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Disney’s MyMagic+ Magic Bands or Tragic Bands?

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Note:  This is Part 3 of a 3-part series on Disney’s MyMagic+.  Part 1 is here, Part 2 is here.

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Photo Credit – Nicholas Maglio

Let’s talk Magic Bands!  Seriously, forget the whole RFID controversy (invasion of privacy, Disney is “Big Brother” tracking you, blah, blah, blah).  These babies are COOL!  I am in awe of the technology.  Dick- Tracy-esque wrist-wear that magically acts as your resort room door key, credit card, park ticket, photo-gatherer, and Fast Pass all at the same time!  C’mon!  That’s pretty darned awesome.  The POWER of that one little colored wrist-band…Bwwwahhahahhaha (maniacal laugh).

So, in Part 1 we talked about the My Disney Experience App and its components.  I mentioned the app will keep up with resort reservations, Fast Pass+, dining reservations and linked members of your traveling party – that information will be stored, along with an optional credit card number (for charging privileges at Disney World stores and restaurants), on your Magic Band.  Touch-to-pay sounds like so much fun!  I will be first to raise my hand and admit it may indeed cause me to spend more than intended.  (Raymond – keep an eye on my wrist and don’t let me put us in the poorhouse!)

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Photo Credit – Meg Mayo Lucas

Made of durable plastic, these waterproof bands could theoretically be put on and kept on for the duration of your vacation.  Magic Bands easily adjust for little-one’s arms (the outside of the band peels off, revealing a smaller version) and are made to last!  They could even be used for multiple trips over a two-year time period (that’s how long the battery is supposed to last)….but you don’t have to worry about keeping up with them once you get home – Disney will send you new Magic Bands for every trip.  Bands come in different colors and, for a price, can be accessorized with official Disney trinkets (buy them at Disney World – pay with your Magic Band!).

On the My Disney Experience site, personalize your Magic Bands – pick a color and name you’d like imprinted on the band.  Available colors are gray, red, yellow, green, blue, pink and orange.

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Photo Credit – Stephanie Demmler

My friends Nick and Barbie recently took a trip to Disney World and a good write-up of their experience can be found here.  A good article on Magic Bands and  Memory Maker photos can be found here.  FYI – Memory Maker is a package of digital pictures taken by Disney park photographers at your request and also automatically on many rides.  These photos will be “stored” for you via Magic Band – available for purchase while at Disney World or online before or after your vacation.  Details here – save $50 by purchasing in advance of your trip.

Why all the hullabaloo?  Various problems with almost every component of this new Disney vacation “system” have been reported on blogs, twitter, discussion boards, etc.  DO NOT be afraid.  I believe that the people having great experiences are just not reporting it – after all, great experiences are what Disney is known for and many people sort of take it for granted.  Disney is going to great lengths to make this work.

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Photo Credit – Nicholas Maglio

NOTE:  If you have a large family or group of friends from different households traveling together, the most important thing is to get everyone linked up in the system correctly before you leave for vacation – call Disney for help if you can’t get it just right online.

ANOTHER NOTE:  Disney World has installed charging stations (so you can keep that smartphone working) all over the place.  A good article on Magic Kingdom charging availability can be found here.

In spite of complaints (let’s be honest – the negative stuff gets the most attention from the change-resistant), I’m super excited about trying this out for myself on the trips we have booked in 2014.  Remember – change is difficult and most people don’t care for it – some will blame the “change” for every negative thing that happens.  Be patient…..and excited!  You are going to Disney World!!

I would love to hear your comments, questions and feedback on MyMagic+.  I’ll do my best to direct you to the correct answers / information.

The Disney Twitterverse – Week ending 11/16/13

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What the Disney Peeps Were Tweeting About Last Week:

  • Disney Holiday Celebrations – still a very hot topic.  If you’re interested in seeing what’s up, check out the Disney Parks Blog for awesome pics and details.
  • Magic Bands and Fast Pass Plus – rollout and testing continue right along with the controversy about the whole MyMagic+ project.  Many tweets linked to this article in the Orlando Sentinel about the project’s scope, schedule and delays.
  • Disney Cruise Line announced and opened booking for early 2015 itineraries.  AllDSCN1683 four Disney Cruise Line ships (Magic, Wonder, Dream, and Fantasy)  will begin 2015 cruising out of Florida.  If you’ve been dreaming of a first Disney cruise, that might be a great opportunity to take one.  Rumors persist of possible Mediterranean and Baltic cruises later in 2015 aboard the newly redesigned Magic – I’m holding out for one of THOSE!  Learn more about the 2015 cruises here or at Disney Cruise Line.
  • Saving Mr. Banks – This movie is generating tons of interest.  The film stars Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson. From the official website: “Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks,” inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of how Disney’s classic “Mary Poppins” made it to the screen. When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ “Mary Poppins,” he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep.”  Opens in select theaters December 13th and everywhere on December 20th.  Personally, I’m excited to see what all the hubbub is about.

What were YOU tweeting about last week?

Disney Twitterverse – Week Ending November 9th, 2013

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Oh, there was some major tweeting going on this week!  Here’s what Disney fans were talking about…

RunDisney Events – This week was the lead up to the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Disney World.  Saturday morning included the Jingle Jungle 5K with the half marathon on Saturday night.  The twitterverse was humming with tweets from runners and fans alike.  If you’ve ever dreamed of completing a runDisney event, these races looked like great ones.

Halloween is over and Christmas has arrived in all places Disney.  The holiday decorations have gone up, the “snow” has started falling, and the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party of the year is over.  What happened to Thanksgiving?  Anyway, if you’ve been or are going to Mickey’s Very Merry, I’d love to hear about it!

Tony Baxter, Imagineer and Disney legend, received a Window on Main Street USA in Disneyland on Friday, November 1st.  Mr. Baxter’s new window, installed above Main Street Magic  pays tribute to a man who has contributed so much to the Disney we all love.  Please take a minute to read this excellent article at Laura’s Miscellaneous Musings blog.

Still more Thor!  As Thor: The Dark World opened in theaters this week there have been quite a few excited fans.  I caught this newest installment in the Marvel Avengers movie series yesterday.  Now I feel qualified to tweet about it too.

What were YOU tweeting about Disney last week?  Follow me @life_of_green

 

In the Disney Twitterverse

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I’ve had a IMG_1915twitter account for years. Like any normal parent, I set it up to stalk lovingly monitor my darling children as they used social media. I didn’t begin tweeting or following others until I realized how many totally cool Disney fans (of varied Disney interests) there are out there in the twitter-verse.  Now I’m following a big bunch of interesting, funny, informative, creative, athletic, crafty (I could keep going, but you get the idea) people on twitter….best of all, they’re DISNEY people like me.  

So, what was everyone tweeting about last week?  Here are some of the hottest topics:

  • Frozen:  Merchandise is arriving in stores, characters are appearing at the Disney Parks, and people are getting stoked about this latest Disney animated movie’s opening on November 27th.  I am one of those people!
  • DSCN3118The Disney Magic:  Disney Cruise Line’s ship, the Magic, has just undergone a major refurbishment that included a bunch of fantastic changes.  We just sailed on her in August and got to take one last look around the original version – can’t wait to see the new adult entertainment areas, the new restaurant, Carioca’s (replacing Parrot Cay), and a new water slide – The Aquadunk! and much more.
  • The Jingle Cruise:  It seems the perennial favorite for fans of the horrible pun (…”I’d like to point out this sandstone rock formation…most people just take it for granite.”  bah-dum-bum) will get to experience Adventure Land’s Jungle Cruise in a whole new way as it is made over for the holidays – if anyone is going to be there, I’d LOVE to hear more about this.
  • Magic Bands – still in testing and still causing an uproar.  I’m looking forward to finding out, IMG_1062after the testing is over, if you really truly can only have 3 fast passes in one day thatmust all be at the same park.  Being a huge fan of hopping, I’m hoping to hear this is not true.
  • The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP):  Since I am planning to participate in both of these next year, I’ve been paying particularly close attention to all the tweets about the food booths, the beverages, the crowds, the entertainment and, of course, the touring strategies for enjoying the best the fall season has to offer at Disney World.

I can’t wait to see what’s hot with all the #Disneyfans on Twitter this week…I’ll be back next weekend to give you another update.