Take A Backup Payment Method - Do NOT assume your Magic Band will work

[capegirl]

There are different levels of "down". In this case it was the payment side.

I would not want to be at the turnstile on the day that the 'tragic bands ' go down'. That said, I hope I have'nt jinxed myself!

 

[mom2rtk]

I saw this post the other day form someone who was talking about how nice it was to enter the parks with nothing but her MB. then later on she mentions that she was in Epcot to celebrate her 21st birthday, but they wouldn't serve her because she didn't have ID! I thought that was pretty funny. Just because Disney tells you all you need is the MB doesn't mean you should do it.

Oh, what a bummer that would be! A tough lesson on one's 21st birthday.

 

[gwynne]

Was the entire payment system down, or were they still accepting credit cards?

My experience with the system being down has been during F&G or F&W at various kiosks at Epcot. Happens every visit, usually more than once. They loudly announce "The System is down." "Sorry, cash only, if you have cash step to the front of the line!"
I've never seen them take CC's in this situation at the kiosks. Once the system is back up, they announce and then go back to taking all forms of payment.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I understand (and follow) the wisdom to carry alternative payments with me, but Disney should be ashamed that they spent a gazillion dollars on a system that is not almost perfect

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

We always take our credit card with us as well as our ID because there is no way for us to get our Annual Pass or Disney Rewards discount via our Magic Band at this time. I can imagine the frustration if you only had your Magic Band with you (and seeing as how Disney has marketed them as saying that they are all you will need in the park, I get why you would only have your band) and are wanting to buy something. What did they do at table service restaurants if someone only had their Magic Band and no other form of payment and had already eaten?

 

[Skywise]

It sounds great on paper - "Oh boy! I can leave my wallet in the room"

But the practicality is... I'm not gonna leave my wallet in the room!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The system was taking credit cards( I charged my drink at a Kiosk) The Tragic Bands were letting you into the parks and into your room, they just were not doing charging on DDP. I talked to several people who had to pay for their Dinner at MK and then go get it all credited at the front desk, but I don't know what they did if you didn't have cash/card etc..

(I have called them Tragic Bands since a trip last year. I had one band that would let me in the park, one that would open my door (but neither band would do both!) and NONE Of them ever allowed a room charge...And they spent a billion dollars on this? )

 

[LadyRayado]

I saw this post the other day form someone who was talking about how nice it was to enter the parks with nothing but her MB. then later on she mentions that she was in Epcot to celebrate her 21st birthday, but they wouldn't serve her because she didn't have ID! I thought that was pretty funny. Just because Disney tells you all you need is the MB doesn't mean you should do it.

I witnessed an EPIC meltdown in October during F&W because some lady didn't have her ID and they wouldn't serve her. I can't imagine ever going anywhere without an ID - I always take some cash, a CC, my ID, and my insurance card.

 

[JanaDee]

I saw this post the other day form someone who was talking about how nice it was to enter the parks with nothing but her MB. then later on she mentions that she was in Epcot to celebrate her 21st birthday, but they wouldn't serve her because she didn't have ID! I thought that was pretty funny. Just because Disney tells you all you need is the MB doesn't mean you should do it.

Derp

 

[bookgirl]

We haven't had a trip yet where we haven't had to use a backup method of payment at least once because the system was having issues.

I've never had to use a backup method (to pay, I did have one replacement band that wouldn't open my door but that was the CM fault not the band) and I've had bands since the very first trial phase. (actually I did the trial of the RFID keycards as well and only had one problem with that which was again a door thing not a paying thing)


That being said I always have a CC/ID/$20 on me. Last trip I decided to live dangerously and left my health card in the safe.

 

[Ambear]

My last trip I had quite a few times where I was told I couldn't use my magic band to pay. Especially at resort stores for some reason. I definitely wouldn't trust it. I just love to use it so I don't have to dig in my purse for my card.

And I never have cash. But that's anywhere I am. And I know I need to carry it but always forget hah. I've walked out of local bakeries very sad many times.

 

[JanaDee]

My last trip I had quite a few times where I was told I couldn't use my magic band to pay. Especially at resort stores for some reason. I definitely wouldn't trust it. I just love to use it so I don't have to dig in my purse for my card.

And I never have cash. But that's anywhere I am. And I know I need to carry it but always forget hah. I've walked out of local bakeries very sad many times.

Oh man, having to walk out of a bakery empty-handed *is* tragic!!

 

[Cormoran]

Derp

Yup. Just because you're old enough to drink doesn't necessarily mean you're smart enough to be served!

 

[kamik86]

I wonder what Disney does with table services restaurants when this happens. I know no one SHOULD be without a CC or cash but I'm sure some people are. Now at stores and even quick service if you don't have a means to pay you don't get served simple enough. However at table service the customer has already eaten the meal before not being able to pay for it. So what happens then?

 

[bookgirl]

I wonder what Disney does with table services restaurants when this happens. I know no one SHOULD be without a CC or cash but I'm sure some people are. Now at stores and even quick service if you don't have a means to pay you don't get served simple enough. However at table service the customer has already eaten the meal before not being able to pay for it. So what happens then?

I assume they do what they use to do, they print out your receipt (in duplicate) then you sign your room number and name.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I was embarrassed when I tried to buy a banana in Sunshine Seasons using my MB and the CM told me that my credit card was overdrawn. I didn't bring any cash with me, so I had to put the banana back. In six trips using MB's that had never happened before. And of course the card wasn't really overdrawn, the CM that checked us into our resort didn't notice that they were trying to use an expired credit card rather than the renewed one that I had used for online check in. That CM also messed up our tickets so that we had to go to Guest relations to activate them before going into the park.

 

[ghoulardi]

"It" happens...

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I wonder what Disney does with table services restaurants when this happens. I know no one SHOULD be without a CC or cash but I'm sure some people are. Now at stores and even quick service if you don't have a means to pay you don't get served simple enough. However at table service the customer has already eaten the meal before not being able to pay for it. So what happens then?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

they also will not accept your Magic Band as ID if you get carded to try to buy a drink. The law requires that the actual ID be presented.

 

[siskaren]

Oh, what a bummer that would be! A tough lesson on one's 21st birthday.

Yeah, someone who's just barely old enough to legally buy alcohol needs to realize that they're going to get carded.