MyMagic+ – Page 2 – WDWNT Archive

VIDEO: Screens Finally Installed in the Finale Scene at “it’s a small world” at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

We have been closely following the progress on the finale scene of “it’s a small world” at the Magic Kingdom for several months now, posting when the tarps went up and when they came down in that scene earlier this year. Now, the screens have finally been installed that will give guests a personalized farewell when MyMagic+ formally rolls out in December:

So, what do you think? Excited about these new additions to the classic “it’s a small world”?

Resort Roll-Out Dates Revealed for MagicBand & MyMagic+, Date Given for Full Launch

WDWNT on October 29, 2013

For several weeks now, MagicBands have been distributed to guests at select Disney resort hotels so they could test out all of the exciting facets of the MyMagic+ system. Well, the final roll-out dates have been announced for the remaining resort hotels and we now know when Disney plans to take the system out of the testing phase and finally introduce the world to a new way to experience a Walt disney World vacation…

Currently, you can only get MagicBands if you are staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House Villas, and Kidani Village, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort & Villas, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside & French Quarter, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Testing begins at All-Star Sports, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, the Boardwalk Villas, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort on October 7th. October 14th brings All-Star Music, Disney’s Coronado Springs, Old Key West, Wilderness Lodge, and the Villas at Wilderness Lodge online. Finally, Disney’s Fort Wilderness and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa will be the last to begin testing on October 21st.

Resort guests should either receive a mailed invitation or be able to add MagicBands to their reservation through DisneyWorld.com. You will only be invited if you have a room and ticket package at the very least, to the best of our knowledge.

All testing is set to conclude on November 30th, meaning that December 1st, 2013 is set as the hard roll-out date for MyMagic+ for all Disney resort guests. Annual passholders and non-Disney resort guests will continue to use hard tickets until further notice and it remains unclear if those not staying at Disney hotels will ever get one.

AT&T Becomes Official Mobile Provider For Domestic Disney Parks

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Lets take a step back for a second though, back in 2009 Disney partnered with Verizon Wireless to bring us the “Mobile Magic” app which allowed us to see Wait Times, FASTPASS return times, and information on where to meet and greet with characters. This was an exclusive service for Verizon customers only leaving out everyone else. In early 2012 Disney released Mobile Magic for iOS users on AT&T and Verizon. Even though the app was still branded for Verizon, you could use it with AT&T as well. In mid 2012, Disney launched “My Disney Experience” which wasn’t branded to any carrier and could be used on any iOS/Android device. Today, Disney announced a new partnership with AT&T.

Disney Parks has just signed an exclusive contract with AT&T to make them the official mobile provider for U.S. Disney Parks. With this new agreement, AT&T will have the opportunity to sponsor Disney-created soccer and runDisney events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at The Walt Disney World Resort. In addition to this, Disney will join AT&T to educate Cast Members and guests about the “It Can Wait” campaign to educate consumers about the dangers of texting while driving.

AT&T and Disney will also collaborate to enhance the experience for the growing number of Disney guests using smartphones and tablets during their visit. Furthermore, Cast Members will use new mobile devices on AT&T’s network to help deliver Disney’s legendary guest service. President of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France had this to say about the new partnership “This alliance joins two companies that share a commitment to providing quality experiences, and we look forward to the collaboration as we continue to leverage technology to enhance the experience for our guests.”

Included in this new partnership is the ability to enhance a variety of AT&T technologies in use at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. More than 25 new antenna systems will be installed to increase the wireless capacity in areas with high mobile traffic (i.e. The Magic Kingdom and Epcot), more than 350 small cells will be installed to extend network connectivity throughout, and more than 40 repeaters to further enhance the mobile experience for both guests and Cast Members.

As someone who has AT&T and visits Walt Disney World often, I can speak with experience that LTE service is really terrible at most of the theme parks and at times completely absent. If all the above is true, then I’m beyond excited to have excellent service while at the parks to continue to offer new updates, photos, and videos in the moment. With Disney now focusing so much on the MyMagic+ experience which relies so much of your smart phone, AT&T users will be able to experience it better with the new antennas.

A Look at the the MyMagic+ Touch-To-Pay System at Table Service Restaurants

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Since MyMagic+ and MagicBands were announced (and even when they were just rumored), many of us have wondered exactly how they would work in every aspect of a Walt Disney World vacation. Over the last few months, we have seen the system operate with FastPass+ for attractions, order ahead dining at counter service locations, and even touch-to-pay at stores. One thing we are now just seeing for the first time is exactly how the system will work at the many table service restaurants around WDW.

Last night I saw one of these devices in action at Olivia’s at Old Key West. I can only assume with the current MyMagic+ testing going on, this is at most, if not all of the table service restaurants at Disney World right now. It is essentially an iPod touch with a giant device hooked onto the back of it.

So, this is the device that will be used at every restaurant to utilize touch-to-pay with hard tickets and MagicBand ticket media. How will the process work? Well, here is what your server should say when you show up with your MagicBand and are using the Disney Dining Plan:

Hello! Welcome to ___________! My name is ____________ and I will be taking great care of you this evening. I see you are on the dining plan. That’s Wonderful! If you’ll kindly touch your MagicBand and enter your PIN, I’ll be able to preview your plan information. This will help me to better guide you through your dining experience.

This will be done to avoid guest and server confusion regarding the dining plan. The server will then need to touch your MagicBand again at the end of the meal. That might go something like this:

I see some MagicBands at the table this evening. If you plan to use your band for payment this evening, I can capture the touch now if you like. Thank you! I will bring back your receipt for signature.

If the guest enters an invalid pin, a blue Mickey icon will appear on the screen for the cast member. Three invalid pin entries may require you to use alternative payment.

The process seems like it may simplify the process a little bit for those on the dining plan at least… split checks are a whole other story for another post…

If you don’t have the dining plan, you will only have to tap your band should your credit card be attached to your account and you choose to use that as a payment method. There has been no word yet on if Tables in Wonderland or Annual Pass dining discounts will use this system or still have to entered manually. If you are paying with cash or a card not attached to your MagicBand, this process will not apply to you.

So, what do you think? Would this make it easier or harder for you to pay at a table service restaurant?

Tom Corless’ 6/27-7/1/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

I managed to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Grand Floridian, and the Magic Kingdom over the last week and took plenty of newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look at what’s new at the Walt Disney World Resort:

A new purchase-with-purchase bag is available

FastPass+ entrance at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

MagicBand accessories can also be found at Animal Kingdom Lodge

They have Incredibles MagicBandits

Moat exciting has to be the appearance of Star Wars CoverBands

There are also a few MagicBand t-shirts available

The new seasonal line of Beautifully Disney has been released

Moving to Animal Kingdom, we found some Monsters University school supplies for sale

Construction continues on the new theater for Festival of the Lion King in Africa

There are now stand-by and FastPass+ signs at Finding Nemo: The Musical

New Sorcerer Mickey iPhone 5 case

While the real sign has still not arrived, this temporary sign shows us artwork for what the real Adventurers Outpost sign will look like

Lone Ranger and Tonto Vinylmation for sale

The Grand Floridian gave out 25th anniversary buttons on July 1st

Some new novelty sunglasses are being sold at the Magic Kingdom

I really love these Goofy ones

Princess shades are neat too

Happy 4th of July everyone!

How Early Can You Make FastPass+ Selections? New Details Emerge on MyMagic+

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

When Disney updated the MyDisneyExperience app last night, they also updated the terms of service that guests using the app must agree to. Some details we have either speculated about or not been informed of to this point were discussed within those terms, so we have decided to highlight the more important new facts about MyMagic+:

Friends

There are two types of friends you can have within MyDisneyExperience: managed friends or connected friends. Managed friends are guests with profiles you create and manage on their behalf. Connected friends are friends who’s profiles you do not create or manage. By sending or accepting an invitation to become connected friends with someone, you authorize those connected friends to plan and modify activities for you including FastPass+ selections. Disney states is not liable for changes, so if your friends mess up your reservations, well, you’re out of luck.

Notifications

Once available, you may choose to receive special email and text alerts during your visit such as itinerary updates, notice of photo availability, and personalized on-site tips and offers. Push notifications will also be an option.

FastPass+

Disney FastPass+ service allows you to select an arrival window to experience certain park attractions, character meet and greets, and quick-service restaurants, and to arrange a viewing location for certain entertainment such as fireworks, parades and shows. You can modify FastPass+ selections for yourself, Managed Friends, and Connected Friends.

You can make FastPass+ selections for one park per day. You may only select and use a FastPass+ selection for a particular attraction, entertainment or restaurant experience once a day. When you initially make FastPass+ selections for a particular park, you will choose a FastPass+ experience set. If your plans change, you may modify the entire FastPass+ experience set until the first FastPass+ experience is used or the first unused experience expires. You may also modify any unused individual FastPass+ experience any time prior to the end of the day.

Magic Your Way ticket holders and Annual Passholders may make FastPass+ selections beginning 60 days prior to use. Selection window will vary for other tickets.

Disney reserves the right to re-assign or reschedule a FastPass+ selection due to an unplanned attraction or entertainment down time or change in operating hours. This will be useful is guiding guests away from attractions when they are down.

A Look at the Past and Future of WDW Offered to Passholders Updating to RFID Tickets

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

Annual Passholders upgrading their tickets at the Odyssey Center at Epcot received a pleasant surprise when they showed up… (Thanks to Jose Castillo and Dirk Wallen for the photos)

The set-up is a little nicer than we expected

Kudos to Disney for putting the effort in to make the exchange process pleasant

The tickets… you actually get to pick what character you get!

Signage talks about what the new pass can do and will do

BUT WHEN?

The MagicBands and the box they will be delivered in was on display. The black MagicBand now appears to be grey…

One of the original Figment animatronics on display

A Kitchen Kabaret character as well

Walt Disney World tickets through the years on display

Some recent innovations

Tom Morrow 2.0 from Innoventions

Cast name tags through the years

Pegleg Pete is back at Disney World! He was recently spotted at Disneyland

The history of audio-animtronics discussed

After they get their new pass, Passholders can test it out on some of the new entrance touch points

Next-Gen “Memory Maker” To Help Guests Make Video Memories While They Wait In Line

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

While we have heard plenty about MyMagic+ offerings like MagicBand, FastPass+, and MyDisneyExperience, there is still another piece of the puzzle that remains somewhat a mystery…

While we don’t have a lot of details on exactly what Memory Maker (or My Memory Maker) will encompass, it seems that guests will be able to interact with certain props in queues for attractions and create video memories that they can see on their phones or when they return home. A prop recently installed at MuppetVision 3-D may give us some clues to how Memory Maker works:

If what we have heard is correct, guests could walk up to this mirror and prompt an interactive moment with The Muppets that will be video recorded by stationary hidden cameras. The guest’s MagicBand would be read and the system would connect the guest with their account on MyDisneyExperience, sending their video right into their app on their phone. Guests without the app should receive an email with the video.

The idea behind this is guests are often so busy doing attractions and sticking to a schedule to get everything done in a given day that they forget to take out their cameras and record moments from their vacation. This offering would be an interactive and fun way to save guest’s the hassle and make sure they have some video from their vacation when they return home. Also, what guest won’t want to interact with some of their favorite characters while they wait in line?

We will share more information on this story as it becomes available.

So, what do you think of Memory Maker? Good idea? Bad idea?

Walt Disney World Park Maps To Get a Makeover on March 3rd

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

Starting on March 3rd, 2013, new Walt Disney World Resort park maps are coming…

This will be the first major change made to the WDW park maps since the late-1990’s. The new maps are designed to align in look and feel with the My Disney Experience app. You’ll even notice that there is a QR code to download the app right on the front cover of the new maps.

The new maps make it clear that complimentary guest WI-FI is available in the parks, marking the first time Disney has openly admitted that this service exists. We expect the map to add some other features as MyMagic+ actually rolls out later this Spring.

So, what do you think of the new look for Walt Disney World park maps?

Dirk Wallen’s 1/11/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom earlier today and has some great newsworthy photos to share with us (including our first look at the Big Thunder Mountain interactive queue), so let’s take a look:

More RFID entrances being installed at the Magic Kingdom