Disney’s Magic Band FAQ Link

[dangt14]

Do you know what store at Disney Springs, I really only want a solid color MB2

The World of Disney store is what was mentioned. We decided to just buy what we found at the resort gift shops (solid colored MB2 - saw them in white, blue, green, pink, black but your resort may have different colors) so we didn’t venture to Disney Springs

 

[Landry]

Do you know what store at Disney Springs, I really only want a solid color MB2

The only place in Disney Springs with Magic Bands is the Pin Store located a little ways away from World of Disney.

 

[onemaybaby]

I have a few older magic bands from previous trips. I am bringing my niece and nephew who do not have any old ones yet. Is it possible to assign one of my older ones to them? We do plan on purchasing new bands, but would rather do so in the park where the selection is greater.

 

[CarolynFH]

I have a few older magic bands from previous trips. I am bringing my niece and nephew who do not have any old ones yet. Is it possible to assign one of my older ones to them? We do plan on purchasing new bands, but would rather do so in the park where the selection is greater.

Sorry, MBs can’t be reassigned to a different person.

 

[Mike Marzano]

My opinion, if you used your current bands in 21, you're not going to have any issue using them in 23. We have a few that are 4-5 years old that still work for us.

I'm sure if your bands are 4 or 5 years old, they are only working for TAPPING features, and not the long range features (like auto linking ride photos on 7 Dwarfs, Pirates, Frozen Ever After, etc).

The battery for the long range is usually dead after about 2 years. While yes, I have read very few claim the "expected life" for the internal battery that power long range to be upwards of 3 years or so, that has not been my experience, and based on many posts, more than 2 years seems to be the exception, rather than the rule.

And yes, for the record, I have bands that date back to 2014 and 2015 that still work... BUT... for tapping only. My favorite bands that I use every trip are MK45th Tiki Room (2017), Dooney & Bourke (white) 4 Parks (2018), Epcot 35th (white) (2018), Rise of the Resistance Passholder (2019) , Pandora Night (2017), The Child (2020) and ParkLife MK (2020). Unfortunately even the Rise, Park Life and Child bands being from December 2019, June 2020 and September 2020 respectively, have stopped working for long range as of trying to use them on my Dec 2022 trip.

Thankfully, when I've noticed this, I've been able to purchase a new MB2.0 solid color band and put its puck/icon in a Magic Keeper clipped to my bag to be used for long range. (I have the plain one with the carabiner, and one that is the 4 Parks/Compass design).

I understand that you can also setup the Magic Mobile feature in the app to do the long range, but its not as reliable because some phones can/will stop the app when its in the background.

 

[Mike Marzano]

Technical question I’m hoping someone can answer:

Does anyone know what USB generation standard the MB+ uses (1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, etc)?

Does anyone know the maximum charging current used by MB+?

Since a device, the cable, and the charger will all only work to the capacity of the slowest/least powerful element, I want to make sure I get a power strip that provides the maximum wattage the MB+ will accept through the USB connection.

I see a lot of comments about MB+ charging slow and I’m wondering if it’s a power issue. Especially since a lot of power strips with USB ports don’t necessarily provide the most powerful charging capabilities. And ones that actually supply a lot of power through multiple USB ports can get pricy.

I don't know that USB Generation matters for anything but data transfer speed.

Needing a USB-A port, your options are 5V/1A, 5V/2A, 5V/2.5 or 2.4A, or something like Samsung Adaptive Fast Charge which is the same as Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0/3.0 (QC varies the V and A to provide more W to charge compatible devices "faster" while trying to keep the heat of the batteries down)

In October I traveled with an Anker PowerPort Speed 5 Ports A2054J11 (since discontinued) that has regular 3x 5v/2.4A ports and 2x QuickCharge 3.0 ports. Neither port charges faster than the other. And that charger hasn't charged the my MB+ bands any faster than a 5v/1A charger I have at home.

My December trip, I traveled with an Anker 736 Charger (Nano II 100W) Using its USB-A port, or a USBA to C adapter to plug into a USB C port, was again the same charging speeds for the MB+. This was expected because its USB-A port is 5V/2.4A or Quick Charge out.

I've used power banks with 5v/2.4A and QC out to charge the bands in the parks at lunch or dinner if needed, they they charged up fast enough.

 

[BostonEd]

The number keeps dropping and no new ones have been added. Very disappointing

Not just disappointing: pathetic. I don't think this whole "supply chain" thing is to blame anymore. Disney just wants to get as much money out of people as possible. And, for me, it isn't even about the money. I hate the idea of plugging FOUR bands in every night. Absurd.

 

[Mike Marzano]

And, for me, it isn't even about the money. I hate the idea of plugging FOUR bands in every night. Absurd.

Yeah, there are only 3 of us. But we plug our MB+, phones, and power banks in every night . Our Fitbits can usually go a couple days without charging. Still what a mess. And a mess of wires.

Having done the FAB50 Quest and have no desire to do the Batuu Bounty Hunters, I don't really care about MB+

 

[lovethattink]

Not just disappointing: pathetic. I don't think this whole "supply chain" thing is to blame anymore. Disney just wants to get as much money out of people as possible. And, for me, it isn't even about the money. I hate the idea of plugging FOUR bands in every night. Absurd.

Plus there’s the light from each band and the blinking.

 

[dieumeye]

MagicBand+ Linking vs Pairing.

I cannot find a clear answer to this question anywhere: What MB+ features require the band to be paired with a phone?

To be clear, I have 4 MB+ LINKED to my MDE account and they appear in the app under the correct guest names. I have also Bluetooth PAIRED my one MB+ to my phone.

I wasn’t planning on pairing the other 3 bands to any phone. What features won’t work if the bands are not paired?

I’m particularly interested in whether the MB+ will work as a resort/room key, and for payments, and for ride photos, if not Bluetooth paired.

 

[erionm]

MagicBand+ Linking vs Pairing.

I cannot find a clear answer to this question anywhere: What MB+ features require the band to be paired with a phone?

To be clear, I have 4 MB+ LINKED to my MDE account and they appear in the app under the correct guest names. I have also Bluetooth PAIRED my one MB+ to my phone.

I wasn’t planning on pairing the other 3 bands to any phone. What features won’t work if the bands are not paired?

I’m particularly interested in whether the MB+ will work as a resort/room key, and for payments, and for ride photos, if not Bluetooth paired.

Bluetooth pairing is for the game functions in the Play Disney app. Those games are (currently) the Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters game at DHS and Disney Fab 50 Quest (collecting the 50th Anniversary Statues).

Park admission, room entry, etc. only require the MB to be linked to MDE.

 

[kitkat4622]

I received my 2 magicband+ yesterday and I apologize for not going back to read all 15 pages. I plan on linking both to my MDE account, one assigned to me and one to my adult grandson. Does he have to download the MDE app on his phone as well. He will use it for purchases, rides, and the room entry. TIA

 

[erionm]

I received my 2 magicband+ yesterday and I apologize for not going back to read all 15 pages. I plan on linking both to my MDE account, one assigned to me and one to my adult grandson. Does he have to download the MDE app on his phone as well. He will use it for purchases, rides, and the room entry. TIA

He does not need to have the MDE app on his phone for those functions.

 

[Shelby Schroepfer]

Yeah, there are only 3 of us. But we plug our MB+, phones, and power banks in every night . Our Fitbits can usually go a couple days without charging. Still what a mess. And a mess of wires.

Having done the FAB50 Quest and have no desire to do the Batuu Bounty Hunters, I don't really care about MB+

This is exactly how we feel. We have 16 or so magic bands from previous trips dating back to 2016 but we LIKE getting new magic bands each year. The kids love them and we do too, but I cannot find and 2.0 for sale ANYWHERE. Amazon is like 50$, shop disney only has the plus or special edition 2.0, and the 3 or 4 to choose for the trip package are god awful. Does anyone know if the selection of 2.0 is better in the parks? that maybe we just use our cards and plan on getting new ones once we get there?

 

[nw6675]

Super basic question - do you have to "turn on" your band each day? If so, for all features like room doors?

I promise I tried to search first and got the how do I turn on or off questions

 

[erionm]

Super basic question - do you have to "turn on" your band each day?

No.

 

[Mike Marzano]

Super basic question - do you have to "turn on" your band each day? If so, for all features like room doors?

I promise I tried to search first and got the how do I turn on or off questions

For tapping features, no you do not need the band on or its battery charged.

But for "long range" features, like auto-linking on-ride photos and videos on select rides, as well as playing Fab50 Quest and Batuu Bounty Hunters, OR to see lights and vibrations, then yes, the band needs to be charged and turned on.

Turn on: Press and hold the button for 1 second. If the band was off, it will vibrate and you should see a solid green light when it turns back on. IF the band is already on, you'll just see the solid green light.

Turn off: Press and hold the button on the back for approximately 6 seconds. You should feel vibration and see a solid red light, you can let go of the button, the red light should "fade" away.

NOTE: If you're not sure what state its in, use the Turn Off process first... then turn on.

 

[CeCe0906]

What is the availability outside the parks like resort gift shops or shops at Boardwalk area for MB2?
I'd like to get those, as I have no interest in the features of MB+. I'd prefer to buy ahead of time, but I want to buy a new one so all the features work, especially ride photos.
And I don't trust the ones on ebay, even if new, not to be over 2 years old already.
I've looked around a little, and havent found a list of when each MB2 came out. I have one I used in 2021, but would like a new one

Doing extra running around scavenger hunting doesn't appeal, I get enough steps in, and the fact it had to be charged daily..
I guess they had complaints about not having a chargeable version for reuse that they came up with this, but I don't know anyone that has to charge their fitbit or apple watch daily, so someone goofed there. And most of the features besides the rechargeability seemed like a weak add on, to justify their price.

 

[Mike Marzano]

I've looked around a little, and havent found a list of when each MB2 came out.

https://www.magicbandcollectors.com/ is a great resource. I also keep track of the bands I own using their CHECK LIST feature.

 

[Elephantay]

Okay I've read a ton here and elsewhere but still aren't sure about this

We have over a dozen old bands- last trip was four years ago and our first bands were given to us as "testers" when this whole thing started....so they are old.

One person doesn't have any bands and will need one.
We are ok to update ours but do NOT want something that plugs in and has bells and whistles. But we need it for charging and entering the parks, I don't bring a phone everywhere ( waterparks, pools, some park days).

Where can I get these before our trip?

TIA, I really don't want to spend $120 on bands!