Magic Bands info for the new test dates in August

[Rosanne]

This makes me nervous because it's not what I was told. I asked the IT person at least 3 times if I could access FP- and I was assured that we could use it once our FP+ were used.

What I wonder (pure conjecture on my part, not intended to pretend to be information) is if their intention is to have people think they can either do one or the other but they need a backup not connected therefore people actually can do both.

I would not count on that if I were a tester but that's just my musing on it. It could explain the varying statements by CMs in that wouldn't necessarily be promoting that info but wouldn't want to lie about it if pressed (if they even knew it to be possible themselves).

Repeating disclaimer... just musings.

 

[Christinaxo]

This makes me nervous because it's not what I was told. I asked the IT person at least 3 times if I could access FP- and I was assured that we could use it once our FP+ were used.

I think it was more the way he worded it. It was kind of along the lines like "No you will not be using the regular FP", not "You will not be ABLE to use the regular FP". He probably did not want to promote the double dipping and assumed I would not try it therefore helping their test. Because of course people will have high guest satisfaction if they can double dip but Disney won't know for sure how people will take this new system until they have it be the way it is intended to be at the end of it all.. without FP-? If that even makes sense lol I am really confused too sorry

More contradictions...this time, no regular fastpass.

I can see though as a first time DW traveller, why you would love the fastpass+. It sounds amazing! Sadly, those of us who utilize many fastpasses per day in multiple parks will mourn the loss of the traditional fastpass machine.

I know I did so much "research" about FP and was worried about getting around the park to get them at rope drop without knowing where to go! lol So I am excited about this, but it's still a test and those ALWAYS makes me nervous!

 

[chrispeto]

This makes me nervous because it's not what I was told. I asked the IT person at least 3 times if I could access FP- and I was assured that we could use it once our FP+ were used.

When I called about my magic bands I asked the IT, if I would be able to access regular fast pass if we went to a different park, we have park hopper passes, she told me everyone involved in the test is given an KTTW card for our rooms and if we have a package we could use that card to access regular fast pass.

 

[WisconsinDad]

I updated my post. I understand the RFID card could do this, but early on, the talk was all about guests using MagicBands. This is where the privacy concerns came about. The MagicBands transmit. I think the language has changed in regards to the privacy issues.

If I have a choice between a band and transmitting and a rfid card and not - I think I will still have to go with the MagicBand, because I think the parks are going to be filled with little interactive surprises. I am sure they will be very popular. But, I would prefer to carry the card in my wallet rather than the carry the band.

If you read some of the early stories about MyMagic+ you will see that it is all about the MagicBand and the data collection. There was no talk of a "non-transmitting" device. Here is New York Times article.

I'm a little confused about the difference between the RFID card and the KTTW card; I assumed they were the same. As I previously pointed out, when I called I was told that you NEED to carry your card along with your Magic Bands since many places don't accept magic bands yet (ex. Most TS restaurants) and you would need them for old FP if it is a day you aren't using FP+.

Are they one in the same or different? Which card will we be getting? I ask because the RFID card may be a good option if we don't find the bands comfortable.

 

[WisconsinDad]

When I called about my magic bands I asked the IT, if I would be able to access regular fast pass if we went to a different park, we have park hopper passes, she told me everyone involved in the test is given an KTTW card for our rooms and if we have a package we could use that card to access regular fast pass.

This is consistent with what I was told. I'm just wondering if it is a typical KTTW card or the RFID card.

 

[doconeill]

I'm a little confused about the difference between the RFID card and the KTTW card; I assumed they were the same. As I previously pointed out, when I called I was told that you NEED to carry your card along with your Magic Bands since many places don't accept magic bands yet (ex. Most TS restaurants) and you would need them for old FP if it is a day you aren't using FP+.

Are they one in the same or different? Which card will we be getting? I ask because the RFID card may be a good option if we don't find the bands comfortable.

Yes, they are the same for the most part. All KTTW cards are RFID cards. However, if you are an AP holder, your AP would be a separate card from the KTTW card as before...so you might have TWO cards AND a MagicBand, until it's all squared away.

 

[MYD714]

I think it was more the way he worded it. It was kind of along the lines like "No you will not be using the regular FP", not "You will not be ABLE to use the regular FP". He probably did not want to promote the double dipping and assumed I would not try it therefore helping their test. Because of course people will have high guest satisfaction if they can double dip but Disney won't know for sure how people will take this new system until they have it be the way it is intended to be at the end of it all.. without FP-? If that even makes sense lol I am really confused too sorry

Ok. This makes sense.
I want to test the bands and FP+, but I wouldn't be happy about missing out on FPs that I could get if I park hop or use all my FP+ in the morning. I'd like to be able to spread them out throughout the day, but I don't really want to do that using FP+, as we like to park hop and I'd be able to get more than 3 FP without using FP+

When I called about my magic bands I asked the IT, if I would be able to access regular fast pass if we went to a different park, we have park hopper passes, she told me everyone involved in the test is given an KTTW card for our rooms and if we have a package we could use that card to access regular fast pass.

This makes me feel a bit better. It seems as though people are being told one of three things: 1. no FP- 2. FP- only after FP+ are used or cancelled 3. both systems at the same time

UGH! It's so stressful!


When the girl told me that I could use FP- after FP+, I made sure to ask again for clarification. Then I said, "So if I go to MK and use all the FP+, I am then free to use FP- for the rest of the day at Epcot." She said yes. I gave 1-2 other scenarios, and she always said yes. Then she repeated another similar scenario and said it would work.

Ultimately, I'm hoping for free access to FP- even before my FP+ are used, but I'm not counting on it.

If I have no FP- access at all, I'll be mad. However, I'm trying to prepare myself just in case.

 

[Christinaxo]

Ok, Just called back again and got a different CM and just said I had questions (did not give any information). I asked her if the card would access FP- and she was adamant that I would not be using the card only the MB and the card was just for emergency. So she kind of went around it. I then asked if I am able to access FP- after I am done with my FP+, and she said that I will only be using FP+. Again going around the subject. When I told her that I spoke to a CM who said I would be able to indeed use FP- after I used up all my FP+ and that this was contradicting to what she was telling me, she said I mustve spoke to someone in reservations and that the FP+ system is not intended to be used with FP- because it (FP-) will be gone altogether. Again with the wording. Then she did something that surprised me, she said she needs to give me a survey about the test so she needed my information, call me paranoid but all I thought of was her making a note in my reservation that said NO TEST, TRYING TO DOUBLE DIP! I had no choice but to hang up. At least I tried I guess. So I give up. I will wait till August 6th when my package starts and just see how it goes...

 

[MYD714]

Ok, Just called back again and got a different CM and just said I had questions (did not give any information). I asked her if the card would access FP- and she was adamant that I would not be using the card only the MB and the card was just for emergency. So she kind of went around it. I then asked if I am able to access FP- after I am done with my FP+, and she said that I will only be using FP+. Again going around the subject. When I told her that I spoke to a CM who said I would be able to indeed use FP- after I used up all my FP+ and that this was contradicting to what she was telling me, she said I mustve spoke to someone in reservations and that the FP+ system is not intended to be used with FP- because it (FP-) will be gone altogether. Again with the wording. Then she did something that surprised me, she said she needs to give me a survey about the test so she needed my information, call me paranoid but all I thought of was her making a note in my reservation that said NO TEST, TRYING TO DOUBLE DIP! I had no choice but to hang up. At least I tried I guess. So I give up. I will wait till August 6th when my package starts and just see how it goes...

Oh, no! You've said too much!

I would have hung up too!

This is very upsetting, and I'm going to be mad if I was given misinformation. Although, I called IT and didn't speak to someone in reservations. I called the number in the email. Why can't Disney get things straight?!?

 

[Disneylover99]

Ok, Just called back again and got a different CM and just said I had questions (did not give any information). I asked her if the card would access FP- and she was adamant that I would not be using the card only the MB and the card was just for emergency.

Then she did something that surprised me, she said she needs to give me a survey about the test so she needed my information, call me paranoid but all I thought of was her making a note in my reservation that said NO TEST, TRYING TO DOUBLE DIP! I had no choice but to hang up. At least I tried I guess. So I give up. I will wait till August 6th when my package starts and just see how it goes...

Maybe she was trying to trick you because she knew it was your first time and figured (wrongly of course) that you didn't know anything.

At least you tried to get correct information. Thanks for taking one for the team!

 

[chrispeto]

Ok, Just called back again and got a different CM and just said I had questions (did not give any information). I asked her if the card would access FP- and she was adamant that I would not be using the card only the MB and the card was just for emergency. So she kind of went around it. I then asked if I am able to access FP- after I am done with my FP+, and she said that I will only be using FP+. Again going around the subject. When I told her that I spoke to a CM who said I would be able to indeed use FP- after I used up all my FP+ and that this was contradicting to what she was telling me, she said I mustve spoke to someone in reservations and that the FP+ system is not intended to be used with FP- because it (FP-) will be gone altogether. Again with the wording. Then she did something that surprised me, she said she needs to give me a survey about the test so she needed my information, call me paranoid but all I thought of was her making a note in my reservation that said NO TEST, TRYING TO DOUBLE DIP! I had no choice but to hang up. At least I tried I guess. So I give up. I will wait till August 6th when my package starts and just see how it goes...

WDW has to let the Magic Band testers use the FP- especially if you paid extra for the park hopper option, plus the FP- is not connected to the MDE app so the machine cannot tell if you are a magic band tester when you slip your KTTW card into the machine. We still get the KTTW cards to access our rooms and some stores and restaurants are not set up for the Magic Bands yet.

 

[TIME4DIZ]

WDW has to let the Magic Band testers use the FP- especially if you paid extra for the park hopper option, plus the FP- is not connected to the MDE app so the machine cannot tell if you are a magic band tester when you slip your KTTW card into the machine. We still get the KTTW cards to access our rooms and some stores and restaurants are not set up for the Magic Bands yet.

But disney doesn't have to link your park tix to the KTTW card. If they don't you can't secure a FP- . Personally, i think we will get fully functional KTTW cards just in case there is any difficulty with the band. Again, holding a card doesn't mean you can use it in a fp machine- if it did you could bring cards from previous trips to get fp galore!!

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

WDW has to let the Magic Band testers use the FP- especially if you paid extra for the park hopper option, plus the FP- is not connected to the MDE app so the machine cannot tell if you are a magic band tester when you slip your KTTW card into the machine. We still get the KTTW cards to access our rooms and some stores and restaurants are not set up for the Magic Bands yet.

I'd think it would be easy to block FP+ testers. Park tickets get blocked from FP machines all the time - in fact every time you pull one. And there is a timed expiration on the block. All they'd have to do is if a ticket is used for FP+ then the timed lock out is set for like 14 days in the future. Result is no double dipping.

 

[doconeill]

WDW has to let the Magic Band testers use the FP- especially if you paid extra for the park hopper option, plus the FP- is not connected to the MDE app so the machine cannot tell if you are a magic band tester when you slip your KTTW card into the machine. We still get the KTTW cards to access our rooms and some stores and restaurants are not set up for the Magic Bands yet.

MagicBands work for the rooms...the only reason they are giving KTTW cards is because they say there are still locations that can't to touch-to-pay, and as a backup device since they are still testing MBs.

If the test works well and they solve the payment problem, I would not expect to get a KTTW card as well.

 

[nighttowll]

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

You'd be surprised. I work at a distribution center. I've seen all the commercial pricing UPS and FedEx offer to large businesses. To ship something like the magic band your talking $4 to $10 max, $10 being bands for a whole family. Those are the types of discounted prices we receive, and we don't even ship very many small parcels out. I'm sure Disney has negotiated a better price. I'm guessing 3 or 4 dollars per individual band maybe less. When you start thinking of shipping hundreds of thousands of those things, UPS doesn't need to charge much at all to make a profit, especially considering how small and light they are. Then Disney builds that extra $3 into the cost of a ticket. Now you've covered the band shipping and made a profit off all the people who opt out or are forced to take the grey at the park. Don't think for a second they are loosing money shipping these things out.

 

[Joy]

Subscribing

We are going in August and staying at the AKL...

 

[Simba's Girl]

The more I think about it the more I am thinking we will opt out "if" we get the magical "letter" within the next week at the 17 day mark.

After all...we did pay for PH tickets and if we can't use the legacy FP in a park we hop to then there would be zero benefit to having FP+.

 

[mom2rtk]

Ok, Just called back again and got a different CM and just said I had questions (did not give any information). I asked her if the card would access FP- and she was adamant that I would not be using the card only the MB and the card was just for emergency. So she kind of went around it. I then asked if I am able to access FP- after I am done with my FP+, and she said that I will only be using FP+. Again going around the subject. When I told her that I spoke to a CM who said I would be able to indeed use FP- after I used up all my FP+ and that this was contradicting to what she was telling me, she said I mustve spoke to someone in reservations and that the FP+ system is not intended to be used with FP- because it (FP-) will be gone altogether. Again with the wording. Then she did something that surprised me, she said she needs to give me a survey about the test so she needed my information, call me paranoid but all I thought of was her making a note in my reservation that said NO TEST, TRYING TO DOUBLE DIP! I had no choice but to hang up. At least I tried I guess. So I give up. I will wait till August 6th when my package starts and just see how it goes...

I think that person on the phone has a great future in politics. She has the entire double speak thing down.

After reading all of these posts about what everyone is being told, I am more convinced than ever that everyone will be double dipping with no issue. I think the corporate line is to tell people the cards won't work, in hopes that people won't even try, but I bet they'll work.

My guess is that they do have some idea that their IT systems don't ..... shall we say....... always perform as anticipated. And they need to have that FP- system functioning in the event of any issues with FP+. After all, they can't risk testers being anything less than thrilled when the test is over.

I just hope that they don't think that TELLING people FP- won't be available isn't remotely close to having it turned off. And that real conclusions on the appeal of the system cannot be made until it is tested with FP- indeed turned off.

 

[keaster]

I think that person on the phone has a great future in politics. She has the entire double speak thing down.

After reading all of these posts about what everyone is being told, I am more convinced than ever that everyone will be double dipping with no issue. I think the corporate line is to tell people the cards won't work, in hopes that people won't even try, but I bet they'll work.

My guess is that they do have some idea that their IT systems don't ..... shall we say....... always perform as anticipated. And they need to have that FP- system functioning in the event of any issues with FP+. After all, they can't risk testers being anything less than thrilled when the test is over.

I just hope that they don't think that TELLING people FP- won't be available isn't remotely close to having it turned off. And that real conclusions on the appeal of the system cannot be made until it is tested with FP- indeed turned off.

And that's the thing...traditional FP still needs to be on for everyone else who is NOT part of the testing (like us!)

It'll be interesting to see if FPs will be running out earlier than usual if there is double dipping allowed for the testers.

 

[Vertical]

I think there's a lot of worry here over the deliberate ambiguity of FP- use during the test. I am 100% confident FP- will be functional for everyone in the test, and I fully intend to try it, but I honestly have no idea how useful it will be.

With FP+ I've already had to come up with a fairly detailed plan of what I want to do each day to get to do and see what I want in each park, allotting time slots for my known FP+ reservations. If I then start slipping in FP- passes in as of yet unknown time slots, it throws the whole thing into disarray. Not everything I want to do and see is a headliner. So although I may be ABLE to use not systems, I KNOW I will be able to use FP+ so that is the one I have scheduled around. Now I don't have to worry about racing to get a FP for splash mountain or TSMM at all. I can get one for exactly when I want. I control the return time. I have little kids coming with me so I am planning on a resort break every day. I was worried about our day in HS trying to get FP at TSMM for the evening since with the traditional FP there's no way to say "give me A return time after in back in the park for the evening". Now I can. That worry is gone.

I think Disney will need to do something to accommodate park hoppers, and perhaps they have something planned, who knows? But park hopping complicates the predictability factor because you may not know what park you're going to hop to, so how do they handle that? I don't know, but I'm SURE it's not something they're not already aware of.

All we know right now is that they are testing a single-park 3-4 FP+ implementation of he new system right now. We don't know if there will be future enhancements (there almost certainly will be).

Just plan for what you know and be prepared for other eventualities. If you're part of the test, make your FP+ reservations and plan around them. I didn't find that to be too difficult. Different? Yes. Hard? Not really. It was actually kind of fun and I'm excited about new wrinkles like preferred seating at parades and wishes and FP+ for meet and greets. Not everyone is using them to try and ride the headliners all day long.

If you can then also use FP- great go for it.