Guest Test of Magic Bands (Official Notice)

[Missyrose]

Okay, just so I understand...so you will get to pick whether you use fastpass plus or the traditional fastpass system but you won't get to use both. If so, will the traditional fastpass system be around indefinitely or are they planning on eventually taking it away? Sorry if this has already been covered.

Here's what we know from Disney's official statements (VP interviews, Terms and Conditions, etc.)...

The current FP machines use magnetic stripe technology, that's what it reads when you insert your ticket.

The new MagicBands won't have a magnetic stripe (and eventually, once the bands are rolled out, the RFID-enabled tickets won't have a magnetic stripe either). So with no way for the current FP machines to read RFID technology, they will be phased out.

What is still highly unknown about the new FP+ is what the same-day component of the system will look like. Will we get to collect FPs in the park in the same manner as the current system? Will you be limited to the advanced FP+ reservations? We don't know the answers to those yet.

All we do know is the components of the new system (MagicBands and eventually the RFID-enabled tickets) are incompatible with the current FP machines.

 

[darnheather]

No they don't...if you don't get a magic band then your RFID ticket will work with the new fastpass system. You don't need to have a magic band, just some sort of RFID chip.

Aw thanks, I misunderstood.

 

[doconeill]

It doesn't seem impossible to have both a Magic Band and a KTTW RFID card. Kind of like having your iTunes library available on multiple devices -- same library accessed differently. That may be the means to have same day and advanced FP. The KTTW would be a bridge until they have RFID readers on FP dispensers that are needed because of ongoing negative reactions from guests on the possibility of traditional FP going away.

Obviously this is simply speculation since Disney hasn't let us in on their research.

I didn't say it was impossible...in fact I said it was technically feasible. But given the difficulty they seem to have with keeping things linked when only dealing with one account, adding additional "keys" to the profile was just something I didn't expect them to do - and I still doubt that's the long term plan.

I'm starting to get the feeling though that perhaps the reason they are doing it for this test is that they may be expecting the bands to not work in all situations, so want to have the fallback position already in hand.

 

[suyama]

Here's what we know from Disney's official statements (VP interviews, Terms and Conditions, etc.)...

The current FP machines use magnetic stripe technology, that's what it reads when you insert your ticket.

The new MagicBands won't have a magnetic stripe (and eventually, once the bands are rolled out, the RFID-enabled tickets won't have a magnetic stripe either). So with no way for the current FP machines to read RFID technology, they will be phased out.

What is still highly unknown about the new FP+ is what the same-day component of the system will look like. Will we get to collect FPs in the park in the same manner as the current system? Will you be limited to the advanced FP+ reservations? We don't know the answers to those yet.

All we do know is the components of the new system (MagicBands and eventually the RFID-enabled tickets) are incompatible with the current FP machines.

Thanks! That was very helpful!

 

[Doug7856]

I didn't say it was impossible...in fact I said it was technically feasible. But given the difficulty they seem to have with keeping things linked when only dealing with one account, adding additional "keys" to the profile was just something I didn't expect them to do - and I still doubt that's the long term plan.

I'm starting to get the feeling though that perhaps the reason they are doing it for this test is that they may be expecting the bands to not work in all situations, so want to have the fallback position already in hand.

...not to mention that we might still have to carry around six or seven pieces of paper...

My thought was just that this might be plan B due to negative feedback at the thought of only 3 FP attractions.

 

[doconeill]

...not to mention that we might still have to carry around six or seven pieces of paper...

My thought was just that this might be plan B due to negative feedback at the thought of only 3 FP attractions.

I'd put it at Plan C. Plan B would more likely be to retrofit the existing FP kiosks to scan RFID - not a complicated thing in itself, but it might also require some data access changes (depending on how the database was changed for the differences, if any, in how the devices access entitlements). But if they are actually executing Plan B/C, they are seemingly unprepared for B, and thus C (requiring multiple media).

When this gets to AP holders, who have always had to carry two cards...let's see...I might need a MagicBand, a KTTW card, my AP (which may still be needed regardless since Disney doesn't seem to want to automatically code discounts), my Tables In Wonderland card, my DVC member ID, and a photo ID. That's 6 different media.

Where's my advantage?

 

[Robo]

I might need a MagicBand, a KTTW card, my AP (which may still be needed regardless since Disney doesn't seem to want to automatically code discounts), my Tables In Wonderland card, my DVC member ID, and a photo ID. That's 6 different media.

Where's my advantage?

You can't state this as a unique problem if you're going to list items that will not be replaced by a MagicBand, anyway.
To me, you just pointed out that the MagcBand isn't going to eliminate carrying as much as I thought.

 

[doconeill]

You can't state this as a unique problem if you're going to list items that will not be replaced by a MagicBand, anyway.
To me, you just pointed out that the MagcBand isn't going to eliminate carrying as much as I thought.

(I saw the "Phone Card" line item.)

Phone card?

But that does add another must (or at least, highly recommended) carry item - a smartphone.

The MagicBand could easily eliminate 3 and maybe 4 of those.

As stated, it was supposed to get rid of one and a half. AP holders were to retain their media for discounts, etc. but not for admission.

They should be able to code in discount entitlements for the AP. If they did that, they should also be able to do so for Tables In Wonderland and DVC discounts (member ID might be needed for other things). Eliminate the need for me to ask, "Which discounts are available? Which is the best?" and play guessing games with the CM. If they want to simplify the guest experience, that would be a good way to do it. Just stating what they really could do with it. Maybe it's down the road.

I think there are possibly a few things at issue here:

1) I need to have backup media for everything because the reliability is low enough they think I need it.

2) They don't want to automatically apply discounts on purchases, in the hopes that those entitled forget (which happens)

 

[Missyrose]

...not to mention that we might still have to carry around six or seven pieces of paper...

My thought was just that this might be plan B due to negative feedback at the thought of only 3 FP attractions.

They can add same-day FP functionality to the RFID FP+ without forcing people to carry an extra card. We just have no idea if that is part of Disney's plan.

Phone card?

But that does add another must (or at least, highly recommended) carry item - a smartphone.

The MagicBand could easily eliminate 3 and maybe 4 of those.

As stated, it was supposed to get rid of one and a half. AP holders were to retain their media for discounts, etc. but not for admission.

They should be able to code in discount entitlements for the AP. If they did that, they should also be able to do so for Tables In Wonderland and DVC discounts (member ID might be needed for other things). Eliminate the need for me to ask, "Which discounts are available? Which is the best?" and play guessing games with the CM. If they want to simplify the guest experience, that would be a good way to do it. Just stating what they really could do with it. Maybe it's down the road.

I think there are possibly a few things at issue here:

1) I need to have backup media for everything because the reliability is low enough they think I need it.

2) They don't want to automatically apply discounts on purchases, in the hopes that those entitled forget (which happens)

They will print your name and other info on the underside of the band, so I still hold out hope that they can put an annual pass indicator on there so us passholders don't have to cary around a useless card.

 

[doconeill]

They will print your name and other info on the underside of the band, so I still hold out hope that they can put an annual pass indicator on there so us passholders don't have to cary around a useless card.

The only thing they said they'd put on there so far is a 9-10 character name. The rest of the info is the identifier (so they can look up information manually), FCC info, and and other disclaimer stuff (Not Transferable, etc.)

There was some speculation of charms or some sort of addon, or a unique design...but they'd still have to scan for validity.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Actually it will be very simple. The next unannounced step is going to implant an RFID chip in each person entering. This will only be done once in a lifetime, and the chip number will be on record. This will then cover everything.

 

[lugnut33]

Actually it will be very simple. The next unannounced step is going to implant an RFID chip in each person entering. This will only be done once in a lifetime, and the chip number will be on record. This will then cover everything.

Can I have a Mickey shaped RFID chip implanted in my forehead?

 

[doconeill]

Actually it will be very simple. The next unannounced step is going to implant an RFID chip in each person entering. This will only be done once in a lifetime, and the chip number will be on record. This will then cover everything.

But what happens when the battery runs out?

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

But what happens when the battery runs out?

Didn't you see the movie "In Time"

 

[doconeill]

Didn't you see the movie "In Time"

Hmm...better renew my AP early...

 

[Our3ps]

Anyone know how child rider swaps will work with FP+? Any changes to the system/rules? Sorry if someone already asked or talked about this in the thread.

 

[Robo]

Anyone know how child rider swaps will work with FP+? Any changes to the system/rules? Sorry if someone already asked or talked about this in the thread.

It looks to be unaffected.

Once true rollout happens things might change,
but I don't foresee pending problems.
Everything can be adapted, if needed.

 

[drujaz]

They should be able to code in discount entitlements for the AP. If they did that, they should also be able to do so for Tables In Wonderland and DVC discounts (member ID might be needed for other things). Eliminate the need for me to ask, "Which discounts are available? Which is the best?" and play guessing games with the CM. If they want to simplify the guest experience, that would be a good way to do it. Just stating what they really could do with it. Maybe it's down the road.

I would assume thats what the "Affiliations" section is for under My Profile -> About Me. It states as below:

Affiliations
By adding an affiliation to your profile, you may be entitled to receive special offers, other benefits or renewal reminders.

Walt Disney World Passholder
View Passholder Benefits and Discounts

Disney Vacation Club Member
View Perks and Discounts
Club ID Number: xxxxxxx.x

I would think they have the ability to associate discounts directly as they are associating your accounts with benefits to MDE. As I don't have an AP I'm not sure what that would look like but my DVC membership is definitely associated...

That would hopefully eliminate the KTTW, tickets/passes, DVC Member ID... I'm not sure about TIW as I don't know much about it...

 

[doconeill]

I would think they have the ability to associate discounts directly as they are associating your accounts with benefits to MDE. As I don't have an AP I'm not sure what that would look like but my DVC membership is definitely associated...

That would hopefully eliminate the KTTW, tickets/passes, DVC Member ID... I'm not sure about TIW as I don't know much about it...

Ability? Yes. However, from the info in the Terms&Conditions, it doesn't appear as if they intend to. For example, it says for Annual Passholders they need to keep the old media for discounts...wait a second...they've changed it...it is no longer there. So maybe they've been listening!

It says the T&C was last updated 3/28/13...but I as pretty sure it was there more recently...

Just noticed another changed provision - it says the 60 day selection period applied to Magic Your Way tickets and Annual Passholders now.

 

[Robo]

It says the T&C was last updated 3/28/13...but I as pretty sure it was there more recently...

Just noticed another changed provision - it says the 60 day selection period applied to Magic Your Way tickets and Annual Passholders now.

This is Lowell Thomas saying...

"But, what will it say TO-MORROW?"