Magic Bands info for the new test dates in August

[doconeill]

Well I booked yesterday afternoon, logged into MDE right after and I was able to customize bands, clicked done, today I cannot change the bands and it says shipping soon. I just got the email inviting us to test and right after another email reminding me to customizing our bands. So ours came super quickly.

It did say I had until Monday to customize.

I think you have a deadline to do the customization - but once you've done it, the data gets sent to the fulfillment center (at least at the next "send data" interval, before which you might be able to make further changes)

 

[SharonLowe]

After reading that Yacht Club was included in the August test, which is where we are staying Aug 9-14, I checked on line and saw we were eligible and that we needed to customize our bands asap if we wanted something other than grey ones. A few days later, I got the email invite. And, a few days after that, I got an invitation in the mail. Both said we had until July 30 to customize our bands. Since we did it before that date, I can't be sure that we would not have received the grey bands had I not seen the DIS discussion.

I found adding FP+ was easy but changing the times for each was a pain. I also noticed that even if FP+ was available for an earlier time, it would not give you one that overlapped with others you had chosen. I wish they would just let us choose which ones we want and then give us the times available for each one we choose.

If you have an annual pass exchange certificate, you will not be able to add it ahead of time. But, IT told me to take it to guest services where they would activate the AP and add you to the same FP+ times as the rest of your group. That might be fine now when they are just testing it but I wonder how well that will work when it is available to everyone.

 

[brettb]

If you have an annual pass exchange certificate, you will not be able to add it ahead of time. But, IT told me to take it to guest services where they would activate the AP and add you to the same FP+ times as the rest of your group. That might be fine now when they are just testing it but I wonder how well that will work when it is available to everyone.

At least for this test, we have phantom 10-day parkhoppers associated with account. We have no real tickets linked.

 

[imanaussie]

I just received our official email invitation for the testing. Today is 17 days before we arrive. We've had our bands since Monday.

Is the AKV portion of your stay included in the test? If so, are you at Jambo house paying cash for the room?

 

[WillAustin]

Is the AKV portion of your stay included in the test? If so, are you at Jambo house paying cash for the room?

No, we are staying at Kidani for the first part of our trip. I can't plan any FP+s for those days.

 

[cfw213]

If you have an annual pass exchange certificate, you will not be able to add it ahead of time. But, IT told me to take it to guest services where they would activate the AP and add you to the same FP+ times as the rest of your group. That might be fine now when they are just testing it but I wonder how well that will work when it is available to everyone.

This isn't entirely true. Some people are able to link their AP vouchers and some aren't, it depends on when/how they were bought. I was able to link 2 DVC PAP vouchers on the first try with no issues.

 

[KELLY]

As far as we know you'll need an open slot. Currently there aren't any FP+ dining options, so we have NO idea how that will work in reality.



I'm sure they will! That's why I keep checking. I'd much rather have a lunch FP+ at BOG than Wishes/Fantastmic/IllumiNations or parades!

That OP didn't say anything about BOG reservations. Just if they would need a open slot to change FP+ options around and was wanting to know if they could make them same day.
Just don't want them confused.

 

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

I also was able to add our DVC PAP vouchers by scanning the barcode via the MDX app. Interestingly, we are doing a split stay with the reservation eligible for FP+testing taking place at the end of our trip, and I was able to make FP+reservations only for that portion of the trip. Notwithstanding the linked AP voucher, the dates where We are staying at other resorts are blocked out for FP+ selections.

 

[WillAustin]

Interestingly, we are doing a split stay with the reservation eligible for FP+testing taking place at the end of our trip, and I was able to make FP+reservations only for that portion of the trip. Notwithstanding the linked AP voucher, the dates where We are staying at other resorts are blocked out for FP+ selections.

We have APs and are doing a split stay also. Our second half of the trip at CR is all that is eligible for FP+, so the resort is the only qualifying factor for the test, not the APs. I can, however, go in and make FP+ reservations beyond our stay, so if it were the other way around, and we were staying at CR first, maybe I could reserve them for the entire trip.

 

[Rheinhold]

My trip is 17 days out today and I just received that magical email inviting us to be part of the test group! Stressing a tiny bit when I didn't see it this morning but it came. Staying at Contemporary starting August 15th. DS and I received our customized magic bands last week! Can't wait!

 

[shawy1269]

I booked YC for my bday trip at the end of August 8/30-9/1. I was able to link my FL Resident AP to my magic band. I wasn't able to link my wife's. mine is the new AP with the RFID. Hers is the old paper ticket. Is this the reason? Further more, both of our APs expire BEFORE our trip so we might have to link our new APs when we arrive. Anyone familiar with the procedure? Thanks!

 

[Cupmom]

My trip is 17 days out today and I just received that magical email inviting us to be part of the test group! Stressing a tiny bit when I didn't see it this morning but it came. Staying at Contemporary starting August 15th. DS and I received our customized magic bands last week! Can't wait!

Today is our 17 day mark!!! Waiting for an email!!

 

[Simba's Girl]

Today is our 17 day mark!!! Waiting for an email!!

got both of mine around 2:15p ET....go play for a while

 

[jerivera]

Today is our 17 day mark!!! Waiting for an email!!

Let us know if you do get the email! Tomorrow is our 17 day mark. Fingers crossed!!!!

 

[etail]

Let us know if you do get the email! Tomorrow is our 17 day mark. Fingers crossed!!!!

We got our e-mail at 17 days and the overnight mail as well. This despite already having the magic bands since I customized two weeks ago or so. Toom only reservation with a split AK-YC. I didn't customize the YC bands and will consider trying to get the cast members to add the room at YC to our bands from AK for practice. But at this rate I will not be surprised if we end up with customized bands and a set of Grey bands...

 

[WillAustin]

But at this rate I will not be surprised if we end up with customized bands and a set of Grey bands...

I think you are right. We got 2 sets of bands for our CR stay. We had to book 2 reservations because of discount cutoff dates.

 

[CariBelle]

We received our second set of bands yesterday! Our stay is split between POP and AKL. Both sets customized.

 

[shawy1269]

I'm a cast member at one of the test resorts, and I was told by my manager that any guest checking into a test resort during the month of August is eligible!

So many differences of opinion on this.

I check in 8/30 at YC and the website allowed me to order bands and book FP+. I was able to link my AP but not my wife's. I called IT about it, and the girl, who was very nice, told me I am outside of the test window which ends on 8/25. Her first question was, "Did you receive an email?", which I have not. She was confused as to why I was able to customize bands and choose FP+. She said that most likely, the bands would not be coming and the FP+ would just drop off the system.

It seems like there is a lack of communication between IT and the Resorts. I can see how there might be a glitch in the system allowing late August checkins to book, though. If someone is just checking in on 8/25, then what would Disney do? Just let them make FP+ and use magic bands for one day? No, theyll extend it for the length of stay, possibly even into September.

Where does this leave me? That remains to be seen. Its not making or breaking my trip to be able to use a magic band. It would be cool. Ill mostly be at Stormalong Bay anyway

Im expecting an email from Disney IT regarding my inability to link my wife's ticket to the ressie. If I get a response that pertains to MM+, Ill copy it here.

 

[marellano1]

Last night we decided on a last minute stay at the CR and to my surprise, I had the option of customizing bands! We will be there this Sunday (Aug 4), so due to the short notice I knew there would be no time for them to be mailed. Today when I logged in, it said that I could pick up my customized bands at the front desk! Has anyone done this? I hope they are actually there when we arrive!

Also, we are getting annual passes (we let our other ones lapse so we couldn't just renew them) but will only have our vouchers when we arrive at the hotel. The vouchers need to be converted to actual tickets. I'm wondering if they will give us physical tickets or link them to the bands (or both?). Anyone with experience?

TIA!

 

[doconeill]

Also, we are getting annual passes (we let our other ones lapse so we couldn't just renew them) but will only have our vouchers when we arrive at the hotel. The vouchers need to be converted to actual tickets. I'm wondering if they will give us physical tickets or link them to the bands (or both?). Anyone with experience?

TIA!

You should get both. You'll need the physical AP to show eligibility for discounts.