Guest Test of Magic Bands (Official Notice)

[Simba's Girl]

I usually enjoy planning and anticipating my Disney vacation. This vacation has seemed more of a pain. I am mentally exhausted. I have viewed the park schedules, made dining reservations and now have to decide which ride I want to ride.... its just TOO MUCH.
I work extra shifts all year long to pay for my Disney fun and now it just doesnt seem like fun. So for us, we will continue to play with Mickey, but a Disney PARKS vacation will be taking a break... I'm thinking Disney Cruise Line may be more for us..... no planning... I just show up and the FUN just happens.

Agreed...I truly think this will be our last WDW vacation for quite some time. We had already decided that every 3 years was "just right" in terms of time between WDW vacations, now I'm not sure. Especially with the FP+/Magic Band debacle for August guests yesterday. Fortunately now that my kids are older there is PLENTY for them to see and do in the country and the world other than a Theme Park, which is more and more what Disney is becoming...just a Theme Park that's not worth the energy or money involved.

 

[DreamSweetsLove]

If the FP+ to SB ratio doesn't improve, the SB lines will become virtually worthless to me. And then Disney is no longer a value or a place where I know I can always have a good time.

If FP+ results in me spending more time in line to ride the attractions I want to ride, then it won't increase my spending on meals and souvenirs. It will increase my spending on non-Disney vacations.

Certainly there are so many other wonderful places to visit other than Disney but so far WDW is the only resort using FP+. Instead of writing Disney off completely you can always visit one of the other resorts around the world!

 

[agavegirl1]

Certainly there are so many other wonderful places to visit other than Disney but so far WDW is the only resort using FP+. Instead of writing Disney off completely you can always visit one of the other resorts around the world!

I for one would love to see Tokyo DisneySea. It is one of the most beautiful theme parks I've ever seen. However, I could never afford to get there without winning a lottery.

 

[DreamSweetsLove]

I for one would love to see Tokyo DisneySea. It is one of the most beautiful theme parks I've ever seen. However, I could never afford to get there without winning a lottery.

You have too! DisneySea is a really incredible park! I think a lot of people think it's more expensive to visit here than it really is but there are many hotels near TDR that are not that expensive to be honest. I think the worst of the cost is airfare but certainly there are good deals occasionally! I live in the area so if you have any questions pm me any time.

 

[chanda7]

Can any testers confirm or deny that once a fastpass+ is used that it can be "refilled" with another fastpass if they are still available?

 

[andrewilley]

It is ironic they aren't interested in Canadiens planning ahead.

I think it's more that their website is nowhere near ready to handle the traffic, and has trouble coping with things like non-US phone numbers, etc.

There are ways to hack your browser's cookies (using Firefox & FireBug) to add a few cookies that will convince it that you've been to the new site before, and so it will let you back on, but it's a bit techie.

Andre

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Agreed...I truly think this will be our last WDW vacation for quite some time. We had already decided that every 3 years was "just right" in terms of time between WDW vacations, now I'm not sure. Especially with the FP+/Magic Band debacle for August guests yesterday. Fortunately now that my kids are older there is PLENTY for them to see and do in the country and the world other than a Theme Park, which is more and more what Disney is becoming...just a Theme Park that's not worth the energy or money involved.

Sorry, I must be living under a rock - what debacle happened yesterday? Thanks.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Sorry, I must be living under a rock - what debacle happened yesterday? Thanks.

"Debacle" is used very loosely here on the topic of FP+...

 

[snykymom]

"Debacle" is used very loosely here on the topic of FP+...

OK, we can forgive the hyperbole. But what happened???

 

[Robo]

Visitors to the site/app saw a message telling them that they needed to order their MagicBands within the next few days!
They were also coached to choose their FP+ rides.

The problem is...

that info was only for a very specific, very small number of guests who have been
pre-contacted by Disney for an upcoming test in Aug.

It was NOT intended for "everyone," but the site did not make that point clear
and it caused a "frenzy" of posts from DISer's (and others) all anxious to not miss out on this
"great new information" of the final "coming of the new system."

It was/is a MESS.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

OK, we can forgive the hyperbole. But what happened???

As described by Robo.

I have a higher "debacle bar" than some, I guess.

As DH said: If one really thinks this whole thing will be a CATASTROPHE, best move? SHORT DISNEY STOCK!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I hate the entire Next Gen plans.

My prediction is we will be back to having turnstiles returning by the end of next year, although they will be able to handle RFID as well as Magnetic Stripe and Bar Code.

I have spoken to a friend who is a very high-level technical specialist in Disney's IT Department. Her description is that this is a railroad designed by upper management and that while the railroad is in operation, they are still building tracks and locomotives.

There are many added expenses, and in my opinion (and I will not give details) access security has been reduced.

 

[doggydoc]

I hate the entire Next Gen plans.

My prediction is we will be back to having turnstiles returning by the end of next year, although they will be able to handle RFID as well as Magnetic Stripe and Bar Code.

I have spoken to a friend who is a very high-level technical specialist in Disney's IT Department. Her description is that this is a railroad designed by upper management and that while the railroad is in operation, they are still building tracks and locomotives.

There are many added expenses, and in my opinion (and I will not give details) access security has been reduced.

Sounds like a "debacle" to me.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Sounds like a "debacle" to me.

Uh... none of this has actually happened, yet, though...

Third hand word from one employee + speculation? All fine to do, obviously, but nothing that has HAPPENED... not yet.

 

[patrickpiteo]

Only 12 regular turnstiles left at MK was reported today.

 

[doconeill]

Only 12 regular turnstiles left at MK was reported today.

Hmm...I wasn't even sure there were that many at the beginning of June...

 

[patrickpiteo]

Hmm...I wasn't even sure there were that many at the beginning of June...

Saw a picture on line today they have started construction on a bunch and they are now blocked off..

 

[Sue M]

"Guests with select Magic Your Way vacation packages will be notified..."

I want notified, I just kept looking, knowing from Dis that YC was in the testing group in August. But I don't have a package, I have Room Only res. so maybe that's why?

They can't tie pre-book FP+ to a reservation without alienating all the day guests and offsite guests. And EVERYTHING including the brand-new FAQ says it is tied to valid admission, and not a reservation.



Same here. It would be incredibly easy for them to track abuse, and place limits on abusers. Although they should add that to the terms and conditions.

Honestly, I don't think they've 100% decided how to handle AP holders yet.



That remains to be seen. Disney has not yet confirmed the RFID mugs that I have seen.

I can see a DDP mug being coded for the exact length of stay, especially if the LOS is less than four days, and expiring even though you have a connecting reservation. If you have another DDP on the second res, you'd get another mug. If not, you might be required to purchase a mug.

I am an AP holder. I know for sure the FP+ is tied to ticket because my AP expires mid way thru our trip, and we can't make any FP+ selections past our AP exp. I phoned, to ask if I renewed now ( instead of waiting till I got there) if I'd be able to continue with our selections, they said no. I'd have to wait till my renewed AP was activated.

Is it because I'm in Canada or is the FAQ page not working? I keep getting a 404 page error.

It's because you are in Canada (as am I).

We do not have access to the My Disney Experience website in Canada yet. I've been told multiple times by Disney IT that they don't know when we will have access to it. The only way we can access it now is if you have IP masking software like Tunnelbear that "fools" your computer into thinking you have an American IP address.

I have an iPad and can get the new website on that with the MDE. Don't know why it only works with my iPad or iPhone. I also have the app. I made all my FP+ selections on the app.

 

[doconeill]

I don't know if anyone has TRIED to register their vouchers in the new system as if they were regular tickets.

I am an AP holder. I know for sure the FP+ is tied to ticket because my AP expires mid way thru our trip, and we can't make any FP+ selections past our AP exp. I phoned, to ask if I renewed now ( instead of waiting till I got there) if I'd be able to continue with our selections, they said no. I'd have to wait till my renewed AP was activated.

Did you call the ticket line, or MDX support line? If the former, they might not know for sure.

If this is true, I'm betting it will be something that needs to be addressed. I can see it being a problem, because at least in the past you had to get a new AP printed, which had a new ticket code. There are several ways to fix, but it may have been something they didn't think about.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I am an AP holder. I know for sure the FP+ is tied to ticket because my AP expires mid way thru our trip, and we can't make any FP+ selections past our AP exp. I phoned, to ask if I renewed now ( instead of waiting till I got there) if I'd be able to continue with our selections, they said no. I'd have to wait till my renewed AP was activated.

This is the kind of thing that I can't imagine they wouldn't fix... eventually (not super helpful to you, now, obviously!!). I think that there would HAVE TO be a way for AP voucher holders to make their selections with the 60-day window. Otherwise, they would be shut out completely until they get to WDW and exchange their vouchers for tickets. Makes no sense.