News Disney Ends $10 MagicBand Discount for Annual Passholders and Resort Hotel Guests

[HauntedPirate]

No more expensive than modifying the app to include a Lightning Lane for the Monorail and boat stations. Imagine -- pay $9.99 for basic transport across/around the lake, and add another demand-flexible surcharge to get into the Lightning Lane for a monorail or boat. The other option would be to pay $9.99 for basic transport and then wait in the stand-by line...

 

[larryz]

 

[CoastalElite64]

Make sure your MDE is updated so you can quickly pay for your monorail ride before it goes on to the next stop

I can see "free" transportation being a new "perk" for staying on property.

 

[larryz]

I can see "free" transportation being a new "perk" for staying on property.

And the circle finally comes all the way 'round.

That's how it used to be.

 

[HauntedPirate]

And the circle finally comes all the way 'round.

That's how it used to be.

Which would be 40 years of progress flushed down the toilet because of one chucklehead weatherman.

 

[Rhinocerous]

Which would be 40 years of progress flushed down the toilet because of one chucklehead weatherman.

If we're not extracting every single possible cent from "guests", what are we even doing here? What would The Street think? Free is a four letter word, and the next person to use it gets fired.

 

[brettf22]

I’ve really enjoyed the (albeit limited) interactions afforded by the MB+ bands. Would be unfortunate to see those stop. And getting my Apple Watch to remotely/automatically link with on ride photos has been hit or miss. I tend to wear both watch and band.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I can see "free" transportation being a new "perk" for staying on property.

I think that will be the first step to eliminating free transportation completely. Disney has mastered incremental decreases so the nickel and diming isn’t quite so obvious to the average guest.

 

[Dranth]

What a dumb move.

 

[JaxFLBear]

And getting my Apple Watch to remotely/automatically link with on ride photos has been hit or miss. I tend to wear both watch and band.

That is not a feature of the Apple Watch. Your iPhone on the other hand does offer that feature.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I think this is the elephant in the room Disney fails to see… perception is everything.

The perception continues to shift from “it’s expensive but worth it” to “it’s not worth it anymore”.

I have no idea what they’re thinking in Burbank, attendance is down, brand perception is down, and their reaction is to raise prices on everything and simultaneously cut perks… I used to view Disney as the shining example of how to run a successful company, now they are literally one of the worst ran companies in the world. How the mighty have fallen.

And choices like this are rather foolish. Resort and ticket prices rise annually but this is largely not noticed. If Poly goes from $739/night to $769/night, not many will notice.

But, if they should have learned anything from the parking fiasco, removing FREE perks really leaves a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. Disney has always been expensive, but those exclusive perks made it feel special and worthwhile. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the loss of DME. My bags just appearing in my room felt like true magic.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

As someone who really hates taking out a phone at the parks, I liked the MB. However, given that you are almost required to take your phone out at this point anyways (LL, etc.), I guess it doesn't matter.

I'm used to needing my phone to manage LLs or check wait times but I hated having to use it to enter the park the one time I lost my MB+. The first thing I did was head to the Emporium to buy a new MB+ so I didn't have to keep fiddling with my phone at the entrance to every ride. Then I found my original MB+ on the floor of our rental car later that night. At least I got my AP discount on the new one, I guess.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

I'm used to needing my phone to manage LLs or check wait times but I hated having to use it to enter the park the one time I lost my MB+. The first thing I did was head to the Emporium to buy a new MB+ so I didn't have to keep fiddling with my phone at the entrance to every ride. Then I found my original MB+ on the floor of our rental car later that night. At least I got my AP discount on the new one, I guess.

In addition to using phone for LL/check ins, i also feel like people now use there phones more as room keys at hotels, and for paying for things with their credit card that they take up more of the functionality of the MB. Though i don't think as fun

 

[brettf22]

That is not a feature of the Apple Watch. Your iPhone on the other hand does offer that feature.

Duh to me. You’re absolutely right. So then the phone is less than reliable for on ride pics.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

No more expensive than modifying the app to include a Lightning Lane for the Monorail and boat stations. Imagine -- pay $9.99 for basic transport across/around the lake, and add another demand-flexible surcharge to get into the Lightning Lane for a monorail or boat. The other option would be to pay $9.99 for basic transport and then wait in the stand-by line...

Or you have the option of skipping paying the 9.99 and just have a healthy swim across the lake. This will have the benefit of reducing your waistline and getting you into Disney shape!

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Not much of a needle-changer for me as I already have my Magicband (and the one I got wasn't even an option when I was a resort guest) but disappointed to see that they ended this promotion especially with it being pretty cheap I would imagine.

 

[ParadoxPortals]

Or you have the option of skipping paying the 9.99 and just have a healthy swim across the lake. This will have the benefit of reducing your waistline and getting you into Disney shape!

Christine McCarthy would be proud of an idea like this! Good to see others carrying on her legacy after her mysterious sudden retirement...

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

View attachment 887223

 

[LittleBuford]

I always use a card instead of a Magic Band or my phone. I’m sure they’ll phase them out at some point, but till then, they remain an option, and they’re free.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

What a dumb move.

It’s low rent…for sure

Everything they did this week is…all of it. They didn’t even bother making bad excuses…that I saw?

They were doing it no matter what and knew they couldn’t “win” with the clientele…

So in a way…that’s progress.
Finally learning not to chase the swine with a tube of revlon