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

[Sparkly]

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.

Only park where I went with only myself and my MB was MK, rest of the time I had my pouch with me. As a international guest, I believe the only acceptable ID is a passport (and no, I'm not carrying that around with me) or a driving license (which I do not have).

 

[jtowntoflorida]

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?

This happened to us once at Chef Mickey's. They said that they could "go in the back" and call (somewhere?) to run the charge through, but it was just easier/faster to pay with a credit card. So that's what we did.

 

[Sparkly]

And if you're trying to imply I'm an idiot, well, that's just something. I'm sorry I'm not as smart and all-knowing as you at half your age!

 

[Luckybee]

I continue to be amazed at how many people would leave the room without ID or a backup payment option. It's not like those things will weigh you down. I just don't get it.

Gotta be honest that until last year I have been one of those

I hate carrying a bag and When dh and I are out I will often give him my id to put in his wallet since I don't always have pockets. FF to last year when we lost each other at Universal and here I am without a room key, cash, id, phone etc. Aside from the embarrassment factor I felt like a 5 year old....lol.

 

[gwynne]

Only park where I went with only myself and my MB was MK, rest of the time I had my pouch with me. As a international guest, I believe the only acceptable ID is a passport (and no, I'm not carrying that around with me) or a driving license (which I do not have).

I can certainly see where someone wouldn't want to have to carry a passport all the time. Would it be possible to bring it along, just now and then?

 

[Sparkly]

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

Yes, it was dissappointing not being able to try a drink, we were doing a World Showcase day too! Oh well, next trip I'll be able to indulge

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I believe Florida law allows international visitors to use a photocopy of their passport IF it is supported by another form of photo ID. That was on here awhile back. they will not accept a photocopy of a US drivers license however.

 

[JanaDee]

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.

I hope no one thinks they will accept it! LOL

 

[Ambear]

Gotta be honest that until last year I have been one of those

I hate carrying a bag and When dh and I are out I will often give him my id to put in his wallet since I don't always have pockets. FF to last year when we lost each other at Universal and here I am without a room key, cash, id, phone etc. Aside from the embarrassment factor I felt like a 5 year old....lol.

This may or may not be useful to you. Considering women's pants rarely have functioning pockets. Argh.

http://www.amazon.com/Design-Go-Luggage-Clip-Pouch/dp/B0048WQI2U/ref=cts_ap_2_fbt

 

[supersnoop]

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'm still not clear on this. You say they weren't "charging on DDP." Could you charge back to your room?

There are multiple potential points of failure here; dining plan credits, credit card processing, and magic bands. People like to jump all over the magic bands, but it doesn't sound like that's the actual culprit here.

 

[Cormoran]

Only park where I went with only myself and my MB was MK, rest of the time I had my pouch with me. As a international guest, I believe the only acceptable ID is a passport (and no, I'm not carrying that around with me) or a driving license (which I do not have).

I'm sorry, but you weren't the poster I was referring to. As a matter of fact, the post I read was on a totally different site.

 

[bookgirl]

Yes, it was dissappointing not being able to try a drink, we were doing a World Showcase day too! Oh well, next trip I'll be able to indulge

Here even if you don't drive you can get a state ID that looks just like a license but has a stamp that says for ID only, its government issued as serves as official ID to fly or proof of age. Does your country have something similar? You could get one so that you don't have to carry the Passport.

 

[brockash]

I continue to be amazed at how many people would leave the room without ID or a backup payment option. It's not like those things will weigh you down. I just don't get it.

They do it, because that's the way Disney advertises the magic band. I personally don't "buy in" to it but I completely understand why others don't really think about especially when disney makes that the main selling point for magicbands.

 

[mom2rtk]

They do it, because that's the way Disney advertises the magic band. I personally don't "buy in" to it but I completely understand why others don't really think about especially when disney makes that the main selling point for magicbands.

Marketing and Operations really need to sit down and have a chat. They know how often their system goes down. It's irresponsible of them to promote relying on that.

But even if I wasn't aware of Disney's reputation for less than stellar IT systems, I would never be comfortable going anywhere without ID and 2 forms of payment.

 

[gwynne]

Marketing and Operations really need to sit down and have a chat. They know how often their system goes down. It's irresponsible of them to promote relying on that.

But even if I wasn't aware of Disney's reputation for less than stellar IT systems, I would never be comfortable going anywhere without ID and 2 forms of payment.

BBM. Me too. It's easy to make sure I have some cash with me. I like options.

 

[tup1830]

When you're in the bubble and have been hearing how its a one-stop-shop that was created and you need nothing else, people will buy into it. When the system goes down, its a huge inconvenience because people may not be able to eat, get essentials in case of emergency, get into the park, etc.

There really should be a very strong message to all guests that while the intent of the magic/tragic band is to be a one-stop-shop, please always keep an id and form of payment with you. You can't play both sides by selling it as a ticket/dining/fp+/payment band and then leave people hanging when the system goes down.

 

[larryz]

Three years into the great experiment and they're still having glitches of this magnitude...

 

[mom2rtk]

Three years into the great experiment and they're still having glitches of this magnitude...

I kind of think that if they could fix the glitches, they would have done so by now. Leads me to believe this is just standard operating procedure from here forward.

 

[UncleMike101]

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

We carry cash, ID's, and CC's just like we do at home.
I don't have blind trust in technology.
Technology is great, for those who sell technology.

 

[merina888]

I can't imagine going to anywhere without my ID, CC, cash and insurance card. Last summer my daughter got sick at MK and Disney sent us directly to Urgent Care via a shuttle from MK. We needed our insurance card that day.