No more cards for passholders?

[Tinky-Bell]

Not sure if this is a rumor, a fact, or what. I recently renewed my Florida Resident annual pass and ordered my AP magic band. When I got the magic band, I also expected to get a plastic card, as you usually need those to get discounts, and it's handy to have if you forget to wear your magic band (that happened to me earlier this year). No matter how hard I looked, there was no plastic card anywhere in that box.

So I called guest services right away to let them know they hadn't sent me one. The CM explained that they're doing away with the plastic cards and I should be able to get my discounts with just the magic band. I wasn't sold, and I plan to have them print me one up at the first ticket location I find when I get there. Because I am going to be quite ticked off if I go in a shop and can't get my discount because of no plastic card.

Did this CM know what he was talking about, or was he just making it up? Has anyone heard about them doing away with the plastic cards for discounts?

Thanks!

Nora

 

[tachyonbb]

We arrived the last week in August. Went to ticketing and they made up cards for us. They would check the card for discounts at the various shops.

 

[Tinky-Bell]

We arrived the last week in August. Went to ticketing and they made up cards for us. They would check the card for discounts at the various shops.

That's what I thought. I'm inclined to think the CM I spoke to was making it up on the go.

 

[jlundeen]

Last trip I forgot my card, and they looked at my MDE on my phone and gave me the discount every time.

 

[Madonna3]

I have always been asked to present my card and ID when I ask for a discount and this was as recent as September 5

 

[circus4u]

Just got back yesterday. Bought an annual pass (not Fl Resident pass) at guest services and was given the discount card.

 

[LeeAndRobin]

We just bought annual passes (we've had them before but let them lapse). I asked about where on the website I could pick our magic band colors for the free band. I was told that they won't send out the bands until you activate your pass on your first visit (which for us won't be until December). I was told that we would need to use the plastic card for the first visit. Once we activate the passes, an area on MDE will show up where we can order our bands.

Of course we could go buy bands, but we'll probably just use the ones we got a few years ago.

Is this correct? I was really surprised at how catch-22-ish this was. The reason I was given is that they can't send the bands until you activate the passes in person so they know who is actually using the passes...

 

[MissLiss279]

I renewed mine a couple of days ago (first time I have had an AP/renewed - so I don't know what is normal), and this is what the email said:

CONGRATULATIONS! You have successfully renewed your Pass(es) and may continue to use your current MagicBand or Card for park entry and future resort stays. You are also eligible to customize a new MagicBand by visiting your My Disney Experience account at www.MyDisneyExperience.com.

 

[Fangorn]

The CM was correct that you do not get Magic Bands for an AP until the pass is activated on site at either Guest Relations or a ticket window. Once that's done, you'll be able to customize bands and they'll be shipped to your home address. You can use any other magic band you may have, or purchase one for that trip. Or you can use the card they'll give you when you activate.

I recommend that first time AP buyers purchase a 10 day MYW ticket initially and then upgrade it to an AP upon arrival. Doing that will get you a Magic Band for your trip, still enable you to make FPs and spread the cost of the AP out a bit.

Steve

 

[Missyrose]

The CM was correct that you do not get Magic Bands for an AP until the pass is activated on site at either Guest Relations or a ticket window. Once that's done, you'll be able to customize bands and they'll be shipped to your home address. You can use any other magic band you may have, or purchase one for that trip. Or you can use the card they'll give you when you activate.

I recommend that first time AP buyers purchase a 10 day MYW ticket initially and then upgrade it to an AP upon arrival. Doing that will get you a Magic Band for your trip, still enable you to make FPs and spread the cost of the AP out a bit.

Steve

Just buying a MYW ticket doesn't make you eligible for a free Magic Band, you still have to be an onsite guest to get a band for free in advance of a trip.

 

[Fangorn]

Very true. My assumption was that that was the usual scenario. Obviously not the case for everyone.

Steve

 

[Tinky-Bell]

The CM was correct that you do not get Magic Bands for an AP until the pass is activated on site at either Guest Relations or a ticket window. Once that's done, you'll be able to customize bands and they'll be shipped to your home address. You can use any other magic band you may have, or purchase one for that trip. Or you can use the card they'll give you when you activate.

I recommend that first time AP buyers purchase a 10 day MYW ticket initially and then upgrade it to an AP upon arrival. Doing that will get you a Magic Band for your trip, still enable you to make FPs and spread the cost of the AP out a bit.

Steve

That may be the case, but I've been renewing every year and every time I get my AP magic band (which is additional to those you get with a resort stay), it comes with a plastic card. Except for this time. I'm not a first-time AP buyer. In fact, I had to renew early this year in order to be able to make FPs for a trip I already had WDW resort reservations for.

 

[Tinky-Bell]

Just buying a MYW ticket doesn't make you eligible for a free Magic Band, you still have to be an onsite guest to get a band for free in advance of a trip.

Indeed. However, purchasing an AP does make you eligible for a free magic band. This is what I'm talking about, not a MYW ticket.

 

[LeeAndRobin]

Very true. My assumption was that that was the usual scenario. Obviously not the case for everyone.

Steve

Certainly not the case for us... we never stay onsite given that we can get much more roomy, quiet, and less expensive accommodations only 10 minutes away. And with our own private splash pool to boot.

 

[Accident]

That's what I thought. I'm inclined to think the CM I spoke to was making it up on the go.

They weren't completely incorrect, they stopped the separate discount card last year and now it's just the passholder card. I think many got confused that there is no cards because anyone working a register isnt expecting to scan your band and look it up (aka never trained that was the process).

I've seen the system down enough that every passholder should stop by a ticket window or guest relations to get a replacement passholder card if you don't already have one. It's just faster to show your card everywhere than for someone to have to scan your band, wait to see your a passholder.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

Last time I was there they still checked the cards. Granted this was whenever they first phased out plastic for regular park goers but it wasn't fun having your dad hoard the cards when you had your id and all you wanted to do was buy a damn water bottle because it was hot

 

[Missyrose]

Indeed. However, purchasing an AP does make you eligible for a free magic band. This is what I'm talking about, not a MYW ticket.

I don't know if you noticed but I quoted a specific response to your post that said that buying a MYW ticket would have solved your problem. It wouldn't. I know the difference between what you're eligible for with an AP vs. other tickets, onsite/offsite.

 

[memo10]

They weren't completely incorrect, they stopped the separate discount card last year and now it's just the passholder card. I think many got confused that there is no cards because anyone working a register isnt expecting to scan your band and look it up (aka never trained that was the process).

I've seen the system down enough that every passholder should stop by a ticket window or guest relations to get a replacement passholder card if you don't already have one. It's just faster to show your card everywhere than for someone to have to scan your band, wait to see your a passholder.

Ditto this. I've also used MDE to get my discount.

 

[NjMamaMouse]

I bought FL Res AP and activated them a Guest Services in July. They gave me the card in hand with hand written names in each one. Nothing about dates, parking etc. While there used older magic bands. Once home I customized by bands and they were mailed to me. No cards in the box this time.
Now when shopping in July I was asked for my card which I had forgotten.... she did not mention getting information from my band! The CM was very nice though and gave me the discount that one time without any proof. SO clearly the information isn't getting out to everyone that there are no cards. Had I not picked them up I wouldn't have had even a card!
I will test out on our next trip next month.

 

[doombuggy]

There is no way for a merchandise cm to scan your magic band to see if you are an ap holder or dvc member. Show your card and photo ID for a discount.