Magic Band/FP+ system ?

[PoppinsFan]

This morning I was just able to customize magic bands for our upcoming trip. I made FP+ times this past weekend. My question is: I know that during the testing phase that we are supposed to be able to utilize the FP+ system and still use the regular FP machines in the park, are the machines now synced up to use with your Magic Band? The last time we were there you still needed to scan your ticket to get the paper FP. Wondering if anyone else has used this and how it works? I wouldn't have even known about the FP+ or Magic Bands if it wasn't for this website. I have never rec'd an official email or an invite to participate in either program, just kept checking the Disney Experience website.

 

[lazyboy97o]

The MagicBands do not work at all with the FastPass machines because the plan is to do away with FastPass. The "double dipping" of FastPass and FastPass+ allowed in testing is not a permanent feature.

 

[englanddg]

The MagicBands do not work at all with the FastPass machines because the plan is to do away with FastPass. The "double dipping" of FastPass and FastPass+ allowed in testing is not a permanent feature.

This is exactly correct. The FP machines do that've RFID readers on them, and they are not linked to the FP+ system in any way.

Every indication is that Disney is going to scrap that system eventually...as soon as they decide that Magicbands are out of testingn, so...pretty soon, I suspect.

 

[PoppinsFan]

Do you know if I can opt out of getting the Magic Band? We are traveling with my sister and her family and they do not have that option. If my family doesn't receive Magic Bands then I am assuming we can continue to use the old fastpass machines......I would like to get the fastpasses at the park to be able to do the rides with them. Thanks for all of our suggestions, I really appreciate it!

 

[Belle92]

Hi, it will be our first trip to wdw in just under 3 weeks and my bf was considering us getting fastpass+ does anyone know how we go about doing this and what cost there will be ? struggling to find much about it to be honest!

 

[Anotherfaceinthecrowd]

Do you know if I can opt out of getting the Magic Band? We are traveling with my sister and her family and they do not have that option. If my family doesn't receive Magic Bands then I am assuming we can continue to use the old fastpass machines......I would like to get the fastpasses at the park to be able to do the rides with them. Thanks for all of our suggestions, I really appreciate it!

Ou will still be supplied with the band and the normal key to the world card too so you will able to use both

Hi, it will be our first trip to wdw in just under 3 weeks and my bf was considering us getting fastpass+ does anyone know how we go about doing this and what cost there will be ? struggling to find much about it to be honest!

they are only running in certain resorts at the mo and you will be emailed if they are in the resort you are staying at

 

[lilclerk]

Hi, it will be our first trip to wdw in just under 3 weeks and my bf was considering us getting fastpass+ does anyone know how we go about doing this and what cost there will be ? struggling to find much about it to be honest!

There is no extra cost for Fastpass or Fastpass+. It's part of your park admission. Will you guys be staying at a Disney hotel?

 

[Belle92]

Yeah were saying at Animal kingdom Lodge! Will that one be included? also does it make a difference that were from the UK?

 

[lazyboy97o]

Yeah were saying at Animal kingdom Lodge! Will that one be included? also does it make a difference that were from the UK?

Based on the reports, if you are to have the option to be part of the testing Disney will make sure you know you have that option. If not, then you do not have the option. This being your first visit to Walt Disney World, it may be wise to avoid being part of the testing as it seems there is a good bit of a learning curve as well as plenty of technical hiccups that have resulted in people spending a lot of time with Guest Services. There are trip reports on experiences with the testing throughout the boards you may want to read before accepting an offer to be a test subject.

 

[PoppinsFan]

I just got off the phone with a CM, he told me that all of the FP machines have been replaced and are RFID compatible. I will still be able to use the FP+ system and take advantage of FP while at the parks. He said all I have to do is swipe my Magic Band and I will receive the FP return time. He mentioned that if we wanted a key card we request that at the time of check in and we could have both the card and the magic bands. He said he was just in the parks yesterday and it worked great. I asked him if the FP machines in the parks will be going away, he said no because going forward not everyone will have access to the FP+ system. Thanks everyone for all of the great advice. I guess I will find out next month how this works. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[lilclerk]

Yeah were saying at Animal kingdom Lodge! Will that one be included? also does it make a difference that were from the UK?

You can try logging into My Disney Experience to see if it gives you the option to select FP+. Some people have been able to just select them before being contacted by Disney. Worst comes to worst (or best?,) you can still use regular Fastpass in the parks.

 

[englanddg]

I just got off the phone with a CM, he told me that all of the FP machines have been replaced and are RFID compatible. I will still be able to use the FP+ system and take advantage of FP while at the parks. He said all I have to do is swipe my Magic Band and I will receive the FP return time. He mentioned that if we wanted a key card we request that at the time of check in and we could have both the card and the magic bands. He said he was just in the parks yesterday and it worked great. I asked him if the FP machines in the parks will be going away, he said no because going forward not everyone will have access to the FP+ system. Thanks everyone for all of the great advice. I guess I will find out next month how this works. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I was physically on the parks since the 10th, and I did Magicband testing earlier in the month.

FP machines were NOT RFID or magicband compatible, at least not on any major scale. Not unless they've done a major install in the last 18 hours (which is when I left the parks).

So, I'm not sure which FP machines he's speaking of, but I surely didn't see them.

Your KTTW card still worked in the old FP machines, but no RFID readers (which means no magicbands).

Also, they are putting access points for FP+ around the parks (I took pictures of the new kiosks at Hollywood Studios near the front entrance...)

If they keep the old system and the new, great. But, I saw nothing to indicate that they would.

Hopefully your bus drive...er...CM is correct though. I truly hope so.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I just got off the phone with a CM, he told me that all of the FP machines have been replaced and are RFID compatible. I will still be able to use the FP+ system and take advantage of FP while at the parks. He said all I have to do is swipe my Magic Band and I will receive the FP return time. He mentioned that if we wanted a key card we request that at the time of check in and we could have both the card and the magic bands. He said he was just in the parks yesterday and it worked great. I asked him if the FP machines in the parks will be going away, he said no because going forward not everyone will have access to the FP+ system. Thanks everyone for all of the great advice. I guess I will find out next month how this works. Keeping my fingers crossed.

To reiterate what @englanddg just said, the Cast Member is wrong. The FastPass machines are not RFID compatible, just compatible with the RFID enabled Key to the World cards and RFID enabled Annual Passes because those cards still feature a magnetic stripe. FastPass+ is, in the end, more than just the early reservations. If you wish to use FastPass you must bring your Key to the World card and use it like you would in the past, because the machines are not RFID enabled.

 

[baggienath7]

so just got off the My Disney Experiance online, and ive manged to order our magic bands, customize them, get them shipped out to the UK, select our FP+'s for the holiday and do online check in, i for one am very excited at the prospect of using them and being apart of the next step for Disney, so far no problems and really looking forward to our holiday 4 weeks today.

 

[Grumpy21]

Read this on the PORS unofficial site:

I was asked to hold back on posting this until today, but Magic Bands will be issued to all Port Orleans Riverside guests for stays commencing 3rd September onward.
Emails and letters will start going out today to inform guests arriving within 18 days that they can pre-book their FastPass+ times (up to 60 days out in fact) and customise their Magic Bands (colour and name) via the My Disney Experience site and/or mobile app. It may not be possible for Disney to contact all guests (e.g. international guests, or those who have booked via some travel agents) but the new system will still apply to everyone regardless.
Continental USA guests should be able to get their Magic Bands mailed out in advance, others will need to pick them up at the Front Desk when they check in. Key cards will still be issued as a backup for the foreseeable future.
While this is still officially classified as a "test", the general expectation is that unless there are major problems this will most likely remain permanent.
French Quarter will follow within the next few months.

 

[JiminyandTink]

I was also able to log in today and order/customize magic bands without recieving the official test invitation. The only problem for me is that I can't seem to make FP+ selections after Sept 28th, maybe it's still too early???

 

[tookydo]

I was also able to log in today and order/customize magic bands without recieving the official test invitation. The only problem for me is that I can't seem to make FP+ selections after Sept 28th, maybe it's still too early???

It opened up today. I booked mine for the 29th, the last day of my trip. Others have been able to book into October.

 

[flagen]

Sept 15-23 got our bands in the mail 2 days ago

 

[JiminyandTink]

It opened up today. I booked mine for the 29th, the last day of my trip. Others have been able to book into October.

Thanks, I just took a look and everything is now availiable. I can't wait to start planning!

 

[disneygirl1]

AS other posted have said, during the testing phase you can still utilize the paper fastpasses. Once the MyMagic+ plus is fully rolled out paper FPs will be eliminated. We were able to test out FP+ in Dec but not with the magic bands, just with the RFID KTTW cards. So yes, we were still able to get paper FPs. Not sure how you will get the paper FP's with the magic bands as you need a KTTW card or ticket to insert into the FP machine to retreive. Good luck