Guest Test of Magic Bands (Official Notice)

[andrewilley]

Oh, I completely agree that it won't be the same, I just don't think it can be said that there will be "no replacement" as long as there is some sort of same-day access.

I guess the crux of the matter will be how they handle FastPass bookings when all of the daily availability eventually (and inevitably) transfers over to the new system (as opposed to having it part FP+ and part old-FP for regular day-guests).

Obviously the switchover will massively increase the capacity of available FastPass+ slots per day. The real question is will they handle this by allowing people to book all of these extra slots in advance (i.e. the same dumb way that ADR bookings work - or don't work - at present) or will they limit advanced bookings to a certain percentage of the daily allocation and hold the rest back for people to book on the day.

That second option would be much better in terms of allowing access for impromptu day-guests, in much the same way that FastPass works for them at present but with the major bonuses of not having to go all the way over to the attraction itself to make the booking (book using any kiosk, or on a mobile device) and also being able to try for a specific time rather than just automatically being given the next available slot (to avoid the current problem of FPs coinciding with meals at Le Cellier/CRT/etc which can't be cancelled without a penalty charge).

Another useful option would be to make the 3 FP+ limit (or whatever they finally decide on) apply only to pre-bookings, and once you have used one of those passes in the park you should be able to set up another 'on the day' one to replace it. That would successfully hinder the '60-day hogs', and also prevent people from just walking into the park and using up all of the remaining slots the moment they get there.

Whatever happens, the inevitable "we've sold out of all the mountains and Peter Pan by 10am, but there are FastPasses available for Stitch's Great Escape" is NOT an answer at all, but an indication that the system does not work.

Andre

 

[d1gitman]

with the Magicband tests, are they also having guest use the MyDisneyExperience app? any word on whether or not the app is useable in the parks?

We were at WDW in March and the MDE app worked fine, at home. However, could not use it in the parks...

 

[doconeill]

Wouldn't any same-day access to the FP+ system be a direct replacement for the current system? Unless you believe that the FP+ system is only usable as a schedule in the future option?

(Not trying to be confrontational, just not sure if I'm missing something?)

Oh, I completely agree that it won't be the same, I just don't think it can be said that there will be "no replacement" as long as there is some sort of same-day access.

Here's the thing...we don't know there will be same-day access, in the sense that you can get more than the three FP+.

I think there will be same day access. But it will be for whatever is left over after pre-books, plus whatever, if any, WDW holds in reserve for each attraction.

However, I'm not holding out hope that there is more than 3 FP+ per guest per day in general. Those available will be for people changing their schedules, and those who had not already pre-booked.

IF the system is underutilized, they may offer more. But they are going to

I base this on the zero statements Disney has made about anything more than 3 FP+. And whatsarahsaid's report seems to corroborate this. (And that's for that report!)

Things may change, of course. But I don't know that they can effectively know how undertilized it will be until they have it fully rolled out either. So it may be some time after rollout where we might see it bumped up to 4, etc.

 

[squirrel4569]

Here's something that is bugging me. It may just be semantics but how can something be a Plus if there isn't a base to compare it to?

For example, they have added PhotoPass Plus, which carries many of the same features as PhotoPass, while also continuing to carry the base PhotoPass.

I still believe that the FP+ system will be an enhancement to the current system and not an overall replacement.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Hi guys! Just standing in line waiting for Magic Kingdom Rope Drop. Had a little snafu with the MagicBand getting in today. My husbands worked fine but mine didn't. The CM that the transaction was still processing so maybe there was just a glitch in the system when I scanned my band. I just used my KTTW card to get in instead.

Two interesting bits of info from a CM last night. She said...

1) as of now they do plan on doing away with the regular FP system. She said be sure to meet with the folks at our resort who are available to meet with guests to talk about their experience. Be honest with them about how you feel about the limit of 3 FP+ because NOTHING is final right now.

2) 5,000 qualified groups were invited to take part based on check in day and resort. Only 3,000 opted in.

That's it for not folks! Besides the little snafu getting in our MagicBands have been working great!

** On my iPhone...sorry for any typos or misspellings.

I can't imagine not wanting to opt-in for the test...you get the best of both worlds right now. I suppose a lot of people don't really know what it is right now. Thanks for the update and have fun!

 

[doconeill]

I can't imagine not wanting to opt-in for the test...you get the best of both worlds right now. I suppose a lot of people don't really know what it is right now. Thanks for the update and have fun!

I think that's it...too intimidating to deal with for some. And that could also provide them some valuable feedback as well...what they need to adjust to get more to adopt it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Maybe the folks not opting in have heard about Disney's reputation with IT issues and just didn't want to risk their limited park time messing with the various things that might go wrong.

 

[kddisney502]

Maybe the folks not opting in have heard about Disney's reputation with IT issues and just didn't want to risk their limited park time messing with the various things that might go wrong.

Agree. I wouldn't opt-in if offered to us. While it sounds interesting to try a new system and give feedback, I wouldn't want to deal with the potential problems. Plus I get through all our favorite attractions just fine with the current system. So why mess with it, especially when so much money is spent on a trip.

 

[whatsarahsaid]

Hi folks...in a short line for POTC and thought I would check in with an update. We rode standby on Haunted Mansion and ended up not wanting to use our FP+ for that ride later in the day. So I logged into the my Disney Exp app in my phone and it to a Splash Mtn FP+. It was great cause we already used one FP+ earlier in the day. So we used two FP+ on the same ride which is something I couldn't do when originally reserving them online.

My Disney Exp app works awesome in the parks and has been a great on the spot planning tool!

* sorry for any misspellings or typos since I'm on my iPhone

 

[Planogirl]

Maybe the folks not opting in have heard about Disney's reputation with IT issues and just didn't want to risk their limited park time messing with the various things that might go wrong.

I feel this way. If it was offered a chance to test FP+ I would probably turn it down and go enjoy the parks the old way possibly for the last time. I see no need to fool with success when it comes to our touring. That can come later.

 

[whatsarahsaid]

So far I honestly feel like opting in has increased our satisfaction with this trip and made things easier! Very happy we decided to! BUT..we like being part of new technology and the ability to use regular FP and FP+ has been a real bonus!

 

[darnheather]

Hi folks...in a short line for POTC and thought I would check in with an update. We rode standby on Haunted Mansion and ended up not wanting to use our FP+ for that ride later in the day. So I logged into the my Disney Exp app in my phone and it to a Splash Mtn FP+. It was great cause we already used one FP+ earlier in the day. So we used two FP+ on the same ride which is something I couldn't do when originally reserving them online.

My Disney Exp app works awesome in the parks and has been a great on the spot planning tool!

* sorry for any misspellings or typos since I'm on my iPhone

That's awesome that you could change them same day. I think a lot of people thought you wouldn't be able to.

So far I honestly feel like opting in has increased our satisfaction with this trip and made things easier! Very happy we decided to! BUT..we like being part of new technology and the ability to use regular FP and FP+ has been a real bonus!

Thank you again for being our test subject!

 

[g-dad66]

So we used two FP+ on the same ride which is something I couldn't do when originally reserving them online.

Interesting, thanks!

Can you get any extra FP+ s (beyond three)? (You may not have tried, since you can get regualr FP with your card, but I'm just curious as to whether you could get a fourth FP+ if you tried.)

 

[whatsarahsaid]

Whew...it is H-O-T out! Lol! Back at our room at AKL for some much needed air conditioning!! On our way to our room a CM asked us to participate in a 5 minute survey about our experience so far. While we were taking THAT survey we were invited to take part in a focus group tomorrow afternoon for which we'll get a $100 Disney gift card! Sweet!!

So far we've only been able to secure 3 FP+ per day. When I tried to make a fourth using my iPhone app it wouldn't let me. Oh well! Had to try! ;-)

 

[keaster]

Whew...it is H-O-T out! Lol! Back at our room at AKL for some much needed air conditioning!! On our way to our room a CM asked us to participate in a 5 minute survey about our experience so far. While we were taking THAT survey we were invited to take part in a focus group tomorrow afternoon for which we'll get a $100 Disney gift card! Sweet!!

So far we've only been able to secure 3 FP+ per day. When I tried to make a fourth using my iPhone app it wouldn't let me. Oh well! Had to try! ;-)

Just to clarify...do you have a KTTW card as well and are you able to get regular paper FP with that?

On another message board someone taking part in the testing says they are not able to get regular FPs.

 

[whatsarahsaid]

Yes...we got KTTW cards upon check in as well. Using those to obtain regular FP.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's awesome that you could change them same day. I think a lot of people thought you wouldn't be able to.

I'm not the least bit surprised that current test participants can make same day changes. They are a terribly tiny portion of the overall park population right now.

What I'm concerned about is whether there will be availability to change from one headliner to another when most of the people in the park are using this system and a much larger portion of ride capacity is taken up with advance bookings.

 

[jimim]

For any dvc'ers reading this I asked when they might add us in and they don't know. They r pretty much going after the people with packages from how he sounded.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[jimim]

Whew...it is H-O-T out! Lol! Back at our room at AKL for some much needed air conditioning!! On our way to our room a CM asked us to participate in a 5 minute survey about our experience so far. While we were taking THAT survey we were invited to take part in a focus group tomorrow afternoon for which we'll get a $100 Disney gift card! Sweet!!

So far we've only been able to secure 3 FP+ per day. When I tried to make a fourth using my iPhone app it wouldn't let me. Oh well! Had to try! ;-)

Did u run into any table service yet that allowed u to tap and pay? I had mentioned in another thread that jiko is doing this. I was wondering if it was only them as a test. I didn't have a magic band but was able to tap and pay with my room card.

The mickey heads to get in the park are pretty cool aren't they? I really liked using them with our season passes. My kid loved holding it up and waiting for that green to show up.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[whatsarahsaid]

Haven't used it at Table Service yet. We have reservations at Artist Point tonight so I'll let you know! Been able to use it at all the QS and Cs we've gone to though!