No Pixie Dust Yesterday!! I Hate Magic Bands!

[PlutoMars]

I have a hunch there are some here who just won't every believe any of this stuff because they were lucky enough to have things go well on their own trips.

I have a hunch that there are some people believe this sort of exaggeration and hyperbole because it fits their narrative and dislike of the whole My Magic initiative.

Do I believe that this happened? Certainly. Do i believe it happened to what is now being purported as happening to 1000-2000 guests? No, I dont.

But as I said previously, it is unacceptable that this is happening this far after MBs have been implemented.

 

[Angel Ariel]

For those of you disputing the number of inconvenienced visitors, what would be an acceptable amount of people experiencing trouble? When does it become a real issue? 10,000? 100? 1,000,000?

All this arguing about numbers does is deflect the real issue: the problems experienced by visitors and the inconvenience they are experiencing. The rest of this is pointless. There's a problem with Disney's platform and at times it appears to be significant. No amount of deflecting makes the problem go away.

 

[Momof2Singers]

My question is how do we prove we have valid park admission if we are unlucky enough to have "Invalid" Magic Bands or RFID cards?

I just asked a CM this same question...a few minutes ago. His answer, you can't. Love it. I am spending all this time and energy...not to mention money and I can't prove I have a valid ticket.

Also he said I could NOT get a card any longer, I just asked if I could order them and have them ready at checkin, he said NO.

 

[Angel Ariel]

The OP first said "hundreds if not thousands" and then came back and said 1000-2000:

I had not seen that post when I was writing mine. She posted while I was writing.

 

[tripinbrums]

Question for the OP...while you waited in line did you happen to talk to any of the other unfortunate people there with you? Wondering if there were any common denominators regarding type of tix, on or offsite stays etc that could explain why this happened to a certain segment of park goers.
Unacceptable regardless.

Everyone we talked to had the whole package and staying onsite. A couple celebrating their 50 anniversary told us their bands worked the day before without a problem. To those who are nitpicking my exact count.. I'd say there were 1,425.99 and a few extra. Everything was wonderful at HS today. We will use our precious "extra" fastpass with glee. Back to the park after a little break

 

[PlutoMars]

The point is that it happened. And it happened with a crowd of visitors. Whether it's 50, 100, 1,000 or 10,000, it happened. It shows instability in the system. That's a significant problem when you are handling someone's money or someone's time. Magic bands and the WDW computer system are handling both.

That's the concern.

yes and no. The amount of people this is occurring to can be indicative of the type of problem it is and how many guests are affected.

Was it a couple of bad readers?
Bad MBs?
Complete system failure?

It doesnt necessarily show a complete instability of the system.

But when people exaggerate, it is hard for others to really glean what really happened and if it is likely to happen to them on their visit. That is part of the problem of these anecdotal stories and then trying to make vast generalization based on them

 

[Angel Ariel]

I have a hunch that there are some people believe this sort of exaggeration and hyperbole because it fits their narrative and dislike of the whole My Magic initiative.

You're right. It has nothing to do with having large computer glitches having happened in the past and affecting many people all at once.

If it is exaggerated, do I believe the OP did so with the intent of causing "hysteria" as she has bee accused? No. After having been in that shoulder to shoulder Epcot crowd, I can see how it would *feel* like thousands of people, even if the actual number was under 1000. It's easy to overestimate in a situation like that. That doesn't mean the OP was intentionally exaggerating for effect or "hysteria" or any other agenda she's been accused of having (or that anyone else has been accused of having, for that matter).

I may not like *certain parts* of MM+ (I actually don't have an issue with the idea of MBs at all), but I also don't want it to fail and disrupt peoples vacations - which is what this event did. So, to that accusation, no I don't *want* to believe that so many people's vacations were affected, just because I may not like certain aspects of MM+.

 

[maxiesmom]

Also he said I could NOT get a card any longer, I just asked if I could order them and have them ready at checkin, he said NO.

A few days ago someone else posted that they did indeed still get a card instead of a Magic Band. I wonder if it depends on how much effort the CM feels like expending at that time.

 

[CAS239]

How many of those trips to Disney include onsite stays? Because those seem to be where most of the issues have popped up -- for people staying at Disney resorts.

Only 1 on site stay. Always stay in the DTD area and save the extra money. It was smooth though while staying on site thankfully

 

[jazzgirl]

But when people exaggerate, it is hard for others to really glean what really happened and if it is likely to happen to them on their visit. That is part of the problem of these anecdotal stories and then trying to make vast generalization based on them

I'm still trying to figure out why you think the OP was exaggerating or telling an anecdotal story? Were you there? Did you count the exact number of people? There could have very well been that many if there was a serious glitch.

We have not used the new system yet, in park, but I've already had several glitches online. I've had several (sorry, I didn't count the exact number) family members and friends have issues. I'm holding out judgement until we have our vacation, but I certainly wouldn't accuse anyone of exaggerating...

 

[Momof2Singers]

This is so scary. Just went on the website to reassure myself that all our reservations are in order and what happens.....my daughter has disappeared from all of our fpp and my husbands park hoppers are now registered to someone named Annette Romano.

Surreal.

If this wasn't so horrible, it would be funny...unless you have a new dependant named Annette, .hoping things get better before next weekend for us

 

[smokeyblue]

This is so scary. Just went on the website to reassure myself that all our reservations are in order and what happens.....my daughter has disappeared from all of our fpp and my husbands park hoppers are now registered to someone named Annette Romano.

Surreal.

Oh my. I've been trying all day to find my balance on MDE and it is not where it should be. Maybe my trip is free!

 

[Momof2Singers]

Everyone we talked to had the whole package and staying onsite. A couple celebrating their 50 anniversary told us their bands worked the day before without a problem. To those who are nitpicking my exact count.. I'd say there were 1,425.99 and a few extra. Everything was wonderful at HS today. We will use our precious "extra" fastpass with glee. Back to the park after a little break

Love it, you tell them!! Sorry this happened to you. You definitely deserved more than a fast pass

 

[Momof2Singers]

A few days ago someone else posted that they did indeed still get a card instead of a Magic Band. I wonder if it depends on how much effort the CM feels like expending at that time.

Exactly, I asked if I could get one at the resort, his response, "it is a BIG deal, you have to get a manager," and then it might not happen.

I am getting a manager!

 

[Suvadoo]

Sorry, I don't agree. I've used the on 2 tips, and didn't have any problems either time. I think they are a great idea! I loved not having to dig into my bag for my park pass to get into the parks, or to charge a purchase, or to pay for some food. The mess in the OP, there is no excuse for that. But in general I really love Magic Bands.

Are you unaware that you can opt out of the Magic Bands? You can ask for an old fashioned card. Also, the phrase Cash Grab is pretty laughable. What business isn't out to make money where they can? No one is forced to buy extra trinkets for their MB. Just as you are not forced to buy any of the trinkets they try and sell us.

I'm really glad it worked for you. I hope it continues to work for you, but when I was there it didn't work and I had to spend a lot of valuable vacation time at guest relations. If it works it's great, when it doesn't it sucks.

 

[j2thomason]

Oh my. I've been trying all day to find my balance on MDE and it is not where it should be. Maybe my trip is free!

If you have a room only reservation, your balance won't appear on MDE. It drives me crazy! I have APs and don't get packages. I have to call all the time to make payments on my room only reservations. Hopefully they will continue to tweak this system and make improvements and corrections. There are MANY to be made!

 

[Suvadoo]

yeah, people on the DIS NEVER exaggerate or are given to hyperbole.

Shame on us that question that THOUSANDS of people were affected by this.

Does it really matter how many people were affected? If you're the person who's stuck for 2 hours it stinks, regardless of how many others are in line!

 

[11290]

A few days ago someone else posted that they did indeed still get a card instead of a Magic Band. I wonder if it depends on how much effort the CM feels like expending at that time.

Couple of things. Most of the resorts do not even have card printers anymore, taken out some time ago.

Yesterday's issues were actually twofold. Ticketing issues were primarily guests that had ticketing linked at resorts. No ideas why that was occurring.

The other problem yesterday was that the ticket "reading" module was working but the "validation" module (biometric) had crashed. Guests were asked to scan their ticket and then they were waved in and the count was done manually. Took about 15 minutes to get extra cast there (in this case MK) and get logged into the system. Did slow things down somewhat but not drastically. For guests that had actual ticket issues, it did go slower.

We used to have system crashes with the legacy turnstiles from time to time also, often lightning or power surge related. "Crash procedure" are in place but they do take a few minutes to implement.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

So what if you missed an ADR? Did you get charged the $10/person? This scares me as I have an 8:15 ressie at CP on our first day of our trip.

 

[Suvadoo]

A few days ago someone else posted that they did indeed still get a card instead of a Magic Band. I wonder if it depends on how much effort the CM feels like expending at that time.

According to one post, the Disney website says you can get a card. So I'd look there and print the information to give to a cast member who says no.