The Disney Premiere Passport: A Mild Rant

[starry_solo]

Can you decline getting the RFID Premier Passport in FL? I am planning for a future trip to get a Premier Pass (had one from 2012-2013) and the problem we had (minor) was that the computers were not synced up so Florida just entered all our information into their system and our Premiers were good for the rest of the trip.

I don't want to have the issue of having to get a RFID PP in FL if I don't have to (we will get our Premier APs issued at DLR the day before we leave for our trip)

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Can you decline getting the RFID Premier Passport in FL? I am planning for a future trip to get a Premier Pass (had one from 2012-2013) and the problem we had (minor) was that the computers were not synced up so Florida just entered all our information into their system and our Premiers were good for the rest of the trip.

I don't want to have the issue of having to get a RFID PP in FL if I don't have to (we will get our Premier APs issued at DLR the day before we leave for our trip)

I don't believe you can. Once all the entrances became RFID (no more traditional turnstiles) I think they started requiring you to have your card replaced at Guest Services to enter the parks. However, a PP noted that DLR now issues RFID Premiers as well, so if you get them at DLR there will be no need to upgrade at WDW.

 

[rmgreenesq]

Can you decline getting the RFID Premier Passport in FL?

When I arrived at the turnstiles of the Magic Kingdom with my Anaheim issued non-RFID chip pass, a supervisor was called over to our gate. The supervisor took our pass, pecked at an iPad-like device, told the admissions CM that the pass was good. We were admitted.

The supervisor then told us that we needed to go to Guest Relations to get the RFID chip pass, but they let us into the Magic Kingdom without an RFID chipped pass. If you're willing to stop the admission line at WDW and wait for a supervisor to verify your pass every time you enter, there is no need to get a WDW RFID pass. This is only place the lack of an RFID chip was a problem. Unlike Disneyland which swipes your pass upon seeking a pass holder benefit (parking/discount) WDW CMs just visually examine the pass and do not swipe or scan it.

As I mentioned above, the CM at Disneyland did their thing. I've now got the best of both worlds: a WDW issued RFID pass that works at Disneyland.

Rick

 

[helenb]

We got our Premier passes last July at DLR. We made them premiere because we're planning on visiting WDW next June. Since we always stay on-site, we're going to have MagicBands. Can I keep my non-RFID DLR pass and use the Magicband to enter WDW parks? Or should I switch over my premier pass at DLR to an RFID version when we go next (which will be before June)?

 

[rms123]

We got our Premier passes last July at DLR. We made them premiere because we're planning on visiting WDW next June. Since we always stay on-site, we're going to have MagicBands. Can I keep my non-RFID DLR pass and use the Magicband to enter WDW parks? Or should I switch over my premier pass at DLR to an RFID version when we go next (which will be before June)?

I don't know the answer to the magic band question, but Disneyland does not have the ability to issue RFID cards at all.

 

[helenb]

I don't know the answer to the magic band question, but Disneyland does not have the ability to issue RFID cards at all.

MikeDoyleBlogger posted:

However, a PP noted that DLR now issues RFID Premiers as well, so if you get them at DLR there will be no need to upgrade at WDW.

 

[rmgreenesq]

I can't speak for now, but as of June 3, 2013, Anaheim was issuing non-RFID passes.

 

[nickcirc]

We got our Premier passes last July at DLR. We made them premiere because we're planning on visiting WDW next June. Since we always stay on-site, we're going to have MagicBands. Can I keep my non-RFID DLR pass and use the Magicband to enter WDW parks? Or should I switch over my premier pass at DLR to an RFID version when we go next (which will be before June)?

Sure Can. For me once I made an on site reservation at WDW I just rang them up and they linked my Premier to my account correctly. which in turn activated all my FP+ options etc.

Only ever got the card out for the discounts the entire trips. MagicBand did all the rest.

 

[MouseyMin]

I will be going to Disney World in December and already have reserved my fastpasses for the trip. However, it was done with my non-chip Premier Pass. If I exchange my old pass for one with a chip, I was told that my ticket number will change.

What will happen to all of my fastpass reservations? Can I just add the new ticket number to my profile and keep my ressies or will everything disappear?

 

[Malcon10t]

My friends are Club 33 members, whose card is their Premier Pass. Not only do their cards rarely ever work in Orlando, but half the time, no one knows what their cards are. They have had to escalate past the leads (once they have been accused of faking the passes by a lead who didn't recognize the card) to a manager. I think this issue really needs to be cleared up FAST.

 

[ludari]

My premiere pass worked just fine at both WDW and DLR, however I haven't been to WDW since they have been transitioning or testing the new magic bands.

 

[Itinkso]

I will be going to Disney World in December and already have reserved my fastpasses for the trip. However, it was done with my non-chip Premier Pass. If I exchange my old pass for one with a chip, I was told that my ticket number will change. What will happen to all of my fastpass reservations? Can I just add the new ticket number to my profile and keep my ressies or will everything disappear?

Your Fp+ times will remain on your MDE account. When you link your new AP to your MDE, don't bother deleting your old AP #. The less you do with MDE appears to be best.

When you scan your MagicBand at a Fp+ tapstile, it only accesses your Fp+ times to verify. It doesn't check which type of ticket media you are using.

 

[aan1701]

Oh where do I start. First key me say I mean no offense to anyone. Let me say that I have had a Premier since day one. I was one if the few that was identified as having passes to both resorts when the program started so they sent mine in the mail. Now that being said in the entire time I have only had a issue once entering a park and that was at EPCOT and that was way before the RFID. Maybe I am just lucky I don't know. Second. I just returned from a 10 night trip to WDW and had zero issues with entry with my non RFID pass. This was due to the fact I had a MagicBand and easily put on my non RFID pass in the My Disney Experience app. I had no issues with the band either. Now I have a friend that on Sunday 9/29/13 upgraded their DLR premium pass to a Premier at Disneyland. It was a RFID pass. I knew right away because at the bottom center, ok maybe it was too center, but regardless it had the circle Mickey head symbol of the MyMagic+ program. So whole at DL that day I went on my iPhone and added his and his girlfriends pass to their MDE profile. When we went to WDW on 10/2/13 they had zero issues using their passes. So I just wanted to share that it's not all bad experiences out there. Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

 

[MouseyMin]

Your Fp+ times will remain on your MDE account. When you link your new AP to your MDE, don't bother deleting your old AP #. The less you do with MDE appears to be best.

When you scan your MagicBand at a Fp+ tapstile, it only accesses your Fp+ times to verify. It doesn't check which type of ticket media you are using.

Thank you so much for your response. I hope it works!
Disneyland personnel are advising me to wait until I get to Disney World to change my ticket.

 

[rms123]

After all we went through in October and checking before we left that they were fixed, I was livid today when they didn't work again. I think it is just really bad luck on our part. Finally found someone who would listen and got them to reissue new cards since we're not going back to FL. He actually had to make a fuss to make it happen. Sigh.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Hi, all. I wanted to circle around and report the final resolution of my partner's and my RFID Premier AP issues. The original problem was we got our standard PAPs at DLR, then swapped them for RFID PAPs at WDW which didn't work for DLR the next time we visited there. It took a month and a half of telephone tag and a lot of back-and-forth between an amazing Guest Services CM and whatever tech people he needed to deal with. But as of today we were told our PAPs should finally work at both resorts. Originally, we were told that by way of apology for all the drama of the PAPs not working and trying to get them fixed, DLR would comp us VIP viewing for a parade or fireworks. We were more than happy about that.

So...this afternoon (as in, minutes ago) during the happy call telling us our PAPs were fixed, the Guest Services CM asked me if I'd ever stayed on property, offered us a complimentary three-night stay at a Disney hotel, and then told me to choose whichever one I wanted. And after I picked myself back up off the floor, I blurted out, "The Grand Californian" and he assured me this was totally real Disney pixie dust. The punch line is, in the time between our last call and this one, my partner and I decided we're going to move to L.A. next year. So this is like the most awesomely timed, unexpected, slightly late Chanukah gift ever. And we are now completely glad WDW screwed up our PAPs.

 

[crystal1313]

Oh my goodness! I'm so happy for you mikedoyleblogger! And I'm happy to hear that Disney is realizing an issue on their part and not only fixing it for you but also spreading some pixie dust for you as well (and they totally should have, what a pain!) Yay!!

 

[elaw]

I can't speak for now, but as of June 3, 2013, Anaheim was issuing non-RFID passes.

As of the end of September 28th (renewal) they are now issuing the RFID passes. We had no issues at DLR or WDW with the new pass.

 

[aan1701]

Awesome pixie dust. Makes me wish I had problems with my pass but alas I never had.

Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

 

[dalstitch45]

Just wanted to update everyone on the PAP usage at WDW. I purchased my PAP at DLR with the new RFID chip for my early December trip. Went to WDW the week before Christmas. Never had an issue with my pass getting into the parks. It worked fine. It does seem they have resolved all the issues with the system. When I purchased the pass, I saw it was already on both my profiles for both the DLR and WDW sites. First time I did not have to enter my pass number manually.