Is the MagicBand coming to DLR?

[crazyventures]

I wouldn't want to book my DL FPs that far ahead of time but the MagicBands made everything SO MUCH easier in the WDW parks. I loved not having to fumble around in my purse or bag in order to get out my ticket or FPs.

 

[Jerryp49]

I wouldn't want to book my DL FPs that far ahead of time but the MagicBands made everything SO MUCH easier in the WDW parks. I loved not having to fumble around in my purse or bag in order to get out my ticket or FPs.

Am I wrong in my understanding of how it works At WDW? You don`t HAVE to book FPs 60 , 30 or even 2 days ahead , that they still have FPs available the day of visit since they don`t give out all available FPs ahead, they hold a number back for same day. Even if you do book, don`t they have it set up so you can change your selection same day you are in the park? You are not locked into your selection but may be out of luck if all are gone for another ride you may want.

 

[mom2rtk]

Am I wrong in my understanding of how it works At WDW? You don`t HAVE to book FPs 60 , 30 or even 2 days ahead , that they still have FPs available the day of visit since they don`t give out all available FPs ahead, they hold a number back for same day. Even if you do book, don`t they have it set up so you can change your selection same day you are in the park? You are not locked into your selection but may be out of luck if all are gone for another ride you may want.

There is no confirmation that FPs are held back for same day distribution. Rides can and do book up fully beforehand.

And yes you can change selections during the day. But that is subject to availability. And the top tier rides are usually gone early. Typically what is left later in the day are the attractions that never needed FP previously.

 

[Jerryp49]

Here is an interesting post by Trekkie Dad from another forum site with his experience from WDW :

My wife and I spent a week at WDW last October and utilized the MM+/FP+ system and Magic Bands. Since I'm the family techie, I made all the reservations. Our experience was generally positive, but I can see how it could be confusing or difficult for some guests.

First the positives:
Getting a guaranteed time for some attractions before entering a park.
A web site that allowed me to view and update plans for the day.
Booking passes for entire family at once or individually, if desired.
The ability to change or "cancel" a FP at a kiosk or with a smartphone.
A smartphone app that kept track of reservation times and current wait times for standby. Free WiFi pretty much everywhere.
When a ride went down during my reservation time, I was offered alternate attractions and times.
Entering the FP+ line using the magic band. No fishing for paper passes.
Ride pictures automatically added to my photopass account.
Ability to schedule some passes for adjacent hours.

Negatives:
Only three passes allowed in advance. Not able to get more until the first three are used. If you have one for a show or parade later in the day, forget about getting any additional passes.
Could only get advance FP+ for a single park in any one day. Not able to split for parkhopping.
You need to be tech savvy with your smartphone and the app. It helps to practice and play around with it.
Not able to book FP+ for the most popular rides and events, even weeks in advance.
"Recommended" times were not often the best. Had to book a group of three and then edit the individual times.
Not able to hand off passes to other guests.

That's pretty much what I remember. Just like at DL, it helps to enter early and get to the attractions you really want to experience before the crowds build.

 

[DahliaRW]

Here is an interesting post by Trekkie Dad from another forum site with his experience from WDW :

My wife and I spent a week at WDW last October and utilized the MM+/FP+ system and Magic Bands. Since I'm the family techie, I made all the reservations. Our experience was generally positive, but I can see how it could be confusing or difficult for some guests.

First the positives:
Getting a guaranteed time for some attractions before entering a park.
A web site that allowed me to view and update plans for the day.
Booking passes for entire family at once or individually, if desired.
The ability to change or "cancel" a FP at a kiosk or with a smartphone.
A smartphone app that kept track of reservation times and current wait times for standby. Free WiFi pretty much everywhere.
When a ride went down during my reservation time, I was offered alternate attractions and times.
Entering the FP+ line using the magic band. No fishing for paper passes.
Ride pictures automatically added to my photopass account.
Ability to schedule some passes for adjacent hours.

Negatives:
Only three passes allowed in advance. Not able to get more until the first three are used. If you have one for a show or parade later in the day, forget about getting any additional passes.
Could only get advance FP+ for a single park in any one day. Not able to split for parkhopping.
You need to be tech savvy with your smartphone and the app. It helps to practice and play around with it.
Not able to book FP+ for the most popular rides and events, even weeks in advance.
"Recommended" times were not often the best. Had to book a group of three and then edit the individual times.
Not able to hand off passes to other guests.

That's pretty much what I remember. Just like at DL, it helps to enter early and get to the attractions you really want to experience before the crowds build.

I'm amazed that people actually park hop at WDW. Spending at least a half hour lining up for a bus and then bussing between parks seems like such a waste of time, IMO. If they were within 2 minutes walking distance like DCA and DL, sure thing...

 

[ClaraOswald]

We go to WDW in the slower season (late January/early February) and we always park hop. It never takes that long. And often it's a welcome break to just sit on the bus. We like to hop to the park that has evening EMH but not necessarily want to stay there all day to deal with crowds. So we just go over at the end of the night.

Of course, this was all pre-children. Not sure what we'll do once we go back with kids in tow.

 

[Suvadoo]

I just hope the FP+ stays out of DLR. I really don't see how it would improve crowd control at the parks. I used FP+ last April and I intensly dislike the system. I go to the parks to experience the details. As I walk down main street I look at the names on the windows, I listen for the music lessons. I don't want to spend my precious Disney vacation, consulting my i phone and making sure I adhere to some stupid schedule. I do enough of that in my daily life! Don't get me wrong, I love planning my Disney vacations. But my plans are really about Disney dreaming. I don't want to be controlled by an agenda once I arrive at a park. I want to be controlled by the magic and wonder that is Disney. IMO, bringing FP+ to DLR would be sheer lunacy, I just hope the Disney suits share my opinion. I think Tony Baxter does!

 

[Disneyluvr2]

I just hope the FP+ stays out of DLR. I really don't see how it would improve crowd control at the parks. I used FP+ last April and I intensly dislike the system. I go to the parks to experience the details. As I walk down main street I look at the names on the windows, I listen for the music lessons. I don't want to spend my precious Disney vacation, consulting my i phone and making sure I adhere to some stupid schedule. I do enough of that in my daily life! Don't get me wrong, I love planning my Disney vacations. But my plans are really about Disney dreaming. I don't want to be controlled by an agenda once I arrive at a park. I want to be controlled by the magic and wonder that is Disney. IMO, bringing FP+ to DLR would be sheer lunacy, I just hope the Disney suits share my opinion. I think Tony Baxter does!

Perfectly stated!! Especially the part where you said "I want to be controlled by the magic and wonder that is Disney". I couldn't agree more!

 

[Suvadoo]

Perfectly stated!! Especially the part where you said "I want to be controlled by the magic and wonder that is Disney". I couldn't agree more!

Thanks, I appreciate it. I also appreciate sharing my love of Disney with people who understand how I feel.

 

[Laz]

I just hope the FP+ stays out of DLR. I really don't see how it would improve crowd control at the parks. I used FP+ last April and I intensly dislike the system. I go to the parks to experience the details. As I walk down main street I look at the names on the windows, I listen for the music lessons. I don't want to spend my precious Disney vacation, consulting my i phone and making sure I adhere to some stupid schedule. I do enough of that in my daily life! Don't get me wrong, I love planning my Disney vacations. But my plans are really about Disney dreaming. I don't want to be controlled by an agenda once I arrive at a park. I want to be controlled by the magic and wonder that is Disney. IMO, bringing FP+ to DLR would be sheer lunacy, I just hope the Disney suits share my opinion. I think Tony Baxter does!

I have not returned to WDW for the very reasons you mentioned! I also think that the crowds are not that bad at DLR compared to WDW. I use a WDW strategy for the parks (FP- strategy) and I find myself with lots of extra time to enjoy the little things the DLR has to offer.

 

[splashtastic!]

I'm trying to keep an open mind about Magicbands and FP+, but I'm leery about scheduling in advance.
I generally don't "schedule" anything for a Park Day except for:


1. The Park we start the day at

2. Whether or not we will be eating lunch in the Park or in DTD

3. Whether or not we will be eating dinner in the Park or in DTD

4. Deciding if we want/need to park hop to see a show?

5. Figuring out if an Event is occurring in one Park or the other, that we may need to attend or avoid

and finally:

I like to be able to "zig" when everyone else seems to "zag".

I avoid Parades and sometimes even the Fireworks for this reason. (Don't flame me please!)


We went for the second week of December last year and we spent our last Friday in the Parks. We rode everything we wanted to, (multiple times if we wanted to) we stopped for an amazing sit-down lunch and we saw Aladdin and World of Color.
Due to the "zigging" while others were "zagging" our longest ride wait was 13.5 minutes and that was for Radiator Springs.

I don't think that day could be repeated to any degree with FP+
(But I'll try to be open minded!)

 

[OKW Lover]

According to this story in Forbes, the whole Magic Band thing is coming to all Disney Parks and Cruise Ships although no dates were mentioned.

 

[Laz]

Wristbands I don't mind. FP+ ruins the whole park experience. Of course if you have never been to the parks before the change, you wouldn't have anything to compare. I am sure first timers have a wonderful experience.

 

[Suvadoo]

I'm trying to keep an open mind about Magicbands and FP+, but I'm leery about scheduling in advance.
I generally don't "schedule" anything for a Park Day except for:


1. The Park we start the day at

2. Whether or not we will be eating lunch in the Park or in DTD

3. Whether or not we will be eating dinner in the Park or in DTD

4. Deciding if we want/need to park hop to see a show?

5. Figuring out if an Event is occurring in one Park or the other, that we may need to attend or avoid

and finally:

I like to be able to "zig" when everyone else seems to "zag".

I avoid Parades and sometimes even the Fireworks for this reason. (Don't flame me please!)


We went for the second week of December last year and we spent our last Friday in the Parks. We rode everything we wanted to, (multiple times if we wanted to) we stopped for an amazing sit-down lunch and we saw Aladdin and World of Color.
Due to the "zigging" while others were "zagging" our longest ride wait was 13.5 minutes and that was for Radiator Springs.

I don't think that day could be repeated to any degree with FP+
(But I'll try to be open minded!)

I had an open mind prior to my first FP+ experience in April 2014. But FP+ eliminated the ability to repeat rides (unless you were willing to wait in a long SB), decide to "zig" to a different park unless you were willing to lose FP+ reservations, and in some cases stop to enjoy details for fear that you'd miss your FP+return time.
We then went to DLR at the end of September and had the same experience you describe. It was amazing!

 

[Suvadoo]

According to this story in Forbes, the whole Magic Band thing is coming to all Disney Parks and Cruise Ships although no dates were mentioned.

I don't really care if MB's come to all of the parks, because people aren't required to use them. I do, however, hope the FP+ never comes to DLR. Reading the Forbes article, affirmed my opinion that Bob Iger cares more about technological advancements than the guest experience. Too bad he didn't use his Tech passion to develop new innovative attractions!

 

[OKW Lover]

Wristbands I don't mind. FP+ ruins the whole park experience. Of course if you have never been to the parks before the change, you wouldn't have anything to compare. I am sure first timers have a wonderful experience.

I don't really care if MB's come to all of the parks, because people aren't required to use them. I do, however, hope the FP+ never comes to DLR. Reading the Forbes article, affirmed my opinion that Bob Iger cares more about technological advancements than the guest experience. Too bad he didn't use his Tech passion to develop new innovative attractions!

Having a hard time thinking what purpose a magic band would have at DL/DCA (not the hotels) if not for FP+. I suppose it would be used for room charges, but so many of the visitors to these parks are either local or staying at non-Disney hotels that it helps a pretty small proportion of the attendance.

 

[sunflare]

Having a hard time thinking what purpose a magic band would have at DL/DCA (not the hotels) if not for FP+. I suppose it would be used for room charges, but so many of the visitors to these parks are either local or staying at non-Disney hotels that it helps a pretty small proportion of the attendance.

Two reasons...Memory Maker and interactive queues. Charging purchases is just a bonus...unless they figure out how to preload gift cards on magic bands. Even I have to admit that would be very cool.

 

[OKW Lover]

Two reasons...Memory Maker and interactive queues. Charging purchases is just a bonus...unless they figure out how to preload gift cards on magic bands. Even I have to admit that would be very cool.

Those sound like valid uses. I'm just not sure the whole investment would be worth it to Disney for just those uses.

 

[mom2rtk]

Those sound like valid uses. I'm just not sure the whole investment would be worth it to Disney for just those uses.

I agree. It is said that one of the big drivers for MM+ was to get guests to commit to park days in advance through FP+, to keep them from wandering offsite. But when they won't sell more than a 5 day ticket at DLR, does that issue still remain?

It really is a different beast at DLR compared with WDW. I still have a hunch they are working feverishly to find a way to shoehorn it into the other coast though, if for no other reason than to add justification for the massive investment. Maybe they can transfer some of that to another balance sheet if they put it into another park? Who knows.

 

[DahliaRW]

Having a hard time thinking what purpose a magic band would have at DL/DCA (not the hotels) if not for FP+. I suppose it would be used for room charges, but so many of the visitors to these parks are either local or staying at non-Disney hotels that it helps a pretty small proportion of the attendance.

They could port regular FP over to them (so much easier and less paper waste). At WDW, my credit card was linked to our bands (with a PIN so in case the band fell off no one else could use it) so I just swiped to charge (and this has increased revenue for Disney at WDW). They also use them for your ticket at WDW (along with the fingerprint scanners which are so much faster than having to wait for the group of 8 in front of you to all get their picture taken!). It could be linked to your PP account too. And ideally, with PP+, they'd set up RFID readers below the picture displays on rides and you could just scan your band to get the picture added to your account rather than having to stand in line to do it (wishful thinking, I know). At WDW, they also use them on rides like test track to match your car to you when you get on the ride. There could be future ride technology uses with them at DLR too.