Showing posts with label Disney World Technology. Show all posts
Disney World MagicBands: Making Your Vacation Easier To Enjoy!
The future of theme park enjoyment is here and it's name is: MagicBand! Disney World has created a way to eliminate the need for keeping track of paper tickets, FastPass slips of paper, and even the need for carrying a wallet into the Disney theme parks by utilizing RFID technology and incorporating it into a fashionable, wearable tech solution.
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| Disney World MagicBands In Great Colors |
Disney's MyMagic+
Disney has made a large investment in order to integrate more technology into their theme park operations with the focus on creating a more individualized experience for each guest and better understanding what guests want when they visit Disney World.For the guests the most noticeable immediate result is the use of the MagicBands. These devices are used to replace the need for separate: Room Keys, Park Tickets, FastPasses, and Credit Cards. Previously Disney World guests that had stayed on property had enjoyed having all of these options, except for the FastPasses, combined onto their Keys To The Kingdom Cards. The new technology takes away the problems of the cards becoming frequently demagnetized and enables the guests to mearly touch the MagicBand to the sensor that is called a touch point.
MagicBands are used to:
- Unlock the door of your Disney Resort hotel room.
- Enter theme and water parks (with valid admission).
- Check in at FastPass+ entrances.
- Connect Disney PhotoPass images to your account.
- Charge food and merchandise purchases to your Disney Resort hotel room (only available during your hotel stay).
Using MagicBands On Your Vacation
The proof of any new technology is putting it to the test and actually getting a chance to use it under real conditions. At Only WDWorld we had the opportunity to put the MagicBands through their paces and we were genuinely impressed with the results.
Our use of the MagicBands started in the Orlando International Airport (MCO). As we approached the Disney's Magical Express area, we had one member of our party get their MagicBand scanned and our information was available and we were allowed to proceed to the waiting area for our bus.
The Resort check-in process was quick and painless due to the on-line check-in and our MagicBands were scanned to verify that everything was in working order prior to our heading to the Disney World Theme Parks. Our purchasing permissions were also verified at this time and pins that were created for purchasing were confirmed.
We proceeded to our hotel room and all you had to do was touch your Magic Band to the Mickey symbol on the door and it become unlocked. What a great convenience not to have to search for the room key, when it is right on your wrist!
When we headed to the Theme Parks, the process to enter was just as smooth. The lines take some getting used to if you are familiar with the old system, but the new one actually is quicker. Once inside you enjoy the parks like normal.
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| Disney World Fastpass+ Kiosk |
FastPass+
The new FastPass+ gives you a couple of different options for using the Disney FastPass+ system. If you are staying at a Disney Resort, you can reserve times for up to 3 attractions in a single park up to 60 days ahead of time. You also have the choice of using the FastPass+ kiosks that at located throughout the parks to either make initial selections of modify the selections that you chose ahead of time.
The great part is that you do not need to manage little slips of paper. The information is linked to your MagicBand. When your window of time has arrived you just proceed to the FastPass+ line and touch your wrist to the Touch Point.
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| Disney FastPass+ Touch Point |
Added Disney Magic
One immediate difference that I noticed is that Disney Cast Members will address you by name more often now as your name is displayed to them when you use your MagicBand at a FastPass+ station or park entry. I liked the additional level of personal interaction.
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| Disney MagicBand Home Delivery Box |
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| Discovering the Incredible MagicBands! |
Great Pre-Vacation Excitement
The pre-vacation experience for Disney World has gotten even better with the great packaging that accompanies the Magic Bands. The Incredibles themed packaging is awesome and is sure to make your family even more excited about their upcoming vacation.
Improved Disney Experience
Like most people, we were a little skeptical when we first heard about the Magic Bands and weren't sure that we would like them, but after using them for several days, we have to admit that we really like them. Eliminating the need to track room keys, tickets, FastPasses, and PhotoPasses was a big plus. Replacing them with a wearable device that was comfortable, stylish, and waterproof definitely made this an improvement.
Being able to use them for purchasing made it convenient by not having to carry cash around the parks, especially when you ride attractions where you may get wet or have money get jostled out of pockets.
We understand that this convenience comes with a cost as Disney will more closely track our behaviors, but hopefully this translates into an even better, more individualized vacation experience going forward.
Note: If you are concerned about being tracked, you can request an RFID card in lieu of the Magic Band that only can respond to the Touch Point and cannot be read elsewhere on the Disney World Resort.
FastPass+ The New Disney World Way To Avoid Waiting In Long Lines
Disney World is always changing and 2014 brings about a major change to the way that guests avoid standing in lines. The old FASTPASS system is gone, and it has been replaced with FastPass+!
Before you ever leave your home to start your Disney World Vacation, you can now rest easy that you have secured times to ride on Toy Story Midway Mania! and your other favorite Disney World attractions.
Presenting Disney World FastPass+
In conjunction with the new MyDisneyExperience and other changes to how you plan for your Disney World vacation, FastPass+ is now an integral part of your pre-vacation planning process.
Although everyone will have access to this system, there will be a definite advantage to anyone who is staying at an on-site Walt Disney World Resort Hotel and either already has Magic Your Way Park Tickets (or an Annual Pass) or purchases them as part of a package with the Resort room.
Those that are staying on-site will be able, through the MyDisneyExperience part of the www.DisneyWorld.com website or through a mobile app will be able to register their vacation stay and make their FastPass+ selections up to 60 days in advance.
Guests not staying on-site will be able to make FastPass+ selections inside the Disney theme parks on the day of their visit at a number of different kiosks. The concern will be availability for the most popular attractions. The ability to wait in the normal lines will still exist as well.
The FastPass+ system remains free to all Disney World Guests just like its predecessor the FASTPASS.
Using The Disney World MyDisneyExperience Website
The website is not to difficult to use, but it does take a little time to become familiar with it. Once you are set up, then it is just a matter of following the on screen steps and making your selections.
Once you go into the FastPass+ area, you start by selecting a day to plan. Once the day is selected you must choose one Disney World Theme Park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Disney's Animal Kingdom) to make your FastPass+ selections. Even if you are planning to Park Hop you may only get FastPasses for one park per day.
Once you have chosen a theme park then you are given the opportunity to select up to 3 attractions to receive a FastPass for. After the initial selection you will be shown available options to choose from. Although the system is not quite as flexible as the Disney Dining Reservation system, it still does a good job.
Each park has a different number of attractions that can be selected. They range from Attractions, Entertainment Options, Character Meet & Greets, or preferential locations for parades or fireworks shows.
Here are the currently available options for each Disney park.
Magic Kingdom
Select up to 3 preferences from this group
- "it's a small world"®
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad®
- Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin®
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant®
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Haunted Mansion®
- Jungle Cruise®
- Mad Tea Party
- Meet Ariel at Her Grotto
- Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
- Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater
- Meet Rapunzel and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
- Mickey's PhilharMagic®
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor®
- Peter Pan's Flight®
- Pirates of the Caribbean®
- Space Mountain®
- Splash Mountain®
- The Barnstormer
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
Select up to 1 preference from this group
- IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
- Maelstrom
- Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
- Soarin'®
- Test Track® Presented by Chevrolet®
Select up to 2 more preference(s) from this group
- Captain EO
- Journey Into Imagination With Figment
- Living with the Land
- Mission: SPACE®
- Spaceship Earth
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends®
- Turtle Talk With Crush
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Select up to 1 preference from this group
- Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage
- Fantasmic!
- Rock 'n' Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith
- Toy Story Midway Mania!
Select up to 2 more preference(s) from this group
- Disney Junior - Live on Stage!
- Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular!
- Lights, Motors, Action!® Extreme Stunt Show®
- Muppet*Vision 3D
- Star Tours® - The Adventures Continue
- The American Idol® Experience
- The Great Movie Ride®
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
- Voyage of The Little Mermaid
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Select up to 3 preferences from this group
- DINOSAUR
- Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®
- Finding Nemo - The Musical
- It's Tough to be a Bug!®
- Kali River Rapids®
- Kilimanjaro Safaris®
- Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost
- Primeval Whirl®
New Use Of Technology For Improved Guest Experiences
The new FastPass+ system will take some getting used to, but for guests staying on site it will be a big benefit. The ability to get reservations for favorite attractions like Toy Story Midway Mania!, Space Mountain, Soarin', and others will be great for those that like to sleep in and not get to the parks right at opening. They now don't have to worry about arriving late and not being able to get a FASTPASS.
Changes can be made at any time, including the day of use. So don't worry if you change your mind or your plans.
There are definite advantages to the new system, so we will all have to wait and see how it works out. I think once people get used to it and how to use it, it will become very popular and may be considered an improvement over the old system.
The Mystique Around The Disney World MagicBand
In Disney World fan circles, there is probably nothing generating more buzz right now than the MagicBands. In conjunction with the FastPass+ system, Disney World has gone to the next level of technology to enhance your pre-vacation planning and hopefully reduce stress during your actual trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. In the coming months you will certainly be hearing more about MyMagic+, which is the name that Disney World is giving to their new vacation planning experience.
The MagicBand itself is a nifty piece of technology that includes RFID that stores your pertinent information (Disney World Resort Hotel Reservation, Room Key, Room Charging Privileges, Theme Park Tickets, and FastPass Tickets). It replaces a number of devices and physical tickets and turns it into a wearable device that is waterproof! There are even several choices of colors to choose from.
The process starts on-line after you have made your reservations for an upcoming Disney World Vacation that includes staying at one of the onsite Disney World Resort Hotels. After receiving your confirmation number you can go to www.StartYourDisneyExperience.com. From this site you can start the "real" planning process and electronically link all of the information together. You can also order the MagicBands if you are staying in the current test hotels, but soon will be available at all Disney Resorts.
The packaging is quite impressive. For my family of 4, we received a special box (shown above) with our names proudly displayed beneath our new MagicBands. The bands themselves are adjustable to fit a wide range of wrist sizes and attach more like a wrist watch than a stretchy rubber band.
Summary
The hype is certainly evident for the new MagicBands and the marketing and packaging certainly make you feel like you are part of something magical. Adding reservations, tickets, and FastPasses to the MagicBands on-line has been relatively easy, but now the proof will be whether this translates to a smoother Disney World Vacation experience. Tune in until next week when I will write the post trip review regarding how well this technology served me during my Disney World Experience!
Magic Kingdom Haunted Mansion Interactive Queue
Interactive Queue
Throughout Disney World there have been projects aimed at improving the experience for Disney World guests while they are waiting in line. The first notable change occured in Epcot to the Soarin' attraction where interactive games were added for guests in the standy-by lines.
Much time went by and then during the Space Mountain refurbishment there was a major change to it's queue to include video monitors with an interactive game that could be played in short intervals and then you played more as you moved along in the line.
Next to receive the improved queue was The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh. This area was aimed at the younger Disney World guests and it has been very well received.
Fear Of Change
The latest to receive an updated, interactive queue is the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom. Whenever a classic Disney attraction is changed there is always some fear that your favorite part shall be removed and the attraction won't have that same charm any more.
From the video shown below it appears that some of the "old" has been mixed in with some of the "new." Time will tell how well the new queue is received, but I think that this addition will definitely "plus" the attraction.
Enjoy the video from Disney Parks and leave a comment as to your impression of the changes.
