I was not one of the few who got to use the new MagicBands during August testing, but I did see them – not many though. I estimate there was less than 5% of guests actually wearing the bands during the 10 days I was on the lookout…possibly quite a bit less than 5%. I also didn’t see any more “Iconic Gray” bands than I did other colors, which makes me wonder if they didn’t give too many of them to people who didn’t fully register for the testing – or they simply didn’t use them.

In addition, I only saw the MagicBands actually USED twice, at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Haunted Mansion. They seemed to work reasonably fast.

I spoke with a CM managing the Fastpass+ line at Spaceship Earth, and asked how many people had been using it. “None today,” was his response…and this was mid-afternoon.

I didn’t see it used for purchases, but expect that it works about the same as the cards…fast, but the PIN entry pads can be a bit quirky.

Testing expands in a few days. The four existing resorts – Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary, Yacht Club and Pop Century will be joined by the Beach Club, Art of Animation, Polynesian and Port Orleans Riverside. In addition, the Beach Club Villas and the DVC rooms in the Jambo House at AKL, but not Kidani Village, will be included, for September and October.