NextGen, Magic Band, and FP+

[Patricia]

This isn't a parenting forum. So let's cool it!

Nuf said. Time to get back to the topic or move on to another one..

[Jeri]

I hope those that are going soon and in the future (next few months) report back how it went and more real, actual details about what they experienced.

Like I said I am waiting to see what it is all really about, and experience myself before I make a decision if I like it or not.

I hope that we are able to maybe have the wristbands and still not do the checking in ahead of time.
I kind of like checking in when I get there. I like talking to the castmember and all that stuff. Plus this time we have 2 rooms, and my cousin is coming ( his own ressie, but noted he is with us) and was planning on standing in line & checking in together.

[redunzl5]

I totally agree with DizneyFreak2002. Poor old Walt is probably spinning in his grave. His parks were supposed to be for families to enjoy. Now, unless you have totally planned to the nth degree months ahead of time, you are left out in the cold.
Have an apple dearie.

[Goofster]

When are the MagicBands supposed to be rolled out? We are going the 1st week of March and staying at Kidani Village. Curious to know whether I should expect these or not.

[tinkerbell1981]

There were excruciatingly long standby lines long before the advent of Fastpass -- and Fastpass+. For many people, their most vivod memories of visiting Walt Disney World are from waiting in line. It's nostalgic for some folks. It seems like these days, people ignore the fact that Space Mountain has had a 90-minute long line for decades.

You didn't miss Toy Story Mania because you couldn't get a Fastpass. You didn't ride because you balked at the wait time.

YES!!!!!! I think the waiting in the lines and looking at all the detail that Disney puts in is part of the Disney experience. I do like to do fastpass when trying to get on something quick but I am willing to wait 60min to ride any ride because that is the experience!

[Sylvia]

Am I the only one out here who misses the days of just going to the parks and doing everything on the fly? Or am I just wierd?

Maybe it's because I am a several times repeat guest. I will occassionally do a FP, I rarely make an ADR, and I had no problem with the way things were.

Call me weird too!! I do some planning, but I never over-plan. One of the best vacations I've ever had was the one where we decided to go to our CBR bus stop each day and let Disney transport plan our day. We took the first bus that came. Amazingly, we did this four days in a row, and each day a different theme bus came along.

We have never over-planned ADRs. On each trip we typically eat 2-3 TS meals. Now with so many offerings at CS locations, we've been very lucky with our choices. We concentrate on "winging it" when it comes to meals; over the years, we've also been quite lucky with walk-ups at several TS locations. But, this is much easier if you're traveling with a small group.

As you can tell by my signature, I'm a long-time repeat guest.

[marlyn]

This service already exists. And they are like having your own personal FP as they get you to the front of the line for all attarctions as well. I don't know what the cost is though.

About $125/hr or more....not a viable option for most people

[marlyn]

This isn't a parenting forum. So let's cool it!

Nuf said. Time to get back to the topic or move on to another one..

Thank you....

Ok, so if this takes effect before I go in march, where do I reserve my fast passes? Online or via my iPhone App?

[DisneyGiant]

I have two questions - in case anyone has answers

1. Does this wristband work with DVC?

2. What if you are two families traveling together and want to make one ADR for the combined total? Same with the FPs - you all want to go on the ride together......

We have a large group heading (20 ppl) down in July.

Would the wristbands accommodate this?

[PopPhan]

YES!!!!!! I think the waiting in the lines and looking at all the detail that Disney puts in is part of the Disney experience. I do like to do fastpass when trying to get on something quick but I am willing to wait 60min to ride any ride because that is the experience!

Maybe this is one of the reasons for all the interactive queues going in....They know that with the advent of the FastPass+ system queues will be getting a lot longer.......

I'm just glad that I never visit during "busy" times!!! For the most part, the queues are short for all but a few attractions (TSMM, Soarin', Peter Pan....)

[VWL Mom]

I have two questions - in case anyone has answers

1. Does this wristband work with DVC?

2. What if you are two families traveling together and want to make one ADR for the combined total? Same with the FPs - you all want to go on the ride together......

We have a large group heading (20 ppl) down in July.

Would the wristbands accommodate this?

The DVC member site has been rolled over to match the new WDW site so it is in prep for the wristbands.

You will still be able to make ADR's for 20 but I would guess you need to call as you do now.

As far as the FP's, I would think you would be allowed to get FP for those on your reservation. I've been noticing that the new site allows you to choose who in your travel party is eating on a given reservation (by checking the mickey heads) so maybe FP is going to work the same way. No idea how this will work for those not staying on-site.

[BrerGnat]

Just some more information about the implementation:

According to Tom Staggs:

The MyMagic+ system (including FP+) will be implemented SLOWLY over the "next several months." It will be in a "test and adjust" period for quite awhile, according to Staggs.

Sources have said that the system will be tested INITIALLY at the Boardwalk Inn (NOT the Villas though), due to its small size. It stands to reason that it will roll out from there, likely first to all the Deluxe resorts and DVC and then down the line to the Moderates and Values.

There is no definite timeline for this system to be fully operational at all resorts, so unless anyone is staying at Boardwalk Inn in the near future, don't expect this to be up and running quite yet.

[Janmac]

2. What if you are two families traveling together and want to make one ADR for the combined total? Same with the FPs - you all want to go on the ride together......

We have a large group heading (20 ppl) down in July.

Would the wristbands accommodate this?

Don't know about the FPs. I read somewhere that someone got two different FP times when they used FP+ for their extended family.

Regarding ADRs for 20 people, in the past when we've had a large group, we have called the group dining number for our ADRs. A CM at the regular dining number gave us the phone number.

On another issue, we have had problems with the magnetic strip on the KTTW cards so I searched around to see how sturdy are the RFID chips. Apparently there are 4 different types of chips, depending on how interactive they are. Read only passive chips have been described as costing 50 cents each altho I suppose Disney is getting a deep discount, if these are the chips they're using.

I did discover that the chip can become unreliable if it detaches from the supporting medium - which can happen if it is exposed to vibration and humidity.

Jan

[SandmanGStefani24]

I SO agree with MargaretMessler and Sylvia!!

It kills me to see people overplan and make the trip more of a job or boot camp. I wing it every trip. I have things I want to see/ride/eat, but do it whenever I get around to it, or have the opportunity. I rarely wait long in a line, I am never bored, and I always get everything done. I almost never make an ADR either. Have only done it twice, and all other times have been able to walk up and eat, even at TS foodaries. Take a chill pill and let it happen, is my advice. I might give the new system a go, but I am fine without it, and suspect many out there can too.

[ChipNDale79]

I SO agree with MargaretMessler and Sylvia!!

It kills me to see people overplan and make the trip more of a job or boot camp. I wing it every trip. I have things I want to see/ride/eat, but do it whenever I get around to it, or have the opportunity. I rarely wait long in a line, I am never bored, and I always get everything done. I almost never make an ADR either. Have only done it twice, and all other times have been able to walk up and eat, even at TS foodaries. Take a chill pill and let it happen, is my advice. I might give the new system a go, but I am fine without it, and suspect many out there can too.

I've actually been denied eating at a place because I didn't have a reservation, so it does happen.

[Roger's #1 Fan]

I SO agree with MargaretMessler and Sylvia!!

It kills me to see people overplan and make the trip more of a job or boot camp. I wing it every trip. I have things I want to see/ride/eat, but do it whenever I get around to it, or have the opportunity. I rarely wait long in a line, I am never bored, and I always get everything done. I almost never make an ADR either. Have only done it twice, and all other times have been able to walk up and eat, even at TS foodaries. Take a chill pill and let it happen, is my advice. I might give the new system a go, but I am fine without it, and suspect many out there can too.

Looking at your 4 most recent visit dates, I can understand why these programs have little appeal or effect on your visit. For many of us who have to travel during the summer during peak or near-peak times, things like ADRs are a necessity if you want to eat at a TS at a decent hour. As far as FP goes, I found on my last trip (Aug 12) they helped avoid what would easily have been several hours in standby lines for a few rides which gave us the opportunity to visit some of the less popular attractions. (TR, COP, TTA)

[SandmanGStefani24]

Looking at your 4 most recent visit dates, I can understand why these programs have little appeal or effect on your visit. For many of us who have to travel during the summer during peak or near-peak times, things like ADRs are a necessity if you want to eat at a TS at a decent hour. As far as FP goes, I found on my last trip (Aug 12) they helped avoid what would easily have been several hours in standby lines for a few rides which gave us the opportunity to visit some of the less popular attractions. (TR, COP, TTA)

sure, but i have sworn off peak times for good. nothing about the heat, crowds, or lines is in any way appealing to me. i get it, i do. it's just the OVERplanning that makes me shake my head. Everyone has their way that works, and that's cool.

[jonahbear2006]

Ok, I feel like people are being a little over dramatic about this. I did initially realize the problem here with fast passes but realize that even as guests who attend regularly, Disney still knows their stuff about their parks. We have always gotten our panties in a ruffle over changes, in the past, and it rarely comes of anything that is worth getting upset over.. I was there for marathon weekend and I thought the new systems were a lot faster. There were no lines ever on the resort side, while us with our passholders were fighting to get through the line with the locals and the off property guests. I think Disney knows a thing or two about all of this and if the fast passes become a huge problem, they will fix the issue, just like they did with ADRs and I remember us getting upset about online reservation systems...well last week I got walked in to every restaurant I ate at, INCLUDING BE OUR GUEST. It was one of the most magical trips ever! I love Disney so Im gonna give them a little faith and trust in exchange for a little bit of pixie dust.

[DisneyGiant]

The DVC member site has been rolled over to match the new WDW site so it is in prep for the wristbands.

You will still be able to make ADR's for 20 but I would guess you need to call as you do now.

As far as the FP's, I would think you would be allowed to get FP for those on your reservation. I've been noticing that the new site allows you to choose who in your travel party is eating on a given reservation (by checking the mickey heads) so maybe FP is going to work the same way. No idea how this will work for those not staying on-site.

Thanks so much for the info.

I'm calling for dining tomorrow - I will also ask them my questions.

[DisneyGiant]

Don't know about the FPs. I read somewhere that someone got two different FP times when they used FP+ for their extended family.

Regarding ADRs for 20 people, in the past when we've had a large group, we have called the group dining number for our ADRs. A CM at the regular dining number gave us the phone number.

On another issue, we have had problems with the magnetic strip on the KTTW cards so I searched around to see how sturdy are the RFID chips. Apparently there are 4 different types of chips, depending on how interactive they are. Read only passive chips have been described as costing 50 cents each altho I suppose Disney is getting a deep discount, if these are the chips they're using.

I did discover that the chip can become unreliable if it detaches from the supporting medium - which can happen if it is exposed to vibration and humidity.

Jan

Thanks for the response.

Was talking with the family last night - we'd only take advantage of booking the FP for those long line attractions (Toy Story Mania, Soarin and the 3 Mountains at MK) - the rest we'll do it like we did before - looking at the wait times.

I believe that you need some spontaneity in order to experience the magic at WDW.