Magic Bands and AP certificates

[MarlaSingersLaundry]

Wondering if anyone has had this issue yet. We are leaving on Nov 30 and our Magic bands just arrived. When I ordered them, I was able to use the ticket number on a AP certificate that I have not activated yet. Once we get to the parks, do we have to do anything special as far as activating the AP's? Or can we just go our merry way through the entrance with the bands and that will activate them?

In the same vein, has anyone used their Magic Band activated with an AP to purchase merchandise and received the AP discount? I'm wondering if I will still have to show my PAP and ID to get discounts.

Thanks!!!

 

[klaubaugh]

Double post

 

[klaubaugh]

Not sure about the discount...

We had a HUGE mess with bands linked to a voucher number. First morning went to guest relations with our voucher to activate. Waited 30 minutes to get to window. Spent 30 minutes with nice guy... Who was able to get husbands to work ok eventually. Mine was still a mess. He gave me ticket to get in, which we eventually said fine... Just get us moving. Went to go through turnstile...band wouldn't work, ticket wouldn't work, system was down, etc. they told me to go back to guest relations. What!?! I just spent 60 minutes there!!! They let us go in, but I didn't think I was active. We didn't do anything besides eat F&W stuff anyway. Left 2 hours later, stopped at guest relations to check on it, they had ticket activated, but not linked with band. 30 minutes later... All was working finally.
But in my Disney experience, I currently have 4 cards and 1 band linked to me... Huh?

 

[DebbieB]

I had an issue today. I linked my DVC Promo PAP will call # on DME awhile ago. Made my fastpass+. You do have to activate, they need to take down your info and verify your member ID. When I went to the International Gateway to activate, the ticket window, the cm at first said you couldn't put AP's on a magic band. She said she would try, she got it to work but could not give me an AP card to use for discounts. I had to go to guest relations to get that. So I had to go to the other window and stand in line. I used the card for a discount tonight, I did have to show ID.

 

[MarlaSingersLaundry]

Thanks. I have a feeling it will be a mess. Our first stop will be guest relations to purchase a TIW and straighten out any issues. We have 2 PAP certs I linked and I have already linked my parents active AP's to their bands. 19 days! I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

[wdrl]

Our experience has been excellent. My wife and I each have MDX accounts and, while still at home, we linked the will-call confirmation number for our Premium Annual Passes to our accounts.

When we arrived in WDW this past Thursday, we went to the Guest Relations at Hollywood Studios to activate our PAPs. There were about 6-7 people in the line in front of us. We were in line for about a minute when a Cast Member walked by the line and asked if there was anything he could do to help. When we told him we were in line to activate our PAPs on our MagicBands, he said a regular will-call ticket booth could do that for us. The CM walked us to a regular will-call booth where another CM helped us right away with no waiting. We gave the CM our will-call confirmation number and our three sets of MagicBands (we have three segments during our 15-day stay). He linked the PAPs to all three sets of MagicBands. The entire process took less than 10 minutes.

We haven't had any problems using the MagicBands to get into the Parks, to manage our FP+ selections, or to get into our rooms. I keep waiting to encounter a problem with our MagicBands, but so far so good.

One thing to add: When we moved from the Art of Animation to Bay Lake Tower, the CM at BLT made sure we were checked out of AoA before she checked us into BLT. Also, I have the feeling that the CMs are still learning how the MBs work. They frequently preface their answers to our questions by saying "Its suppose to work like this" or "We think its suppose to be done this way."

To sum up: If the only thing you need to do is activate a PAP with a will-call number and link it to the MagicBand, you can go to any will-call ticket booth at a Park. You don't need to stand in line at Guest Relations.

BTW: We also intended to buy a Tables in Wonderland card when we activated our PAPs. Of course, that can't be done at a regular will-call ticket booth. Since we weren't planning on needing the TiW right away, we waited until we left Hollywood Studios to stop by Guest Relations to buy the TiW card.

 

[wdrl]

Some more comments: When we activated our PAPs at the DHS will-call window, we were given regular PAP cards as well. We have to show the PAP in order to get the discount. Also, we have to show our DVC membership card if we want to get any DVC-specific discounts and/or perks.

 

[dgaston]

I needed to show the physical PAP and id to receive the discount. My magic band didn't allow the CM to see that I had an annual pass. My family came to call them the magic hassle bands. Also two people in our party had the bands fall off. One was returned to Guest Relations, the other was not. Moral of that story is I'd be careful of who has charging privileges on the Magic Bands. They worked fine for opening room doors, Fast Passes, and returning to the resort (we had a rental minivan).

 

[MarlaSingersLaundry]

Our experience has been excellent. My wife and I each have MDX accounts and, while still at home, we linked the will-call confirmation number for our Premium Annual Passes to our accounts. When we arrived in WDW this past Thursday, we went to the Guest Relations at Hollywood Studios to activate our PAPs. There were about 6-7 people in the line in front of us. We were in line for about a minute when a Cast Member walked by the line and asked if there was anything he could do to help. When we told him we were in line to activate our PAPs on our MagicBands, he said a regular will-call ticket booth could do that for us. The CM walked us to a regular will-call booth where another CM helped us right away with no waiting. We gave the CM our will-call confirmation number and our three sets of MagicBands (we have three segments during our 15-day stay). He linked the PAPs to all three sets of MagicBands. The entire process took less than 10 minutes. We haven't had any problems using the MagicBands to get into the Parks, to manage our FP+ selections, or to get into our rooms. I keep waiting to encounter a problem with our MagicBands, but so far so good. One thing to add: When we moved from the Art of Animation to Bay Lake Tower, the CM at BLT made sure we were checked out of AoA before she checked us into BLT. Also, I have the feeling that the CMs are still learning how the MBs work. They frequently preface their answers to our questions by saying "Its suppose to work like this" or "We think its suppose to be done this way." To sum up: If the only thing you need to do is activate a PAP with a will-call number and link it to the MagicBand, you can go to any will-call ticket booth at a Park. You don't need to stand in line at Guest Relations. BTW: We also intended to buy a Tables in Wonderland card when we activated our PAPs. Of course, that can't be done at a regular will-call ticket booth. Since we weren't planning on needing the TiW right away, we waited until we left Hollywood Studios to stop by Guest Relations to buy the TiW card.

Thanks for the info! I'm happy to hear it has worked smoothly for you. Our TIW has expired, so I was planning on making Guest Relations our first stop. We will need it the first night we will be there for bluezoo.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

My family came to call them the magic hassle bands. Also two people in our party had the bands fall off. One was returned to Guest Relations, the other was not. .

Interestingly, I was on the monorail Saturday night returning from Food and Wine heading to MK and a couple sat across from us and were puttingon their grey bands. We exited the monorail last, and just as we exited, I noticed her's on the floor, I caught up to her, she'd no idea it had fallen off!

 

[eviltink44]

We just left WDW today We linked our current APs to the magic bands. As far as the discounts go, you still have to show your AP, or DVC member card to get the discount along with your ID.

 

[Sammie]

Your band is not activated until you check in and open your door with it. Your AP is not on your band until you go to a Park Will Call and have them add it.

They will also give you a hard copy of your AP. Be sure to take your band and your confirmation number with you and your DVC member ID and personal ID.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

OK, then on another derivation...

I linked my EXISTING APs to my MBs (or so I think for those that know my situation) before mine shipped. They are sitting here on my kitchen counter unopened. They came today.

Are MY APs already on mine? I would assume they are.

 

[DebbieB]

Your band is not activated until you check in and open your door with it. Your AP is not on your band until you go to a Park Will Call and have them add it.

They will also give you a hard copy of your AP. Be sure to take your band and your confirmation number with you and your DVC member ID and personal ID.

I don't think you actually have to open your door with it. I used my band to get into Epcot before my room was ready and before I used it on the door the first time.

 

[Sammie]

I don't think you actually have to open your door with it. I used my band to get into Epcot before my room was ready and before I used it on the door the first time.

Ok, we were told differently at Kidani and I did not test it as we did not go to a park until after we got in our room.

 

[Sammie]

OK, then on another derivation...

I linked my EXISTING APs to my MBs (or so I think for those that know my situation) before mine shipped. They are sitting here on my kitchen counter unopened. They came today.

Are MY APs already on mine? I would assume they are.

If you had an Annual pass that was you had already used, then yes it is. Unless you have used the band before you still have to check in at the resort and have them wake it up. At least that is what we were told.

DebbieB, might know if that is how hers worked too.

 

[wdrl]

Your band is not activated until you check in and open your door with it.

I don't think you actually have to open your door with it. I used my band to get into Epcot before my room was ready and before I used it on the door the first time.

Our experience was similar to DebbieB's experience with her MagicBand. We checked in BLT early but did not get into our room until about 6 hours later. In the meantime, we had no difficulty using our MagicBands to charge things to our room account.

 

[MarlaSingersLaundry]

So this is weird. A few weeks a go I couldn't link my AP's or PAP will call certs to our bands. I called the help line, when they found out I had a DVC RSVP, they couldn't help and instructed me to call member services. I did and they sorted out the problems. I ordered the bands and received them last week. I received a call today from My Disney Experience to let me know that they fixed the issued and reset my account. I have to log back in and recustomize the bands and have them shipped again. Huh? I told them the problem was fixed, all taken care of, they didn't need to rest my bands. The caller told me to order the bands again and I can keep the other set as a souvenir.

I ordered again tonight. It appears that all of my RSVP's are there. I hope this is all sorted out and no further issues when we get there!

 

[DVC_Corrys]

Ok, I just want to make sure I am 100% clear on this... we just got the invite for our January trip.

We are going to buy DVC APs and will have the voucher numbers. That is all we need linked in the system to make 60 day out FP+ reservations right? Once we get to WDW we need to activate the passes to get in the parks.

My big concern is getting FP+ reservations.

 

[DebbieB]

If you had an Annual pass that was you had already used, then yes it is. Unless you have used the band before you still have to check in at the resort and have them wake it up. At least that is what we were told.

DebbieB, might know if that is how hers worked too.

I had a will call# for the PAP I bought during last year's promo. I was able to link the will call# to MDE to setup my fastpasses. I used online checkin at BWV, so I got my arrival packet after I got off the bus. Room wasn't ready so I headed for the International Gateway to activate my PAP. They did scan my band when they activated my PAP. I then used it to enter Epcot.