Magic Bands info for the new test dates in August

[mom2rtk]

Do you even have a choice? If you're eligible for FP+, is there any way to NOT take part? Even if I hadn't logged in and customized everything, it looks as though that's be way it is for my trip. Customization was just a bonus. So I don't think anyone really even has a choice.

They have told people on the phone that they can opt out. But I'd be really nervous that opting out meant no FP at all. I mean, you can opt out of the current system by just not pulling an FPs at all.

But my own personal hunch is that everyone in the test still has FP-. But once you get a magic band, you won't have a card to access it with. If they hand out back-up cards, you can bet I'd be putting one in a FP machine to see if it worked.

I mean, if Disney IT couldn't set up their system to only pop up messages for people assigned to the test, how are they going to pull off deactivating FP for those people but not others?

 

[Vertical]

In addition to my email, I just received an invitation from WDW to test MyMagic+ that was delivered moments ago by UPS.

Ugh! I'm still so torn on whether or not to do this...and it's like Disney knows it so they keep tempting me.

Did that UPS package come from some company named Harte-Hanks response management?

 

[MYD714]

Did that UPS package come from some company named Harte-Hanks response management?

No. The return address says Disney Destinations.
It's almost a carbon copy invitation to the email that was sent.

 

[Vertical]

No. The return address says Disney Destinations.
It's almost a carbon copy invitation to the email that was sent.

Hmm. Well rats. What on earth could this UPS package be that is being delivered today?

 

[DVCRon]

I'm sure it's here somewhere and I just missed it.

Can someone tell me or link me to the resorts that are part of the test for August?

Thanks.

 

[Robo]

Hmm. Well rats. What on earth could this UPS package be that is being delivered today?

"Mickey Mail" and/or "DME" package?

 

[KELLY]

I'm sure it's here somewhere and I just missed it.

Can someone tell me or link me to the resorts that are part of the test for August?

Thanks.

The resorts are AKL, Yacht, Contemporary and pop.

 

[nuzmom]

Approximately how many days before vacation start did you receive notice that you are part of the test?
I am staying at AKL (Jambo for 1 day and then Kidani for 14). When I go onto MDE, there is "manage magic bands" and "make fastpass+ selection", but when I click on them they are just generic "coming soon" type announcement. I'm wondering if that changes after a certain date or am I not part of the test group.

Just fyi - I do have our APs linked on the site, also a voucher for AP for one in our party.

 

[Vertical]

Approximately how many days before vacation start did you receive notice that you are part of the test?
I am staying at AKL (Jambo for 1 day and then Kidani for 14). When I go onto MDE, there is "manage magic bands" and "make fastpass+ selection", but when I click on them they are just generic "coming soon" type announcement. I'm wondering if that changes after a certain date or am I not part of the test group.

Just fyi - I do have our APs linked on the site, also a voucher for AP for one in our party.

I'm arriving at Pop on August 4th. I never received a notification, but both the website and the app allow me to select bands and FP+, starting a couple days ago. Maybe at about the 17 day mark?

 

[nighttowll]

Does anyone know if DVC was included this time in the testing?

 

[My2Qtz0205]

I'm arriving at Pop on August 4th. I never received a notification, but both the website and the app allow me to select bands and FP+, starting a couple days ago. Maybe at about the 17 day mark?

I am at the 34 day mark, and I was able to customize and select FP+ a couple of days ago. No email, though.

 

[MYD714]

I was having trouble linking my UT tickets to my reservation so that we can participate in the test.

I called the IT number in the email, and was told that they probably couldn't be linked and that's 'why I should buy from Disney" and that "Disney isn't out to take my money". She said that "this is what happens when you don't buy directly from Disney"

Thanks IT girl. I loved feeling like you were shaming me for trying to save a buck this year.

On the bright side, she was wrong and I linked them. Guess she's not quite the know-it-all after all.

I spoke to another IT person this morning who was wonderful and she made me excited about participating in the testing...so I'm taking the plunge.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

But my own personal hunch is that everyone in the test still has FP-. But once you get a magic band, you won't have a card to access it with. If they hand out back-up cards, you can bet I'd be putting one in a FP machine to see if it worked.

I'd also be using my card, instead of the band, to get into the park. That way, the card is "activated" for that day and thus you're more likely (in my mind) to be able to use it in the park to pull FPs from the legacy machines. It's akin to how it is (was?) now where you can't pull FPs with cards that hadn't yet been used for admission that day (thus no pulling FPs for later for people who want to sleep in). I'd just use the band to go through the FP+ points at the attractions during my pre-selected times.

 

[Vertical]

I'd also be using my card, instead of the band, to get into the park. That way, the card is "activated" for that day and thus you're more likely (in my mind) to be able to use it in the park to pull FPs from the legacy machines. It's akin to how it is (was?) now where you can't pull FPs with cards that hadn't yet been used for admission that day (thus no pulling FPs for later for people who want to sleep in). I'd just use the band to go through the FP+ points at the attractions during my pre-selected times.

Ah, but if you don't use your FP+ Magic Band to get into the park, will it allow you to use your FP+'s associated with that band? Quite the riddle...

In previous tests, where people have been able to double-dip, is that because they were issued both a band and a card? And they used the cards for the FP- machines, but used their Bands for the FP+ Reservations? If so, which one did they use (card or band) to physically enter the park?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Ah, but if you don't use your FP+ Magic Band to get into the park, will it allow you to use your FP+'s associated with that band? Quite the riddle...

Well, the bands have the RFID technology to track your movement through the park, so they'll presumably "know" that you're in there. But, since they allow you to come and go as many times as you want in a day, you could always go through the entrance twice (once with band, once with card) to make sure each was "active" that day.

 

[MYD714]

In previous tests, where people have been able to double-dip, is that because they were issued both a band and a card? And they used the cards for the FP- machines, but used their Bands for the FP+ Reservations? If so, which one did they use (card or band) to physically enter the park?

I just got off the phone with IT. Here's what she told me about the August testing:

1. We would be given both a card and a band.

2. We would be able to have 3 FP+ a day

3. We could access the FP- on days that we choose not to use any FP+ and we can use FP- once we have used all of our FP+ for the day.

I didn't ask about park entry affecting the FP possibility...I should have.
Perhaps because the tickets have the same bar code number, they'll both work.

I know that this info could be false, but I'm choosing to have faith in it.
I'm really nervous and have my doubts about all of this, but I've decided to try the testing. My fingers are crossed.

 

[WeCantWait]

I didn't ask about opting out, so I'm not sure.

I would hope they would honor guest requests NOT to be part of the testing, and that they would be able to separate the park admission in such a way as to allow those guests access to the existing FP system. But I really have no clue.

Thanks. I wound up calling yesterday and was on the phone for over an hour and a half trying to get the website to display everything correctly, it still is not correct but at least it is to the point where I was able to reserve FP+ for all of our park days.

We have a package with 2 day base tickets. At first the website would only allow me to book FP+ for two days. the 4 of us also have a 1 day complimentary park hopper, and a 10 day non expiring water parks and more ticket. I had to link all of my tickets in order to make FP+ reservations for all of our park days. What I don't understand is that we each have 3 different tickets, when we enter MK on our first day, how do we specify which ticket we want to use? This is so confusing to me. I had no desire to test FP+ but I was afraid we would get to our resort and they would tell us we had to book them at check in. The cast member I spoke to told me that we would definitely be able to use FP- and FP+, for obvious reasons, I really don't trust that information.

I spent hours on the phone and computer trying to straighten all of this out, I love to plan but planning when to ride each ride is a little much. The website is absolutely horrible. I had to repeatedly login everytime I went to a new page. Not magical at all.

 

[Vertical]

I just got off the phone with IT. Here's what she told me about the August testing:

1. We would be given both a card and a band.

2. We would be able to have 3 FP+ a day

3. We could access the FP- on days that we choose not to use any FP+ and we can use FP- once we have used all of our FP+ for the day.

I didn't ask about park entry affecting the FP possibility...I should have.
Perhaps because the tickets have the same bar code number, they'll both work.

I know that this info could be false, but I'm choosing to have faith in it.
I'm really nervous and have my doubts about all of this, but I've decided to try the testing. My fingers are crossed.

Wow, if that's accurate, you could kinda screw yourself by having a FP+ for Wishes! or something... can't use FP- at all that day...

 

[DisneyDreamingGirl]

Is Bay Lake included in this testing? Does it count as Contemporary?

 

[DisneyDreamer1974]

I check into it yesterday, only because of the info I seen here, and I had just 2 days left to customize our bands. I checked today and I think it did say today was the last day. I am assuming that if I had'nt caught it in time I would be receiving four gray magic bands in the mail. Glad I see the info here in time. We arrive in a month I think.

I was'nt excepting at all to have the bands. So I am surprised and anxious at the same time.