MyMagic+ getting better?

[Bairstow]

Now that FastPassPluss has been rolled out to practically all resorts, does anyone have anything close to a good idea of whether or not guest problems with the system are more or less frequent? I had read all kinds of horror stories this summer, but the bands worked like a charm for us this past September. I know people who haven't been able to get the bands really seem to hate them, but is there reason to suspect that at least from Disney's perspective, that the program is working as intended?

 

[CTXRover]

Now that FastPassPluss has been rolled out to practically all resorts, does anyone have anything close to a good idea of whether or not guest problems with the system are more or less frequent? I had read all kinds of horror stories this summer, but the bands worked like a charm for us this past September. I know people who haven't been able to get the bands really seem to hate them, but is there reason to suspect that at least from Disney's perspective, that the program is working as intended?

We were there last week, the first week where all resort guests were part of the test, and used the bands for everything they were supposed to do but for payments (never had good luck using the KTTW for credit charges and the charges being correct at the end, so didn't want to try it with the bands).

Overall, we thought they were fantastic. Not until we used them did I realize their benefits. Honestly.

None of the horror stories were reality for us. The only issue we saw was that TSM had all FP+ booked one day prior. I see the concern there, certainly as more guests start to use it.

We found booking FP+ ahead of time and the ease of changing experiences or times a breeze with the app. It provided flexibility and actually made the trip that much more enjoyable and stress free. I know, blasphemy! We stuck with the 3 FPs a day and didn't "double dip" with regular FPs, which we saw many people with bands on doing (and thus putting extra burden on the FP system than ultimately will be intended). Entering the parks with bands was easy (and yes, no turnstyles with strollers and one family member in a scooter for medical reasons made entering the parks nice and quick), using them for FP+ access and room access all worked great. Once on, we never even noticed them.

The only suggestion I would have is that if you want to change an experience, it will only look for other experiences with availability for that exact time you had previously booked. It would be nice if you want to change an experience that it would show you all available attractions and then let you select a new time if desired. I also realized that my parents, who were traveling with us, found the whole thing a little beyond their comfort zone and without us 'younger' folks to make and change FP+, etc. that they may not have fully enjoyed what FP+ and MM+ had to offer.

 

[Gabe1]

None of the horror stories were reality for us. The only issue we saw was that TSM had all FP+ booked one day prior. I see the concern there, certainly as more guests start to use it.

Interesting 10/17 - 10/21, week prior to the trip and through the trip TSM was FP+not available, ever, not even an option on the list. Yet FP return queue went all the way out to One Mans Dream.

 

[CTXRover]

Interesting 10/17 - 10/21, week prior to the trip and through the trip TSM was FP+not available, ever, not even an option on the list. Yet FP return queue went all the way out to One Mans Dream.

Our FP+ for TSM was for 1pm on 10/24. Arrived around 1:30pm and there was only one family in front of us for the FP queue. We had booked our TSM FP a few days prior for that time, but we were looking to go back Sunday and when we checked Saturday night, all FP for TSM were gone. Obviously still a concern, but perhaps the issues the prior week were all fixed?

The only time we waited in a FP queue was for KS where there was a line that took less than 5 minutes to go through.

It was funny as there was talk about the bands slowing things down at the FP queues. We found the opposite, it was the folks with the paper FPs who slowed things down as they pulled them from their pockets and had them viewed each by the CM as those with bands scanned in two at a time and kept walking through.

 

[englanddg]

We were there last week, the first week where all resort guests were part of the test, and used the bands for everything they were supposed to do but for payments (never had good luck using the KTTW for credit charges and the charges being correct at the end, so didn't want to try it with the bands).

Overall, we thought they were fantastic. Not until we used them did I realize their benefits. Honestly.

None of the horror stories were reality for us. The only issue we saw was that TSM had all FP+ booked one day prior. I see the concern there, certainly as more guests start to use it.

We found booking FP+ ahead of time and the ease of changing experiences or times a breeze with the app. It provided flexibility and actually made the trip that much more enjoyable and stress free. I know, blasphemy! We stuck with the 3 FPs a day and didn't "double dip" with regular FPs, which we saw many people with bands on doing (and thus putting extra burden on the FP system than ultimately will be intended). Entering the parks with bands was easy (and yes, no turnstyles with strollers and one family member in a scooter for medical reasons made entering the parks nice and quick), using them for FP+ access and room access all worked great. Once on, we never even noticed them.

The only suggestion I would have is that if you want to change an experience, it will only look for other experiences with availability for that exact time you had previously booked. It would be nice if you want to change an experience that it would show you all available attractions and then let you select a new time if desired. I also realized that my parents, who were traveling with us, found the whole thing a little beyond their comfort zone and without us 'younger' folks to make and change FP+, etc. that they may not have fully enjoyed what FP+ and MM+ had to offer.

I'm sorry, this is reinventing the wheel to replace it with a new wheel.

Lets run down "benefits" for the end user. (I will bold the areas that the new band/RFID system allows that the older system did not)

KTTW card (non RFID, no bands, the old system)...

1) Charge to your room and an assigned credit card that you set up online
2) Enter the parks and use it as a park ticket
3) Use it as your room key
4) Integrate with your Disney Dining Plan
5) Utilize the Fast Pass system (though paper tickets worked fine for that as well)

KTTW RFID card

The only benefit added is integration with PhotoPass.

Band

1) Charge to your room and an assigned credit card that you set up online
2) Enter the parks and use it as a park ticket
3) Use it as your room key
4) Integrate with your Disney Dining Plan
5) Utilize the Fast Pass system (though paper tickets worked fine for that as well)
6) Integration with PhotoPass
7) Disney can track your general movements using the Bluetooth LE tech
8) You can wear it on your wrist
9) You get to carry it when your kiddo decides they don't want to wear it on their wrist

I used the bands, I liked the bands, I have nothing against the bands...but they are not nearly as "groundbreaking" as people make them out to be. They are an extension of a largely already existing system (which is why integration has been a gripe)...and the major focus really should be on MDE, and not the bands.

MDE, and the modification of how the FP system works is the real news...

 

[Gabe1]

Our FP+ for TSM was for 1pm on 10/24. Arrived around 1:30pm and there was only one family in front of us for the FP queue. We had booked our TSM FP a few days prior for that time, but we were looking to go back Sunday and when we checked Saturday night, all FP for TSM were gone. Obviously still a concern, but perhaps the issues the prior week were all fixed?

The only time we waited in a FP queue was for KS where there was a line that took less than 5 minutes to go through.

It was funny as there was talk about the bands slowing things down at the FP queues. We found the opposite, it was the folks with the paper FPs who slowed things down as they pulled them from their pockets and had them viewed each by the CM as those with bands scanned in two at a time and kept walking through.

Weekend trips during F&W, always a bite. Plus it was a beautiful weekend.

 

[DisneyJoe]

8) You can wear it on your wrist

IMHO, this is a HUGE benefit to many. I don't know how many times we had to dig through pockets or bags to find the KTTW cards for all of the items you listed. Having it on your wrist is very convenient.

 

[awoogala]

IMHO, this is a HUGE benefit to many. I don't know how many times we had to dig through pockets or bags to find the KTTW cards for all of the items you listed. Having it on your wrist is very convenient.

That's the thing, not everyone is the same. For some, the freedom from a bag, convenience of a flick of the wrist will be awesome, for others, the feeling of a band will drive them nuts. I do hope, at some point, they offer a necklace version.

 

[Weather_Lady]

That's the thing, not everyone is the same. For some, the freedom from a bag, convenience of a flick of the wrist will be awesome, for others, the feeling of a band will drive them nuts. I do hope, at some point, they offer a necklace version.

Or maybe a lightweight card, like a credit card, that I could just put on a lanyard around my neck... oh, wait...

 

[matt9112]

I'm sorry, this is reinventing the wheel to replace it with a new wheel.

Lets run down "benefits" for the end user. (I will bold the areas that the new band/RFID system allows that the older system did not)

KTTW card (non RFID, no bands, the old system)...

1) Charge to your room and an assigned credit card that you set up online
2) Enter the parks and use it as a park ticket
3) Use it as your room key
4) Integrate with your Disney Dining Plan
5) Utilize the Fast Pass system (though paper tickets worked fine for that as well)

KTTW RFID card

The only benefit added is integration with PhotoPass.

Band

1) Charge to your room and an assigned credit card that you set up online
2) Enter the parks and use it as a park ticket
3) Use it as your room key
4) Integrate with your Disney Dining Plan
5) Utilize the Fast Pass system (though paper tickets worked fine for that as well)
6) Integration with PhotoPass
7) Disney can track your general movements using the Bluetooth LE tech
8) You can wear it on your wrist
9) You get to carry it when your kiddo decides they don't want to wear it on their wrist

I used the bands, I liked the bands, I have nothing against the bands...but they are not nearly as "groundbreaking" as people make them out to be. They are an extension of a largely already existing system (which is why integration has been a gripe)...and the major focus really should be on MDE, and not the bands.

MDE, and the modification of how the FP system works is the real news...

You make no mention of the fact that you can now have FP+ and ADRs all in sync as in built around each other from the gecko due to the paper fast passes well paper you had to build your FPs around your ADR and or nap times ect....good luck running like a herd of animals to the kiosk.

And yes I had FPs that ended up being wasted due to ADR time constraints darn I should have run to the machine faster on my vacation. The entire next gen is putting a lot of hassle that you have to deal with at the park into the planning phase IE before arrival.

 

[Weather_Lady]

You make no mention of the fact that you can now have FP+ and ADRs all in sync as in built around each other from the gecko due to the paper fast passes well paper you had to build your FPs around your ADR and or nap times ect....good luck running like a herd of animals to the kiosk.

And yes I had FPs that ended up being wasted due to ADR time constraints darn I should have run to the machine faster on my vacation. The entire next gen is putting a lot of hassle that you have to deal with at the park into the planning phase IE before arrival.

Did you seriously just write, "from the GECKO"!??!

I understand that you like the pre-scheduling aspect of FP+. Indeed, I would argue that this feature is the only improvement it offers over the present system. However, realize that the FP+ you will be attempting to sync with your ADRs will be: (1) limited in number (no more than 2 or 3, and at one park only); (2) limited in schedule (you'll be offered the times that are available, not the times that necessarily work with your meals); (3) limited in type (e.g., if the current Epcot tests reflect what the new system will be like, you may be able to pick only one headline attraction; the other offerings will be attractions that typically have short lines anyway, and some headliners may be "fully booked" already -- in other words, you're only getting one FP that will save you any time in line, not 3, and you may not get the one you want) and (4) many guests may be ineligible for them, if WDW does what many anticipate and limits them only to those staying on-site.

 

[matt9112]

Or maybe a lightweight card, like a credit card, that I could just put on a lanyard around my neck... oh, wait...

I kept my KTTW card in my bi fold and just scanned the entire thing whenever I used it..loved the RFID now I don't even have to reach into my pocket.

Can't wait to not need to bring my wallet I wonder if they can somehow incorporate age 21+ verification.
And you can hold the lanyard I'm all set with lanyards it's vacation.

 

[matt9112]

Did you seriously just write, "from the GECKO"!??!

Yup like the commercials....little green fellah. Play on words
And yes it is really there seriously.

 

[coachwnh]

Just tried to update my FP+ picks. Guess what site isn't working??????

 

[awoogala]

I've been trying to fix mine since Saturday. I gave up. I have the ones I want, but I have 5 or more picks on some days..lol Guess having too many is better than not having enough!

 

[ExtinctJenn]

I'll say this... Disney had officially said testing was ending 11/30 but then would elaborate by saying on December 1st it may go live or go into another test. Many people (including "reputable" Disney news sites) had reported that MM+ was going live December 1st. Some saying "sometime in December." We are going first week of December and (2 weeks after doing it anyway) we got an invitation to the "test" for our trip. This round of testing however has eliminated KTTW cards so it's no longer a back-up.

To me what all that says is yes it's gotten better but not better enough to move into full rollout. The recent announcement that they've changed the guy running the program says a lot to me. I think they wanted it ready sooner and the myriad of things people reported on these and other forums showed it wasn't close. Still, removing the back-up plan of a KTTW card sure tells me they have at least some confidence in the system now.

Just tried to update my FP+ picks. Guess what site isn't working??????

If it makes you feel any better, our Magic Bands were supposed to ship today and when I logged in to check it I also got errors that it wasn't available right now. I think this is probably one of the key problems that still exists with the system... when it's working it's great but when it's got issues, they are all over the place.

 

[DisneyJoe]

FYI, the band also works for Magical Express check in at the airport, no need to keep the booklet out for scanning. The booklet/paper is still needed for the ride back to the airport though.

 

[chuckd3]

I am at Disney right now! We have been here for three days there are seven people in our two parties. We have had everything works perfectly! We could not be happier with the magic bands they are great! We are on the deluxe dining plan and that is even working perfectly. Do not believe all of the horrors stories that you have been reading they are not true, we have seen no problem since we have been here! Even the Very Merry Christmas party tickets were linked and work correctly.

 

[jlsHouston]

We liked our magic bands for park entry..Thought it was as quick as the tickets and only lost 1 band. Which we normally lose at least 2 cards...Not getting a colored band when you lose one is tough for the kiddos.

Noticed one of the kids couldn't keep the band on throughout the day so it was on an adult wrist half the time.

Liked being able to make a FP selection WITHOUT running through the park like a maniac.

Did not like the tier concept for selecting FP's.

Did not like the FP selections being limited to 3, nor did we like them being limited to one park per day.

Had a major issue getting the room charge to accept and finally the Front Desk had to completely book the reservation over and take the bands completely off the reservation so the bands were not used to open the doors of the rooms .

I still don't grasp why spend all this money and make all these changes for such "limited" magic...

Talking Mickey is a total HIT with our family!!!

 

[SSH]

Just returned from our trip yesterday. We stayed at POP during the time when POP was the only resort prohibiting the KTTW cards for FP-. I thought about switching, but decided not to in the end, as I really like that resort over the other value resorts.

I had never done so much pre-planning and research for a 4-day Disney trip (with only 2 days spent in the parks!) I felt exhausted by the time I got there! But I was ready, with paper screen shots of my FP+ choices in hand, feeling a bit apprehensive about whether we would have the problems others experienced. I had booked this trip 6 months ago and was supposed to be part of the early group who enjoyed the non-tiering version of FP+, but WDW couldn't get my tics to link properly until 10 days ago, so I lost out on that and was limited to the 3/day. Unfortunately, by the time I was able to access FP+, some of the times I wanted were gone, but all attractions were available.

I was relieved that bands worked flawlessly opening the room every time, charging drinks/food items, all FP+ selections went off without a hitch, other than the one HS FP+ we missed due to scheduling changes. (I didn't bother to reschedule anything in its place.)

Parks did seem more crowded the past few days than calendars predicted. I had old paper tics, so since I lost out on the non-tiered opportunity - AND as a POP guest, was one of the few WDW resort guests with no KTTW card, I exchanged those for the plastic cards that would work in FP- machines, just to have a backup. But I tried not to double dip too often: we ended up using just 2 paper FPs the entire trip even though they were readily available: one during morning at AK; the other during the morning at EP. We just stood in standby lines for everything else.

The best thing hands down about FP+ was reserving a headliner for late afternoon/nighttime without having to visit that park first. Bottom line: I could live with FP+ if they removed the park hopper restriction entirely which is ridiculous and added another tier 1 attraction allowance, giving people 4 attractions per day, including 2 headliners in any parks they wanted.

I am NOT saying this is ideal...I realize that this is still a frustrating restriction and far from enough for many families who want to enjoy more attractions during very limited and expensive vacation hours...vs standing in long lines. I'm just saying that would work for us personally if the only choice was between dealing with FP+ or not visiting Disney at at all. That would motivate us to return this spring for another visit. Having those 2 morning FP paper passes allowed us to get on at least 1 thing each at EP and AK with standby lines for everything else we did those mornings. And then allowed us our 3 FP+ that afternoon/evening when FP was long gone.

If they stick to 3 day, just 1 headliner with zero park hopping, we probably won't be returning until 2015, if at all.