Fantasyland Expansion - Part 2

[Miketheboss]

[video=youtube;GP80l0ebNJQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP80l0ebNJQ[/video]

I see them actually swaying!!!

 

[rhino4evr]

So, Im going in a few weeks, and I am staying at the Art of Animation resort for the first time. I was "selected" to be part of the magic bands testing. My package came Monday (2 day shipping!) in a very Apple like Box. Teh Box and Each bracelet is inscribed with our names and customized. I must say I was really impressed with the presentation. I am also in the belief that there is NO way Disney will be able to keep doing this for 1 day park guests. It just seems way too expensive. Im sure within a year they will be sending these in a plastic bag.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

So, Im going in a few weeks, and I am staying at the Art of Animation resort for the first time. I was "selected" to be part of the magic bands testing. My package came Monday (2 day shipping!) in a very Apple like Box. Teh Box and Each bracelet is inscribed with our names and customized. I must say I was really impressed with the presentation. I am also in the belief that there is NO way Disney will be able to keep doing this for 1 day park guests. It just seems way too expensive. Im sure within a year they will be sending these in a plastic bag.

Are you talking resort wide or just one day visitors? In order to get the Magicband for free you have to be staying onsite or an AP. Otherwise you'll have to shell out some cash.

 

[rhino4evr]

staying 1 day, and 1 night at Art of Animation....also I thought these bands were supposed to be free for everyone?

 

[IzzyB]

staying 1 day, and 1 night at Art of Animation....also I thought these bands were supposed to be free for everyone?

They are making enough money from your hotel stay to spend the packaging money. Plus I am going to say 95% of the people stay more than one night. So I think they will keep this up.

 

[rhino4evr]

I don't know, seems unsual for Disney jsut to give something like this away for free. Im sure hotel room rates will increase as well.

 

[Hockeyman55]

I don't know, seems unsual for Disney jsut to give something like this away for free. Im sure hotel room rates will increase as well.

But also they must know how many people wouldn't fork out more money just for a bracelet. I know I wouldn't

 

[UNIrd]

Room rates have gone up anyway. Doesn't mean you know what it's for.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

I don't know, seems unsual for Disney jsut to give something like this away for free. Im sure hotel room rates will increase as well.

In a way it's like an amenity, it's almost like taking the soap and shampoo home with you

 

[TheDecemberists]

[video=youtube;GP80l0ebNJQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP80l0ebNJQ[/video]

I see them actually swaying!!!

Dammit, why do ride testing videos always make me so giddy?

 

[rhino4evr]

just got back from my 1 day trip. wanted to post some thoughts on "magic bands" and fast pass + since everyone seems so down on it around here.

Overall I feel like the magic bands/fast pass + will be be a good thing.
Pros
+ Out of everything, my favorite part of magic bands is not having to constantly check your pockets to open your hotel door. Carrying a bunch of bags or a sleepy toddler and not having to "drop" something to open your door is great. I also liked not having to worry about "do I have a key?" everytime I left the room. The door opened quickly, every time I opened the door.
+ Using the magic bands to pay for things was easy and convenient, unless you forget your pin...which my wife did on one occassion, but that's on her. Otherwise no, problems.
+ Not having to run around grabbing fast passes was nice.
+ There was never a major "hold up" at the fast pass entrances, except when someone tried to cheat the system by adding more guests that did NOT have a fast pass(and Disney still allowed it and said "We aren't supposed to do this..but..." Gotta keep the customer happy, even the folks that do not wish to follow the rules.
+ Using the Iphone App in Park to make last miniute changes to our fast pass selections was easy and painless...we changed one of our times when we realized we wanted to take a longer lunch break. It was also very accurate with wait times around the park, which saved us some walking.
+ Checking In to the hotel was super easy as well thanks to magic band.
+ Standby Lines did not seem to increase due to fastpass +. In fact they seemed shorter then usual for a Saturday.
+ Having Photopass linked to the bands was also helpful
Cons
- having to scan your bracelet twice for fastpass seemed unneccesary to me.
- scanning seemed to take longer then just handing someone a piece of paper
- getting a 3 or 4 year old to scan the bracelet for entrance was annoying. My wife just wore both bracelets to avoid the hassle.
- only having access to 3 Fastpass+ seemed a little on the light side. I'd say 5 would be the perfect number. but then it would probably really effect lines.

other thoughts...

The park looked amazing, why pay for the Xmas party when it's basically free on other nights. the night show featured Xmas music.
The food was just as average and over priced as usual (we ate at Harbor House). Although that nutella "fresh made" (ahem) waffle sandwhich was as delicious as usual.
Staff was outgoing and never failed to wish me a happy birthday (I was wearing that button). Pete even wished me happy birthday from way on top of his dragon...I swear these folks have night vision, as I was sitting down in the shadows of some bushes, I could barely see my own button.
The new princess meet and greet was nice, but I feel like it could have been added somewhere else. I don't think it was worth loosing a ride for.
The Mine Cart ride looks like a giant eye sore in the land, I can't wait until those construction walls are finally down, as it really is ugly.
The Tangled bathrooms were really well themed, my daughter loved the area, and had no idea what it's purpose was. She was thrilled to see the tower.
The Jingle Cruise was just as corny as the regualr ride...and the script is barely humerous. Surprised they are even advertising this.

So, after all this, I still feel Magic Kingdom is the BEST park in Orlando for families with young children. It's not even a close race in my opinion, and I don't see any of that changing anytime soon.

 

[MrRoamer]

Just came home yesterday from a one night stay at Pop Century to go to Hollywood Studios and Epcot for the sole reason of finally getting our Magic Bands. I agree with most of rhino4evr's pros and cons but wanted to share my own experiences.

Pros
+Awesome having my room key on my wrist, I'm one of those people that will check for the key 3 times after leaving the room (outside the door, elevator, and leaving the resort) and then every every 20 minutes afterwards.
+Not having to run was AWESOME!
+Being able to do major attractions Toy Story/Soarin without needing to be at the park at opening
+Check ins for fast pass moved without much problem at all

Cons
-Awkward actually using Magic Band, especially to open the door. It seemed like I always had to bend my wrist at a weird angle
-Droid app was not behaving very well, have to re-log in every time to see your schedule, droid app was also placed us in the wrong park multiple times
-Lots of problems scheduling trip before hand
-Major, Minor, Show schedule options are incredibly painful at HS and Epcot. Only one major can be selected at both parks (HS- ToyStory, Tower, RRC Epcot- TT, Soarin, Maelstrom?!?!)
-Phantasmic show wording is misleading, your guaranteed seating reservation means you will be able to sit somewhere
-Failed scans multiple times
-General confusion over what is and is not supposed normal functionality

AP are able to get normal fast passes still. The magic band seems to trigger all associated tickets that are on it and mark them as in the park.

 

[UNIrd]

I agree with your whole review, rhino. I had the same experience exactly.

 

[rhino4evr]

Just came home yesterday from a one night stay at Pop Century to go to Hollywood Studios and Epcot for the sole reason of finally getting our Magic Bands. I agree with most of rhino4evr's pros and cons but wanted to share my own experiences.

Pros
+Awesome having my room key on my wrist, I'm one of those people that will check for the key 3 times after leaving the room (outside the door, elevator, and leaving the resort) and then every every 20 minutes afterwards.
+Not having to run was AWESOME!
+Being able to do major attractions Toy Story/Soarin without needing to be at the park at opening
+Check ins for fast pass moved without much problem at all

Cons
-Awkward actually using Magic Band, especially to open the door. It seemed like I always had to bend my wrist at a weird angle
-Droid app was not behaving very well, have to re-log in every time to see your schedule, droid app was also placed us in the wrong park multiple times
-Lots of problems scheduling trip before hand
-Major, Minor, Show schedule options are incredibly painful at HS and Epcot. Only one major can be selected at both parks (HS- ToyStory, Tower, RRC Epcot- TT, Soarin, Maelstrom?!?!)
-Phantasmic show wording is misleading, your guaranteed seating reservation means you will be able to sit somewhere
-Failed scans multiple times
-General confusion over what is and is not supposed normal functionality

AP are able to get normal fast passes still. The magic band seems to trigger all associated tickets that are on it and mark them as in the park.

that's strange that you had a problem scanning the band to open the door. Although I had my band partly tilted sideways so that I didn't have to twist my arm to have it scanned. Compromise!

No failed scans for me either. I do wish the scanning at the fast pass line was a little faster though.

I read about only 1 major attraction being able to be used at Epcot/MGM. I hope this is just for the trial period, as it seems to limit your choices even further then they already are. I mean everyone will just pick Soarin anyway as that line is always the longest in the park.

Once again no problems, no bugs with the IoS app. Although the App JUST had an update a few days before we left. Possible an update for the Droid app is coming soon?

- - - Updated - - -

I forgot to mention that we stayed at the Art of Animation, and I give it high marks all around as a value resort. The themeing is really well done, and gives the little ones something to gawk at while walking to your room.

My one complaint is the lack of sit down/table service restaurant. The food court is an absolute mad house and was not an enjoyable place to eat at all. We ordered delivery Pizza to our room instead and were much happier for it.

 

[MrRoamer]

that's strange that you had a problem scanning the band to open the door. Although I had my band partly tilted sideways so that I didn't have to twist my arm to have it scanned. Compromise!

No failed scans for me either. I do wish the scanning at the fast pass line was a little faster though.

I read about only 1 major attraction being able to be used at Epcot/MGM. I hope this is just for the trial period, as it seems to limit your choices even further then they already are. I mean everyone will just pick Soarin anyway as that line is always the longest in the park.

Once again no problems, no bugs with the IoS app. Although the App JUST had an update a few days before we left. Possible an update for the Droid app is coming soon?

- - - Updated - - -

I forgot to mention that we stayed at the Art of Animation, and I give it high marks all around as a value resort. The themeing is really well done, and gives the little ones something to gawk at while walking to your room.

My one complaint is the lack of sit down/table service restaurant. The food court is an absolute mad house and was not an enjoyable place to eat at all. We ordered delivery Pizza to our room instead and were much happier for it.

We were talking about wearing it differently, and that's probably what I need to do. I tend to wear watches and stuff a little higher than most people and that could have been part of my problem.

The failed scans could have all been because of the issues we had when we linked our passes before hand. Short story of what happened, magic band was accidentally assigned too AP's (one mine) and it got eaten. In the fixing process the other pass got put into a weird limbo. Then said Magic Band got put into limbo and had to be replaced.

We stayed at Pop Century, and it was better than I remember for a value resort. We had a very similar experience to you with the food court, absolute madness and the food not so good.
Prego and fried chicken fingers does not equal Chicken Parmesan!

 

[Superior62]

Any more news/photos related to the coaster??? Or has it slipped back into a standby construction mode again?

 

[Doug A.]

OU shifted focus to more of the universal side of the theme park discussion

 

[Hockeyman55]

Any more news/photos related to the coaster??? Or has it slipped back into a standby construction mode again?

OU shifted focus to more of the universal side of the theme park discussion

They wont discourage anyone from posting pictures of any updates from Disney but also remember construction has been just dragging along on this coaster so really posting updates frequently are pointless since really not much has changed. I would guess you would see more updates once things wrap up and this ride really gets close to being open and then once it opens as well.

 

[Disneyhead]

I also thinks a big part of it is that with so little new at WDW, most of us that do updates have let our APs expire.

 

[Hockeyman55]

I also thinks a big part of it is that with so little new at WDW, most of us that do updates have let our APs expire.

I still have my pass and will renew in Feb and can post when I can but most likely my next trip wont be until the coast is about open.