Disney Addresses “Too Many Magic Bands” Complaint

Josh Hendy said:

If you "put your credit card" on your MB, or whatever you do, and you're walking around with multiple MBs, or bringing MBs to your resort, or leaving your extra MBs at home because you like them or you want to use them to book multiple FPs or something ... then where's the security that will prevent an authorized use of the MB when you're not wearing/using it yourself? If it's accessible by RF then what will stop people from "scooping" or otherwise reading and duplicating your MB and using it to buy stuff? If someone gets access to your MB can they use it figure out where your resort room is and get into the room? Access your profile on MDE and get your home address?

Seems to me there's a lot more reasons for doing something about extra MBs floating around than just worrying about people scamming extra FPs ...

Click to expand...

I would like to clarify that you put "NOTHING" (so to speak) on the "Magic Band". The Magic band is an RFID Device. All it does is receive a signal that prompts it to send a signal with the ID associated with that band. The receiver takes that ID and does something with it (Database lookup to evaluate that the service or privilege being requested is authorized).

As has been said, you need a "PIN" to charge with it.

I'd also like to point out that the Magic Bands will continue to work beyond 2 years. The 2 years is the "Battery Life" and is only needed for the "ACTIVE" RFID. This is more for the long range capture of data such as is used on the Rides. The "Passive" RFID part of the Magic Bands (the one that needs to be CLOSE to the reader such as park entry, room key, purchases and just about everything else EXCEPT the rides) will still work. It requires no battery and only needs the signal from the receiver to power it. That being said, you can still go to the end of the ride and put your MB up against the Picture that was automatically taken (despite your MB status) to ensure that you get it in your Memory Maker. Worse case scenario is that you won't get the "Video" on those rides that do that. (7DMT and ToT are 2 that do).

It probably is good for you to "Deactivate" your old MBs if you aren't going to need them though. Personally, I am good with ONE Magic Band per person and would take the time to try and solve that issue before trying to figure out a "Shuffle" of MBs.

Now granted we have only had ONE trip where we used the Magic Bands but it was for 9 days (on site) and only one resort. The Only issues we had, aside for the fact that I forgot to put mine on one morning and it ended up as a light jog for me to go get and meet back up with the family to catch the boat) was that while at Sea World on the Manta Roller Coaster that my arm was pushed against the bar that holds you in and it almost fell off. (I did catch it though). The band worked for us every time. Maybe we had to roll the MB to get the sensor to read it, but it always worked for us.

Sorry to go off topic. I have seen mention of deactivating your older magic bands, how do you do that and what does this help prevent?

Thank you.

GWS said:

Sorry to go off topic. I have seen mention of deactivating your older magic bands, how do you do that and what does this help prevent?

Thank you.

Click to expand...

Magic Bands and Cards in your my disney account. Deactivate the ones your not using. Just a security measure in case the system messes up for someone else and suddenly your getting things on your account for no reason.

Accident said:

Magic Bands and Cards in your my disney account. Deactivate the ones your not using. Just a security measure in case the system messes up for someone else and suddenly your getting things on your account for no reason.

Click to expand...

Oh, ok. I'll ask my DW if she did that, she has the account for that stuff.

Thanks for that information Accident.

I will give up a new magic band if I can get a discount on my room. Also I would like to opt out of the pretty shiny box they send me to remind me of my vacation. I would also like to get a discount for that. LOL

Once Disney figures out how to link everybody's wearable tech (iwatch, fitbit, etc.) into their system for a predetermined amount of time, you'll have to pay for a disposable MB. One already can register/sign-in to a couple of hotels and receive a keycard just by waving my phone over a sensor without even talking to a person at the front desk; and you only have to scan your phone at the kiosk for entry into the Parks...no need to carry a ticket. There's no reason once activated & linked, you won't be able to use the tech you already are wearing as your MB.

How long ago did the opportunity to opt out begin? We are bookending a cruise in August and just received two more bands in addition to the others we already. Would have loved to opt out!

I think that is a pretty good idea on their part! Especially for frequent travellers

GWS said:

Sorry to go off topic. I have seen mention of deactivating your older magic bands, how do you do that and what does this help prevent?

Thank you.

Click to expand...

Deactivating is important if you have 10 or more bands because that's all the MDE system can really handle for one person. I had fewer than 10 and had problems (some of my bands didn't work as room keys---and yes, I brought multiples because so many of my friends have had this problem), but my friends and I have been told the magic number is 10. A friend had one of her deactivated by the CM at a resort when she checked in, so I guess that's an option, too.

Thanks for the Info Jahber!

I told my DW, even though we have only one set of MB she went ahead and deactivated them. She did not know it was even an option to do. Since we will be back this Sept we felt with this information it is better to be safe than sorry.

The last trip I did to WDW my friends and I changed resorts three times so we ended up with oodles of magic bands but only ever used one (we each chose a colour and stuck to it). This time when we go we will be going for longer and resort hopping even more so I will be glad for the opt out option!! A few magic bands to keep from your trip are fun but we have the potential of 4 or 5 each by the end of our stay if we didn't have this option!

We just got our AP bands in the mail and are going in January (split stay would mean 2 more sets of bands). I opted out of the second stay but haven't opted out of the first yet. I am wondering about room keys... Does anyone know if you opt out, if they automatically enable your older bands to open your room. I thought I heard you need to bring older bands to the front desk and have them enabled to work for the room.

Silligoose said:

We just got our AP bands in the mail and are going in January (split stay would mean 2 more sets of bands). I opted out of the second stay but haven't opted out of the first yet. I am wondering about room keys... Does anyone know if you opt out, if they automatically enable your older bands to open your room. I thought I heard you need to bring older bands to the front desk and have them enabled to work for the room.

Click to expand...

All of your bands will automatically work for admission and room keys (as long as you have fewer than 10 ). The only exception is the parking gate. Only a MB that has been used to open your room door will open the gate into a resort parking lot.

jahber said:

All of your bands will automatically work for admission and room keys (as long as you have fewer than 10 ). The only exception is the parking gate. Only a MB that has been used to open your room door will open the gate into a resort parking lot.

Click to expand...

Thanks, jahber. Good to know. We don't drive so parking isn't an issue. Seriously considering opting out of the other set then too. I'll probably bring a few back to recycle as well.