Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[AmberMV]

I thought Genie was basically replacing them? You'd be using your smart phone with the app? Do I have this wrong?

 

[midnight star]

They're not. They're just not giving out complimentary MBs with resort stays

MBs are not going away they are just not going to send free ones with your room reservation

Oh got it! Thanks!

 

[Mit88]

I thought Genie was basically replacing them? You'd be using your smart phone with the app? Do I have this wrong?

Eventually MB’s will go away and Genie will replace it fully, but it’ll probably last a couple more years before you they become obsolete

 

[Amy11401]

I know we already know, but this is a new message on Disney's website regarding discontinuation of Magic Bands for 2021
View attachment 519021

I really hope they don't go away entirely. It is more convenient to use your magic band verses taking out your phone all the time. Plus using my phone all the time would kill my battery.

 

[Mit88]

I really hope they don't go away entirely. It is more convenient to use your magic band verses taking out your phone all the time. Plus using my phone all the time would kill my battery.

That’s what I dont like about it. Its great in theory, but phone battery’s dont last as long as they’re advertised for more than a month. This also shouldnt even be in discussion until they upgrade their property WiFi

 

[CastAStone]

I really hope they don't go away entirely. It is more convenient to use your magic band verses taking out your phone all the time. Plus using my phone all the time would kill my battery.

I assume they’ll give you a card. I don’t know how they would deal with a massive influx of dead battery lockouts otherwise.

 

[midnight star]

I really hope they don't go away entirely. It is more convenient to use your magic band verses taking out your phone all the time. Plus using my phone all the time would kill my battery.

That’s what I dont like about it. Its great in theory, but phone battery’s dont last as long as they’re advertised for more than a month. This also shouldnt even be in discussion until they upgrade their property WiFi

As someone who frequents DL (well, not right now at least lol), one thing I loved about WDW was the magic bands. Made scanning in for fastpasses so much easier. Didn't have to fumble to get a key card out for your room. It was just so much more streamlined.

 

[cm8]

I assume they’ll give you a card. I don’t know how they would deal with a massive influx of dead battery lockouts otherwise.

Had the ability to use our phone to unlock our door last visit (Dec 2019) sure as the moon lights the sky, it did not work! Had to end up just using my MB to open the door! Somehow, they said the pad had enough energy to recognize the MB but not enough to read the phone. They sent someone down to change out the door battery lock and it worked... I stuck to using our MB cause I was not about to lock myself out in case it triggered something. This was at AK JHV by the way and I was NOT about to walk my happy butt back to the front desk to get assistance. I ended up calling down and they sent someone up.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Wait I missed this. Why are magic bands going away?!

They want you to buy your magic band. This has been the plan from the beginning I believe.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Guess the plan is to roll out the updated app this fall. They better hurry.

That app is, and has basically always been, one of the least reliable I have. I’m terrified even thinking about being that reliant on the WDW App ... I’m gonna pay Disney their MagicBand blood money, pray it’s not a TragicBand, and then sit back and watch the poor folks in the parks who think they’ll be able to do everything on the app... ...

 

[gottalovepluto]

Eventually MB’s will go away and Genie will replace it fully, but it’ll probably last a couple more years before you they become obsolete

Nope. MB = $$$. The margins on those have to be absolutely absurd.

 

[AmberMV]

Ok but hold up. The wording on Disney's message says "Starting in 2021...an innovative new offering...will provide features of a MagicBand to your smart devices"

This wording actually implies that smart devices *are* replacing MBs in 2021, does it not?

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Ok but hold up. The wording on Disney's message says "Starting in 2021...an innovative new offering...will provide features of a MagicBand to your smart devices"

This wording actually implies that smart devices *are* replacing MBs in 2021, does it not?

That wording just sounds to me like you will have the option to access magicband features by using a smartphone. Not a full replacement, but a second option of how to do the same things.

 

[Spaceguy55]

https://blogmickey.com/2020/08/sele...pen-after-park-close-beginning-september-8th/

The article says that adr's after park hours...so does that mean that you won't need a ticket for admission ??

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

The article says that adr's after park hours...so does that mean that you won't need a ticket for admission ??

I HIGHLY doubt that. I think the most we might see out of this is the potential ability to eat at a different park than you visited during the day, and even that is pretty darn unlikely in the near future.

It'd be cool if I was wrong though!

 

[Ricker182]

I know we already know, but this is a new message on Disney's website regarding discontinuation of free Magic Bands for 2021
View attachment 519021

I still think they'll keep magic bands around.
It's easy money.

 

[Ricker182]

Friendship boats still closed from EPCOT resorts to the parks?

 

[midnight star]

They want you to buy your magic band. This has been the plan from the beginning I believe.

Not surprised....well if my friend and I decide to go again next year after all, at least we have some already!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Friendship boats still closed from EPCOT resorts to the parks?

Yes. I think the plan is for them to open on the 24th but I haven't heard anything about them in a couple of weeks so who knows now.

 

[Ricker182]

Yes. I think the plan is for them to open on the 24th but I haven't heard anything about them in a couple of weeks so who knows now.

Thanks. They're pretty convenient, especially after a long day.