MagicBands - just returned

[carolinamama]

Just wanted to share what happened to us!

We went to check in last Tues (2/27) at BLT. Turns out, we'd been randomly selected as a test family for MagicBands. However, the testing had been delayed. The computer wouldn't cut KTTW for us because of the testing, so the CM had to call someone, cancel our reservation and rebook. The whole process took 30 min. The CM told us everything for MagicBands was on, they were just delaying testing.

FWIW, the CM helping me at the DHS pin store under the hat said there's so many bugs in the program, he thought it would be a year for full implementation.

 

[Robo]

FWIW, the CM helping me at the DHS pin store under the hat said there's so many bugs in the program, he thought it would be a year for full implementation.

New news, same as the old news. -sigh-

(Thanks very much for posting, BTW!)



.

 

[erionm]

Just wanted to share what happened to us!

We went to check in last Tues (2/27) at BLT. Turns out, we'd been randomly selected as a test family for MagicBands. However, the testing had been delayed. The computer wouldn't cut KTTW for us because of the testing, so the CM had to call someone, cancel our reservation and rebook. The whole process took 30 min.

Same with us, but at AKV on Friday. If they override the MagicBands and issue KTTW cards, the system doesn't realize they've been issued, so that's why they have to cancel and rebook the reservation.

 

[carolinamama]

Yeah, that's what they said. They were able to transfer the room and dining, but not the tickets. They had to charge our account for all new tickets, then reverse the charge.

It was kind of a hot mess.

We had arrived the night before and stated at POR, and we had made our way over to BLT to get our KTTW. It just added to the morning before hitting the parks! (We also learned if we do that again, we'll stay at a monorail resort for that first night, but that's a different thread entirely!). We thought we'd be at MK by 9:15, but it was much closer to 10 with the long check in delay!

 

[erionm]

Yeah, that's what they said. They were able to transfer the room and dining, but not the tickets. They had to charge our account for all new tickets, then reverse the charge.

It was kind of a hot mess.

UGH!

Ours was just a room only DVC Reservation. When they cancelled the reservation it put the points in holding and then the rebook should use those holding points, which it appears that it did.

 

[bengalfreak]

Yeah, that's what they said. They were able to transfer the room and dining, but not the tickets. They had to charge our account for all new tickets, then reverse the charge.

It was kind of a hot mess.

We had arrived the night before and stated at POR, and we had made our way over to BLT to get our KTTW. It just added to the morning before hitting the parks! (We also learned if we do that again, we'll stay at a monorail resort for that first night, but that's a different thread entirely!). We thought we'd be at MK by 9:15, but it was much closer to 10 with the long check in delay!

What a boondoggle. Did they offer you anything for you're inconvenience?

 

[dadddio]

FWIW, the CM helping me at the DHS pin store under the hat said there's so many bugs in the program, he thought it would be a year for full implementation.

I think that CM impressions are important, but I wouldn't rely on their information any more than I would rely on something told to me by a bus driver.

 

[OklahomaTourist]

Man o man.....this sounds waaayy too familiar going back to our check-in debacle in 2011.

We stayed at SSR in June '11, and our check-in day was the literal day Disney was converting its entire computer system to some new software/version/network/magic zamma zamma - AND adding support for their new Hawaii offerings. The result? When we arrived, the lines at SSR were longer than a cat's back, only one or two computers were even responsive, and we couldn't even begin to check in. We were given three different rooms to check in, and none of them were actually ready - one was actually already occupied!!!

We had scheduled our drive into Orlando early that day to spend the afternoon at DTD, but the computer snafu ended up taking THREE HOURS to resolve and get checked in. Yup, you read that right, three hours. I had a frustrated, crew that was ready for some Disney fun, but that wasn't what we were looking for.

Fortunately, we were comped for the first night's stay. Some Disney fans I've told this story to tell me I let them off easy

I thought, man, never try to check in when they're messing with the computers again...and here we are...two years later...they're messing with the computers again...

 

[carolinamama]

That's why I said for what it's worth in regards to the pin CM. Just interesting tidbits.

No, we didn't get any pixie dust for the trouble, and that was okay. The CM was trying his darnedest to get us on our way.

 

[carolinamama]

We had scheduled our drive into Orlando early that day to spend the afternoon at DTD, but the computer snafu ended up taking THREE HOURS to resolve and get checked in. Yup, you read that right, three hours. I had a frustrated, crew that was ready for some Disney fun, but that wasn't what we were looking for..

Three hours would have killed us! WOW!!

 

[bjakmom]

FWIW, the CM helping me at the DHS pin store under the hat said there's so many bugs in the program, he thought it would be a year for full implementation.

Well that's the best news to me - I'm hoping it's delayed until at least September. DD and her family just decided to join our short May trip at BCV and then move over to the Swan to stay a week while her DHs family stays at BCV. Now I'm so worried that they will put her DHs family on FP+ for testing and it will completely ruin their trip as they won't be able to get the same FPs for touring together.
All my trips except for the 1/2 marathon in Nov (very short trip) will be over by Sept, then I might take year off till the dust settles on this new system.
I just spent 5 days calling and on-line to make a b'day ADR at BOG for DGrD - just a reminder to me what a time-consuming nightmare the Disney system can be when it doesn't work - and how much I really don't look forward to scheduling my park days and rides months in advance.

 

[finedice]

Now I'm so worried that they will put her DHs family on FP+ for testing and it will completely ruin their trip as they won't be able to get the same FPs for touring together.

According to the information we have, they should be able to "opt-out".

 

[bjakmom]

According to the information we have, they should be able to "opt-out".

Oh I did know that, thanks - It will just put a damper on her trip - they would never ask the larger group of families staying at BC to 'opt-out' just for them.
I think the test groups are going to be some of the lucky ones using the new system - they won't have to pre-book rides months in advance and might also have access to the regular FP system, too. They were already trying to 'fit in' to the larger family trip - it will just make it complicated and uncomfortable for them and they have already had a very tough year of challenges to face. It was my idea to give them my Sheraton points so they could go when their family was going.
Bottom line: I just want the FP+ system to be delayed for my own very selfish reasons so my DDs little family can enjoy their much needed vaca.

And so I don't have to plan every day/moment/ride of my DGrDs b'day trip in August!

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Hopefully by the time I go it will work!

 

[momto3pirates]

Man o man.....this sounds waaayy too familiar going back to our check-in debacle in 2011.

We stayed at SSR in June '11, and our check-in day was the literal day Disney was converting its entire computer system to some new software/version/network/magic zamma zamma - AND adding support for their new Hawaii offerings. The result? When we arrived, the lines at SSR were longer than a cat's back, only one or two computers were even responsive, and we couldn't even begin to check in. We were given three different rooms to check in, and none of them were actually ready - one was actually already occupied!!!

We had scheduled our drive into Orlando early that day to spend the afternoon at DTD, but the computer snafu ended up taking THREE HOURS to resolve and get checked in. Yup, you read that right, three hours. I had a frustrated, crew that was ready for some Disney fun, but that wasn't what we were looking for.

Fortunately, we were comped for the first night's stay. Some Disney fans I've told this story to tell me I let them off easy

I thought, man, never try to check in when they're messing with the computers again...and here we are...two years later...they're messing with the computers again...

We checked in that day as well!! It was awful. We were at BLT and the entire lobby was full of people trying to check in. We were fortunate enough to already have our park tickets. They were telling people they would not have access to the DDP or park tickets. The best they could do was give out 1 day tickets and tell people to bring receipts for meals and they would reimburse. There were some very upset guests.

 

[mesaboy2]

Yep, sounds pretty fabulous so far.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

We checked in that day as well!! It was awful. We were at BLT and the entire lobby was full of people trying to check in. We were fortunate enough to already have our park tickets. They were telling people they would not have access to the DDP or park tickets. The best they could do was give out 1 day tickets and tell people to bring receipts for meals and they would reimburse. There were some very upset guests.

This sounds horrible so far....
My only hope is that they delay the release until later in the year.. So we can have our trip, and not have to deal with this madness!

 

[dadddio]

I'm having trouble making the connection between the testing delay that affected the OP and MM+ being horrible when it does go into full effect.

As far as I'm concerned, I hope that they roll everything out quickly so that we will be able to use all parts of MM+ when we are there in September.

 

[golf4miami]

I'm having trouble making the connection between the testing delay that affected the OP and MM+ being horrible when it does go into full effect.

As far as I'm concerned, I hope that they roll everything out quickly so that we will be able to use all parts of MM+ when we are there in September.

The point is if they roll it out too quickly and it still functions like it does now, as indicated by this thread, I don't think many people will be enjoying it too well.

 

[dadddio]

The point is if they roll it out too quickly and it still functions like it does now, as indicated by this thread, I don't think many people will be enjoying it too well.

But this thread hasn't given any indication as to how they currently work. If I understand the OP, her family was supposed to be part of a test, but it got delayed and they ran into drama getting her family out of the test and back to normal. If the test had gone forward as planned, we would have an idea of how things currently work. As it went, however, we've got nothing about MM+/magic bands/FP+/etc.