MyMagic+

[theBIGyowski]

Yes to both, Disney would rather you do join them for one very profitable reason. They don't have to pay the swipe fees. It is in the same line as why paying in cash is sort of stupid, stores know they have to pay swipe fees and unlike ATM/Debit, they can't/won't tack a fee on the transaction, so the cost is added to the prices of the products sold. If they could combine all those charges into the single price paid for the room then they can make a little extra. Considering the volume of transactions each day, that does add up.

This played out to my benefit on a past trip as well. Discover was offering 5% cash back on "theme parks" during a month DW and I were there. We knew that buying things here and there weren't going to get us 5%...because they wouldn't be coded as "theme park" by Discover. So we charged everything to the room...and then paid the lump sum at the end on the Discover card...which was then coded as "theme parks"...getting us 5% cash back on everything.

[Amy]

Of course, you do NOT have to connect a credit card to the magicband. Probably be safer and wiser not to do so.

We never connect a card to our room key. I just never really liked the idea of it, plus I always have my credit card with me anyhow so I'd rather get the actual credit card out than use the room key as a charge card.

Yes to both, Disney would rather you do join them for one very profitable reason. They don't have to pay the swipe fees. It is in the same line as why paying in cash is sort of stupid, stores know they have to pay swipe fees and unlike ATM/Debit, they can't/won't tack a fee on the transaction, so the cost is added to the prices of the products sold. If they could combine all those charges into the single price paid for the room then they can make a little extra. Considering the volume of transactions each day, that does add up.

This played out to my benefit on a past trip as well. Discover was offering 5% cash back on "theme parks" during a month DW and I were there. We knew that buying things here and there weren't going to get us 5%...because they wouldn't be coded as "theme park" by Discover. So we charged everything to the room...and then paid the lump sum at the end on the Discover card...which was then coded as "theme parks"...getting us 5% cash back on everything.

I didn't know about the fact that having your credit card linked to your room key saves the resort money Wizz. Wouldn't they pay the same amount after the final tally was charged to the credit card at checkout? Or is the fee based on how many times a card is swiped instead of the monetary amount?
That was very smart of you BIG. I wouldn't have thought anything about using my card at the parks and probably would have been disappointed if I didn't get the 5%. Love my Discover cash back!

[Wizzard419]

Swipe fees are the reason it is easier to get a credit card without an annual fee, but they also make buying stuff suck when you realize that you are paying cash for a fee that they won't actually incur.

I am kind of surprised the card won't recognize the stores/dining within the property as "Theme Park", but it wouldn't surprise me either if they were looking for loopholes in their own offer.

[Cardinals314]

News has come out that Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House Villas, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Disney's Beach Club Resort and Villas, Disney's Polynesian Resort and Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside will now be apart of the testing phase for MyMagic+. Disney expects the full implementation to all of the resorts by the end of the year.

[Cardinals314]

Jason Garcia is reporting that the current budget of MyMagic+ is $1.5Billion.

[Wizzard419]

Since he doesn't work for WDC, he is going to need something to substantiate his claims.

[Amy]

I saw elsewhere that the Magic Bands will work in conjunction with the new Disney Infinity game. Evidently it unlocks special items and portals.

[Cardinals314]

Tonight is the first night where Fastpass+ is available for use for Fantasmic. The Fastpass+ will be for the first show only if there are two for that night

[yodiwan1]

Wasn't it just discussed in another thread about "reporting" things heard about Disney? please say the source or don't say it at all. And no, the reporter from the Orlando Sentinel doesn't count. "News has come out..." what does that even mean? Was it on TV? A company email? A fortune cookie? Please already, I am not trying to be a jerk, but unless it is an actual cold hard fact and can be backed up, say it is rumored.

[Cardinals314]

Here's your source:
http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymagicpl ... onight.htm

Oh by the way, when you have to use a phrase like "I'm not trying to be rude, but.." or "I'm not trying to be a jerk, but..." usually means that you are. I'm not trying to be rude or anything.

[Cardinals314]

Epcot's International Gateway has just finished the completion of the RFID turnstiles.

[jderoche5]

I leave in 2 weeks and have my Magic Bands ready and waiting to go. Can't wait to see how this all works out!

[Zillerzap]

Are there seperate turnstiles from the main (paper ticket) turnstiles?

[laurie5658]

I am so excited because I just ordered our MB and linked AP, RunDisney park ticket, ADR's, resort confirmation number and picked FP's. Now we wait until they arrive. So excited!!!!

[Cardinals314]

Are there seperate turnstiles from the main (paper ticket) turnstiles?

The paper ticket turnstiles are being removed. Most of them are already gone from the entrances.