MyMagic+ monitors installed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Scott Gustin

One of the perks of MyMagic+ will be the ability to change FastPass+ reservations while in the parks using the My Disney Experience app. However, if you don’t have a cell phone, how will you view your reservations or make changes?

In a previous post, we talked about the kiosks/monitors that will be positioned around the park for guests to be able to view their attraction reservations and make changes if necessary.

On Wednesday, Aaron Wallace tweeted a photo that shows two MyMagic+ monitors that have been installed at Sid Cahuenga’s at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As Aaron noted, the monitors are themed (which is awesome).

new MyMagic+ monitors in place outside Sid Cahuenga's. at least they're well themed pic.twitter.com/nw2fhagdyP
— Aaron Wallace (@aaronwallace) August 1, 2013

If you have a photo of other MyMagic+ kiosks/monitors in the parks or information about developments with the MyMagic+ program, send us an e-mail at Scott@TheSocialMouse.com.

MyMagic+ loyalty program a possibility?

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Scott Gustin

Erin Foster, who is a Walt Disney World Moms Panelist and contributor at TouringPlans, was recently chosen for a MyMagic+ and FastPass+ test at Walt Disney World. She shared her recent experience in an extremely detailed and informative TouringPlans blog post.

Here are some interesting things mentioned in the post:

As of right now, you may be able to use FastPass+ and regular FASTPASS simultaneously. However, this “loophole” will likely be closed soon and will be forever closed when the old FASTPASS machines are eventually removed from the parks.
She discussed the ease of changing FastPass+ reservations. She said in “15 seconds” she made changes using the My Disney Experience app while walking around the parks.
“Frequent flier” bonus? She said that Cast Members indicated there will eventually be some type of loyalty program. Few details are available as of now, but this could be interesting.
She goes into detail about FastPass+ kiosks that will be available around the park for guests who did not make reservations ahead of time and don’t have access to a smartphone.

Read Erin’s full review at blog.touringplans.com.

This is one of the most detailed MyMagic+ reviews I’ve seen. A few TheSocialMouse readers are headed to Walt Disney World soon. I’ll post their reviews over the next few weeks.

How will MyMagic+ and FastPass+ handle attraction closures?

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Scott Gustin

When FastPass+ is officially rolled out later this year, theme park touring will forever change at Walt Disney World. As we move closer to the full roll-out date, more details are beginning to emerge about how the system will work.

One question that has been asked several times is: “What will happen if an attraction is closed during my assigned FastPass+ time?”

With the current FASTPASS system, if you have a FASTPASS for 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and the attraction is closed for that entire hour, you can either return later in the day to use your FASTPASS or choose not to use the FASTPASS. However, the current system can result in extremely long lines late in the day if an attraction is down for an extended period of time.

WDWMAGIC has some interesting new details about how MyMagic+ will handle attraction closures:

“With FastPass+, a closure of an attraction results in an automated process where an alternative FastPass+ experience entitlement is automatically sent to the guest… and the original FastPass+ is expired.”

One important change here: guests will NOT be able to wait for the attraction to reopen and use a late FastPass+ reservation.

“Depending on the time of day that the closure occurs, guests get one of two options. First, if the closure happens early in the day, the guest will be offered a list of up to eight alternative FastPass+ experiences at the same park on the same day. The second option, if the original selection closes late in the day, is for the guest to select any FastPass+ experience at any park on the next day.” – Read more from WDWMAGIC

Guests will be notified via My Disney Experience or by checking kiosks that will be available around the park. It’s probably safe to assume the alternative attraction options will be offered to guests on a first-come first-serve basis.

These details are all subject to change before the official roll out. However, if the tests are considered successful, we can expect similar rules for attraction closures when the program is opened to the public.

More: How to make FastPass+ reservations online | Upcoming MyMagic+ and FastPass+ tests

More mobile charging stations coming to the Magic Kingdom

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Scott Gustin

Additional mobile charging stations are coming to the Magic Kingdom.

Gary Buchanan, who works in public relations and is the Social Media Managing Editor at Walt Disney World Resort, tweeted:

Look for more mobile charging stations popping up in #MagicKingdom. Both AC & USB are in StryBookCircs & Fntsyland, AC in Tmrwland.
— Gary Buchanan (@Gary_Jerry) July 30, 2013

According to Gary, the charging stations will be added to Storybook Circus, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. No timetable was given, but it’s probably safe to assume the mobile charging stations will be added sooner rather than later.

As of now, the only mobile charging station is in the Tangled area in Fantasyland. Those charging stations were recently upgraded to include USB charging.

I’ll update this post when I hear specifics about the exact locations of the charging stations.

My take: The more mobile charging stations, the better. Normally, I use my external battery to charge my phone and I avoid the charging stations. However, if the mobile charging stations will prevent people from plugging into outlets in gift shops and blocking doorways – I’m all for it. Disney did a great job with the theming of the Tangled charging areas, so I feel confident they’ll do a good job with the new charging stations.

MyMagic+ and FastPass+ test set for Aug. 2-Aug. 25, all attractions included

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Scott Gustin

As we reported earlier this month, another round of MyMagic+ and MagicBand testing is scheduled to take place Aug. 2 to Aug. 25 for guests staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Pop Century Resort. The test will likely be expanded and include other resorts throughout the month.

This will be the first time all FastPass+ eligible attractions (including fireworks and parades) will be included in a round of testing.

Several TheSocialMouse readers have received their MagicBands and will be providing reviews when they return from the trips.

MagicBands are the much-discussed RFID wristbands that will forever change theme park touring at Walt Disney World. When the program officially launches later this year, the bands will be offered in 8-10 color choices and will be shipped to eligible guests’ addresses 10-30 days prior to their vacation.

FastPass+ will allow guests to make attraction, character greeting and other event reservations up to 60 days prior to arrival. Guests will select their three experiences and a time of day (early morning, midday, evening, etc.). As of right now, guests will only be able to reserve FastPass+ attractions at one park per day. Guests must return within the assigned time window.

If you think you’re eligible for the test, you can log on to MyDisneyExperience.com and link your reservation to your account. If you’re not eligible, you’ll see a “your party is ineligible” message. Click to view a step-by-step walkthrough of how to make FastPass+ reservations.