Magic Bands info for the new test dates in August

[bcrook]

Also, if you are on the dining plan, you can use your magicband instead of your card for purchases.

The RFID card can do all of that. I would prefer to use that. BUT, the card doesn't send out the signal that is used to collect data on movement in the parks and resorts and allows one to participate in the mysterious interactive queues.

I really like the RFID cards. The access to the rooms is pretty cool.

 

[KELLY]

Then why would disney spend thousands of dollars on shipping MBs that won't be used? I know for us there is NO advantage of having a MB unless we can use FP+ too.

I'm sure shipping out next day air threw UPS can't be cheap.

 

[TIME4DIZ]

The RFID card can do all of that. I would prefer to use that. BUT, the card doesn't send out the signal that is used to collect data on movement in the parks and resorts and allows one to participate in the mysterious interactive queues.

I really like the RFID cards. The access to the rooms is pretty cool.

The RFID card does seem like a nice intermediate step. I thought I read that folks will be able to opt out of the band and use the RFID cards instead. Not during the test, but after full roll out. If this is true, that would be great for you. Since MDE groups bands and cards together, it makes sense.

 

[chrispeto]

I just got off the phone with the MyMagic+ test line to verify my eligibility for our upcoming trip in 1 month. I wanted to be sure because I haven't received an email that we were invited but on MDE I was asked to customize our Magic Bands and make FP+ selections. I've since received an email that our Magic Bands have shipped.

I was told that we ARE eligible and that we wouldn't have been able to customize the Magic Bands or make FP+ selections if we weren't (regardless of whether or not we received an e-mail). It sounds like others have been told otherwise.

I also expressed some concern about how well the system works and she reminded me that I can opt out any time while we are there if we don't like it. She als confirmed that you can use regular FP on any days you don't make FP+ selections. I asked how that would work with the Magic Bands but she pointed out that all Magic Band testers also get KTTW cards since many places (like TS restaurants) don't accept Magic Bands for payments yet. Maybe this was obvious for some but obviously not for me.

I just wanted to share what I was told.

I called the Magic Band It number on my e-mail to be sure and she told me the same thing. I looked on my MDE app account and I have 3 active magic bands on there and my husband's showed up on his account not mine, but I can still book fast pass + for him too.
The IT person I talked to told me I could use my KTTW card to access the regular fast pass even on days I have reserved passes.

 

[doconeill]

If they don't link the magicbands to your room reservation, you aren't going to be able to do much with it. So even if you get the magicbands, and you aren't part of the "test", you might not be able to use them.

Then again, it would be idiotic of them to send all of them out to a bunch of people who can't use them - and they will have a lot of angry guests at check in who spent all that time selecting FP+ and find out it was all for naught...

Then again...nothing they are doing makes a lot of sense...

 

[Robo]

-it would be idiotic of them to send all of them out to a bunch of people who can't use them - and they will have a lot of angry guests at check in who spent all that time selecting FP+ and find out it was all for naught...

You assume that someone who is fully informed and versed on all aspects of the MagicBands and FP+ and Tickets and etc. is actually in CONTROL of this whole operation.

I am thinking that they are (as a group) charging full speed ahead with nobody who knows
all of the intricacies and snafus actually at the helm.

(No, I'm not kidding.)

"Do you want it good or do you want it on Tuesday?"

 

[doconeill]

You assume that someone who is fully informed is actually in CONTROL of this whole operation.

I am thinking that they are (as a group) charging full speed ahead with nobody really at the helm.

(No, I'm not kidding.)

"Do you want it good or do you want it on Tuesday?"

Thus, my second "Then again..."

 

[WillAustin]

If they don't link the magicbands to your room reservation, you aren't going to be able to do much with it. So even if you get the magicbands, and you aren't part of the "test", you might not be able to use them.

Then again, it would be idiotic of them to send all of them out to a bunch of people who can't use them - and they will have a lot of angry guests at check in who spent all that time selecting FP+ and find out it was all for naught...

Then again...nothing they are doing makes a lot of sense...

I'll have a fun time with Guest Recovery then...and I will probably have deserved it.

Early adopter syndrome...

 

[DisMom1981]

Then again...nothing they are doing makes a lot of sense...

Agreed.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[TIME4DIZ]

I'll have a fun time with Guest Recovery then...and I will probably have deserved it.

Early adopter syndrome...

We are in the same boat. Ill have a Red customized Magicband- look for me.

 

[Robo]

Red.

Got it.

 

[WillAustin]

We are in the same boat. Ill have a Red customized Magicband- look for me.

 

[DisMom1981]

I just called again as to why one of my children are not listed under manage magic bands and was told that IF I receive an email invitation they will be happy to square it all away for me. Is it wrong that since I planned this trip a year ago I want to know what kind of trip I am taking??????????????????

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[doconeill]

I just called again as to why one of my children are not listed under manage magic bands and was told that IF I receive an email invitation they will be happy to square it all away for me. Is it wrong that since I planned this trip a year ago I want to know what kind of trip I am taking??????????????????

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I think they have enough things to worry about for the upcoming tests...ARE you under the current test parameters? If not, don't worry about it.

 

[bcrook]

The RFID card does seem like a nice intermediate step. I thought I read that folks will be able to opt out of the band and use the RFID cards instead. Not during the test, but after full roll out. If this is true, that would be great for you. Since MDE groups bands and cards together, it makes sense.

Now that is an interesting statement. I was under the impression from earlier reading that the MagicBand is required to utilize all the MM+ options including FP+. FP+ is the carrot or the stick to get people hooked up with the band. The band is key because it sends out a signal for the receptors throughout the parks and resorts and also it allows interactive experiences with characters and queues.

I think it is going to be very difficult to turn down the MagicBand.

 

[Robo]

I was under the impression from earlier reading that the MagicBand is required to utilize all the MM+ options including FP+.

That's the first time I've heard of that.

RFID cards should work just fine for any of the "Mickey head touch-point readers" including the ones for FP.

It's the "distance reading" (non-touch-point) interactive features (like "knowing/saying" a guest's name at an attraction or Meet & Greet) that are in the province of the more powerful "RF-transmitting" MagicBands.

 

[DisMom1981]

I think they have enough things to worry about for the upcoming tests...ARE you under the current test parameters? If not, don't worry about it.

Yes. I am. Arrive at POP Aug 16. Leaving for vacation Aug 13.

 

[doconeill]

Now that is an interesting statement. I was under the impression from earlier reading that the MagicBand is required to utilize all the MM+ options including FP+. FP+ is the carrot or the stick to get people hooked up with the band. The band is key because it sends out a signal for the receptors throughout the parks and resorts and also it allows interactive experiences with characters and queues.

I think it is going to be very difficult to turn down the MagicBand.

I've never heard that a MB was required at all. Disney has always maintained that you can opt for a card, but certain features might not be available...I've never ever heard that FP+ would be one of them. To my knowledge, the "lost" features are strictly those based on the active transmitter (which the cards don't have), and which haven't been strictly defined yet, but all the know features are based on the passive chips and work with the cards.

 

[Robo]

I just called again as to why one of my children are not listed under manage magic bands and was told that IF I receive an email invitation they will be happy to square it all away for me. Is it wrong that since I planned this trip a year ago I want to know what kind of trip I am taking??????????????????

Taken as a stand-alone issue, it would be very likely that if you call back you'd get a different CM
(maybe one who has had his LUNCH )
and you'd get an entirely different attitude (if not a better answer.)

That said, even if you DO get a "better answer," will that answer actually be ACCURATE?

That's where we all are now...
Nobody KNOWS nuthin', for SURE.

 

[TIME4DIZ]

I just called again as to why one of my children are not listed under manage magic bands and was told that IF I receive an email invitation they will be happy to square it all away for me. Is it wrong that since I planned this trip a year ago I want to know what kind of trip I am taking??????????????????

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I suggest waiting patiently rotfl2 for the 17 day point. So much could change between now and then and again before you arrive depending how testing is going. If you get an email there is still plenty of time to fix everything, if you don't get an email there is still plenty of time to fix everything.
Meanwhile I'll be reading every post and driving myself nuts!!