Guest Test of Magic Bands (Official Notice)

[rammh]

It's just good to hear some "official" information for once! Thanks so much Cheshire Figment~very much appreciated!!

 

[eeyorepixie]

It's just good to hear some "official" information for once! Thanks so much Cheshire Figment~very much appreciated!!

Yes, thanks for posting

 

[WendyWonderland]

Very cool! I'm looking forward to hearing from those who get to try it out.

 

[pumpernickel]

Not interested in this change at all. Horrible!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CCole1013]

I was so worried that my March trip would definitely be involved with FP+.
Now we are going in November and there's a chance this won't roll out then, and now I am upset that we wont get to try something new.

Hah.. i can't make up my mind.

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

Thanks for the update!

I am still protesting the use of bands because I want a black one


(Shallow, aren't I?)

 

[whatsarahsaid]

My husband and I will arriving in 17 days (YAHOO) and got the email the other day that we are eligible to be "testers". We figured why not and selected our Magic Bands and secured our FastPass+ "reservations". While I do admit it is pretty great to know we already have FastPasses for the big rides we want to do (especially during such a busy time)...I am a little concerned about the fact that we may very well not be eligible to get any more regular Fast Passes after we have used our FastPass+. Unless I am misunderstanding something I am assuming we can't get any more than the three we are alloted per day. Which kind of stinks.

I do love that my room key, payment method and FastPass+ are all stored on a handy little wristband though. We'll see how it goes...I will definitely report back.

 

[Reddog1134]

It figures. I get excluded because I stay DVC. Also, I'm not staying at those resorts. And I'm going in October.

 

[g-dad66]

My husband and I will arriving in 17 days (YAHOO) and got the email the other day that we are eligible to be "testers". We figured why not and selected our Magic Bands and secured our FastPass+ "reservations". While I do admit it is pretty great to know we already have FastPasses for the big rides we want to do (especially during such a busy time)...I am a little concerned about the fact that we may very well not be eligible to get any more regular Fast Passes after we have used our FastPass+. Unless I am misunderstanding something I am assuming we can't get any more than the three we are alloted per day. Which kind of stinks.

I do love that my room key, payment method and FastPass+ are all stored on a handy little wristband though. We'll see how it goes...I will definitely report back.

Thanks for the report!

If you have time, can you let us know what sort of choices you were given (both for attractions and for time slots)?

Also, wondering if the e-mail you received says anything about whether you could reserve more FPs when you are in the park (above and beyond the FP+ that you were able to pre-book).

 

[ChloesDaddy]

My husband and I will arriving in 17 days (YAHOO) and got the email the other day that we are eligible to be "testers". We figured why not and selected our Magic Bands and secured our FastPass+ "reservations". While I do admit it is pretty great to know we already have FastPasses for the big rides we want to do (especially during such a busy time)...I am a little concerned about the fact that we may very well not be eligible to get any more regular Fast Passes after we have used our FastPass+. Unless I am misunderstanding something I am assuming we can't get any more than the three we are alloted per day. Which kind of stinks.

I do love that my room key, payment method and FastPass+ are all stored on a handy little wristband though. We'll see how it goes...I will definitely report back.

Many, like myself, have the same concern about getting additional FPs in the park and will be very interested to hear what your actual experience is. Good luck and have a great time!

 

[DISHoppy]

I'm pretty sure it's another round of testing for the bands, as well as the backend infrastructure. CMs were testing a few weeks, now it's testing with a larger group of guinea pigs. This is how we've done for software @ my former employer.

-Kevin

 

[chartle]

I'm pretty sure it's another round of testing for the bands, as well as the backend infrastructure. CMs were testing a few weeks, now it's testing with a larger group of guinea pigs. This is how we've done for software @ my former employer.

-Kevin

yes. Again, when people report back that this, this, and this happened. It no way means that this is how its going to work once rolled out.

i helped a co worker with fp+ testing during one of the tests last fall. this test looks just like that test but with a band versus a card. btw she didn't use a single one which is also part of the test. unclaimed fp+'s will probably be part of how many are distributed. just like how they overbook a plane based on the history of how many passengers don't show up.

 

[g-dad66]

i helped a co worker with fp+ testing during one of the tests last fall. this test looks just like that test but with a band versus a card

But with the card, he/she could also get regular paper Fast Passes from the current FP machines.

I don't think the wristband will be capable of doing that. So that should be a significant difference in this round of testing.

 

[chartle]

But with the card, he/she could also get regular paper Fast Passes from the current FP machines.

I don't think the wristband will be capable of doing that. So that should be a significant difference in this round of testing.

yea didn't think of that. it appears that they are not retrofitting the current fp machines with rfid readers and of course they don't have a mag stripe. I think this more than anything else says you can't get magic bands and do regular fp.

I know people are already reading this policy in some terms of service aggrement. but those words are a lot easier to change versus installing hundreds of rfid readers.

 

[Missyrose]

It figures. I get excluded because I stay DVC. Also, I'm not staying at those resorts. And I'm going in October.

You haven't been excluded from anything. It's a three-day test with a select few guests. The reason why DVC guests aren't part of this test is because DVC runs on a completely separate reservation system from the regular resorts, so it's simpler to only involve one system.

Who knows what will be testing or rolled out by October? It's a very fluid project at this point.

yea didn't think of that. it appears that they are not retrofitting the current fp machines with rfid readers and of course they don't have a mag stripe. I think this more than anything else says you can't get magic bands and do regular fp.

I know people are already reading this policy in some terms of service aggrement. but those words are a lot easier to change versus installing hundreds of rfid readers.

What has been established by Disney officials is that the reason you cannot use the old FP machines once you switch to a MagicBand is because the old machines have no way to read the band.

What hasn't been established is whether FP+ will include same-day FP+, in much the same way the current FP system works.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Are they doing testing in all four parks?

What attractions can you choose from? Are they tiered? Are the tiers the same as the last test, or are they trying out different variables?

How closely can you schedule your three choices, can you do consecutive hours (i.e. one FP+ at 2pm, the next at 3pm and the third at 4 pm)?

 

[bwang123]

My husband and I will arriving in 17 days (YAHOO) and got the email the other day that we are eligible to be "testers". We figured why not and selected our Magic Bands and secured our FastPass+ "reservations". While I do admit it is pretty great to know we already have FastPasses for the big rides we want to do (especially during such a busy time)...I am a little concerned about the fact that we may very well not be eligible to get any more regular Fast Passes after we have used our FastPass+. Unless I am misunderstanding something I am assuming we can't get any more than the three we are alloted per day. Which kind of stinks.

I do love that my room key, payment method and FastPass+ are all stored on a handy little wristband though. We'll see how it goes...I will definitely report back.

if you are unable to somehow get adittional fastpasses, I would let them know if that affected your experience any. that would be good feedback if it has a negative impact on you.

i would personally be upset because I would not be on equal footing with all other guests.

 

[DISHoppy]

Are they doing testing in all four parks?

What attractions can you choose from? Are they tiered? Are the tiers the same as the last test, or are they trying out different variables?

How closely can you schedule your three choices, can you do consecutive hours (i.e. one FP+ at 2pm, the next at 3pm and the third at 4 pm)?

I believe it was reported that only the MK would be involved for this round.

-Kevin

 

[erionm]

Are they doing testing in all four parks?

I believe it was reported that only the MK would be involved for this round.

-Kevin

Post #1 from Cheshire Figment (A WDW CM) contains the following:

Redeem FastPass+ selections at all four theme parks between June 20 and June 26

 

[whatsarahsaid]

I was able choose from a select list of attractions and was able to secure FP+ in ALL FOUR parks for various times throughout the day. They have three or four options to choose from and each option grouped the three FP+ I selected into time periods near each other. For example for the 3 FP+ I selected for our day at MK one of the options i got was for the following return windows:

Space Mtn: between 9:50&10:50
Pirates: between 11:10&12:10
Splash Mtn: between 1:10&2:10

I also had the option of selecting a set during mid afternoon and a set at night. After I made my initial selections I was able to go in and edit each individual FP+ to a time the more suited my plans. For example- at Hollywood Studios I selected the set of passes that gave me a return window for Star Tours right in the middle of our ADR at Brown Derby. So I went into that specific FP+ and changed the return window time to another selection.

Oh...and I was only able to select all three FP+ for the day at the same park. So I couldn't do 2 at MK and 1 at AK...they all had to be for MK.

I hope this all makes sense!!