want to have to access wifi or plan. I guess next Wed will be the test when we get there and see if we can adjust to our schedule which is none.

Currently, you will receive a KTTW card at check-in. You can pull legacy FP using your KTTW card in addition to any pre-scheduled FP+ times you may have. At some point in the future, the legacy FP system will be removed and your only option will be FP+ or the standby lines.

 

[dunnhorn]

Yes, we used "double FPs" by using our hard tickets for the FP kiosks and then the MBs for the FP+s.

One CM told me that all tickets will be embedded with a RIFD chip, which will be enough to get into MDE for those not staying on property - but that is yet to come.

 

[ElizabethG]

Well good that they will have another choice for getting FP like the old way but guess you will have to wear that band too to use that. I just have to get there and see if it will work for us. If we can get a FP just like before that will be fine. just don't want to have to access wifi or plan. I guess next Wed will be the test when we get there and see if we can adjust to our schedule which is none.

I think it is better than the old way. You can change your FPs, where you could not with printed FPs. Also, you don't have to be by the attraction to do it. If you are busy with something in one area of the park and have a FP in another, you don't have to go to the FP attraction to make changes. You can make the changes at a kiosk closer to where you are.

 

[ohtarabell]

Just got back from a 5 day Kidani stay. I was not enthused about the magic band and fastpass+ prior to the trip (I have 70+ stays under my belt and had the old system down pretty good). I thought that I might lose that "edge" in planning and early arrival that I used to have. I was able to book all e ticket attractions prior to arrival, and at times that worked for me. A few rides were tough to get the exact time I wanted, but close enough. It kind of changed the way I toured the parks. The trip was one of the more relaxed trips I have taken.

Magic Bands had a few small SNAFUs, but they were overall, a great addition. Easy to pay at F&W kiosks, worked great as fastpass, and eliminated the need to carry around keys, cards, passes etc.

 

[disfanforlife]

Heading down one month from today. So, if I understand correctly the old system will still be in place. I can use my magic bands and the FP that I have lined up. And in addition I can use my KTW or my tickets that I already have linked that I bought from UT for the old type of FP?

 

[TIGER RADIATION]

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[paults]

How far out from your arrival date were you invited to participate in the magic band testing? I have a mid-November reservation and was hoping to get to try them out.

Chuck, we are going to be there OCT 12/18 and started getting emails about 2 wks ago. I did not accept the option to use the magic bands on the first email. Since then I have received 3 or 4 or 5 (can't remember) more emails. One said my bands will be ready at my resort when we check in I never ordered any. I just today received another email saying my bands will be waiting for me I have a group of 7 adults and 2 children and don't want to deal with these bands at this time. I hope we don't have a problem at check-in.

 

[LisaS]

Chuck, we are going to be there OCT 12/18 and started getting emails about 2 wks ago. I did not accept the option to use the magic bands on the first email. Since then I have received 3 or 4 or 5 (can't remember) more emails. One said my bands will be ready at my resort when we check in I never ordered any. I just today received another email saying my bands will be waiting for me I have a group of 7 adults and 2 children and don't want to deal with these bands at this time. I hope we don't have a problem at check-in.

It sounds like if you don't accept the invitation to choose your colors and customize them with your names, then they will offer you the generic gray ones when you check in. That's supposedly how things will work when the system is fully up and running.

At least for now, you won't have to use them if you don't want to. Personally, I'm looking forward to using them! It was always a pain to have to bring my room key to the pool. Now, I'll have my room key (complete with pool bar charging privileges) right on my wrist! And no more digging in my bag to pull out my park ticket to get through the turnstiles or to pay for something somewhere or to find those paper fastpasses. I really love the whole concept of the magic bands.

 

[dunnhorn]

I totally agree.... I would say if they are offering you MagicBands, then personalize them and pick your colors so they will send them to you for free. One thing is for sure - they won't always be for free. I am hearing from CMs that after this they will only come in grey. I don't know if I believe this - but I heard that from more than one CM. After you personalize them - seriously, you don't have to wear them and you don't have to use them. You don't have to load cards or anything.... but considering the time of year you are going, it will be VERY convenient to have access to three FP+ per day.

Again, you don't have to use them - but if you don't personalize them now, you'll probably just get grey and you might not get another time to get them for free.

 

[Sammie]

I found the bands extremely comfortable and I am someone that does not wear a watch.

The band part will soften some but the part where the RFID chip is, will not.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I'm at the BW right now and I was invited to do the MB but didn't really want to do it. But when we checked in they had them anyways for us in the box with our names on them. They are a little nicer than I thought but wow the expense of the invitation, coming overnight mail and now the bands with the customized box?? Seems like a waste of money.

But it is nice not to have go into pocket book to get your key out. They may have converted me??.