As has been expected and reported, Key to the World cards at Walt Disney World Resort hotels will soon become obsolete. Beginning this week, as a matter of fact it should begin today, Nov. 14, 2013, Disney’s Pop Century Resort will no longer issue KTTW cards at all.
It has been confirmed by three different Cast Members and a technician associated with the MagicBands/MyMagic+ project that KTTW cards will be going away entirely.
Upon speaking with a guest relations CM at Pop Century, the question was asked if KTTW cards would be going away completely.
“That is correct.”
Doctor Disney then asked about issues with allergies or seizures or epilepsy regarding the MagicBands.
“I assure you that all of that has been covered and taken care of. The bands are hypo-allergenic and have been tested to the point that they will not affect any medical issues whatsoever. KTTW cards are going to become obsolete and will no longer be an option at all as all Disney Resort guests will receive MagicBands.”
In turn, that means there will no longer be the option for Disney Resort guests to receive original, paper FASTPasses. That is something that is expected to go away entirely soon anyway.
The new Mickey Monitor emailed out to Annual Passholders states that AP guests will get their MagicBands in early 2014. It is expected that daily guests will get them soon after as that is what the Imagineers are working toward.
Remember…while this information is relevant now; MagicBands and MyMagic+ are still in testing phases. Things can and have been known to change.
I was lucky enough to have magic bands and key to the world cards at Yacht Club from 10/30 to 11/3. While I am excited about the promise of magic bands, I’m not fully enthusiastic about the execution thus far, and I have anxieties about fast pass.
I still found paper fast passes to be far more effective for the way I plan my day (or don’t, as the case may be) I might have found fastpass + more effective had I planned further in advance, but I fear that we’ll have to start planning so far in advance that it will feel more regimented than a vacation should. I’m also concerned about the value of park hopping in a post fast pass plus environment. 3 prescheduled passes per day at one park does not appeal to me, especially as I found the system didn’t give me solid options for the passes.
I’m wide open to this being a good thing. I just hope this truly improves the experience. I also hope it doesn’t diminish EMH even further. There is nothing I love more than being in the parks late.