My Disney Experience App Update Brings AP Renewal, Dining Plan & Credit Card Tracking

WDWNT on August 29, 2017

Yesterday, Disney released a new update for the My Disney Experience app for both iOS and Android, bringing a bunch of new features to the app. Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will now be able to renew their pass on the app directly on their mobile device. Additionally, guests using the Disney Dining Plan will now be able to track how many meal and snack credits they have remaining directly on the app, and for guests staying on property, they will now be able to track charges made to their room using MagicBands.

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Guests can download this update (version 4.8) directly from the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store.

New Disneyland Mobile App Released, First Step in MyMagic+ Coming to Disneyland np

WDWNT on August 3, 2015

We warned you that FastPass+ tests are coming to California, but now a new mobile app shows that Disneyland is getting ready to follow Walt Disney World into the future of the theme park experience with digital tickets, mobile wait times, and the ability to make advance dining reservations.

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Yes, you can get wait times and attraction and dining information (and much more) pretty easily by scrolling through a map of the resort.

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One of the coolest functions comes with buying or linking tickets. Guests can then have a digital version of their park ticket to open and scan at park entrances, never having to reach for their purse or wallet. Similar functionality should come down the road when FastPass+ is rolled out at the Disneyland Resort. Premier Passports are not yet supported in the system.

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With icons from your MyDisneyExperience account carrying over, it is clear Disneyland is using the same system as Walt Disney World’s system and app.

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The maps are also styled just like those currently distributed at Walt Disney World and on the WDW website and app

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While the app is loading, you’ll even find the familiar Mickey symbol with the light circling it, something any guest who has been to Disney World over the last 2 years is very familiar with.

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And yes, dining reservations can be made through the app as well.

With the launch of this app and rumors of FastPass+ type system test coming soon, it is clear that some version of MyMagic+ is rolling out at the Disneyland Resort in the not-too-distant future. When that might happen, we are not certain, but this new Disneyland app is certainly the first piece of the next-gen puzzle in Anaheim.

Update: Another fun thing to note is that our WDWNT Now! site (located here) has been able to display the same information for months. We also have menus for the restaurants which the new app does not include!

The new Disneyland app can be downloaded for Android devices here and iOS devices at this link.

VIDEO & ANALYSIS: Walt Disney World Introduces On-Ride Video, Tower of Terror Debuts First

WDWNT on September 5, 2014

Very quietly on August 12th, 2014, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror began offering an on-ride video to guests who had purchased MemoryMaker and have a MagicBand in their procession. The video is acquired at two points in the ride and automatically edited together as a really nice video package, as you can see here (we tried it out last night, so see if you can find some famous WDWNT faces in the video):

The video is automatically showing up on the PhotoPass website for guests with MemoryMaker who have claimed their Tower of Terror on-ride photos. Pretty neat, huh?

The only change to the ride that the video cameras make is a much brighter white-light that lasts for a few seconds as your elevator stops at the floor where the on-ride photo has always been taken. Otherwise, the ride experience is the still the  same.

Based on some testing that has been done with cast members over the last few months, it seems likely that on-ride video much like this one should be coming to other attractions at Walt Disney World very soon, including but not limited to Expedition Everest and the Haunted Mansion.

So, what do you think? Is this a cool offering? Would you pay to get on-ride videos like this for your vacation?

Unlimited FastPass+ With Park-Hopping Begins 4/28/14

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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Starting Monday April 28th, after guests have used their first three FastPass+ selections that they arranged before arriving, they will be able to select another one at one of the kiosks located in each of the WDW parks. When they’ve used that one, they’ll be able to select another, and so on. Guests will also be able to select and use their additional FastPass+ entitlements when they hop from park to park.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on the rollout of MyMagic+ becomes available.

Dirk Wallen’s 4/1/14 WDW Photo Report (Polynesian, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen recently visited the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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The Polynesian lobby lives to see another day…

ABC’s The Middle was filming at the Magic Kingdom this week

The cake cups at Chshire Cafe were changed recently

The card is edible…

Work continues in the Magic Kingdom moat as part of the hub remodeling project

You can still make out the old Swan Boat track

Carnage in the old smoking section by Plaza Restaurant

We found the other cake cup…

Moving on to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there is an ad for the “it’s a small world” animated series in the parking lot

After almost 25 years, the Kodak signage on the Darkroom has changed to Nikon

The ABC Sound Studio will soon be host to a preview of Maleficent

Some random Constantine wanted posters have appeared in the Streets of America

Some new Muppets t-shirts available

Stage 1 is one of the stores now selling MagicBands to guests, and they have a ton

Easter cupcakes are available at most counter service restaurants

Legends of Hollywood on Sunset Blvd. is also selling MagicBands

They also have some Captain America merchandise

More MagicBands at the Darkroom

Moving on to Disney Springs, work continues on the new parking structure

Wetzel’s Pretzels and Haagen Dazs are now moving to the other side of DisneyQuest after having closed to make way for Starbucks

Starbucks on the West Side is coming along nicely

No visible progress on the BET Soundstage

Work is picking up in The Landing

Nothing new to see here either

Soon guests will be able to pass through behind Raglan Road

A designated Food Truck area is coming to the West Side this summer

Here’s what’s open…

Continuing work the bridge for The Marketplace

The latest progress on the Starbucks in the Marketplace

Pollo Campero has already been leveled

Another look at the parking structure

FastPass+ in Advance and MagicBands Roll-Out to Non-Disney Resort Guests

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Well, it finally happened. Starting today, guests not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel or in possession of an annual pass can make FastPass+ reservations up to 30 days in advance, and they can buy a MagicBand to boot. Disney resort guests get up to 60 days to make the very same FastPass+ reservations.

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The MyDisneyExperience app is now equipped to make the reservations for all guests with park tickets, not just those using MagicBands while staying on Disney property.

If the plastic park ticket these guests are being issued isn’t good enough and they’re feeling left out, select Walt Disney World merchandise locations are now selling MagicBands in the seven original colors for $12.95 each. We expect some “vanity” or upscale character bands to join the merchandise fray in the not-too-distant future.

These buyable bands feature all of the capabilities of the resort guest’s bands except for one thing: they can not be linked to a credit card and used for charging.

This is all subject to change at any point as Disney has stated they are still in the testing phases for MyMagic+.

Dirk Wallen’s 2/4-2/8/14 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney over the last few days, so let’s take a look at everything happening around Walt Disney World right now:

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Nikon photo spot now in place near the Rose Garden

Some more planter work happening near the hub… rumors suggest this may all be related to a new nighttime show for the park…

See ya’ later trash can…

The facade at the Enchanted Tiki Room is getting some work done

The Nikon picture spot at Splash Mountain isn’t quite picturesque yet…

The Splash Mountain refurbishment continues

Tarps up on the buildings in Liberty Square and the castle crane looming behind it

The Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin FastPass machines are being removed

Plenty of Valentine’s Day treats are available at Big Top Treats

Moving over to Disney’s Polynesian Resort, DVC wing construction is in full swing

I love these signs…

Gates up on the beach

The work out in the water on the rumored bungalows

Over at Epcot, the former Kim Possible kiosk area is now a MyMagic+ service center

Prep work for the Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing now

Another Nikon picture spot

The Darkroom at Hollywood Studios is still presented by Kodak

Yet there is a Nikon Picture Spot not too far away

The Monsters University meet and greet is becoming the Monsters Inc. meet and greet again

Backlot tour is still closed

Frozen billboard up in the backlot

Pirate Fairy and Jungle Book billboards up in the Animation Courtyard

Nikon picture spot at Animal Kingdom

A decent size line for FastPass+

AVATAR construction is happening folks…

Some work happening outside of Expedition Everest

A look at the new Festival of the Lion King theater from high up on Everest

Looks like there is a lot of work to still be done

On to Downtown Disney… Disney Springs… whatever it is…

Not much visible progress to the West Side Starbucks

Not much to see on Pleasure Island either

But there is something happening behind these walls

Here is the site for the large water-side building in The Landing

Bridge work in the Marketplace is happening quickly

The stage area near Fulton’s has been behind walls for a few weeks now

The staging area for the bridge is across from T-Rex behind the DVC booth

The Marketplace Starbucks is also coming along slowly

Guests watching construction take place

Cinderella outside of World of Disney received a backdrop on the construction walls for the Starbucks

Some strange new men’s shirts on sale

Team Mickey is now closed to become the Marketplace Co-Op

New Star Wars MagicBandits have arrived

There is also an R2-D2 MagicSlider!

Joe Hogarty’s 2/3/14 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip to the park:

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A section of the Confectionary is behind tarps

The crane can still be found behind Cinderella Castle

Legacy FastPass machines being ripped out at Mickey’s Philharmagic

But a FastPass+ kiosk can be found not far away

A queue set up for the initial rush on most days

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is progressing nicely, rumors indicate we may get a March soft-opening

We can now see the first details on Snow White’s cottage

We can now see emergency railings along the track, at least they look themed

Someone forgot their broom

TREES!

More details have been added to the strange mechanism with the vultures on it

I wonder what is in the basket…

The signage should be installed soon

Smokin’ on the job…

This guy is my favorite…

Hey, “it’s a small world” was built on martinis and cigarettes, so I’m OK with it

We can only imagine what has arrived in these boxes at the work site

The wishing well is closed off until the crane leaves

Work continues on enclosing the patio on Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

More FastPass+ by Stitch’s Great Escape

The Casey’s Corner seating area is being expanded

Casey’s is also closed right now

This was the Dole Whip line…

Yep…

Agrabah Bazaar getting some work done

There is an Enchanted Tiki Room tankard cup now available at Sunshine Tree Terrace

It features the tiki faces from inside the Enchanted Tiki Room

We need more stuff like this to buy, right?

Monorail service in the middle of the day has been suspended and will likely be for a few weeks while some maintenance is performed

Hayley Nance’s 1/26/14 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

We welcome WDWNT’s own Hayley Nance on-board as a Walt Disney World photographer/reporter this week, and she gets started by bringing us some wonderful photos from earlier this week at the Magic Kingdom:

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Removal of the Cinderella Castle Dreamlights is in full swing

Awww…

Cinderella’s rented crane returns for an annual visit

Legacy FastPass machines and signage are now vanishing from the park

After 11 years, there is no more FastPass signage or machines at Mickey’s Philharmagic

The screens in the finale of “it’s a small world” have been covered up again for some reason

Perhaps until they are ready to start working with MagicBands

Work continues on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, the tarps remain under the bridge still

A look through the peep holes…

Walls have also gone up across the way now as they finish up some pavement work

Plenty of fake trees now cover the mountain

Looks like some more greenery will be appearing soon

The entrance structure seems to be complete

The rain did not give us a clear view this week 🙁

The crane, ruining vacation photos since 2007

“You Could Be In Pictures Kid!” Hollywood Brown Derby Lobby To Interact with MagicBand

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

Story courtesy of Jeremiah Good @JeremiahGood

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The Hollywood Brown Derby just began some early testing with changing framed “magazine covers” on the walls in the lobby. The frames were installed several weeks ago, but tests actually using these screen pictures just began this past weekend.

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At this point, if a cast member with a photo attached to their MagicBands walks into the lobby, they will appear on the cover of the framed magazines. When the final product rolls out with MyMagic+, when guests with reservations come into the restaurant, it will trigger with a “set” picture attached to their MagicBand to appear on the screens.

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Once the guest is seated at a table, they will be brought a photo print of their cover. There is no word yet on if this would be an added cost to buy or included with PhotoPass. It is also possible that this will be part of MyMemoryMaker, which we still have no further details on.

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The pictures you see in this post are the default pictures. The little black dot on the upper left hand corner of the pictures is the sensor.

So, what do you think? Is this a cool use of MagicBand technology, or a waste?