Guest Test of Magic Bands (Official Notice)

[darnheather]

At first when I read that there were no tiers for this testing go-round, I was happy, but then I thought about it longer, and I'm not sure anymore.

I want unfettered access to Fastpasses, but at least when there were tiers there was a "spread the wealth" aspect, which would have made getting at least one E-ticket FP a little easier.

With no tiers, its going to be a feeding frenzy at 8 am 60 days out, and anyone with slow fingers, or who is slow to plan their trip, might be shut out.

I really don't want to have to waste brain space with a strategy on which FP+ to book first i.e., I want Pan, Thunder and Space, I better type in Pan first to lock it in, and then Space and then Thunder, because that is the order they will "sell out".

Disney, if you are reading, I love the magic band, I like the idea of booking FPs with my phone and not having paper bits everywhere and running all over the park, but PLEASE let me do it the day of. Just open the FP booking at 9 am the day of, that way people who want to sleep in can just punch it in from the comfort of their beds, and then roll over and catch some more zzz's, and I can punch it in from the comfort of Main Street- see everyone is happy!

I don't know how exactly that would help the frenzy or the slow fingers. I'd be much more inclined to do them 60 days out then worry about them the morning of with everything going on. Hopefully they'll do both so we'll both be happy.

 

[darnheather]

OK here are all the options I got for EPCOT...

• Captain EO
• IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
• Journey Into Imagination With Figment
• Living with the Land
• Maelstrom
• Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
• Mission: SPACE
• Soarin'
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends

All options were the same for all four days of our trip.

This is awesome. Thanks again for keeping us posted. I would schedule the heck out of EPCOT.

 

[ParrotBill]

The last several times we've been on it has been a near walk-on, even at supposedly busier times.

I didn't notice how they've set up IASW for FP+...how are they going to handle the queue?

I agree on Jungle Cruise - Late August, only wait about 10 min in Standby.

IASW - the entry walkway has two lanes that can be separate. Ludicrous to put FP+ in here, that's for suckers, I mean first timers, who don't know any better.

 

[Sue M]

I couldn't agree more, Robo. In fact, we no only ride JC when it's dark (much better ride in the dark) and only if it's near walk-on.

I love JC after dark.

 

[bwang123]

Also, once off site guests have access to magic bands, how will they distinguish resort guests for EMH? Will they go back to bracelets for EMH, but now resort guests will be wearing two bands?

scan the little mickey head with your magic band and if it turns green during EMH (resort guest), you can ride, red... bye bye.

 

[mesaboy2]

I think I agree with this - but it may depend on time of year. The last several times we've been on it has been a near walk-on, even at supposedly busier times. We did it end if June/early July last year and only had to wait one boat load. But I also know at other times it can be pretty long.

I didn't notice how they've set up IASW for FP+...how are they going to handle the queue?

That's easy, and I remember we've discussed this before.

The main queue (currently) splits into two lanes just before going over the bridge to the back. Conveniently a few steps from that same point is where the old exit used to be. Easy-peasy. Left entrance through the old exit becomes FP and takes the left lane at the split, right entrance stays the same and snakes through bunches of switchbacks before reaching the bridge and taking the right lane.

 

[YCFAN]

Does anyone know if you have a split stay, will they issue multiple Magic Bands or just transferred the second resort to the one band?

 

[erionm]

Does anyone know if you have a split stay, will they issue multiple Magic Bands or just transferred the second resort to the one band?

Nothing is actually stored on the MagicBand except for a unique ID number. All entitlements are stored on Disney's servers. In theory, they should be able to associate the second stay with the same MagicBand.

 

[doconeill]

That's easy, and I remember we've discussed this before.

The main queue (currently) splits into two lanes just before going over the bridge to the back. Conveniently a few steps from that same point is where the old exit used to be. Easy-peasy. Left entrance through the old exit becomes FP and takes the left lane at the split, right entrance stays the same and snakes through bunches of switchbacks before reaching the bridge and taking the right lane.

I remember it being pseudo-split...but I also remember it being pretty full at times. If they are going to use that as a FP+ queue, it would reduce the queue capacity effectively by half...

 

[mesaboy2]

I remember it being pseudo-split...but I also remember it being pretty full at times. If they are going to use that as a FP+ queue, it would reduce the queue capacity effectively by half...

Well, yeah....

By the way, I remember seeing covered RFID posts in that left lane about halfway down the ramp along the back wall (behind the clock) on a recent visit.

 

[doconeill]

Well, yeah....

By the way, I remember seeing covered RFID posts in that left lane about halfway down the ramp along the back wall (behind the clock) on a recent visit.

Now that's interesting that they are all the way back there...hmm...

 

[mesaboy2]

I think I'm going to coin and copyright the term "chump FP" for all these new and unneeded FP options. I'm looking at you, Figment.

 

[Robo]

The main queue (currently) splits into two lanes just before going over the bridge to the back. Conveniently a few steps from that same point is where the old exit used to be. Easy-peasy.

I have to respectfully disagree.

While it may be, in this case, "easy," it is, in point of fact, miles from peasy!

 

[Missytara]

Does anyone know if you have a split stay, will they issue multiple Magic Bands or just transferred the second resort to the one band?

Remember the magic band is a way to carry information. All the information related to your account is in the disney main server. The magic band is just the carrier.

Cards have to be changed, because info is printed on it that card that indicates the duration.

The RFID chip can transfer info, so no need for the change.

 

[darnheather]

Remember the magic band is a way to carry information. All the information related to your account is in the disney main server. The magic band is just the carrier.

Cards have to be changed, because info is printed on it that card that indicates the duration.

The RFID chip can transfer info, so no need for the change.

Which is why I have no doubt they'll be selling character bands and other specialty bands in no time.

 

[lillygator]

we have the paper ap's is there any where to covert them this weekend? we arrive tomorrow....staying at okw

 

[mesaboy2]

we have the paper ap's is there any where to covert them this weekend? we arrive tomorrow....staying at okw

Any Guest Relations or likely any ticket window.

 

[snoopy352]

So can we repeat an attraction in the same day? At epcot all i care about is Soarin' and Test Track. Will be be able to either do two different Soarin times and one TT time or one Soarin' time and two TT times with our 3 FP+ options???

 

[doconeill]

we have the paper ap's is there any where to covert them this weekend? we arrive tomorrow....staying at okw

You should be able to do it at any ticket window or Guest Relations location now.

 

[mesaboy2]

So can we repeat an attraction in the same day? At epcot all i care about is Soarin' and Test Track. Will be be able to either do two different Soarin times and one TT time or one Soarin' time and two TT times with our 3 FP+ options???

Repeat, sure. Repeat with FP, unknown.