There is going to be some more testing being done with the whole MyMagic+ system coming to Walt Disney World next week. A handful of Disney Resorts are going to be undergoing testing that will allow guests to bypass the front desk and check-in directly to their rooms.
It’s been reported that Port Orleans – both Riverside and French Quarter – will be taking part in this test that is set to last about two weeks beginning on June 16, 2014, and going through June 28, 2014.
How this will work is that pre-selected guests will be able to bypass the front desk at the participating Disney Resorts by:
- Creating a My Disney Experience account
- Connecting your Disney Resorts’ reservation to it
- Being paid in full
- Completing their online check-in
- Setting up a PIN number on their MDE account
- Receiving your MagicBands
From there, guests at participating Disney Resorts will automatically receive a notification email a few days prior to arrival that will advise them of the test. About an hour or so before their arranged arrival time (done during online check-in), guests will receive a text message or email advising them of their room number.
At this point, guests will be able to bypass the front desk of their Disney Resort and go straight to their room.
Upon receiving the text or email, the MagicBands of the guests will be activated as room keys, park passes, for charging, dining, and everything else that goes along with them.
For those not wishing to participate in this test at the Disney Resorts, there is no need to try and opt-out. All they have to do is proceed to the front desk upon arriving at their Disney Resort.
Some other things to know about this Disney Resorts test:
- Welcome packs will not automatically be in the rooms of guests. If you’d like one, you still must stop by the front desk. This may change if the process extends after the trial.
- If a room is not yet ready early enough, the confirmation text on your arrival day could come as close as 15 minutes prior to your check-in time.
- Should a room not be ready by your pre-arranged check-in time, an email or text will still be sent advising you of the situation and that your MagicBands are activated anyway for all features but room key access.
Remember, in order to be a part of this test, you can simply set up your My Disney Experience, connect your Disney Resort reservation to it, do your online check-in, and await an email.
This test is reported to happen at three other Disney Resorts as well, but they have not yet been revealed. It’s also being said that this new process will not yet be announced by Disney since it is just a test and not a soft-launch.
After the test period is over at the handful of Disney Resorts, the information will be evaluated and Disney will determine how things go from there. This could end up becoming a permanent fixture at Disney Resorts in the future, but that is not guaranteed.
Even if it does come back to Disney Resorts in the future, it could change drastically from this test.
Hopefully, I’ll find out what other three resorts are included soon.
