Magic Band Delivery and DVC

[DenLo]

Let us hope it will actually work that way, that would certainly be efficient and can be a great enhancement to the Disney experience. But goodness, what a headache if the computers go down. It's bad enough now when the systems go down at the resorts.

I still hope they'll get to the point that the bands (or the database the band links to) will convey all pertinent info to the cash registers, like DVC Discounts, AP discounts and TiW membership...then the register picks the best appropriate discount and charges out to the room.

That would eliminate having to carry a stack of cards with you. All you'd need would be a valid ID, and a credit card (again, in case the system goes down.)

While I hope for many of the enhancements mentioned previously in the thread, something as simple as this would be a wonderful addition.

I would love this enhancement. But it isn't going to happen. Disney really doesn't want you to use those discounts--more profit for them.

 

[Greysword]

just want to go and have fun... making plans is not fun.

what the ?!?!?!?





If this whole idea works, maybe they will open the room charge account prior to arrival, so things like gift baskets, cakes, and other celebratory items can be charged to the room and ready on arrival. Specialty items (like pins and other collectables) could be ordered from home and charged to your park account.

Instead of wristbands, I wonder if this would work with just a multi-use card, too. A card with a picture of my favorite ride, park, or characters that can be used over and again, just like the wrist band, would be a nice option.

As for scanning during DME use, I would ask Disney to allow those of us not using DME to also be able to scan prior to leaving the airport via rental car or private car service. This way everything would also be ready upon arrival for us, too. If the scanners were at the rental kiosks in the garage and at the shuttle pick-up stations for those not on DME, they could determine how many will be parking (per-printing parking passes) to help with traffic flow. If I could scan the bracelet with my smartphone or nav device, then it could give me the best available route. Can you also imagine if we could scan the tolls between MCO and WDW with this???? No more change required and Keisha will now have something to really worry about as the Mouse knows where we are and how close we are to arrival!

 

[pixie921]

Ok so you are saying I do not have to wear a band...I can just use my regular room key and annual pass. iIhave no desire to get FP online or make any plans for the future at all. just want to go and have fun... making plans is not fun.

And something else Disney has apparently not taken into consideration ... the large number of guests that are ALLERGIC to latex and can't wear a rubber bracelet. Latex allergy is more and more common, and I'm wondering what (if anything) Disney is going to do about a possible alternative to the bands for those of us who have the allergy.

 

[erionm]

And something else Disney has apparently not taken into consideration ... the large number of guests that are ALLERGIC to latex and can't wear a rubber bracelet. Latex allergy is more and more common, and I'm wondering what (if anything) Disney is going to do about a possible alternative to the bands for those of us who have the allergy.

The bands are (according to Disney) made from a hypoallergenic material.
http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47868499&postcount=50

 

[pixie921]

The bands are (according to Disney) made from a hypoallergenic material.
http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47868499&postcount=50

Thanks for the link! That's the first time I've seen them referred to as hypoallergenic -- everything I've read so far has specifically called them "rubber". If they are indeed not rubber, I'll be very glad, but I think personally I'd still prefer a card of some type over something I have to wear (though I know I might be in the minority on that).

I've already contacted Disney asking for more specifics on the bracelet, but have yet to hear back. Hopefully soon!

 

[sgtdisney]

My guess is, if not initially, at some point Disney will charge to have the bands shipped to your home. Don't want to pay shipping, you're "stuck" with a gray band at the front desk. Want the fancy bands with different colors, then you will pay for them to ship.

 

[Sammie]

Doubt they'll be mailed from the resort. They might even come from a third-party vendor. I'm sure the resort will have the ability to create them, too, but they won't want the resorts creating them in any great numbers. If the process of printing and programming takes too long per wristband, they may have made the decision to avoid the extra delays at check-in, and the extra time requirement on the cast members. (A way to avoid needing more front desk clerks.)

OMG, can you imagine how long the Front Desk staff would need to spend with each family if kids were shown all the various band colors and options during check-in and asked to pick the one they want?

Also, who knows how expensive the printers are? They may be trying to get away with having to purchase fewer machines for each front desk by centralizing as much of the printing as they can. Mailing out the bands before the trip allows them to do this.

I'm betting, though, that Bill's hit the nail on the head. They want to get the bands onto guests' arms as soon as possible, so they (Disney) can benefit from the technology even before check-in.

Good points that I had not thought of and yes according to my sources they will be mailed just like your ME tags and such are mailed before you arrive.

 

[Sammie]

Thanks for the link! That's the first time I've seen them referred to as hypoallergenic -- everything I've read so far has specifically called them "rubber". If they are indeed not rubber, I'll be very glad, but I think personally I'd still prefer a card of some type over something I have to wear (though I know I might be in the minority on that).

I've already contacted Disney asking for more specifics on the bracelet, but have yet to hear back. Hopefully soon!

They are definitely hypoallergenic I had checked on that, very light weight, waterproof, adjustable and you will have a choice to get a card.

Oh, I see all that was covered in that link, sorry, but yes they thought of everything in having them made.

 

[Sammie]

Ok so you are saying I do not have to wear a band...I can just use my regular room key and annual pass. iIhave no desire to get FP online or make any plans for the future at all. just want to go and have fun... making plans is not fun.

You can opt of the band, but your room key at some point will have the same features as the band, it will simply be in a card form.

Even if you don't want to take advantage of booking Fastpass+ in advance, you will have to have the RFID to get in your room and in the park.

 

[erionm]

You can opt of the band, but your room key at some point will have the same features as the band, it will simply be in a card form.

The RFID card will have many of the same features as the MagicBand, but not all. Things like personalized character interaction (characters mentioning a childs name, birthday, etc) may only be available if using a MagicBand.

 

[pixie921]

They are definitely hypoallergenic I had checked on that, very light weight, waterproof, adjustable and you will have a choice to get a card.

Oh, I see all that was covered in that link, sorry, but yes they thought of everything in having them made.

Yup, got this (FAST!) reply from Guest Services this afternoon:

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

You still will have the option of using an RF-enabled card in place of a
MagicBand®.

But the MagicBand is made from a flexible, hypoallergenic (non-latex)
material, which is durable and comfortable. It can withstand the heat if
left on the dashboard of a car on a warm day and is waterproof, so it
can be worn in a pool or the ocean.

We look forward to seeing you again, Real Soon!

Very glad to know this info and mentioned in my reply to them that they might want to emphasize the hypoallergenic part to news outlets, as every single thing I've read before today says "rubber" when describing the bands.

 

[CKCruising]

My guess is, if not initially, at some point Disney will charge to have the bands shipped to your home. Don't want to pay shipping, you're "stuck" with a gray band at the front desk. Want the fancy bands with different colors, then you will pay for them to ship.

Currently Disney sends (Couriers) the luggage tags for DME. It's really no additional cost (assuming they are on the ball enough to ship things together).

 

[niroc]

OMG, can you imagine how long the Front Desk staff would need to spend with each family if kids were shown all the various band colors and options during check-in and asked to pick the one they want?

God bless the people that would be behind my family! My daughters would never be able to pick with all those options. That's why as their dad I would be picking gray for everyone.

 

[DenLo]

I expect that the people that go with the gray wristbands will find there is a store in each park that will sell designer wristbands. And they can be ready within five minutes.

 

[keishashadow]

Disney has said that the MagicBands are optional and you would be able to use an RFID enabled card instead. With the RFID card you will still have access to FastPass+.

You do know that all KTTW cards and theme park tickets (including Annual Passes as of 3/20) are now RFID enabled? There is no personal information stored on Disney's RFID cards, only a unique id number.

so they say

i've read conflicting posts here as to opting out to use the RFID card, hope they permit a choice other than color of wristband.

this made me laugh as I had a co-worker that was a member of the tinfoil sports cup club (covered in front of the microwave... very funny to see)! He must've thought they were valuable, though some of us thought a little modifying may be good for his offspring!!

nwahaha

 

[mcroker]

Is there an eta on when the bands will go live to everyone?

 

[erionm]

Is there an eta on when the bands will go live to everyone?

Nope.

 

[mecllap]

If these things replace the room "key" I think they should use me as a test case on my upcoming trip. Counting Vero, I'm changing rooms 5 times in 12 days (voluntarily!). (Are they including Vero and HHI in this? Overseas?) However, not a fan of wearing things on my wrist anymore, except the PhotoPass wristlet at the water parks. I hope we don't have to have charging "privileges" on it. I think I'll believe the "later in the year" and assume I get to use the "old-fashioned" cards -- fine with me. I guess I need to find the Disney Blog and read up on what's going on lately. Getting a Fast Pass from home, hmmm?? I got the new Disney Files today but I don't think there's much going on with "My Disney Experience" yet.

 

[Chuck S]

I got the new Disney Files today but I don't think there's much going on with "My Disney Experience" yet.

Disney Files, even Vacation Magic often are/were late to the party for major changes. Sometimes several months after a change like this was already in place they'd run an article about the "new" feature. I assume it is because there is some hesitation on Disney's part to announce anything "too soon."

 

[MapleGirl]

Do we know if TiW will be linked to the MagicBand? Will AP's? It would be great if we could show our ID's at check in so we don't have to show ID to order alcohol. Although... I'm not getting carded that often anymore.