Magic Bands, FP+...Just got back, the ups and the downs!

[smraynor]

My family of 4 (DS=4, DD=9) just returned from a week at WDW. We are true veterans with 75 plus trips under our collective belts and we experienced the Magic Bands along with some Fast Pass Plussing.

Generally speaking the crowds were not that bad at all for the week we were there (Dec. 14-21). We did experience some of the Mickey's Christmas party and that was by far the most crowded day in any park.

What I like:
I like the convenience of the bands. I noticed that getting in the parks seemed faster (especially the MK). I thought they were really convenient for getting into our Old Key West room. I also like the ease of using the photopass system with the bands.

What I didn't like:
Paying for meals felt strange. Having to hold my arm over the table to the server to get scanned was odd. I only did that once and went with the usual credit card from there.

The worst was Fast Pass Plus. We are planners and we had a hard time matching up our times to our reservation slots. We found ourselves rushing more than we would have normally. A good example was during our day at Hollywood Studios we had a wonderful lunch at the Brown Derby. The waiter apologized that they were a little backed up and that our entrees were a little delayed. This was fine with us as we were enjoying our family lunch...the frustration was when we ended up missing our Toy Story slot by 5 minutes and they said we were "expired".

I also noticed that early in the mornings the fast pass times were well into the evening which was sad.

My sense is that it is a system that is still trying to work out the kinks. It did slightly change our "touring" but nothing too dramatic so we are pleased.

 

[MichelleVW]

My family of 4 (DS=4, DD=9) just returned from a week at WDW. We are true veterans with 75 plus trips under our collective belts and we experienced the Magic Bands along with some Fast Pass Plussing.

Generally speaking the crowds were not that bad at all for the week we were there (Dec. 14-21). We did experience some of the Mickey's Christmas party and that was by far the most crowded day in any park.

What I like:
I like the convenience of the bands. I noticed that getting in the parks seemed faster (especially the MK). I thought they were really convenient for getting into our Old Key West room. I also like the ease of using the photopass system with the bands.

What I didn't like:
Paying for meals felt strange. Having to hold my arm over the table to the server to get scanned was odd. I only did that once and went with the usual credit card from there.

The worst was Fast Pass Plus. We are planners and we had a hard time matching up our times to our reservation slots. We found ourselves rushing more than we would have normally. A good example was during our day at Hollywood Studios we had a wonderful lunch at the Brown Derby. The waiter apologized that they were a little backed up and that our entrees were a little delayed. This was fine with us as we were enjoying our family lunch...the frustration was when we ended up missing our Toy Story slot by 5 minutes and they said we were "expired".

I also noticed that early in the mornings the fast pass times were well into the evening which was sad.

My sense is that it is a system that is still trying to work out the kinks. It did slightly change our "touring" but nothing too dramatic so we are pleased.

Did you try to change your Toy Story FP when you realized you were running behind? We used Rope Drop and Paper FP's to ride Toy Story, but we were able to change a few other of our Fast Pass Plus selections when we noticed we were going to cut it close.

I honestly thought I would hate Fast Pass Plus but I actually found it great and especially when it allowed us to sleep in on Tuesday morning and go to Animal Kingdom in the afternoon!

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm a bit surprised the OP was denied entry at 5 minutes late. I thought the FP+ system allowed a guest to be up to 15 minutes late.

 

[jannylynn]

I'm a bit surprised the OP was denied entry at 5 minutes late. I thought the FP+ system allowed a guest to be up to 15 minutes late.

It is 15 minutes. We needed the grace period a couple times last week and the bands let us in. I wonder if the OP was 20 minutes late?

 

[smraynor]

Did you try to change your Toy Story FP when you realized you were running behind? We used Rope Drop and Paper FP's to ride Toy Story, but we were able to change a few other of our Fast Pass Plus selections when we noticed we were going to cut it close.

I honestly thought I would hate Fast Pass Plus but I actually found it great and especially when it allowed us to sleep in on Tuesday morning and go to Animal Kingdom in the afternoon!

I didn't think about trying to change it mid-stream...good idea though.

 

[smraynor]

I'm a bit surprised the OP was denied entry at 5 minutes late. I thought the FP+ system allowed a guest to be up to 15 minutes late.

I even explained that the Brown Derby had some backups...I wish I had known about a grace period...as I would have asked about it.

 

[jimandami]

I didn't think about trying to change it mid-stream...good idea though.

In our experience a couple weeks ago, you could change mid stream BUT the big ticket attractions weren't available, so I doubt you could have changed your TSMM FP+ even if you had tried.

 

[mesaboy2]

I even explained that the Brown Derby had some backups...I wish I had known about a grace period...as I would have asked about it.

The automated system should have allowed you that grace period without even asking. I don't recall anyone reporting a blue Mickey within the GP.

 

[smraynor]

The automated system should have allowed you that grace period without even asking. I don't recall anyone reporting a blue Mickey within the GP.

It was our first experience...I'm learning a lot and will be a little more strategic next visit.

 

[jannylynn]

I even explained that the Brown Derby had some backups...I wish I had known about a grace period...as I would have asked about it.

If you were there within the 15 minutes, it would have given you the green without needing to ask. Always try to scan more than once in case of an error if you are certain you are within the grace period.

 

[smraynor]

If you were there within the 15 minutes, it would have given you the green without needing to ask. Always try to scan more than once in case of an error if you are certain you are within the grace period.

I think next time I'm going to just start kicking shins until I get in...or else bribe them with used lottery tickets.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

What I didn't like:
Paying for meals felt strange. Having to hold my arm over the table to the server to get scanned was odd. I only did that once and went with the usual credit card from there.

Easy solution to this: take the band off your wrist before giving it to the server to scan.

 

[PAcpl]

I don't mean to thread hijack here, but what do you mean "changing the time mid-stream"? Do you have an app on your phone or going through Guest Services? Also are you able to get a Fastpass- as long as you do not have a Fastpass+ in that window?

Again, sorry to thread jack. Haven't been to Disney in about a year and I feel so lost!

 

[jimandami]

I don't mean to thread hijack here, but what do you mean "changing the time mid-stream"? Do you have an app on your phone or going through Guest Services? Also are you able to get a Fastpass- as long as you do not have a Fastpass+ in that window?

Again, sorry to thread jack. Haven't been to Disney in about a year and I feel so lost!

You can change your FP+ reservations at any time as long as you haven't used them. You can use the app on the phone or the self serve kiosks in the parks. The FP- system is completely separate from the FP+ system, so as long as you still receive a working KTTW card (the value resort guests no longer get them) or have a valid ticket (some people are even using old tickets or KTTW cards I think), you can get FP- just as you always have, except at AK, where they have completely stopped FP- for now. It is assumed this will spread to the other parks, but no one really knows when.

 

[eculmone]

ok here goes. We are heading to WDW last minute. We ended up not bubying ticket package and just purchased tickets seperately. Because it's so close to our arrival 6 days. Our tickets cannot be linked to My Disney Experirence and therefore I am unable to link my tickets. So, I have to go to will call, pick up tickets then sit staring at my phone while trying to figure out this Fastpass+ nonsense?

 

[jannylynn]

ok here goes. We are heading to WDW last minute. We ended up not bubying ticket package and just purchased tickets seperately. Because it's so close to our arrival 6 days. Our tickets cannot be linked to My Disney Experirence and therefore I am unable to link my tickets. So, I have to go to will call, pick up tickets then sit staring at my phone while trying to figure out this Fastpass+ nonsense?

Yes. Or do it at a kiosk in the park. it doesn't take that long to schedule one day. Do the other days later that evening.

 

[smraynor]

ok here goes. We are heading to WDW last minute. We ended up not bubying ticket package and just purchased tickets seperately. Because it's so close to our arrival 6 days. Our tickets cannot be linked to My Disney Experirence and therefore I am unable to link my tickets. So, I have to go to will call, pick up tickets then sit staring at my phone while trying to figure out this Fastpass+ nonsense?

I'm wishing you the best! Please update upon your return...your posting time will be 6:35-7:35.

 

[eculmone]

I'm wishing you the best! Please update upon your return...your posting time will be 6:35-7:35.

 

[bksomody]

ok here goes. We are heading to WDW last minute. We ended up not bubying ticket package and just purchased tickets seperately. Because it's so close to our arrival 6 days. Our tickets cannot be linked to My Disney Experirence and therefore I am unable to link my tickets. So, I have to go to will call, pick up tickets then sit staring at my phone while trying to figure out this Fastpass+ nonsense?

You need to get tickets 6 days in advance to reserve fpp? I hope that's not true.

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

You need to get tickets 6 days in advance to reserve fpp? I hope that's not true.

It is not. I reserved a night at BWI the day before check in and was immediately able to make FP plus for the next day.