No Pixie Dust Yesterday!! I Hate Magic Bands!

[over50visits]

Now you're just being silly.

If you get stuck on Splash Mountain, they come around selling t-shirts and towels from the souvenier shop.

Disney would never profit from our discomfort (ha). Just think, when it rains they nicely bring out the $10 raincoats that are poorer quality than the $1 ones from WalMart. Last time I was there they did come in colors, though.

 

[pigletgirl]

This is probably a stupid question but are we required to carry a photo ID with us? We have gone to Disney once a year for the past 15 years and never did before. We never really had any issues with the KTTW except when my dh kept them in the same pocket as his cell phone and kept deactivating it. He was always able to get new ones at the hotel, and I do not recall anyone ever asking him for his ID. I hope that we will have a choice between the MB and KTTW cards as we would rather just carry the cards. My kids are already complaining about wearing the MBs as they simply don't like them.

Why wouldn't you carry your ID? That is a no brainer along with a cellphone.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just so this doesn't happen again always carry your ticket media. Each and every time we have go to a park with MBs we have the hard tickets in someone's wallet. They will still send the hard tickets to you.

We also take screen caps of all of fastpasses even though that won't always guarantee guest relations to reassign you those. We also have our confirmation numbers written down for dinning etc.

I've had issues with MBs before but because we usually have our back up information we've never had an issue that took too long to fix.

One error that seems to be common is when someone has multiple Disney log ins and doesn't know it. We actually found out that was the issue with our account and caused some headaches. In the Disney/ABC/ESPN world between my BF and I we each had 3 log ins stemming from the original switch from user names to emails and then the MDE switch. For some reason instead of just changing our old accounts it just made us shadow accounts with the same information. We discovered that out when planning our last trip. Luckily we got a very good tech person who merged all the accounts correctly and now no longer have issues.

 

[Quasialamodo]

Here's the link to the Terms and Conditions: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/med...onditions.html
I'd print that info and take it with you. Then if someone says you cant' have a KTTW you have the proof that yes you can.

The magic bands may work great for you(obviously, they work well a lot) and you may not need the card, but you have it just in case. I'm superstitious, if I have a back up plan, I never need it! It's when I don't have a plan, I run into problems.

This term and conditions page is currently down. I wanted to read it but I can't. Ya'all are making me nervous about my honeymoon.

 

[Josh Hendy]

I'm sure that something's gonna change for the better here! That is, after they finally admit that something's deeply flawed with the technology or the way it's being used. If the whole point of the initiative was to get families to spend an extra $10 per person, what are the beancounters going to calculate is the cost of severely annoying several thousand people, to the point that they might not come back soon to WDW and spend at least 1 thousand per person? Do you think they're worried about what happens if glitches occur on July 4?

Back in the 90s my colleague took his family to WDW for the first time. When he came back, the only thing he told us about the trip was that it was practically ruined by the parking and transportation chaos caused by an IndyCar race happening at the same time as his holiday. Bitter and angry sums it up, and this was an easy-going guy, not a crank. Looking at the history of the raceway on wikipedia, it looks like it took Disney about 4 years, 1996-2000, to screw up their corporate courage and take steps to eliminate the problem. And that was a problem that only happened once or twice a year at relatively slow times.

 

[disneyfan55]

I'm sure that something's gonna change for the better here! That is, after they finally admit that something's deeply flawed with the technology or the way it's being used. If the whole point of the initiative was to get families to spend an extra $10 per person, what are the beancounters going to calculate is the cost of severely annoying several thousand people, to the point that they might not come back soon to WDW and spend at least 1 thousand per person? Do you think they're worried about what happens if glitches occur on July 4?

Back in the 90s my colleague took his family to WDW for the first time. When he came back, the only thing he told us about the trip was that it was practically ruined by the parking and transportation chaos caused by an IndyCar race happening at the same time as his holiday. Bitter and angry sums it up, and this was an easy-going guy, not a crank. Looking at the history of the raceway on wikipedia, it looks like it took Disney about 4 years, 1996-2000, to screw up their corporate courage and take steps to eliminate the problem. And that was a problem that only happened once or twice a year at relatively slow times.

So do they charge for the magic bands? Sorry I am just so unwelcoming of them I don't even know.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

One error that seems to be common is when someone has multiple Disney log ins and doesn't know it. We actually found out that was the issue with our account and caused some headaches. In the Disney/ABC/ESPN world between my BF and I we each had 3 log ins stemming from the original switch from user names to emails and then the MDE switch. For some reason instead of just changing our old accounts it just made us shadow accounts with the same information. We discovered that out when planning our last trip. Luckily we got a very good tech person who merged all the accounts correctly and now no longer have issues.

I had the same issue!!!!!!!! I freaked out one evening because the site had logged me off and when I went to sign in with the same email info and everything, poof all of my reservations were gone! I called Disney and they transferred me to IT who said I somehow had TWO accounts under the same email! WEIRD! They fixed it quickly and we haven't had a problem with it since, but it is strange. I wonder if it comes from having signed up for different Disney related sites and instead of them merging together it created shadows!? Anyways, glad its easy to resolve

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

So do they charge for the magic bands? Sorry I am just so unwelcoming of them I don't even know.

They are included in your package if you are staying onsite. Otherwise they sell them for $12.99.

 

[edk35]

Omg, a wave of fear ran through me as we swore we were going to skip this year because of all of this, and caved and booked because of FD again. I am already nervous and we have over 2months till our trip. Good luck, hope you have a great rest of your trip!

US TOO. Not FD but we are going in Aug. I am so scared. I have yet to purchase our tickets..MAYBE WE SHOULD BAIL and wait until next year.

 

[diskids2]

Okay, they brought in water to sell--which is crazy! But if your MBs weren't working could you even buy it if you wanted? A lot of people don't carry cash and since EVERYTHING is linked to your MB to make life easy, that might be all they had.

So here's super-overpriced water you can buy while you wait in the hot sun to fix your MB that we insist you use but the only way to pay for it is with your MB...which isn't working.

Honestly I never even thought of this....I will make sure I have some cash with me at the parks and a little more than the $20 I usually carry.

 

[diskids2]

Could we go back tot he KTTW card comments for a second. Can you still get them?

 

[Suvadoo]

Could we go back tot he KTTW card comments for a second. Can you still get them?

According to the terms and condition page on the Disney website, yes you can. But the page is unavailable right now. Wait, could Disney be experiencing a computer glitch?

 

[diskids2]

I can get into terms and conditions but I dont see it.

 

[Gramontherun]

They are included in your package if you are staying onsite. Otherwise they sell them for $12.99.

Also given to annual pass holders. In fact, if you are an ap holder and book an onsite room you end up with two sets of magic bands. Seems silly to me Gram

 

[mag73]

I was wondering has anyone tried using their MB and KTTW interchangeably without any problems. I'm also not sure if you can use your KTTW on fp+?

 

[Suvadoo]

I can get into terms and conditions but I dont see it.

This is directly from their website

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/bands-cards/
Your Key to a More Carefree Visit

MagicBands and cards are secure all-in-one devices that allow you to effortlessly access the plans and vacation choices that you’ve made with My Disney Experience.

MagicBands are colorful, waterproof wristbands—resembling a watch or bracelet—that you can quickly and easily touch to a sensor called a touch point. Cards work in a similar fashion, but physically resemble a plastic credit card or driver’s license. Both MagicBands and cards allow you to travel lighter throughout your vacation.
You can use your card or MagicBand to:•Unlock the door of your Disney Resort hotel room.
•Enter theme and water parks (with valid admission).
•Check in at FastPass+ entrances.
•Connect Disney PhotoPass images to your account.
•Charge food and merchandise purchases to your Disney Resort hotel room (only available during your hotel stay).


Get Your MagicBand or Card Today




You will receive a MagicBand if you stay at a Disney Resort hotel or you are a Walt Disney World Passholder. If you are not staying at a Disney Resort hotel and are not a Passholder, you will receive a card when you purchase park admission—and you have the option to purchase a MagicBand at Disney theme parks and Downtown Disney area.

 

[bumbershoot]

This is directly from their website

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/bands-cards/

Clicking through that link and looking around, click on the sentence-long link "Learn more about our privacy and data collection policies and how RF technology is used in MagicBands and cards." Then look in "Radio Frequency Technology at Walt Disney World Resort".

If you prefer, you may elect to use a card instead of a MagicBand. Cards contain a passive HF Radio Frequency chip and cannot be detected by the long-range readers.

Also, here in the privacy policy.

Are all guests required to participate in MyMagic+?

Guests can enjoy admission to the parks without having to participate in MyMagic+, register on the My Disney Experience website or provide any personal information. Guests who choose to participate in MyMagic+ and register on My Disney Experience will be able to use the FastPass+ service, make dining reservations online, and enjoy the convenience of having their tickets, FastPass+ selections, Resort room access and other enhanced features all in one place. Guests participating in MyMagic+ always have the option to use a card instead of a MagicBand. Guests can also choose whether to use their RF Device to make purchases at select Resort locations.

Colors and bolding mine.

 

[bumbershoot]

This is probably a stupid question but are we required to carry a photo ID with us?

I don't know why you wouldn't.



I've never looked around outside MK. Are there water/drinking fountains out there? All I can see in my mind is Disneyland, and there are bathrooms and lockers etc, and drinking fountains. Does MK have them, too? If so, I can't get behind disgust that Disney would sell bottled water, if there's an option.

 

[AngiTN]

Could we go back tot he KTTW card comments for a second. Can you still get them?

Worth pointing out that KTTW cards has issues too. We had them for our trip in March 13 and not once did they work to enter the park. I had purchasing issues with mine, in addition to park admittance issues. The only place where they worked 100% of the time was entering the room. So no guarantees that you'll be trouble free with one of those

 

[Mike in AR]

We had virtually the same experience as the OP on 6/22. The bands worked fine for accessing our room when we arrived at POFQ on 6/21. We arrived at MK at 9:15 with FP for Splash from 9:30 to 10:30 with a really excited 10 year old. We scanned our not-so-magic bands only to be blue lighted and sent to guest relations.

After a 45 minute wait with many others experiencing the exact same issue, the CM, Bronwyn, worked for 25 minutes "re-setting" them. She said it appeared in the system as though we had another duplicate set of bands somewhere. She asked if we had been sent two sets. We had not. In the end, I asked her specifically if it was our error or theirs and she said it "was on their side" and had been reported several times that morning. She gave us the green cards for backup just in case. For our trouble, she gave us a choice of 2 FP's which I appreciated. I thanked her for the help but assured her I would not be standing in any more 45 minute lines so they could fix their technical glitch. I planned to demand to speak with someone at the point of entry as opposed to another GR waiting line.

Thankfully, it didn't come to that. A few re-scans of the finger and my wife's band having to be "re-set" by someone with an iPad at AK on 6/26 were the only other issues we encountered.

I understand tech issues occur, but with the amount of advanced planning, time and effort that Disney now expects from their guests, patience will wear very thin with guests who have done everything asked of them.