Do I really need a Magic Band

[Forevermarypoppins]

To put it nicely: I DO NOT want to spend $$ on more MB's. I had some that were 5 years old and tossed them. I'll have to look to see IF I still have mine from 2 years ago, making it 3 yrs old when I'll be back in WDW.
I know we can handle doing things the old fashion way - tickets!! IS THAT even an option?

I plan on writing to Disney Co about having a Buy Back program for Magic Bands. What at utter waste to throw them and keep buying. There should be a way to have a battery replacement at the resorts or at Guest Services. Money Grabs are a real pet peeve for me!

 

[CastawayDonald]

You don't have to have a magic band. You can use an Android or Apple phone / watch to tap into the parks and pay for things just like with a magic band. I have had hit and miss luck with my Apple phone unlocking the hotel door, but fortunately my wife likes to use her 11 year old magic band so that we don't have to get a separate room key. My magic band of the same vintage still works as well... I just prefer using my watch for most things. The only thing that I have an issue with Tron... you need a magic band OR one of the temporary key cards that the CMs will give you.

Worst comes to worst, you can still use a key card to get into the parks. etc.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

You can use a physical ticket media.
You don't need a magic band.
You also can use old ones so there was never a need to buy another.
So its not a waste.
Just make sure your location is on on your phone for MDE to get your ride pics where there is nothing to tap at the end of the attraction such as Frozen Ever After.
And if you notice a pic is missing you can give Disney info of what ride, what you were wearing, what time of day etc and they can usually find it.

 

[pooch]

Why did you throw the old ones away? Mine go back to 2013 and I plan to use all of them next week!

 

[HopperFan]

Do you NEED one?
No
Do they make it easier?
Yes
What other options?
You can request a card at the hotel or front gate for your door & tickets & all else MB do EXCEPT ride photos without tap option.
You can use your phone, though we found they are much slower and I often see CMs pull cards from pocket to offer those guests.
You can use your apple watch, though DS found it to be less responsive and opted to buy a MagicBand.

 

[Dave006]

I plan on writing to Disney Co about having a Buy Back program for Magic Bands. What at utter waste to throw them and keep buying. There should be a way to have a battery replacement at the resorts or at Guest Services. Money Grabs are a real pet peeve for me!

There is no buy back program but you can hand them in at a resort Front desk on your next visit. It’s a good idea to deactivate your old MagicBand prior to having it recycled.

Your older Original MB, and MB 2 will still work for all tap transactions. The battery function was really just a gimmick that was used for a while to make some ride queues interactive, and to allow you to get Ride pictures without tapping at the exit or pressing a button.

Save you ink, paper, and stamp or your electronic ink. The older original MB, and the MB 2 are don't have a replaceable battery. The latest version is it the MB+ and it is rechargeable. The MB+ arrive in July 2022, and is used a WDW, DLR, and Disney Cruise Line.

Dave

 

[muppets3d]

The batteries in MagicBands are not needed, the tap functionality does not require any battery in the band. It's entirely powered by the tapstile.

So there is no need to constantly buy magic bands. The one you got in 2013 for free still works. The one you bought in 2022, presumably, will still work in 2032.

If you don't have a magicband and don't want to buy one, you can either use a digital wallet on your phone - or get a free Key to the World card from guest relations.

People say you need a magicband with battery to get photos automatically linked. Not true! If you have the WDW app on your phone, it provides the same functionality. And Disney also uses facial recognition to link photos if all else fails.