Do I really need a Magic Band?

[Miffy]

The puck holder might be the way to go for us. No worries about losing the puck with these holders?

All I can say is my DH never lost his. Just be careful when screwing the puck into the holder. And, for the record, MBs have been known to get lost. They can get caught on something and fall off your wrist while you're not paying attention. Or you can have it not securely fastened and it falls off. Apparently the MB+s are even more guilty of this than the old-school ones.

Disney used to sell the puck holders, but I'm not sure if they do anymore, but there seem to be plenty of choices at various merchants online.

 

[RoseGold]

The Tron MB+ looks awesome. Just spend the $35 on MDE and get the man his Tron MB+.

 

[Gary Stocker]

I don't see that available for purchase online.

Like all other Magic Bands availability is at the mercy of Disney's inventory. I lucked out purchasing these back in February when I booked my trip. Keep refreshing...I am sure it will reappear.

 

[AustinTink]

The Tron MB+ looks awesome. Just spend the $35 on MDE and get the man his Tron MB+.

I saw it! He would die. But he has so much Tron stuff alreadyyyyyyyy…

 

[RoseGold]

I saw it! He would die. But he has so much Tron stuff alreadyyyyyyyy…

So you want to buy a puck that will die and a puck holder and all this mess? Versus a $35 Tron one that will actually work at DL?

 

[AustinTink]

I get that. I can only wear something on my left wrist for some reason. My right one gets SUPER itchy and forms hives when I put anything on it, even jewelry. I wear a smart watch daily on my left wrist. I don't use a MB+ at Disneyland, but we will be buying some for our upcoming WDW trip. I plan to attach my MB+ to my sling bag with a retractable keychain. I need to keep my smartwatch on to monitor my heart rate due to a medical condition, so this will be my workaround.

I have the exact same issue with the itchy right wrist. The left wrist is bearable but just barely. It took a long time to get used to the Apple watch on my left wrist. I like the idea of the retractable keychain.

 

[AustinTink]

So you want to buy a puck that will die and a puck holder and all this mess? Versus a $35 Tron one that will actually work at DL?

Yep

 

[AustinTink]

I just bought 3 of the basic ones with the pre-purchase discount. After consulting the other two weirdos (I too am a weirdo) we decided we didn’t need the MB+ for this trip. This will be our MB trial run. If we love it we will upgrade to MB+ and DH can get a Tron one or whatever he wants.

I must say the peer pressure on the Dis is as intense as ever!

 

[Marrila]

I just bought 3 of the basic ones with the pre-purchase discount. After consulting the other two weirdos (I too am a weirdo) we decided we didn’t need the MB+ for this trip. This will be our MB trial run. If we love it we will upgrade to MB+ and DH can get a Tron one or whatever he wants.

I must say the peer pressure on the Dis is as intense as ever!

I'm planning to use the basic ones on our upcoming trip. They will do everything I need them to.

 

[AustinTink]

I'm planning to use the basic ones on our upcoming trip. They will do everything I need them to.

Same here. We didn’t see ourselves doing scavenger hunts or any of the interactive light up stuff.

 

[Smugpugmug]

In your situation I would've just bought the Magicband+ since they work at Disneyland (the Magicband 1 and 2 do not) but I get why you wouldn't be interested. They're more expensive, the extra features IMO are worthless and they are bulkier than the regular Magicbands. I do like that they can be charged so the photo feature will never die. I have 1 Magicband+ but the new Pride one coming out is so cute.........

To answer your question, no you don't "need" a Magicband.

 

[pindecisive]

You don’t need one but imo it’s easier just tapping your wrist a bunch of times s day than digging out your card. And then you’d have to tap your ride pics at the exit if you’re buying them or have memory maker, whereas with the band they go to your account automatically. But it’s perfectly fine just using your card.

We ended up with no lanyards at our last DL trip and it was pretty sweet.

My "I'm switching" moment for DL was having to check DH into LL rides with my app/phone in person so next trip we're going MB+ just so he can independently check into his LL.

There are many ride photos that you won't see without a MB. Haunted mansion, GOTG, Snow white. There is nothing to tap. You'll never see them at all.

That's so interesting, I wonder how they connect the band with the person in the picture.

I’m so old school. I’m used to doing things the way they explain it in this article. Seems so much easier to me to use the card.

I bought a MB a couple WDW trips ago (for like $20) and didn't really notice any major differences in experience.

But that being said, I dislike using the cards because I'm always worried it will fall out or get lost so I like how easy it is to replace the MB/MB+ because you can stop by any store and just buy a new one and link it.

I'm pretty sure once we switch over to MB/MB+ fully we won't go back..

 

[CarolynFH]

This I could do. The puck just adheres to the watch band with the holder?

I have a MB puck holder that slides onto my Apple Watch band. The puck slides into the holder, then the holder slides onto the watchband, so the puck is quite secure. I have MagicMobile set up on my iPhone, but I much prefer having the MB puck to use instead, plus of course it links the long distance ride photos to my MDE account better than Bluetooth on my phone does. Etsy has a lot of merchants that sell various MB+ puck holders - https://www.etsy.com/market/magic_band+puck_holder

 

[mroulier]

I don't see that available for purchase online.

We have an upcoming stay and the Monorail one is available only thru the MDE webpage. And some that are on Shop.disney are NOT available thru MDE with the discount. Like Black Panther or the Star Wars 'May the 4th' one.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

My youngest son lost his MB on the second day of our most recent trip (left on monorail and never got it back) and we had to use his ticket card til we got him a new one and it was a pain. Having to look for it each time we had to tap in for a ride was so annoying. And we had DAS so we tapped in for every ride. It was hell lol

 

[pindecisive]

My youngest son lost his MB on the second day of our most recent trip (left on monorail and never got it back) and we had to use his ticket card til we got him a new one and it was a pain. Having to look for it each time we had to tap in for a ride was so annoying. And we had DAS so we tapped in for every ride. It was hell lol

There are MB/MB+ locks you can buy on Amazon or Etsy which I plan on getting when we both get MB+s. Etsy also has a lot of fun MB decor like pins and bows.

 

[Dashzap]

Wow! I didn’t know that. So do they not have screens to see your ride photos anymore at WDW? We used to just take a photo of the number on the screen and grab them later.

Edited to add: DISers say this does NOT work

According to Disney, if you turn bluetooth on while on rides, you can use your phone to link your photos to your MDX account.

PhotoPass – Frequently Asked Questions​

Q:
How do I link an attraction photo to my Disney account so that I am able to download it with my Memory Maker purchase?
A:
Use your mobile device or a MagicBand+ or MagicBand to automatically link attraction photos and videos to your account–pick whichever option works best for you. Photo preview walls are also available at the exits of select attractions where you can tap your mobile device with a Disney MagicMobile pass, park admission card, MagicBand+ or MagicBand to link your photos to your account.
A few tips for linking attraction photos and videos using your mobile device:

• Make sure to sign into the My Disney Experience app.
• Keep your mobile device out of low power mode while onboard.
• Use a mobile device with Bluetooth® technology enabled for the My Disney Experience app. Please note that an Apple Watch can’t be used to automatically link attraction photos and videos.

You may also view and download attraction photos from up to 25 members of your Family & Friends list who share photos with you during your Memory Maker window. Once you’ve linked your photo, you can view, download and share your memories on Disney PhotoPass and on the My Disney Experience Mobile App.

 

[champagne&disney]

According to Disney, if you turn bluetooth on while on rides, you can use your phone to link your photos to your MDX account.

PhotoPass – Frequently Asked Questions​

Q:
How do I link an attraction photo to my Disney account so that I am able to download it with my Memory Maker purchase?
A:
Use your mobile device or a MagicBand+ or MagicBand to automatically link attraction photos and videos to your account–pick whichever option works best for you. Photo preview walls are also available at the exits of select attractions where you can tap your mobile device with a Disney MagicMobile pass, park admission card, MagicBand+ or MagicBand to link your photos to your account.
A few tips for linking attraction photos and videos using your mobile device:

• Make sure to sign into the My Disney Experience app.
• Keep your mobile device out of low power mode while onboard.
• Use a mobile device with Bluetooth® technology enabled for the My Disney Experience app. Please note that an Apple Watch can’t be used to automatically link attraction photos and videos.

You may also view and download attraction photos from up to 25 members of your Family & Friends list who share photos with you during your Memory Maker window. Once you’ve linked your photo, you can view, download and share your memories on Disney PhotoPass and on the My Disney Experience Mobile App.

I have everything configured properly and am batting .000 at getting photos when I don't have a MagicBand on.

 

[kylenne]

According to Disney, if you turn bluetooth on while on rides, you can use your phone to link your photos to your MDX account.

PhotoPass – Frequently Asked Questions​

Q:
How do I link an attraction photo to my Disney account so that I am able to download it with my Memory Maker purchase?
A:
Use your mobile device or a MagicBand+ or MagicBand to automatically link attraction photos and videos to your account–pick whichever option works best for you. Photo preview walls are also available at the exits of select attractions where you can tap your mobile device with a Disney MagicMobile pass, park admission card, MagicBand+ or MagicBand to link your photos to your account.
A few tips for linking attraction photos and videos using your mobile device:

• Make sure to sign into the My Disney Experience app.
• Keep your mobile device out of low power mode while onboard.
• Use a mobile device with Bluetooth® technology enabled for the My Disney Experience app. Please note that an Apple Watch can’t be used to automatically link attraction photos and videos.

You may also view and download attraction photos from up to 25 members of your Family & Friends list who share photos with you during your Memory Maker window. Once you’ve linked your photo, you can view, download and share your memories on Disney PhotoPass and on the My Disney Experience Mobile App.

As folks have said…that feature is incredibly, notoriously buggy, as is Magic Mobile in general. You’re supposed to be able to open your room with your phone as well and I have never once had it work. Even watching YouTube videos of room tours I’ve seen it crap out on people.

So much easier to just use a MB.

 

[RoseGold]

I've forgotten to charge my MB+ more than once and I tried hard to get the photos to work with my phone on a few rides. I am at 0%. If you want the ride photos, you need a MB.