Can I still use Magic Bands?

[Pmlocke]

I am in a fix of sorts. I have enjoyed the use of my magic bands for our annual visits for park and room access, paying for meals and other items. I see now that the free bands are not going to be given and they are utilizing cell technology for park access, ordering meals, etc. I do not own a cell phone and I am NOT going to start now just to get into the parks. Are they still utilizing magic bands for the purposes I referred to? I have many here at home I could re-use or I will buy one once we get there, that is if they are still utilizing them. Please dear Lord let them open AS Music soon so I can make my reservations for our usual trip in February, 2022. Haven't been since February 2020.

 

[FCDub]

Yes, you can reuse your bands. Even if the long range is dead, it will work for short range (tapping in, tapping for photos, paying for items, etc.)

 

[CarolynFH]

Confirming that yes, they’re still using MBs, and your old ones will work indefinitely for everything except long-distance photos.

 

[LiteBrite]

Also you can still buy magic bands, so if your old one won't work for the long distance photos and you want that option, you can still have it, you just have to pay for it.

 

[jpakstis]

We were there in mid-April, and if there is some plan to eliminate MBs, I didn't see any evidence of that. You could still buy all sorts in the shops, many people wore them, and they were available to get before the trip via the site. The only difference is that we had to pay for them ($10 per person).

 

[wings91]

I have a lot of old magic band. Will use until they stop working.

 

[georgina]

I bought a new rainbow magic band for my May 2020 trip (still never used!) Will be using in later this year.

 

[Disfan2016]

You can use your old magic bands for anything that has to be tapped. The only problem will be the ride pictures that do not have a tap station such as the Seven Dwarf Mine Train. You can request a free card from the front desk at check in or anytime you are at the resort which will work like the magic bands. You can just wear the band and have the card in your wallet for the ride pictures if you are concerned that the batteries are dead in your old magic bands.

 

[Robo]

You can request a free card from the front desk at check in or anytime you are at the resort which will work like the magic bands. You can just wear the band and
have the card in your wallet for the ride pictures...

I don't think that any of the cards will work for the "distance-reading" purposes.
(If a card CAN do that, then a MB with a dead battery can accomplish the same thing.)