MagicBand + Annual Pass Discounts

[samsamdinh1]

I am not sure if this was mentioned in a MB/MM+ thread, but I was in the Emporium a few days ago and a CM on a register was getting hounded at by a guest with an AP who was mad that he had to have his AP and a photo ID to get the 10% discount. He claims that his family was told he did not need to bring them as they were "linked" to his band and therefore didn't need to bring it with him.

I had brought this up later on to a CM who I thought was involved with MM+ and she made me aware that APers are still REQUIRED to bring their Annual Pass and a Photo ID in order to receive the 10% discount. She explained that there are no plans to have the POS automatically recognize a guest with a MagicBand is an Annual Passholder.

My question to you... are you APers being told this at check in? They say that they are and the guests aren't paying attention.

 

[ABQ]

I am not sure if this was mentioned in a MB/MM+ thread, but I was in the Emporium a few days ago and a CM on a register was getting hounded at by a guest with an AP who was mad that he had to have his AP and a photo ID to get the 10% discount. He claims that his family was told he did not need to bring them as they were "linked" to his band and therefore didn't need to bring it with him.

I had brought this up later on to a CM who I thought was involved with MM+ and she made me aware that APers are still REQUIRED to bring their Annual Pass and a Photo ID in order to receive the 10% discount. She explained that there are no plans to have the POS automatically recognize a guest with a MagicBand is an Annual Passholder.

My question to you... are you APers being told this at check in? They say that they are and the guests aren't paying attention.

I was told this when I turned in my exchange voucher for my new AP at the MK ticket window. They linked my AP to my band and handed me my AP card which they told me "would be necessary along with my ID to receive any AP perks" The guest who was hounding the CM was completely incorrect and I doubt was told other proof of being the AP holder was unnecessary.

 

[Jon81uk]

and of course the only way they could do this is if a photo was added to your MDE profile when buying the AP and verified by a CM. They would then also need to change the tills so your picture appeared when the band is scanned.
Way too much effort.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

I use the AP discount on almost every trip to the World. It works great for me at least. I present photo ID and my black AP discount card. I've never had a problem. I used to carry all of the discount cards for my family for when the kids wanted to buy something with their own money, but the CM's ask for ID even on kids that are under 10. I was able to still get the discount for them though after convincing them that children are not required to have state issued ID's. However, since then I just bypass the whole kid thing and I buy everything with my card. This way I only have to carry my discount card. By the way as a fail safe I also always carry my AP RFID cards as well, just in case the bands have an issue. Which for us they have not.

 

[FrostyNaples]

Photo ID and discount card required @ register checkout.

Now if the customer was 'savy' he could have just used the Shop Disney Parks app, scanned the barcode of his merchandise, and selected pickup at the front (or ship to home option). The application (once logged in with your MDE info) auto links your AP discount or other discounts attached to your MDE profile.

Done.

 

[PrincessRachelT]

I bought my AP about a month before my friend did, and that was what she was told. She was confused when she didn't receive a discount card so she called. They told her it was linked to her magic band, and she just needed her ID. It's good to know that's not the case, I'll warn her so she keeps her hard ticket with her.

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

Don't have an answer for OP (sorry), but I was wondering if anyone knew if one of the perks of holding an annual pass is that you get free PhotoPass downloads?? Does this mean that I don't need to purchase memory maker? Thanks for your help.

 

[RedDad]

We were told when we picked up our passes that we'd need either the AP card or discount card (which came later in the mail) plus an ID to get the discount, and it hasn't been an issue for us either.

Don't have an answer for OP (sorry), but I was wondering if anyone knew if one of the perks of holding an annual pass is that you get free PhotoPass downloads?? Does this mean that I don't need to purchase memory maker? Thanks for your help.

If you have one of the newest APs (Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus) that came out in October then Memory Maker is included. If you purchased one of the older passes (before October 4, 2015) then you can upgrade to the comparable new AP, pay the difference in cost, and then get Memory Maker for free.

 

[flynnibus]

and of course the only way they could do this is if a photo was added to your MDE profile when buying the AP and verified by a CM. They would then also need to change the tills so your picture appeared when the band is scanned.
Way too much effort.

The fact the wrong person is using the charge privledge is far more significant than giving out a petty discount. Yet they are satisfied with that level of checking they have in place

 

[Jon81uk]

The fact the wrong person is using the charge privledge is far more significant than giving out a petty discount. Yet they are satisfied with that level of checking they have in place

Magicband charging requires a PIN to be entered, it's just as secure as a credit card really. But actually yes they could check that you are the AP holder by asking for PIN confirmation. Remember the AP holder may not be charging to a room as they probably aren't staying on site.

 

[flynnibus]

Magicband charging requires a PIN to be entered, it's just as secure as a credit card really. But actually yes they could check that you are the AP holder by asking for PIN confirmation. Remember the AP holder may not be charging to a room as they probably aren't staying on site.

But today you don't scan the band unless you are using it as payment...

If someone isn't using the band for payment... Is there really much burden for having the ap card in addition to your credit card..

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Two things....one misconception: "AP holders probably aren't staying at a resort" -- wrong, the vast majority of Annual Passholders DO stay at the resorts and are not local to Florida...

Second...they have always been VERY clear before check-in that you need to present your annual pass if you book a resort only package at checkin (though the new system that assigns your rooms automatically bypasses this) and I have ALWAYS gotten a Disney Destination e-mail a few weeks prior to arrival that states on it that you need to present your physical AP to receive discounts and to use Tables in Wonderland...Most recently they sent out an email stating that they will no longer issue separate Passes as well as Discount Cards, that you must present your original Annual Pass instead...Frankly, I never "got" the discount card since its the exact same thing as the annual pass anyway, seemed like an unnecessary piece of plastic, and apparently so did WDW...

NOW -- is it true that it should just be attached to your magic band, sure. But they've also done studies that show that a large number of Annual Passholders refuse to wear the piece of garbage magic bands and use their cards instead. I've never used a magic band and I have about 30 of them hanging in a chain on the wall in the den...

I think if this occurred then it was a matter of wording...if you ask the person at checkin if you need your card with you or if your information is attached to your magic band, they will surely tell you its all attached to your magic band. If you ask them if you need your card to get your merchandise discount or dining discount, they will surely tell you that you need to bring your card with you.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

The problem Disney has with linking the discount to the MB is fraud. There would be nothing to prevent someone from giving their band to someone else (that doesn't have an AP) to receive the discount. So still need the card and ID. We have always known and been told that we need both for the AP discount. Just like needing our DVC card and ID for a DVC discount.

 

[wdwmagic]

The problem Disney has with linking the discount to the MB is fraud. There would be nothing to prevent someone from giving their band to someone else (that doesn't have an AP) to receive the discount. So still need the card and ID. We have always known and been told that we need both for the AP discount. Just like needing our DVC card and ID for a DVC discount.

I'm sure you are right, but the discount is so small, and on items that are so heavily marked up, it would really make very little difference for the few cases of fraud that might occur.

 

[WillCAD]

Don't have an answer for OP (sorry), but I was wondering if anyone knew if one of the perks of holding an annual pass is that you get free PhotoPass downloads?? Does this mean that I don't need to purchase memory maker? Thanks for your help.

We were told when we picked up our passes that we'd need either the AP card or discount card (which came later in the mail) plus an ID to get the discount, and it hasn't been an issue for us either.


If you have one of the newest APs (Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus) that came out in October then Memory Maker is included. If you purchased one of the older passes (before October 4, 2015) then you can upgrade to the comparable new AP, pay the difference in cost, and then get Memory Maker for free.

This is sort of correct.

Regular PhotoPass photos expire 45 days after they are shot (unless you buy a one-time extension). Memory Maker gives you a 30-day window to download all of the photos in your PhotoPass account. But those windows are not tied together; if you start downloading as soon as you get photos taken, your download window might expire before your photos do. If you wait for a while, your photos might expire before your download window closes.

With the new Platinum and Platinum Plus Annual Passes, any photos linked to your PhotoPass account while your AP is active expire 365 days after they're taken. You also get unlimited downloads of those photos, and your download window starts and stops on the same days that your pass starts and stops. So the photos perk *like* Memory Maker, but better.

NOTE: If you have one of the old style APs that don't include this perk, your pass will automatically be upgraded the next time you renew your pass. If you're not due for regular renewal, you can upgrade your current pass, paying the difference between the old AP and the new Platinum or Platinum Plus AP. Your renewal date will not change if you upgrade.

However, any photos added to your PhotoPass account before you renew or upgrade your pass will NOT last the whole 365 days and will NOT be included in your unlimited downloads - only photos taken and linked to your account while your Platinum or Platinum Plus AP is active are included in the perk.

 

[Rob562]

Do we know if AP holders have access to download pics scanned to their linked Friends and Family accounts?

-Rob

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

This is sort of correct.

Regular PhotoPass photos expire 45 days after they are shot (unless you buy a one-time extension). Memory Maker gives you a 30-day window to download all of the photos in your PhotoPass account. But those windows are not tied together; if you start downloading as soon as you get photos taken, your download window might expire before your photos do. If you wait for a while, your photos might expire before your download window closes.

With the new Platinum and Platinum Plus Annual Passes, any photos linked to your PhotoPass account while your AP is active expire 365 days after they're taken. You also get unlimited downloads of those photos, and your download window starts and stops on the same days that your pass starts and stops. So the photos perk *like* Memory Maker, but better.

NOTE: If you have one of the old style APs that don't include this perk, your pass will automatically be upgraded the next time you renew your pass. If you're not due for regular renewal, you can upgrade your current pass, paying the difference between the old AP and the new Platinum or Platinum Plus AP. Your renewal date will not change if you upgrade.

However, any photos added to your PhotoPass account before you renew or upgrade your pass will NOT last the whole 365 days and will NOT be included in your unlimited downloads - only photos taken and linked to your account while your Platinum or Platinum Plus AP is active are included in the perk.

Wow!!! So thorough! You were more helpful than the Disney hotline. Thank you so much for the info. It's greatly appreciated.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

This is sort of correct.

Regular PhotoPass photos expire 45 days after they are shot (unless you buy a one-time extension). Memory Maker gives you a 30-day window to download all of the photos in your PhotoPass account. But those windows are not tied together; if you start downloading as soon as you get photos taken, your download window might expire before your photos do. If you wait for a while, your photos might expire before your download window closes.

With the new Platinum and Platinum Plus Annual Passes, any photos linked to your PhotoPass account while your AP is active expire 365 days after they're taken. You also get unlimited downloads of those photos, and your download window starts and stops on the same days that your pass starts and stops. So the photos perk *like* Memory Maker, but better.

For those that are eligible (DVC and FL residents only), the Gold Pass has this benefit as well.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Do we know if AP holders have access to download pics scanned to their linked Friends and Family accounts?

-Rob

Yes, they do, if that person has allowed sharing, and they have to have APs as well, or have purchased the MM on their own.

 

[Rob562]

Yes, they do, if that person has allowed sharing, and they have to have APs as well, or have purchased the MM on their own.

So on my trip this fall, my local friend who has an AP would have access to download all of my photos, even though he's not with us, and the photos are on my profile. (though I understand the photos would still have the usual 45-day expiration...)

-Rob