Disney’s Magic Band FAQ Link

[scrappinginontario]

Hi, Magicband question - we are bringing two people going for the first time, I'd like to order them new bands. I can do this from MDE, but the ones we want aren't on there. Disneystore has them, if I buy those will that be difficult to connect them? Not sure why the different availability. We want the plain blue and plain hot pink. The rest of us are bringing them from a previous trip a year ago and will charge them first.

Our trip is in 6 weeks. Thanks!

They will connect the same way. The difference is you are paying a different price when you order from the Disney Store.

 

[Fangorn]

The bands available through MDE are just a small subset of all available bands and tend to be whatever Disney has an excess number of in stock. It changes frequently. There are two main differences in buying through MDE vs the Disney Store. The ones through MDE are a bit cheaper, and the band will typically show up in MDE without you having to add them yourself. You still have to go through the process of setting them up and connecting them to your phone though. If you buy from DS, you first have to add the bands to MDE by typing in the very tiny serial number that's on the back of the band. (Take a picture of it with your phone and blow it up so you can actually see it.) The process is the same after that.

It's pretty straightforward, except when it's not.

Steve

 

[PhillyAli20]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I'll start here and can move the post if needed. I have a trip booked for my Mom and I. The reservation is in my name/email - all the updates come to me. She is listed as the second guest, she has a MDE account which is connected. She can log in, see the reservation, countdown etc. If I order her a MagicBand using the discount link on the reservation will she get notified or somehow see it in her MDE before its linked? She said she doesn't want one but I want to surprise her since they interact with the parade and fireworks. I want to buy through the link to get the discount. Thank you!

 

[erionm]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I'll start here and can move the post if needed. I have a trip booked for my Mom and I. The reservation is in my name/email - all the updates come to me. She is listed as the second guest, she has a MDE account which is connected. She can log in, see the reservation, countdown etc. If I order her a MagicBand using the discount link on the reservation will she get notified or somehow see it in her MDE before its linked? She said she doesn't want one but I want to surprise her since they interact with the parade and fireworks. I want to buy through the link to get the discount. Thank you!

Once the order has been processed, the new MagicBand will appear on her account. She will not receive any notifications. Only the person that placed the order will get notifications via email.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

Answered in another thread.

 

[Wall-E1]

Are the magic bands+ waterproof? Should they be worn at Typhoon Lagoon? Are there photographers in the water/at the attractions that take your photos?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Are the magic bands+ waterproof? Should they be worn at Typhoon Lagoon? Are there photographers in the water/at the attractions that take your photos?

Yes, the bands are waterproof. You may encounter photographers who can take pictures at the water parks but in my experience there are not a lot of them.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

I need some clarification. Yes, I read the first post.

I purchased a MB+ last year. It will light up and vibrate when put on the charger, but will never power on. The Disney internet helpdesk said it sounds faulty and they had me contact guest relations. Guest relations said "sorry about your bad luck, buy a new one". I really hate to pay $25 or more on another MB for a single trip. I know I can use my phone or room key, but it is a pain to constantly need to get into my backpack.

I have quite a few MBs (not the + version) from 2019 and prior. I was told by the internet helpdesk those will not work because the battery is dead and due to the age of them. First post says differently. Do they have a shelf life even on park/room entry.


EDIT:
We purchased a new MB for my husband and a puck keychain on etsy. He will not wear it, but will put it in his pocket. If I can use my old MBs for room and ride, would his "puck" being in his pocket be sufficient enough to add the photos from attractions to our shared MDE?

And, would I be able to scan my old band on my wrist for photos around the park and have them go into my MDE?

 

[Fangorn]

I need some clarification. Yes, I read the first post.

I purchased a MB+ last year. It will light up and vibrate when put on the charger, but will never power on. The Disney internet helpdesk said it sounds faulty and they had me contact guest relations. Guest relations said "sorry about your bad luck, buy a new one". I really hate to pay $25 or more on another MB for a single trip. I know I can use my phone or room key, but it is a pain to constantly need to get into my backpack.

I have quite a few MBs (not the + version) from 2019 and prior. I was told by the internet helpdesk those will not work because the battery is dead and due to the age of them. First post says differently. Do they have a shelf life even on park/room entry.


EDIT:
We purchased a new MB for my husband and a puck keychain on etsy. He will not wear it, but will put it in his pocket. If I can use my old MBs for room and ride, would his "puck" being in his pocket be sufficient enough to add the photos from attractions to our shared MDE?

And, would I be able to scan my old band on my wrist for photos around the park and have them go into my MDE?

ANY MB, no matter the version, or how old they are, will work for anything where you tap the band to Mickey's head. The power for those functions comes from the device you're tapping, not from the band, so the battery being dead is irrelevant. This includes MB+. A MB+ with a dead, or uncharged battery will work to open your room door, get you into the park, etc. It is most likely that your MB+ will work just fine for those things even though it doesn't turn on.

Steve

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

ANY MB, no matter the version, or how old they are, will work for anything where you tap the band to Mickey's head. The power for those functions comes from the device you're tapping, not from the band, so the battery being dead is irrelevant. This includes MB+. A MB+ with a dead, or uncharged battery will work to open your room door, get you into the park, etc. It is most likely that your MB+ will work just fine for those things even though it doesn't turn on.

Steve

Thank you for confirming.

If my husband has his MB+ in his pocket, will it still work for ride photos or would the pocket be a "barrier" that would stop it from working? I do not know how strong that is...like does it need line-of-sight?

 

[Fangorn]

Thank you for confirming.

If my husband has his MB+ in his pocket, will it still work for ride photos or would the pocket be a "barrier" that would stop it from working? I do not know how strong that is...like does it need line-of-sight?

It should work just fine. It's a short range, low-power radio signal. Clothing won't interfere with the signal. A phone in that same pocket might. Or not.

Steve

 

[cruising spud]

I purchased a MB+ last year. It will light up and vibrate when put on the charger, but will never power on. The Disney internet helpdesk said it sounds faulty and they had me contact guest relations. Guest relations said "sorry about your bad luck, buy a new one". I really hate to pay $25 or more on another MB for a single trip. I know I can use my phone or room key, but it is a pain to constantly need to get into my backpack.

We bought Magic Bands from the Disney store before our last trip. One did not work. I called the store. They asked if I had the receipt-yes. They suggested we take the band with us, and once we got to Disney, show the front desk the receipt and the band. The woman who checked us in gave us a slip of paper that approved an exchange. We went to the gift shop and got a new band.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

We bought Magic Bands from the Disney store before our last trip. One did not work. I called the store. They asked if I had the receipt-yes. They suggested we take the band with us, and once we got to Disney, show the front desk the receipt and the band. The woman who checked us in gave us a slip of paper that approved an exchange. We went to the gift shop and got a new band.

I was going to try that route. They told me from guest relations they won't help as I have had the band 'too long". It was purchased in 2023.