MagicBand testing

[loveswdw]

We are doing a split stay at OKW, BWV then one night at VGF. MDE is giving me MagicBand options for each reservation. If I link my tickets to my first reservation then don't get MBs for the other reservations, will the MB still have our tickets on it after we check out of OKW? Or, do we really need 3 MBs each? I would think that one MB could be used for all reservations?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Staying at SSR in November as our first ever DVC stay (new member). I may be getting ahead of myself since SSR isn't a test resort yet, but I'm thinking it might be by November (or the whole system might even be live). Anyways, before hereing about all this magic band/fastpass+ stuff I was planning to buy annual passes once we get to the park on the first day. Now I'm not sure because I wouldn't be able to schedule any fastpass+ stuff until I have tickets, correct?

I think I read earlier in this thread that someone said they were able to link a voucher to their stay in MDE and then could do the fastpass stuff. Can that be confirmed? Does that mean if I go to MDE and buy fastpasses now I will receive vouchers in the mail, I can link the vouchers to the trip, schedule my fastpasses and then activate the passes once we get there in November?

This is all assuming SSR is even chosen by then (I'm optimistic).

We were able to link our vouchers to MDE, but only because we purchased them at WDW last Dec. and they issued them on what looks like a paper PAP ticket, but is actually a special DVC discount voucher. We have the correct number of numbers and letters on our vouchers to allow us to enter them. If you have a green voucher, you can not link those at this time.

 

[erionm]

We are doing a split stay at OKW, BWV then one night at VGF. MDE is giving me MagicBand options for each reservation. If I link my tickets to my first reservation then don't get MBs for the other reservations, will the MB still have our tickets on it after we check out of OKW? Or, do we really need 3 MBs each? I would think that one MB could be used for all reservations?

Nothing is stored on the MagicBand except for a unique band ID number. The MagicBand is linked to your MDE profile using that band id. All other entitlements (resort reservations, park admission, FP+, etc) are also linked to your MDE profile. When the MagicBand is scanned, the appropriate data is read from Disney's servers to validate the function being performed (park entry, room entry, FP+ entry, etc).

All MagicBands associated with a persons profile have access to all the same entitlements.

 

[loveswdw]

Nothing is stored on the MagicBand except for a unique band ID number. The MagicBand is linked to your MDE profile using that band id. All other entitlements (resort reservations, park admission, FP+, etc) are also linked to your MDE profile. When the MagicBand is scanned, the appropriate data is read from Disney's servers to validate the function being performed (park entry, room entry, FP+ entry, etc).

All MagicBands associated with a persons profile have access to all the same entitlements.

So I don't need to claim a MB for each reservation then? (I just don't see the need to get 12 MBs for 4 people). Thanks!

 

[erionm]

So I don't need to claim a MB for each reservation then? (I just don't see the need to get 12 MBs for 4 people). Thanks!

Currently, Disney is sending a set of MagicBands for every reservation. If there is an open order for the other MagicBands, you will receive them. You can customize them so that each person gets multiple colors. If you don't customize them, they will probably send grey ones.

 

[MouseMomx2]

So I don't need to claim a MB for each reservation then? (I just don't see the need to get 12 MBs for 4 people). Thanks!

If you don't customize them they will send you gray ones. You might as well personalize them and choose different colors if you wish. The bands will be interchangeable.

During this test phase they are sending one set of bands per reservation. Eventually they will send out one band per person, regardless of how many reservations they have, and guests will be expected to reuse their bands for several years.

 

[shortypots]

So we have PAP vouchers are those tickets going to be added to the magicbands? If so, does that mean we have to hold onto those for a year?

 

[MouseMomx2]

So we have PAP vouchers are those tickets going to be added to the magicbands? If so, does that mean we have to hold onto those for a year?

Again, nothing is on the bands themselves. Everything is linked to your MDE account, which the band can access. Any band linked to you will be able to access that information. For example, if you have reservations at two different resorts your band will open your room at both of them since they are each linked to your account.

Right now they are sending one set of bands per reservation, but eventually you will not get a new band if you already have one. So...yes, Disney is expecting guests to keep their bands and use them over several years.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

Staying at BW in Oct and just got invited. The invite comes by overnight mail by ups. Totally shocked that they are spending so much money, they could of just emailed the invite.

Don't think I'm going to do it as we are just going for a long weekend and will probably only go to the parks once. Seems like such a hassle.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Staying at BW in Oct and just got invited. The invite comes by overnight mail by ups. Totally shocked that they are spending so much money, they could of just emailed the invite.

Don't think I'm going to do it as we are just going for a long weekend and will probably only go to the parks once. Seems like such a hassle.

Not only that, but the invite is just a formality. You do not need to be invited to participate. Anyone staying at a participating WDW resort (and they will all be participating by 10/25) may use Magic Bands and FP+.

IMO they should have sent emails to those whose email addresses they had and a regular letter to the rest. Not only are the invites unnecessary but they are often arriving after the Magic Bands...mine arrived the day after my MBs. I believe the initial plan was to send MBs out 10 days before arrival, in which case the invitation would have arrived well before. They changed to 30 days out and didn't adjust the invitation mailing schedule accordingly.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Again, nothing is on the bands themselves. Everything is linked to your MDE account, which the band can access. Any band linked to you will be able to access that information. For example, if you have reservations at two different resorts your band will open your room at both of them since they are each linked to your account.

Right now they are sending one set of bands per reservation, but eventually you will not get a new band if you already have one. So...yes, Disney is expecting guests to keep their bands and use them over several years.

OK, so let's see if I have this right. So I can go on MDE, register everything, set up FP+, register Magical Express (if it has that option), but not request Magic Bands, just bring back the one I have, which will automatically link to all that info and get me into my rooms (yes, 3 different rooms over 10 days)?

 

[pequele]

Staying at BW in Oct and just got invited. The invite comes by overnight mail by ups. Totally shocked that they are spending so much money, they could of just emailed the invite.

Don't think I'm going to do it as we are just going for a long weekend and will probably only go to the parks once. Seems like such a hassle.

Not only that, but the invite is just a formality. You do not need to be invited to participate. Anyone staying at a participating WDW resort (and they will all be participating by 10/25) may use Magic Bands and FP+.

IMO they should have sent emails to those whose email addresses they had and a regular letter to the rest. Not only are the invites unnecessary but they are often arriving after the Magic Bands...mine arrived the day after my MBs. I believe the initial plan was to send MBs out 10 days before arrival, in which case the invitation would have arrived well before. They changed to 30 days out and didn't adjust the invitation mailing schedule accordingly.

I never got an email (and yes they have it and use it often) nor any mail by overnight UPS. I just went into my account and saw it said customize and planned my FP+s. I've heard a lot of people haven't gotten any word from Disney about their "invite".

 

[shortypots]

I got an email and the overnighted letter. Thought that odd. We were already going to be staying at BCV for 2 days, so I wonder if it is for those staying more than 2 days as we did not get the letter til our 3rd night came through on the waitlist.

 

[SarahInMN]

I never got an invite but, following advice on DIS, logged in and saw the bags on the website waiting to be customized.

I linked our AP vouchers by scanning them into the MDE app and booked all our FP+.

Most exciting though the MB's arrived in the mail today!!

Best advice ever - don't wait for an invite, just login and see if you have the option to customize your bands.

 

[dizfan]

Just returned from WDW. Overall, we enjoyed Magic Bands.
We did have one bad experience though. At an Epcot event, security told us we had to have the plastic card. Because MBs would not work for Epcot entry that morning. We had the older APs and he made us exchange them. The person at guest services said security was wrong, but he exchanged our old APs for the plastic card.
After that our MBs stopped working. We get back to the resort after a long, long day and we cannot get into our BCV room with MBs. Fortunately, room card still worked. I go to lobby and the fix my MB after about 20 minutes. They say DW can just touch her MB to door and it will activate it. Sadly, that didn't work. Another wait and the front desk fixes her MB.
Ater the delay we head to boat dock for a trip to Villain night at DHS. Horrible wait of 90 minutes for a boat.

Oh well, part of the learning curve with anything new. Cell phones used to be awful, today few of us could do without them.

 

[N365PA]

We're staying at AKL in 5 weeks and got our MB invite. Went online to customize and do FP+. Looking forward to trying it out!

Clint

 

[wlvfan]

Got the letter yesterday about being part of the magic band trial, really looking forward to it. Sure, I expect to find a bug or two in the system, but this really looks fun! And since I am the family runner for fast passes, I love the idea behind the fast pass+ system! I feel like I need to train for a marathon to keep that practice up, and if anybody saw a pic of me, you would instantly see I'm not running any marathons anytime soon! Hooray magic bands!

 

[shortypots]

I am really hoping they open up the test to VWL as we have 7 people in our party and it would certainly help getting FP's ahead of time.

 

[erionm]

I am really hoping they open up the test to VWL as we have 7 people in our party and it would certainly help getting FP's ahead of time.

WL & VWL are included in testing for reservations with check-in dates beginning 10/14 through 10/31. There is no word yet as to when MyMagic+ (MagicBands & FP+) will be enabled for November check-ins.

 

[AmyB2006]

I am really hoping they open up the test to VWL as we have 7 people in our party and it would certainly help getting FP's ahead of time.

They did. We're staying there on October 26th and we were already able to customize bands and make FP+ reservations.

Best advice ever - don't wait for an invite, just login and see if you have the option to customize your bands.