For the AP test I customized my band on a Sunday and received it with 2nd day FedEx on Tuesday.
I received an email on Friday March 21st with the USPS tracking number and it arrived Monday March 24th.
Other than the different box, I noticed a slight difference with the AP slider. The AP slider I received during the AP testing said 2013-2014 Passholder. This slider just says 2014.
My new gold discount card has an expiration date one day before my AP test gold card. A little odd but really...
I still haven't found a CM that recognizes the discount card!! Each one stares at the front and back of the card for awhile...I eventually decide to just show them my RFID card...
When I purchased my AP, it expired 1 year from the date I picked it up at the ticket window. This was pre-MDE so I don't know about linking it to MDE, even so...right now, being an AP does not automatically allow access to advance Fast Pass reservations.
You can check out this site: http://www.yourwdwstore.net/Magic-Bands_c_758.html
They go to the parks or DTD and buy items and resell at a higher price; but it is an easy way to see what's out there.
I don't know of anything special about it, it seems to be simply a photo op. Water periodically runs down on an umbrella. Unless, of course, you're speaking of something completely different.
I look for this every time I go....and I must be blind because I never see it! I've pulled random levers that make a loud noise but have never seen the message.
Before MM+, I had to show my RFID card and ID. With MM+, I have to show my gold passholder card and ID.
@MissM is right on point. The MagicBand and parking/discount card will be the standard moving forward. RFID must be specifically requested if desired.
I don't necessarily see the benefit of scanning the band for parking purposes. If that is the case, then MagicBands with free parking can be loaned to others. Further, if they ask for ID - what's the difference between pulling out your Driver's License at the same time you pull out the gold...
I remember reading that you can request the RFID card. I would assume that the Gold/Black discount/parking cards are cheaper to produce than the RFID cards, so it is unlikely you get both the MagicBand and RFID card unless you specifically request the RFID card.
The legacy FP area for ToT was a kiosk. So I suppose you could go over there, get the FP for TSMM and hop on RnR and possibly even ToT right at the start.