Magic Bands, FP+ and our experience

[mom2rtk]

That's an idea I will have to consider. I'm not sure I'd want to do 12 days at US though. I was thinking either the first or last 3 nights onsite to get the 60 +10 (thinking it is the only way to get certain attractions like TSMM considering our recent experience) and then renting a house for the rest.

That works too. My scheme is more about extending out your WDW ticket and splitting some days between WDW and US so you can get more FP access.

Good point about the 60 + 10 too. By then surely the Mine Train will be open?????

 

[Vincent405]

Such an informative thread.
How about memory maker? How are the bands with that?

Although it is gone now (or almost gone), we had photopass plus. Memory maker is what most people have.

The bands worked fine for us with the photogs until we got the photopass plus card.

But, please for the sake of everyone else in line, if you go to get your ride photo added to your band/card, know the picture NUMBER before you get in line!

6-7 different times, people in front of me did not know their number and held everybody up. Twice people in front of me were shocked (shocked I tell you!), when they were told that unless they had memory maker or the photopass plus they actually had to pay for the ride photo. At Buzz one time, a guy was pretty rude to the CM when he was told there was a cost and what that cost was.

 

[mulan1123]

Although it is gone now (or almost gone), we had photopass plus. Memory maker is what most people have.

The bands worked fine for us with the photogs until we got the photopass plus card.

But, please for the sake of everyone else in line, if you go to get your ride photo added to your band/card, know the picture NUMBER before you get in line!

6-7 different times, people in front of me did not know their number and held everybody up. Twice people in front of me were shocked (shocked I tell you!), when they were told that unless they had memory maker or the photopass plus they actually had to pay for the ride photo. At Buzz one time, a guy was pretty rude to the CM when he was told there was a cost and what that cost was.

We thought we needed Photopass Plus for the ride photos but when we got back from out trip, my friend texted me and said to check out MDE and look under Photopass photos. And some of our ride photos were on there and we didn't order PP+!

 

[Tardisblue]

I agree with the OP regarding using the Magic Bands to get into your hotel room - there is just not a good angle to scan the Mickey Head, I had to contort my wrist every way possible to get it to scan.

I was there over Marathon weekend and my DW joined me on Friday. We have APs and I had no problems with the Magic Band on Magical Express, check-in, paying for items, getting into the parks or using them for FP+. On Saturday night, we went to MK after dinner at Narcoosee's to walk along Main Street and my DW's band did not work at all after working for the past 2 days without issue. Tried scanning it again. No luck. CM with the tablet came over to assist, still no dice. We had our AP cards with us, so she got into the park and we were told to go to Guest Services. Made our way over there and after 10-15 minutes working with a great CM, found out that DW's band was completely dead. No signal whatsoever. They issued her a replacement, but I was surprised that it would have completely died after just 2 days of use. I'm sure others have similar stories.

 

[rt2dz]

We thought we needed Photopass Plus for the ride photos but when we got back from out trip, my friend texted me and said to check out MDE and look under Photopass photos. And some of our ride photos were on there and we didn't order PP+!

I had heard that some people get the photos. No dice for us!

*******
I still had a credit left from way back in 2011, prior to that price increase (and prior to PhotoPass+ or Memory Maker), so I just used that. I didn't use my band, because I repacked my carry on and left the camera at home and didn't trust the band--considering. I did try the band our last day, a travel day, just to see and had no problems on that day. I'm still weary on a total try on it just yet. Maybe at Thanksgiving.

 

[rt2dz]

By then surely the Mine Train will be open?????

I'm not holding my breath! Ha!