***MyMagic+ & FastPass+ Official Information & FAQ Thread***

[ejcraft]

Thanks.

So he would go to resort check-in, (presumably show ID) swipe there to activate and would he get a PIN too?

In case you haven't figured it out, no one (not even his wife ) wants to leave the park to check him in, if not necessary.

I don't think anyone should have to check him in, if you guys are there first just let the front desk know he will be coming later and he should be good to go. We actually only had 1 pin for all 5 bands, but considering he will be checking in later I would guess he will have to pick his own pin.

 

[ses1230]

Sorry if this has already been addressed, I don't think I saw this posted here.
I have been following twitter updates this weekend. Apparently a rep at the MyMagic booth at the expo said that all FP inventory will be released at 60 days, none will be held back for same day booking. Has anyone else heard this?

 

[delmar411]

we were just there last week and tested the bands, from what I remember, each band had to be swiped to activate, so no he would not be able to just go up to the room as his band will not have been activated yet, of course this could all change before you get there also.

Customized bands are not touched at check in. Only the non-custom ones need to be activated.

 

[delmar411]

Sorry if this has already been addressed, I don't think I saw this posted here.
I have been following twitter updates this weekend. Apparently a rep at the MyMagic booth at the expo said that all FP inventory will be released at 60 days, none will be held back for same day booking. Has anyone else heard this?

Yes, this is consistent with what Disney has stated.

 

[delmar411]

Thanks.

So he would go to resort check-in, (presumably show ID) swipe there to activate and would he get a PIN too?

In case you haven't figured it out, no one (not even his wife ) wants to leave the park to check him in, if not necessary.

Why would he be checking in? If he is in a room on his own then yes he will check in on his own. If he is in someone else's room then he is considered there from the time they check in.

 

[delmar411]

Just thinking....... is there a separate check in line for testers? I did online check in for my upcoming trip. Just wondering what the process will be. So they activate our MB at check in then later we go pick up our tix at Will Call and they will link them to our MB there?

No, you just go to the online check in desk/line. If you have customized already then you will be in and out in a flash. Your MB are active from the second they ship them. Once you pick up your tickets, you need to go to a kiosk or get online and link them up. Will call might have the ability to do that for you but I'd honestly do it myself to know it was done right.

 

[TJDisneymama]

Once you pick up your tickets, you need to go to a kiosk or get online and link them up. Will call might have the ability to do that for you but I'd honestly do it myself to know it was done right.

Yikes, i hope the kiosk will walk me through it. Or i assume a CM is manning each kiosk to assist?

 

[kmb584]

Seriously? You're arguing with Cheshire Figment? A CM who has been watching all of this play out up close? And who may be one of the knowledgable and insightful people on these boards? Really?

Considering that thousands of people have already used their Magicbands (with pre-scheduled FP+) during recent tests without so much as a single hiccup, I'd say the train analogy is thoroughly flawed and frankly makes little sense. For a large number of testers (including users of the MDE website and FP+) it's been a 100% flawless experience (as reported first hand by several people here and other places).

Cars occasionally break down. Software (across all types of devices) occasionally crashes. That doesn't mean that they were released before they were functional, it simply means that some things can't be ironed out until large-scale, widespread testing puts a system through its paces. There are always extra bugs that crop up when things go "live" on a large scale and it's hardly exclusive to Disney. Yes, there have been problems (maybe Disney needs better IT people). But the fact is that guests by the thousands are experiencing the NextGen system without having any issues.

Unless you personally know the 80,000 guests who have particpated in the testing phase, it's inaccurate to state that it's a 100% flawless experience.

If the new system received nothing but glowing feedback, don't you think our televisions and the internet would be plastered with ads boasting about its imminent debut? Corporate would be throwing millions into advertisements hyping Next Gen in order to get those not in the know excited. But they aren't. Unless you're a seasoned visitor, a first time visitor planning, a randomly selected tester or a huge WDW fan, chances are you'd find yourself with the mention of Next Gen and all of its "features".

 

[Fire14]

Thanks.

So he would go to resort check-in, (presumably show ID) swipe there to activate and would he get a PIN too?

In case you haven't figured it out, no one (not even his wife ) wants to leave the park to check him in, if not necessary.

This was pre MB, but My bff checked us into room and got my kttw card, I had done online check in so that was done.
A few trips ago MY Bff and I arrived day prior to my DH, we had his kttw card and he just met us at Park.
In May I arrived several hours prior to Dh and his friend. I had all the kttw cards, pins were assigned/chosen at time I did online check in.
For upcoming Sept. Trip pins remain same, no choice to change them during online check in. ( no new members to travel group)

 

[bcrook]

Seriously? You're arguing with Cheshire Figment? A CM who has been watching all of this play out up close? And who may be one of the knowledgable and insightful people on these boards? Really?

Sorry if this has already been addressed, I don't think I saw this posted here.
I have been following twitter updates this weekend. Apparently a rep at the MyMagic booth at the expo said that all FP inventory will be released at 60 days, none will be held back for same day booking. Has anyone else heard this?

Yes, this is consistent with what Disney has stated.

And totally makes sense. For this to be successful, there needs to plenty of choices available online in advance. Or everyone will stop using it. Disney wants those FP slots booked up and in demand in advance. That way people will be more likely to stay at the parks they have chosen and not venture off to universal. It is very clever, just as clever as Magical Express actually. It is a great way to lock in the off site guests. But it only works if FP are hard to get. And they will be...

 

[TJDisneymama]

So ive been reading a bit about this whole Next Gen thing and will be doing the testing this weekend. The part I dont get is the FP+. If the rumors are true and they do end up limiting to 3/day and only 1 park/day and putting all the FPs out 60 daya prior and not hold any back for same day...........these all sound like HORRIBLE, terrible, no good ideas to me. Unless I'm missing something. I dont really get what their goal is with the FP+ as its rumored to be. It doesnt seem like it will shorten lines; seems the opposite will happen if we only have 3 a day. If the FPs start running out before the day even arrives, lots of locals and last minute guests are going to lose out......or stand in line. I just dont see any upside to this at all, but like I said, maybe I'm missing the main objective? What exactly are they trying to accomplish with FP+?

Im a TA and most of my clients are first timers. Most of them dont understand FPs and cant even believe they need to plan their park days/restaurants months in advance. I'm afraid if I tell them they need to start planning their FPs inadvance, theyre going to think I'm crazy.

 

[Missyrose]

So ive been reading a bit about this whole Next Gen thing and will be doing the testing this weekend. The part I dont get is the FP+. If the rumors are true and they do end up limiting to 3/day and only 1 park/day and putting all the FPs out 60 daya prior and not hold any back for same day...........these all sound like HORRIBLE, terrible, no good ideas to me. Unless I'm missing something. I dont really get what their goal is with the FP+ as its rumored to be. It doesnt seem like it will shorten lines; seems the opposite will happen if we only have 3 a day. If the FPs start running out before the day even arrives, lots of locals and last minute guests are going to lose out......or stand in line. I just dont see any upside to this at all, but like I said, maybe I'm missing the main objective? What exactly are they trying to accomplish with FP+?

Im a TA and most of my clients are first timers. Most of them dont understand FPs and cant even believe they need to plan their park days/restaurants months in advance. I'm afraid if I tell them they need to start planning their FPs inadvance, theyre going to think I'm crazy.

Disney's goals are to get people to be so scheduled on their trips that they don't have time to try the "other" parks. The MagicBand/smartphone combo could give Disney some nice opportunities for targeted marketing, as well.

 

[Simba77]

Seriously? You're arguing with Cheshire Figment? A CM who has been watching all of this play out up close? And who may be one of the knowledgable and insightful people on these boards? Really?

I guess I missed the part where I'm supposed to blindly accept everything I hear. All I did was point out the fatal flaws in the "railroad/locomotive" analogy (honestly, can anyone explain to me how that analogy is apt?).

I don't play favorites. If I see a post that either doesn't make sense or doesn't support its claims, I don't mind asking for clarification or putting forth a contrary opinion.

Unless you personally know the 80,000 guests who have particpated in the testing phase, it's inaccurate to state that it's a 100% flawless experience.

If the new system received nothing but glowing feedback, don't you think our televisions and the internet would be plastered with ads boasting about its imminent debut? Corporate would be throwing millions into advertisements hyping Next Gen in order to get those not in the know excited. But they aren't. Unless you're a seasoned visitor, a first time visitor planning, a randomly selected tester or a huge WDW fan, chances are you'd find yourself with the mention of Next Gen and all of its "features".

I never said it was "nothing but glowing feedback." I've read first hand reports by people (Disney park guests) who've used the system. There are testing reports by users here on the forum, and on several other websites, and many of them (I'd say the majority) have reported no issues with their experience, and reported actually enjoying using the bands and FP+. That doesn't mean its perfect, that doesn't mean that nobody has had problems - I never claimed that. I was pointing out (as I mentioned above) that the analogy about a railroad being in operation without a locomotive made no sense. If so many people have booked FP+ and used it (and Magicbands) without incident, then the "locomotive" must be at least running, even if it's not running optimally. I've heard very little feedback describing major issues with the system.

Just because there aren't "ads" plastered everywhere doesn't mean things aren't progressing or that it's a train wreck. I'm sure that Disney has encountered problems and delays with the system. And once again, I never suggested that everything is "going according to plan." I wasn't trying to dispute that in the first place. I don't know enough about Disney's plans to comment on the speed with which they're progressing.

And just because many people have had a incident-free experience with Fastpass+ and Magicbands doesn't mean it's perfect or that it's ready for a full rollout; I never claimed it to be.

 

[SABeasley98]

We are going in October, staying at POFQ. Planning to buy military discount tickets when we get there. From what I've read, it seems that you have to book a package in order to be eligible to be a "tester". So we have no chance of being selected-is that correct? Assuming the testing is complete & the program is live when we go in October, has there been any info about this program with military tickets? Thanks in advance for any advice. This whole FP+ is adding an extra variable to planning & I hate being unprepared!

 

[Simba77]

We are going in October, staying at POFQ. Planning to buy military discount tickets when we get there. From what I've read, it seems that you have to book a package in order to be eligible to be a "tester". So we have no chance of being selected-is that correct? Assuming the testing is complete & the program is live when we go in October, has there been any info about this program with military tickets? Thanks in advance for any advice. This whole FP+ is adding an extra variable to planning & I hate being unprepared!

There's no testing yet announced for October. I don't believe the system will be fully live by then, but if it is, I'm not sure there's concrete info on how military discount tickets will be handled with regard to FP+.

I'd be quite surprised if regular FP isn't still available in October, so at the very least you'll have that.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

We are going in October, staying at POFQ. Planning to buy military discount tickets when we get there. From what I've read, it seems that you have to book a package in order to be eligible to be a "tester". So we have no chance of being selected-is that correct? Assuming the testing is complete & the program is live when we go in October, has there been any info about this program with military tickets? Thanks in advance for any advice. This whole FP+ is adding an extra variable to planning & I hate being unprepared!

There have been lots of room only testers and AP rate testers, so a package is not necessary to participate!

 

[imthegoose]

Disney's goals are to get people to be so scheduled on their trips that they don't have time to try the "other" parks. The MagicBand/smartphone combo could give Disney some nice opportunities for targeted marketing, as well.

This actually had the opposite affect for me. I'll be a tester starting next Friday and do have a few days at "other" parks. However, now that I have access to FP +, I was able to make some late reservations on TSM without having to get online bright and early to get a regular FP- before they run out.

I think smart users of the FP+ can use it to their advantage to visit "other" parks and still be able to ride the big attractions at Disney in the evening.

 

[ArwenMarie]

This actually had the opposite affect for me. I'll be a tester starting next Friday and do have a few days at "other" parks. However, now that I have access to FP +, I was able to make some late reservations on TSM without having to get online bright and early to get a regular FP- before they run out.

I think smart users of the FP+ can use it to their advantage to visit "other" parks and still be able to ride the big attractions at Disney in the evening.

I agree. I don't know what the main purpose of FP+ is anymore but I don't think it will keep folks away from other parks...It might have the opposite effect.

 

[LindseyKennedy25]

We are going to Disney the last week of October. This is my first time on this thread so I don't know all of the info on the Magic Bands and FastPass+. Do you think this will be rolled out by the time we go? So far we haven't received anything that says we have been chosen as a tester.

I would LOVE to participate in this. If you have been chosen as a tester, how closer to your trip were you contacted about being in the program? Is there any special way to get chosen?

I know that there could be several downsides to a system like this, but assuming that it works like it is supposed to, it could have several benefits to my family. I have a young preschooler (she'll be four when we go) so being able to reserve things at times that work for us is great!

Thanks for the info!

 

[Tennshooter]

Without reading all 80 pages of this post, is there any indication as of yet as to how this will affect non-resort guests? Will they just be out of luck on FP or will there be some alternative system in place?

If this has already been answered then just cite me to the page number.

If there is no real line of sight into this issue yet then so be it.