Any news on Magic Bands on the ship for adults?

[jahber]

Changing from cards to bands for room keys already happened at the parks and wasn't a problem. As for the ports, that might be more of a challenge but I don't think insurmountable.

an interesting read (reposting):

http://www.wired.com/2015/03/disney-magicband/

(For anyone who absolutely hates them, no worries -- They're not mandatory at the parks, so I'm sure they wouldn't be on the ships either.)

Oh, I wouldn't say the change to magic bands "wasn't a problem." The whole magic band system has been immensely glitchy for me and several of my friends (and people on the theme parks board). I've had magic bands not work to open doors at hotels and I've had them not work with valid park admission attached to my account (in fact, the AP band they sent my daughter didn't work the first three times we tried to use it. After the third time in line at guest services at MK, a supervisor finally fixed it). I'm not interested in spending ANY more time in line at guest services because of magic bands. And don't get me started on MDE and the hours (yes, hours) I've spent on the phone with IT--all because of the roll out that focused on magic bands.
Magic bands can wait to be rolled out on the ships until the kinks are worked out. If they ever are

 

[TAK]

Oh, I wouldn't say the change to magic bands "wasn't a problem." The whole magic band system has been immensely glitchy for me and several of my friends (and people on the theme parks board). I've had magic bands not work to open doors at hotels and I've had them not work with valid park admission attached to my account (in fact, the AP band they sent my daughter didn't work the first three times we tried to use it. After the third time in line at guest services at MK, a supervisor finally fixed it). I'm not interested in spending ANY more time in line at guest services because of magic bands. And don't get me started on MDE and the hours (yes, hours) I've spent on the phone with IT--all because of the roll out that focused on magic bands.
Magic bands can wait to be rolled out on the ships until the kinks are worked out. If they ever are

That stinks that you've had problems using yours at the parks. When I said it "wasn't a problem" I meant that it's not an insurmountable technological challenge to convert from a key card to a band to open a door; it's just different hardware that's installed on the doors.

I personally haven't experienced problems with the bands, but had nothing but difficulty with my KTTW card on our honeymoon cruise. We had to have both of ours replaced three times before they worked at all, and even then it was spotty. The facial recognition never kicked in, so finding any photos we had taken (which honeymooners like!) was all up to pure chance.

MDE has a LOT of problems. So do all of the Disney web sites in general (cruise, parks, store). It's weird the way they can't get the web stuff right.

 

[ashleyhaugh]

There's no news on when Magic Bands are coming to the ships.

Personally, though, whether you like the bands or not, I think there's an ice cube's chance in Cozumel that they won't bring them to the ships sooner or later. It might be awhile -- who knows. Changing from cards to bands for room keys already happened at the parks and wasn't a problem. As for the ports, that might be more of a challenge but I don't think insurmountable.

an interesting read (reposting):

http://www.wired.com/2015/03/disney-magicband/

(For anyone who absolutely hates them, no worries -- They're not mandatory at the parks, so I'm sure they wouldn't be on the ships either.)

that was interesting, thanks for sharing!

 

[jahber]

That stinks that you've had problems using yours at the parks. When I said it "wasn't a problem" I meant that it's not an insurmountable technological challenge to convert from a key card to a band to open a door; it's just different hardware that's installed on the doors.

I personally haven't experienced problems with the bands, but had nothing but difficulty with my KTTW card on our honeymoon cruise. We had to have both of ours replaced three times before they worked at all, and even then it was spotty. The facial recognition never kicked in, so finding any photos we had taken (which honeymooners like!) was all up to pure chance.

MDE has a LOT of problems. So do all of the Disney web sites in general (cruise, parks, store). It's weird the way they can't get the web stuff right.

Oh, man! Trouble on your honeymoon No one wants to spend time at guest services, but especially not on a honeymoon. Any kind of technology can have its bad days, I guess. But Disney IT sure does have a lot of bad days!

 

[TAK]

Oh, man! Trouble on your honeymoon No one wants to spend time at guest services, but especially not on a honeymoon. Any kind of technology can have its bad days, I guess. But Disney IT sure does have a lot of bad days!

It was crazy, we couldn't get on the ship!

I don't feel the new DCL site is changing that trend either.

 

[TimeAndTide]

I sincerely hope the Magic Bands don't make it to the ships any time soon! We had so much trouble with ours last month post cruise at both the hotel and DW. Hours standing at guest services at hotel and park. And standing in the dark locked out of our building at 11pm with just me and my exhausted six year old. No fun. This after innumerable problems with the stupid things. But, to their credit we were refunded half our hotel (not insignificant at the GF) so at least it seemed they cared.

But please not on the ships - that's where I go to relax!

 

[orion2185]

MagicBands will come to DCL

can't recall the exact DIS shareholders call it was on....but Iger said that they will make their way to DCL

In addition, when FORBES recently did an article about MagicBands....Mr. Iger also "reaffirmed that plans are in the works to bring the RFID bracelets to Disney Cruise Line for wider use"


don't forget the Royal Caribbean already have their version of magicbands called WOWBands
http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/wowband#.ViZKB6IqcUE


it's just a matter of time
while MB are simply the tech behind them isnt and takes allot of infrastructure to put into place. In theory it should be software upgrade...as the cards are currently RIFD....your swapping card for MB
but there appears to be allot on the backend of Disney's NextGen system that has to be put into place or changed

 

[plutos1fan]

I end up destroying my plastic pouch so I wonder if I could make a stronger one

Hi,

I just thought of something that may help you. If you are worried about ripping the plastic pouch at the end of your lanyard, you may want to buy extra plastic pouches before going on your trip. Then, if you rip the pouch, you can try to attach a new pouch to your lanyard. If you buy new plastic pouches, you may want to look for the strong clip-on type.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

On other cruise lines you can go to guest services & have a hole punched in your key card. Then, just attach the key card itself to a lanyard.

The problem with that is, there's a chip embedded in the KTTW card. It's not located in the same place in all cards, and you can't see where it is. If you punch a hole through the card where the chip is, it kills the chip. And then you have to get a new card.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

you may want to buy extra plastic pouches

No need to bring along your own. Just ask at Guest Services for a new pouch.

 

[JW9DVC]

Magic bands would be great with ID cards as well given out. Super convenient! Feels like wearing a watch. Love them. I get that wearing something like a watch is not fun while on vacation. But could be a reminder that you are ON vacation as well. Can't wait for Disneyland to have them!!

 

[ozliz]

I hope it is soon. I hate cards without holes to clip things through. Lanyards are fine but there are so many more choices of how to carry/wear something if there is a hole in the card. A magic band is best in my opinion as I can leave it on swimming, don't need a pocket or handbag if I don't want to wear a lanyard.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

The problem with that is, there's a chip embedded in the KTTW card. It's not located in the same place in all cards, and you can't see where it is. If you punch a hole through the card where the chip is, it kills the chip. And then you have to get a new card.

Hmmm....interesting. If it's never in the same place theoretically you could punch & go until you miss? LOL! Prob not the best idea but that's where my little pea-brain goes. LOL!

 

[scrappinginontario]

No need to bring along your own. Just ask at Guest Services for a new pouch.

@PrincessShmoo, can you get a plastic pouch at guest services if you bring a lanyard that doesn't have a pouch?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

@PrincessShmoo, can you get a plastic pouch at guest services if you bring a lanyard that doesn't have a pouch?

Can't say for sure, but I don't see why not.

 

[sls23]

The other problem with Magic Bands vs. cards is the amount of information printed on the card. The card clearly shows your name, dining rotation and most importantly your lifeboat meeting station. In an emergency it is much easier and quicker for someone to look at your card to direct you to the correct location by letter than to rely on scanning a band and waiting for a response. While these could be printed on the Magic bands I could see this as problematic in the case where someone loses their band. I suppose they could also assign certain colors to denote this information but still seems like it could be more confusing.