Grand Floridian and NGE (Next Generation Experience) Test

Remember that one time I told you to look out for a post on me staying in the Grand?  Like a week ago?  Yeah, that was awesome.  I never got around to writing it because I was too busy.

And the sad fact is... I'm still too busy.  But I'm forcing myself to write for the next few minutes because, seriously, last weekend was stinking awesome.

This is a Magic Band, for those who don't know.  It's awesome.  It's ingenious.   It's next generation! (and this one happens to have my name on it... spelled correctly!)

 Last weekend, my friend Sami got to do a play test for these little beauties.  The Magic Band is the new, upcoming way to "experience Disney."  It has a little chip inside that can be used for everything.  I mean everything.

We used it to open the door to our Resort room (no more key cards).  It had a days worth of park hopper tickets on it, so we used it to get into the park (just tap it to the new turnstile and it turns green and you walk in!).  We used it as Fastpasses that we set up using out Smartphones (or you can plan your Fastpasses on a computer at home or at Guest Relations).  We rode Coaster and Star Tours... and I feel like one other ride but I can't remember now.

You can even hook these things up to your credit card so you can charge things to it!  And these will have Photopass on them eventually so you can have the park Photographers take pictures for you and view them later.  Ingenious I tell you.  Incredible.  Brilliant.

Also, it should be noted that they're not uncomfortable.  I actually slept with my Magic Band on by accident (I forgot it was there and forgot to take it off).  And they're dang sturdy.  We went swimming with them and everything.

But back to the Grand Floridian.

 I don't have as many wonderful things to say about this place.  I mean, it was Grand, for sure.

 I just don't know that I'd want to pay a thousand dollars a night to stay here.

 The room was beautiful, though.  As was the rest of the hotel.  And the pool was fun.  We went down the waterslide like five times... yep, we were right there in line with all the seven year olds.  It was awesome.

 I liked the room, but it reminded me a lot of a Marriott.  I've been spoiled in my life.

 I looooooved the Mickey Mouse touches though.  Definitely my favorite part!

 There were hidden Mickeys EVERYWHERE.  I loved it!

And I have to say it was pretty awesome to see Disney World from our window! We watched the fireworks on the beach.

Anyway.  The point of this post is:

1. The Grand Floridian was nice, big, and beautiful, but I wouldn't necessarily pay an arm and a leg to stay there.

2. Magic Bands are incredible. 

We ran into a couple of trips here and there.  They didn't bother me, but really seemed to bother my friend.  However, it was her website and her project and when we ran into the issues, she knew how to fix them and just couldn't because she wasn't at work so it was frustrating for her.

I had a great time though.  This whole Magic Band thing is incredible!  I know people are all freaked out about "What if I lose it?"  "What if someone steals it?"  "I don't want Disney having all my information!"  But really, once you get to know the system you realize there are ways around it.  The chip inside the band is deactivatable (is that a word?) and doesn't actually store your information so you can cancel it and clear the chip any time.

What bothers me most about it is that now you actually have to plan your day to use Fastpasses so you're constantly watching the time making sure you're in the right place at the right time.  And it scares me how easy it is to pay.  I mean, really. I literally tapped the band to the register and BOOM! my meal was paid for.

Freaky!