Here Come The Magic Bands!

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Can we have a magic band so that we can put a road Id tag attached! I have a road id bracelet with a medical alert so that would be a cool option!

 

[OKW Lover]

I like the idea of it. But the practical side of me says this thing is made of rubber, and it's hot and humid in Florida, which means this thing is going to stick to me and make me sweat. That I don't like.

Just because its a "wrist band" doesn't mean you actually have to wear it on your wrist. It could just as easily be slipped through a belt loop, a purse strap or even in a pocket.

 

[dadddio]

By the sounds of things, having an AP will mean we have a Magic Band. If we stay on property, we get a Magic Band. If we purchase PhotoPass +, we get a Magic Band.... Here's hoping they can at least all be put on the SAME Magic Band, I don't want one, let alone three...

I think that you are mistaken as to how the bands work. Your AP, resort information, and photopass aren't 'on' the band, at all. The only thing on your band will be a unique number identifying the band. All of your information will be stored in Disney's computer system. The system will simply use the band's unique identifier to reference your information.

 

[Jennasis]

If I had to guess, you could likely get a replacement band at ANY gift shop. If your battery dies you probably just have to step into the nearest retail shop and have it replaced there instead of trekking back to GS.

Just a guess.

And remember, if you have a complaint about the band, just don't get one. Stick with the card.

 

[bjakmom]

As I understand it, neither park entry nor FP return requires the powered chip. They both use the passive one.

This shows you how little I know about RFID technology So the passive power chip never wears out or requires a battery? Is the lifetime of the cards now being used unlimited? That is reassuring, how do you know if your powered chip is not working I wonder?
I really have only one problem at this point then with this system and that is what they might do to FP. I DO NOT want to have to pre-assign my ride times in advance and, if my plans change, have no option of using FP at another park or time. When traveling with extended family or meeting FL friends for the day, I do not want to have to coordinate FP days and times in advance in order to enjoy a day together.
If FP+ became available at park opening or say 6 AM via my cell phone or laptop or central kiosks in the park, I would be all over this. How sweet would that be??
Having to compete for FPs at 6 AM 60 days out with everyone else from home through WDWs notoriously (IMHO) flawed IT system makes me shudder. And will you have to do it day-by-day? Or will they do a 60+10 day system like they do for ADRs where people checking in ahead of you get to book all of their days at once, limiting the available pool of FPs in the coming days? We shall see.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I think that you are mistaken as to how the bands work. Your AP, resort information, and photopass aren't 'on' the band, at all. The only thing on your band will be a unique number identifying the band. All of your information will be stored in Disney's computer system. The system will simply use the band's unique identifier to reference your information.

I realise that. But I won't have purchase my AP at the same time I've reserved my resort. I won't purchase PP+ until 3-4 weeks prior to my arrival. If WDW are sending the bands out, will I receive one band from the resort with that "unique number" for my stay, will I have another "unique number" connected to my AP and will i have ANOTHER "unique number" connected to my PP+.

The AP is the only thing that will be used for the entire year, with PP+ and my resort stays changing. Will I be getting one "unique number" for all three and have them ALL connected? What happens when my PP+ changes during my second, third and fourth visit during the year? And if I stay at 3-4 different resorts during the year? Will I use one band? Will I be given a new one during each trip? Does this mean the information will be "updated" each time I book a trip? Am I the only one who can see how many things could go wrong with this....

 

[Jennasis]

I realise that. But I won't have purchase my AP at the same time I've reserved my resort. I won't purchase PP+ until 3-4 weeks prior to my arrival. If WDW are sending the bands out, will I receive one band from the resort with that "unique number" for my stay, will I have another "unique number" connected to my AP and will i have ANOTHER "unique number" connected to my PP+.

The AP is the only thing that will be used for the entire year, with PP+ and my resort stays changing. Will I be getting one "unique number" for all three and have them ALL connected? What happens when my PP+ changes during my second, third and fourth visit during the year? And if I stay at 3-4 different resorts during the year? Will I use one band? Will I be given a new one during each trip? Does this mean the information will be "updated" each time I book a trip? Am I the only one who can see how many things could go wrong with this....

Just another guess...when you purchase your first thing that comes with a band (say your AP), you are entitled to a band.

Anything else you purchase AFTER that initial first purchase will have them (Disney) look your name up in the system to see if you have any My Magic+ stuff attached to you. If you order PP+, they'll see on their computer system that you are already in the system for your AP and they will just attach the code+ for your PP+ to the band they already sent you for your AP. Same for your room.

You won't get 3 bands. they'll just update your account to add any new things you buy (park tix, PP+) after your initial MDE purchase.

Just a guess.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I'm hoping this is the case. We don't want one band, we probably will just stick with the cards. We won't wear the bands and I'm sure they'll be getting lost, misplaced, lost in the bottom of our bags. Much easier with a card for us.

Just another guess...when you purchase your first thing that comes with a band (say your AP), you are entitled to a band.

Anything else you purchase AFTER that initial first purchase will have them (Disney) look your name up in the system to see if you have any My Magic+ stuff attached to you. If you order PP+, they'll see on their computer system that you are already in the system for your AP and they will just attach the code+ for your PP+ to the band they already sent you for your AP. Same for your room.

You won't get 3 bands. they'll just update your account to add any new things you buy (park tix, PP+) after your initial MDE purchase.

Just a guess.

 

[LucyBC80]

Will they be sent over to international visitors? Or will it be the same as with the documentation and we'll get them at check in?

 

[mom2rtk]

Just because its a "wrist band" doesn't mean you actually have to wear it on your wrist. It could just as easily be slipped through a belt loop, a purse strap or even in a pocket.

Yeah, but it's going to be harder to tap your wristband to a turnstile or fastpass kiosk if it's attached to your waist.

I'd really just prefer to have a card in my lanyard. Thankfully it sounds like I can do just that.

If I had to guess, you could likely get a replacement band at ANY gift shop. If your battery dies you probably just have to step into the nearest retail shop and have it replaced there instead of trekking back to GS.

Just a guess.

And remember, if you have a complaint about the band, just don't get one. Stick with the card.

I'm not sure what's involved in programming a "blank" wristband to your account, but I'd be surprised if they train every gift shop CM to do this. Since programming it would attach it to your tickets and charge card on file, I think they'll treat this with care. I'm guessing it would require a trip to guest services.

 

[doconeill]

As I understand it, neither park entry nor FP return requires the powered chip. They both use the passive one.

That is correct. The active transmitter would only be used for certain things - what those are is still unknown, but Disney has implied that personal greetings at meet & greets is one of them. Another often cited one is within certain attractions some features can be personalized once you band is within range of a receiver, vs. having to be waved in front of one. Small World was often mentioned as part of this, but that is just a rumor.

By the sounds of things, having an AP will mean we have a Magic Band. If we stay on property, we get a Magic Band. If we purchase PhotoPass +, we get a Magic Band.... Here's hoping they can at least all be put on the SAME Magic Band, I don't want one, let alone three...

We don't know exactly how they will handle it exactly. But once a MagicBand is associated with a profile, all features added to the profile will be accessible by that MagicBand. It's really the same system as before, just more public and more linked features.

This shows you how little I know about RFID technology So the passive power chip never wears out or requires a battery? Is the lifetime of the cards now being used unlimited?

Yes. Passive RFID will essentially last forever. It get's powered via magnetic induction when waved within the field of the receiver.

That is reassuring, how do you know if your powered chip is not working I wonder?

All that is needed is the appropriate receiver, but we don't know how Disney will handle it, like if there will be testing stations, etc.

I really have only one problem at this point then with this system and that is what they might do to FP. I DO NOT want to have to pre-assign my ride times in advance and, if my plans change, have no option of using FP at another park or time. When traveling with extended family or meeting FL friends for the day, I do not want to have to coordinate FP days and times in advance in order to enjoy a day together.
If FP+ became available at park opening or say 6 AM via my cell phone or laptop or central kiosks in the park, I would be all over this. How sweet would that be??
Having to compete for FPs at 6 AM 60 days out with everyone else from home through WDWs notoriously (IMHO) flawed IT system makes me shudder. And will you have to do it day-by-day? Or will they do a 60+10 day system like they do for ADRs where people checking in ahead of you get to book all of their days at once, limiting the available pool of FPs in the coming days? We shall see.

We don't know exactly how Disney will make FP+ available in general. We know at least some potion of the pool will be made available in advance. Some may be held is reserve day-of. But Disney has not stated anything.

The ONLY thing we know is that MYW ticket holders will be able to book FP+ 60 days out. Nothing has been said about any other class of ticket, resort guests, etc.

Will they be sent over to international visitors? Or will it be the same as with the documentation and we'll get them at check in?

See above - I'm not sure they will be shipped to guests...

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Looks great! Now we wait for them to give APs the notification to choose their color.....

 

[doconeill]

I realise that. But I won't have purchase my AP at the same time I've reserved my resort. I won't purchase PP+ until 3-4 weeks prior to my arrival. If WDW are sending the bands out, will I receive one band from the resort with that "unique number" for my stay, will I have another "unique number" connected to my AP and will i have ANOTHER "unique number" connected to my PP+.

Actually, I'm not convinced yet that Disney is shipping these directly to guests. I've talked to some of the people who posted articles after seeing the display and said in the articles that they would be shipped in those boxes - but they weren't given any info from Disney that said that was the case. To me, that display looks like the type of demo merchandise boxes that get sent to stores and then convert into a display. I could be wrong on that though. I could see them potentially sending MagicBands to people who purchase MYW tickets directly (and probably for an upcharge), but resort guests and AP holders would likely receive them on arrival much like the way it happens today.

The AP is the only thing that will be used for the entire year, with PP+ and my resort stays changing. Will I be getting one "unique number" for all three and have them ALL connected? What happens when my PP+ changes during my second, third and fourth visit during the year? And if I stay at 3-4 different resorts during the year? Will I use one band? Will I be given a new one during each trip? Does this mean the information will be "updated" each time I book a trip? Am I the only one who can see how many things could go wrong with this....

Hmm...let's see if I can make this clearer.

You will have a unique profile, identified by some ID, within Disney's massive database. Let's call that "Disney_Princess83".

When you purchase an AP, that AP ID, which is unique, will be associated with your profile, so "APXXXXXX1" => "Disney_Princess83"

When you puchase a PP+ package, the same thing happens. So "PPXXXXXX1" => "Disney_Princess83".

Check in at the the Boardwalk Inn, and add room charge authorization? That's two more: "BWIRXXXXX1" => "Disney_Princess83" and "BWICXXXXX1" => "Disney_Princess83".

And let's say you've booked a few FP+ in advance online. So now "FPPXXXXX1" and "FPPXXXXX2" => "Disney_Princess83".

Now you get issued your MagicBand or RFID KTTW card (I'll just refer to these as KTTW for now). Up until now, you have all these things in you profile, but no way to actually use them. Each MB/KTTW already has a unique number baked in (several of them, in fact, for the different transmitters - forgot to mention in the PP that there are actually two passive transmitters at different frequencies plus the active one in the MB only - but for the purposes of illustration we'll just use 1).

This unique ID now becomes the key to your profile, and can be used to access all the linked features (called "entitlements"). So, "MBXXXXX1" can now unlock your profile. Let's see of I can illustrate it (formatted tables is a pain):

MBXXXXX1 => Disney_Princess83 => APXXXXXX1
=> PPXXXXXX1
=> BWIRXXXXX1
=> BWICXXXXX1
=> FPPXXXXX1
=> FPPXXXXX2

Need to replace your MagicBand? All they do is swap out the ID. So now "MBXXXXX2" becomes the key, and MBXXXXX1" is invalidated. In theory, you can actually have multiple such keys, all able to unlock the profile. We don't know if Disney will allow that. Also not sure how Disney will handle multiple ticket entitlements - like if you have an AP but book a package that has MYW tickets.

And keep in mind, this is a very simplified version of things. But it is in fact basically how tickets have worked for years. The ticket itself is just a key to the entitlements to enter the park. Replacing a ticket is just replacing the key - the entitlements are in the database.

Phew...hope that helps someone

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Thank you for the explanation but what if I don't want them all linked? I can see so many possible problems for people who visit more than once a year. I know that no one really knows the answer yet. We usually make a room only reservation as we already have the AP. Sometimes we don't purchase the AP until we arrive. Assuming we've checked in already and we had the Magic Bands, the AP entitlements would need to be "added". We purchase PhotoPass a few weeks in advance, although usually my sister looks after PhotoPass, which means it would be on her entitlements and not mine, which could cause a problem if we aren't together since there will be longer be a card that can be just added on.... Too hard. Hopefully we can stick to using seperate cards.

Actually, I'm not convinced yet that Disney is shipping these directly to guests. I've talked to some of the people who posted articles after seeing the display and said in the articles that they would be shipped in those boxes - but they weren't given any info from Disney that said that was the case. To me, that display looks like the type of demo merchandise boxes that get sent to stores and then convert into a display. I could be wrong on that though. I could see them potentially sending MagicBands to people who purchase MYW tickets directly (and probably for an upcharge), but resort guests and AP holders would likely receive them on arrival much like the way it happens today.



Hmm...let's see if I can make this clearer.

You will have a unique profile, identified by some ID, within Disney's massive database. Let's call that "Disney_Princess83".

When you purchase an AP, that AP ID, which is unique, will be associated with your profile, so "APXXXXXX1" => "Disney_Princess83"

When you puchase a PP+ package, the same thing happens. So "PPXXXXXX1" => "Disney_Princess83".

Check in at the the Boardwalk Inn, and add room charge authorization? That's two more: "BWIRXXXXX1" => "Disney_Princess83" and "BWICXXXXX1" => "Disney_Princess83".

And let's say you've booked a few FP+ in advance online. So now "FPPXXXXX1" and "FPPXXXXX2" => "Disney_Princess83".

Now you get issued your MagicBand or RFID KTTW card (I'll just refer to these as KTTW for now). Up until now, you have all these things in you profile, but no way to actually use them. Each MB/KTTW already has a unique number baked in (several of them, in fact, for the different transmitters - forgot to mention in the PP that there are actually two passive transmitters at different frequencies plus the active one in the MB only - but for the purposes of illustration we'll just use 1).

This unique ID now becomes the key to your profile, and can be used to access all the linked features (called "entitlements"). So, "MBXXXXX1" can now unlock your profile. Let's see of I can illustrate it (formatted tables is a pain):

MBXXXXX1 => Disney_Princess83 => APXXXXXX1
=> PPXXXXXX1
=> BWIRXXXXX1
=> BWICXXXXX1
=> FPPXXXXX1
=> FPPXXXXX2

Need to replace your MagicBand? All they do is swap out the ID. So now "MBXXXXX2" becomes the key, and MBXXXXX1" is invalidated. In theory, you can actually have multiple such keys, all able to unlock the profile. We don't know if Disney will allow that. Also not sure how Disney will handle multiple ticket entitlements - like if you have an AP but book a package that has MYW tickets.

And keep in mind, this is a very simplified version of things. But it is in fact basically how tickets have worked for years. The ticket itself is just a key to the entitlements to enter the park. Replacing a ticket is just replacing the key - the entitlements are in the database.

Phew...hope that helps someone

 

[doconeill]

Thank you for the explanation but what if I don't want them all linked? I can see so many possible problems for people who visit more than once a year. I know that no one really knows the answer yet. We usually make a room only reservation as we already have the AP. Sometimes we don't purchase the AP until we arrive. Assuming we've checked in already and we had the Magic Bands, the AP entitlements would need to be "added". We purchase PhotoPass a few weeks in advance, although usually my sister looks after PhotoPass, which means it would be on her entitlements and not mine, which could cause a problem if we aren't together since there will be longer be a card that can be just added on.... Too hard. Hopefully we can stick to using seperate cards.

It depends on what Disney wants to allow for the most part, but you shouldn't need to link a room to a profile, etc. That might, however, limit what you can do as far as MyMagic+ features go.

Cards are supposed to be options at all levels. However, MagicBands will be the defaults for resort guests, AP holders and PhotoPass+ according to what they have said.

 

[ThreeBeans]

I think they look fabulous. Most of the negatives sound more like "change...ooooie...nooooo! run! zombies!" than insurmountable problems.

Re: Heat. These aren't plastic or rubber. They're medical grade silicon if I'm reading correctly. (there's no way they could be rubber. No one with a latex allergy would be able to wear them. ) WDW is in....ahem....FLORIDA.... If they were hot or uncomfortable to wear they would have been ditched the first time someone tested them for an hour.

Re: shipping. Doubt they're being shipped. Those look like fun display cases.

Re: battery. Meh. Oh well.

Re: people with legit sensory processing issues. They are still issuing the cards. You have a choice.


I'm excited about it. Looks like fun. Just disappointed the chances they'll be ready to roll April 30 are pretty much slim to none.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

It depends on what Disney wants to allow for the most part, but you shouldn't need to link a room to a profile, etc. That might, however, limit what you can do as far as MyMagic+ features go.

Cards are supposed to be options at all levels. However, MagicBands will be the defaults for resort guests, AP holders and PhotoPass+ according to what they have said.

As long as we can use the cards, we will be happy. It's just something I know won't work for us.

 

[dadddio]

This shows you how little I know about RFID technology So the passive power chip never wears out or requires a battery? Is the lifetime of the cards now being used unlimited?

I'll admit hat I know very little about the technology. I do, however, know that passive RFID hips don't use batteries. I also know that my passive RFID security card for work has been working just fine for several years.

That is reassuring, how do you know if your powered chip is not working I wonder?

When the seagulls start ignoring you and Cinderella doesn't remember your name, I suppose.

I really have only one problem at this point then with this system and that is what they might do to FP. I DO NOT want to have to pre-assign my ride times in advance and, if my plans change, have no option of using FP at another park or time.

In that scenario, you would merely release your current FPs and schedule new ones.

When traveling with extended family or meeting FL friends for the day, I do not want to have to coordinate FP days and times in advance in order to enjoy a day together.

In that scenario you would merely link your profiles so one prison can schedule everyone's FPs.

 

[dadddio]

I realise that. But I won't have purchase my AP at the same time I've reserved my resort. I won't purchase PP+ until 3-4 weeks prior to my arrival. If WDW are sending the bands out, will I receive one band from the resort with that "unique number" for my stay, will I have another "unique number" connected to my AP and will i have ANOTHER "unique number" connected to my PP+.

The AP is the only thing that will be used for the entire year, with PP+ and my resort stays changing. Will I be getting one "unique number" for all three and have them ALL connected? What happens when my PP+ changes during my second, third and fourth visit during the year? And if I stay at 3-4 different resorts during the year? Will I use one band? Will I be given a new one during each trip? Does this mean the information will be "updated" each time I book a trip? Am I the only one who can see how many things could go wrong with this....

First, I can't imagine it being possible to link two bands to one profile. Second, I don't know why they would send you a band if your profile showed that they just sent you a band.

 

[mom2rtk]

When he seagulls start ignoring you and Cinderella doesn't remember your name, I suppose.