Disney’s Magic Band FAQ Link

[leebee]

HELP... again!
The 4 adults on our trip already have magic bands from many prior trips (including old, "free" magic bands) so no worries there. However, the LittleGuy has a new magic band, purchased online from the Disney Store. I have no idea what this new band can "do" and how to go about linking it. He will only be using it for the room door and tapstyle entry at parks (possible LL, jury's still out on that purchase...), we aren't doing PhotoPass, etc. So questions:

1. Charging the band. Do I do this at home before we leave? I haven't opened the band yet, but assume it can plug into a USB/C port?
2. Can the CM at check-in link his band or do I have to do it? Will it be obvious how to do this, from a laptop and not a phone?
3. LittleGuy is DD's stepson, so he's listed on her MDE account. We are "friends" and share travel plans. Do we need to link his band through her account?

Thanks to everyone for your patience and hand-holding. I am techno-challenged (which is an upgrade from my prior knowledge, aka "techno-stupid"), so this kind of thing is difficult for me.

 

[CarolynFH]

HELP... again!
The 4 adults on our trip already have magic bands from many prior trips (including old, "free" magic bands) so no worries there. However, the LittleGuy has a new magic band, purchased online from the Disney Store. I have no idea what this new band can "do" and how to go about linking it. He will only be using it for the room door and tapstyle entry at parks (possible LL, jury's still out on that purchase...), we aren't doing PhotoPass, etc. So questions:

1. Charging the band. Do I do this at home before we leave? I haven't opened the band yet, but assume it can plug into a USB/C port?

You should not need to charge it for tap functions, because those don’t require power from the MB (they get it from the tapstyle). Charging would be needed for him to play games and activate responses from the statues in the parks, though.

2. Can the CM at check-in link his band or do I have to do it? Will it be obvious how to do this, from a laptop and not a phone?

You can do it on a laptop. Open the M.D.E. website, click on MyDisneyExperience, then click on MagicBands and Cards, then scroll down to Link a MagicBand and follow instructions.

OR under MyDisneyExperience tap on My Plans, then on Add More Plans, then on Link Reservations and Purchases, then on Magic Bands.

3. LittleGuy is DD's stepson, so he's listed on her MDE account. We are "friends" and share travel plans. Do we need to link his band through her account?

It might be easier, but you can do it either way.

Thanks to everyone for your patience and hand-holding. I am techno-challenged (which is an upgrade from my prior knowledge, aka "techno-stupid"), so this kind of thing is difficult for me.

You can do it! Linking Little Guy to you was probably the most complicated!

 

[Mike Marzano]

HELP... again!
The 4 adults on our trip already have magic bands from many prior trips (including old, "free" magic bands) so no worries there. However, the LittleGuy has a new magic band, purchased online from the Disney Store. I have no idea what this new band can "do" and how to go about linking it. He will only be using it for the room door and tapstyle entry at parks (possible LL, jury's still out on that purchase...), we aren't doing PhotoPass, etc. So questions:

1. Charging the band. Do I do this at home before we leave? I haven't opened the band yet, but assume it can plug into a USB/C port?
2. Can the CM at check-in link his band or do I have to do it? Will it be obvious how to do this, from a laptop and not a phone?
3. LittleGuy is DD's stepson, so he's listed on her MDE account. We are "friends" and share travel plans. Do we need to link his band through her account?

Thanks to everyone for your patience and hand-holding. I am techno-challenged (which is an upgrade from my prior knowledge, aka "techno-stupid"), so this kind of thing is difficult for me.

Keep in mind, the old bands will work for tapping, but might not work for "long range" features like auto linking ride photos/videos on 7Dwarfs, Tron, Guardians, etc.

1) you'll want to take the new MagicBand+ band out of the box and charge it before you try to set it up because it connects to your phone via Bluetooth, and they usually bring down a software update when you do the initial setup. Plus charge it before use (so every night) so it can light up and vibrate and work for long range features (like auto linking ride photos/videos). The band has a charging cable in the box. It uses the "old style" USB-A connector. Not USB-C. So you'll want to make sure you take a charger that is compatible with the cable.

2) Yes, if you have difficulty, a CM at your resort can help you do the initial setup. You just need a phone, and log into the My Disney Experience account for the person managing the little one's account/plans.

3) Usually you have to do the setup and linking via the MDE account of the person/manager.

While you can link the MagicBand+ bands via the My Disney web site, the band wont get the latest software update (usually meant to improve battery life, etc). Setting up via your phone, will allow for the updates, and once paired with your phone, you can change settings like light brightness (lower saves battery, brighter uses more battery), vibration, color scheme.

The steps to pair and link a new STORE PURCHASED band (i.e. not a pre-arrival order band)....

1. Be sure Bluetooth of your phone is turned on
2. Ensure the MagicBand+ band is fully charged
3. install the Disney World app on your phone
4. open it,
5. sign in if/when prompted.
6. From the app's main screen use the 3bar (aka hamburger) menu button
7. scroll to the Account section
8. select MagicBands & Cards.
9. From the top, there will be a card that has "Your Name", if you manage others, swipe left/right to find the person you want to link the band to, then tap the person.
10. Select "+Link" button.
11. Follow the on screen instructions.

 

[CarolynFH]

@Mike Marzano, thanks for those detailed instructions!

If her young grandson will use the MB+ for tap functions only (not for long range features or special feature like lights, vibration, etc.), do they need to charge it and link it to the managing adult’s phone?

 

[Mike Marzano]

@Mike Marzano, thanks for those detailed instructions!

If her young grandson will use the MB+ for tap functions only (not for long range features or special feature like lights, vibration, etc.), do they need to charge it and link it to the managing adult’s phone?

I haven't linked MB+ via the web, only via app on the phone.

For linking via phone, the band does need to be charged as Bluetooth is used during the connection process (so you don't have to type in the band's ID Number), and on each of my MB+ bands it has pulled down a software update for the band once it is connected to the phone.

Once properly linked to the person, correct the tapping features don't need power. Although a little person might be wowed by the lights and vibration in the ride queues and night time shows, which do require power.

 

[CarolynFH]

Once properly linked to the person, correct the tapping features don't need power. Although a little person might be wowed by the lights and vibration in the ride queues and night time shows, which do require power.

Thanks. That's what I thought, but I wanted to be sure that @leebee doesn't absolutely have to go through the process of charging and linking, unless she wants to surprise and impress the Little Guy!