No MB, no FP?

[Jayasun]

Headed to WDW for a week in mid March and while I am an experienced tourer, I feel I am beginning new this time around due to FP+ and MB.

For medical reasons, I cannot use MB. I understand using an old Key to the World is an option for my stay but will not allow me to make FP+ reservations. (If you believe otherwise, tell me). I am touring alone with kids, so if I cannot use the FP+, they cannot either.

I'm trying to make touring plans that will work with the littlest wait time possible. Typically I use RideMax, but am unsure now how to plan given the changes in wait times, shows, parades, etc with FP+. Am I going to get blocked out of Lion King or the parade b/c I do not have a FP+?

I have called Disney 2x yesterday and received two different responses to my situation. One told me that all FP- ticket machines have been removed in all parks (True?) and only FP+ is available. The other assured me that while FP+ is an option, there are still the old FP- machines at work in EACH PARK so that guests may use paper tickets to get a FP- (True?). This will be a big issue for me if the later is true, it would help solve my problems.

So my questions are these:
1) Are there still FP- available in any or all of the parks?
2) If not, what are my best options for making a solid touring plan? Is help available here on these boards, or do you recommend RideMax, etc?
3) Are people not using MB truly shut out of FP or can we go to guest relations for an old paper FP or some other solution I have not thought of?

I'm a new poster here, please be gentle and thanks in advance for your help.

 

[mikethedigiartist]

Welcome to the boards. I'm an infrequent poster but would like to help you.

There are no more paper FP machines. All parks have removed them, I will confirm this coming week.

Can you use a card with the RFID in it? Just like MB but not a band.

We had tested using our AP card at the FP+ Kiosk and it worked exactly like a MB. When I went to use the AP Ticket Card at a FP+ entrance w/o the cast member looking it worked exactly as a MB would. However, when the CM noticed they mentioned not to use it since the test was for MB only. I say rubbish to that, but that's what they are being told to do I guess. I'm sure that will change when day guests are using ticket cards no MBs, though.

 

[wisblue]

I'll let others provide the details and links to information that should help you but, in short:

1 All paper FP machines are covered, so FP+ is the only way to get FPs. The FP machines were covered at Epcot and DHS starting last week.

2. You should be able to get some kind of RFID enabled card that would serve the same purpose as a magic band, so you don't have to have or wear an actual band to get and use FP+.

 

[Iowajes]

I'm not sure what your medical reason is- but if it is just wearing the band that is the problem, you can put it on a lanyard around your neck, keep it in your purse, attach it to a carabiner around your belt. It does not need to go on your wrist- having it there is just a convenience for people who are able to use it that way.

I can't wear one on my wrist for medical reasons.

 

[TDC Nala]

When you check in to your resort, tell them you would like a key card. You do not have to wear the band. It's even written on MDX in the Magic Band section that if you do not want to use the band, you can ask for a key card at your resort. (They'll still give you the band though).

The key card should work exactly like a band would, as far as you being able to touch it to the scanners for park entry, room entry, redeeming fastpasses, payment if you want to link payment to your room account.

There are no more functioning FP- machines (the machines may still be there, but they are no longer used), and no more paper fastpasses. Epcot was the last park to use paper fastpasses, and they stopped on January 23. From now on, it's only FP+ for fastpasses. You're limited to selecting 3 fastpasses per day in one park.

In order to book FP+ in advance, you must have had a qualifying stay at a Disney resort, AND park admission linked to your My Disney Experience (MDX) account.

If you do not have a resort stay or had one in the past that enabled you to activate MDX, you can book FP+ at kiosks inside the parks when you arrive, so long as you have park admission linked to your MDX account. If you wait to purchase park admission until you arrive, you cannot book any FP+ until your admission is linked to your account.

 

[AmyB2006]

I'm not sure what your medical reason is- but if it is just wearing the band that is the problem, you can put it on a lanyard around your neck, keep it in your purse, attach it to a carabiner around your belt. It does not need to go on your wrist- having it there is just a convenience for people who are able to use it that way. I can't wear one on my wrist for medical reasons.

Agreed. I don't wear mine just simply because I think it's uncomfortable. I wear it on a lanyard.

Anyway, you are correct, no more regular FP.

 

[Jayasun]

So glad to get responses. They are telling me that the key cards are not RFID and therefore won't work. So I need to verify this Of course they are also telling me that the old FP machines are still available, so I can't trust a thing they tell me.

 

[TDC Nala]

So glad to get responses. They are telling me that the key cards are not RFID and therefore won't work. So I need to verify this Of course they are also telling me that the old FP machines are still available, so I can't trust a thing they tell me.

This is incorrect information. All the key cards are RFID. All the resorts have RFID door locks (and have for at least a couple of years), so they wouldn't work otherwise.

I think you are correct in observing that you can't believe anything a Disney phone agent tells you. Especially if you are calling the room reservations line. They should be used only to make reservations, because their record of giving out incorrect information is ridiculous. Same with the dining line. A lot of the phone agents are not even in Florida, they're in call centers elsewhere, and I'd wager many of them have never been to WDW.

 

[gdrj]

You can still reserve fp+ without band 60 days out
There are fp+ kiosks in the parks if you choose to wait to get a fast pass.
Room key will be act as mb when in fp line.
I believe ( but am not positive). The key uses RFID technology as well, if that is the issue you may want to do a search on disney world site for RFID and FAQ as well as review with your doctor.

The rest of your party should be able to use and get fp+

 

[JanaDee]

So glad to get responses. They are telling me that the key cards are not RFID and therefore won't work. So I need to verify this Of course they are also telling me that the old FP machines are still available, so I can't trust a thing they tell me.

Ugh! This is why I tell people NOT to call Disney. Their CM's are so poorly trained they can't even give correct, up to date info! Unfortunately, it happens all the time.

Yes, the key cards are RFID enabled and can be used in place of the magic bands.

Paper FP is no longer available in the parks. It is FP+ only now at all four parks.

 

[sharonabe]

This has nothing to do with MB or FP+, but you mentioned getting blocked out of Lion King. Well, everyone is blocked out, because it is in refurb getting ready for their move. The last show was early in Jan, and it's not scheduled to reopen until some time in the summer.

 

[Jayasun]

Sharonabe, OH NO! Thanks so much for telling me about Lion King- it is a family favorite, so good to know ahead of time so we can adjust to disappointment. I have yet to check closures/refurbs.

In theory, could we get bumped out of a show or parade if we do not have FP+?

 

[chartle]

I'm not sure what your medical reason is- but if it is just wearing the band that is the problem, you can put it on a lanyard around your neck, keep it in your purse, attach it to a carabiner around your belt. It does not need to go on your wrist- having it there is just a convenience for people who are able to use it that way.

I can't wear one on my wrist for medical reasons.

Agreed. I don't wear mine just simply because I think it's uncomfortable. I wear it on a lanyard.

Anyway, you are correct, no more regular FP.

Yes these are not like medical bands or even MVMCP bands that you have to cut off. They are more like an adjustable wristwatch so just don't put it on your wrist.

One thing, I just looked up a tear down of the Magic Band. Don't cut it to make it smaller. One of the antennas is all through the band part.

 

[chartle]

Sharonabe, OH NO! Thanks so much for telling me about Lion King- it is a family favorite, so good to know ahead of time so we can adjust to disappointment. I have yet to check closures/refurbs.

In theory, could we get bumped out of a show or parade if we do not have FP+?

Well shows can fill up but there are always spots to see a parade, they are just not the good spots.

 

[disney1990]

This is incorrect information. All the key cards are RFID. All the resorts have RFID door locks (and have for at least a couple of years), so they wouldn't work otherwise.

I think you are correct in observing that you can't believe anything a Disney phone agent tells you. Especially if you are calling the room reservations line. They should be used only to make reservations, because their record of giving out incorrect information is ridiculous. Same with the dining line. A lot of the phone agents are not even in Florida, they're in call centers elsewhere, and I'd wager many of them have never been to WDW.

We went last year (July) and our room at Pop Century did not use RFID locks. But, yes, they do all now. To OP, I would trust people here on the DIS board before I would trust some of the people I get when I call Disney directly.

 

[bruhl1j]

One tip is to create an account for each member of your party on MDE. Once you do that, tickets can be linked and family can be linked to one trip. Tickets can be a code for a will call pickup, an annual pass, or new ticket. Just link them to each individual account under MDE.

FP+ can vary. For example, every person in your family can have different FP+ experiences, the same , or a mix of same/different. For example, teenagers might have space mountain by themselves but ride POTC with you. A daughter may want to get inline for a princess photo, etc.

Just link tickets, then the main trip planner can send an email request to family so MDE plans show up on their login and MDE.

Sweet.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

In theory, could we get bumped out of a show or parade if we do not have FP+?

You would have to wait, as would anyone else who did not have a fastpass.

For shows, if you expect them to hit capacity and you are not there early enough, then you won't be admitted.

For parades, if you want a good viewing spot you will have to stake it out ahead of time, as would anyone else who does not have a fastpass. All the fastpass does is allow you access to a designated (and probably much less crowded) waiting and viewing area. There is no way they can tell someone that they can't watch a parade, but if you aren't there early enough and you don't have the fastpass, you may have a less than ideal place to view it from.

 

[Soupermom]

Sorry to hijack, but I'm still confused. We will be driving over from Tampa for one day during the last week of March. We are not staying on-site, and I have old non-expire tickets we were going to use. Can we still use the FP system in any way? If so, where do I start? If not...that stinks!!!

 

[Raenstoirm]

OP, I am confused, why can't you have a band?? RFID is a "gentle" transmission. I am unaware of any medical issue that has a problem with it, but if you do have something that can't handle RFID, WDW is way too dangerous for you since everything is RFID there now. If wearing the band its self is the issue, as others, said you can wear it anywhere or slip it into a bag or pocket. If you are on-site and have tickets you get FP+

Sorry to hijack, but I'm still confused. We will be driving over from Tampa for one day during the last week of March. We are not staying on-site, and I have old non-expire tickets we were going to use. Can we still use the FP system in any way? If so, where do I start? If not...that stinks!!!

You will have to get your ticket upgraded to RFID at customer service before you can enter the park (you tap the card or band to enter now). Once you enter, you will have to reserve your FP+ at the kiosks throughout the park. You can only reserve them early if you are staying on site. After you have them, you just tap the card at each ride to use them.

 

[rebbyparker]

Awwwww.....so the legacy FP machines are gone, huh? That's so sad. Really, so sad. I'm glad we kept some of FP tickets, they can be used in scrapbooks and to commemorate the "good old days". Glad I checked back to see what had changed.