Here now, lovin' the MagicBands, a warning about FP+ and the tiered system...

[LuvFFPlus]

Just wondering how today is for you at the parks. Wish everything is good.

 

[karenklo]

We arrive on the 30th and have the pre-tier FP+ so I am thankful for your info! I have refused to change anything because I know I would lose my rides to the tier!

 

[Magpie]

Just wondering how today is for you at the parks. Wish everything is good.

It's great! Just staggered back from the Christmas Party. Entry couldn't have been easier - we walked up, scanned our bands (didn't even get a chance to tap my finger!) and were ushered right to a line to get our wristbands.

I'd expected to have to redeem my printout for tickets, so I had ID and the original credit card and everything, but I guess because I'd linked the tickets on MDE, they were already on our bands so we didn't need any of that.

Very convenient!

That said, our FP+ still comes up blue every single time. But it's no big deal - we just keep showing them the picture we took of the day's MDE page, and in we go. We're getting really quite efficient at it!

Also used out MagicBands to collect our exclusive party card for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, and that also worked very smoothly.

We first tried the Christmas Party back in 2007, and swore never again. We tried again this year, and it was SO much better, despite being a sold out night. I think we're just more experienced at touring. And they've really improved some aspects of the party. Having multiple treat stations around the park helps. Loved the seasonal street entertainment, too! (Especially the pirate band!) Better crowd control, overall.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Something fun that we noticed with the bands was when entering an attraction, and scanning your band, sometimes it would make a different sound than normal. Sometimes it would even say our names. I first noticed this at the Haunted Mansion, and I'm pretty sure it did it at Tower of Terror too. The kids noticed it more than me.

 

[Networth]

Thanks for your report we will be at the World in about a week and enjoyed reading a positive review. I also have selections for Epcot and one day at Hollywood Studios FP+ selections before the cut off so we'll see how that goes.

 

[hart6066]

what do you mean by take a photo of your itinerary? I can't find a way to take a screen shot of my day's list on either my iphone or computer. I copied and pasted the info and sent it to myself as email. How are you taking a photo of it to show on your phone--and are you saving the picture in photos or in an email?

Thanks!!!

 

[Mad Hattered]

That said, our FP+ still comes up blue every single time. But it's no big deal - we just keep showing them the picture we took of the day's MDE page, and in we go. We're getting really quite efficient at it!

I keep seeing people stating they are doing this. What is to prevent someone from using Photoshop and having a field day with FP+?

Glad you are having a good time, though.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Per the Looking for the Live Report and Just Back Threads? sticky thread, I have moved this to the Disney Trip Reports board.

 

[ShayBells]

what do you mean by take a photo of your itinerary? I can't find a way to take a screen shot of my day's list on either my iphone or computer. I copied and pasted the info and sent it to myself as email. How are you taking a photo of it to show on your phone--and are you saving the picture in photos or in an email? Thanks!!!

If you have the iPhone you push in the top button and the home key at the same time than a screenshot will be in your pictures. On the computer it's ctrl and print screen than paste it where you want it. Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Thanks for the heads up! I think this must be why my fast passes for HS have disappeared, glad to know you were able to keep your 2 tier one selections.

 

[geckodani]

We also loved the bands! We used them with the dining plan too and it was great!

I really loved not having to rush around to get fast passes all over the parks. We actually slept in on a couple of days and still did everything that we wanted to do. It was so nice!

This - this is what I am most looking forward to. Not having to RUSH just to make sure I can ride something without a stupidly long wait.

 

[Networth]

Not rushing is the aspect that I think gives FP+ a lot of promise just get park hopping going and remove the tiers and I would actually be happy.

 

[Magpie]

what do you mean by take a photo of your itinerary? I can't find a way to take a screen shot of my day's list on either my iphone or computer. I copied and pasted the info and sent it to myself as email. How are you taking a photo of it to show on your phone--and are you saving the picture in photos or in an email?

Thanks!!!

We're just pulling the screen up on the computer, then holding our phone up and taking a picture of it - just like you'd take a picture of anything else.

It's not the best quality picture, but it's good enough!

I keep seeing people stating they are doing this. What is to prevent someone from using Photoshop and having a field day with FP+?

Glad you are having a good time, though.

Nothing, presumably. This is just a stop-gap solution until Disney gets their tech issues sorted out. Most people wouldn't bother, and it's to Disney's advantage to keep the majority of guests happy by causing them as little inconvenience as possible.

This - this is what I am most looking forward to. Not having to RUSH just to make sure I can ride something without a stupidly long wait.

Yeah, that's been the biggest highlight of this trip for us, too! Just got back from Hollywood Studios (green lights all night!) and FP+ was SO nice. We arrived around 5pm and walked right onto the Tower of Terror (FP+). Got off and had some time to kill before Fantasmic, so wandered over to the hat where we found a Mulch, Sweat and Shears concert in progress. By the time that was over, it was time for Fantasmic (FP+). Found seats over on the side, which were actually surprisingly good. Then when that was over, we walked right onto Toy Story Mania (FP+). Followed by dinner. Followed by standby for Star Tours - it was a walk-on, we were among the last riders of the evening! And then after that, we strolled on over to enjoy the Osborne Lights with relatively uncrowded streets. We were a bit late trying to pick up a rice crispie treat, some 45 minutes after official park close, so the nice castmembers packing up actually just gave us one for free!

It was a perfect evening.