Do you really need Magic Bands any more?

[TeamRiley]

With all the changes that have happened - New app functionality and no Fast Passes - Do you really need magic bands any more?
What benefit is there to having them besides as a room key? We are going in a few weeks and I wasn't planning on getting any? Is that a bad idea?

Thanks

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It's worth the $5 to be able to wear it in the pool IMO.

 

[nintz]

Kinda looks that way. It's almost like a piece of jewerly. It's optional. Just make sure that the app is up and running before you go down without them.

 

[loves to dive]

I find them more convenient to get into the parks then having to pull out my phone and find the app and hoping it works. I own one in every color in the old and new style so I don't have to buy one. I don't even notice them on my arm.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

We have them so we use them. I would not buy one unless I really liked the style and considered it like any merchandise purchase.

 

[LiveLifeLoud]

We will get them or use the ones we have. I use an iPhone and I take my charger pack but sometimes phones act up. Apps act up a lot too. WiFi sometimes sucks. Data sometimes lags. Plus it just seems easier to use it to get into the parks than taking out my phone each time.

 

[Shughart]

Do we think FP+ will return after Covid, or do we think we'll see whatever is next ushered in after regulations are loosened? I'm curious as to whether MB are still being used to tap in for return times for those using the DAS pass. Sorry if those discussions are happening elsewhere, I'd love a link if anyone knows of the discussions.

 

[BillSears]

Does the phone work for ride photos? I love that you wear your band and the photo is automatically added to your account.

 

[RamblingRabbit]

Does the phone work for ride photos? I love that you wear your band and the photo is automatically added to your account.

They have started testing the phone auto linking in Hollywood Tower & Rockin' Rollercoaster.

 

[LiveLifeLoud]

Do we think FP+ will return after Covid, or do we think we'll see whatever is next ushered in after regulations are loosened? I'm curious as to whether MB are still being used to tap in for return times for those using the DAS pass. Sorry if those discussions are happening elsewhere, I'd love a link if anyone knows of the discussions.

If FP+ returns the way it was I would really prefer a MB.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Never really needed them before! But I sure love them and will be sad to see them fade away.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Never really needed them before! But I sure love them and will be sad to see them fade away.

There's zero evidence that they're going to fade away.

 

[Orion Nebula]

I don't like using my phone all day, I usually bring it up for food ordering then keep in low power mode as it's also my camera (like most). Paying with bands allows me to obviously not take my phone out, but also I have a hard time reading my screen in full sun. So holding my wrist up is quick and convenient. I think considering how much a trip costs overall that dropping a tiny bit more to have the extra convienance is worth it. And you can re-use them of course. Although we buy special ones for each trip and put them on the wreath we are making.

 

[Pinkshoos]

Not having it means I have to dig into my backpack for my phone, open it up, and do all the things through the app or dig out a card. I like having a Magic Band to just boop. Plus, I'm thrilled that they've put the colors that I wanted that used to be $15 now on the $5 list.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I find them so convenient! Park entrance, room entrance, charging food and purchases. As International guests we rely on Disney WiFi for the MDE app and it's often unreliable so we will continue to use our MBs.

 

[glocon]

I don’t guess MB are “needed” as much as a fun “add on” to us. They are cute and relatively inexpensive and just a fun thing to get in anticipation of a trip. I plan on using one on any future trips I have.

 

[Fangorn]

You've NEVER actually NEEDED Magic Bands. There have always been other options available. Disney have away the bands free to resort guests as a way to promote the technology, which they'd spent nearly $2Billion to develop and implement.
They no longer need to do that, as MBs have become a normal part of a WDW trip.

MBs have now become just another merchandise purchase for most people with Disney releasing dozens of new designs every month. That's not going to stop (too much money to be made), and they've already stated that MBs are NOT being eliminated.

What they're doing now is providing another option for those folks who, for whatever reason, would prefer to use their smartphone/watch instead. Personally, it seems like a complete inconvenience to use my phone when I can use a MB. I can see only one potential benefit of using a smartphone here; being able to use the pay app on your phone for purchases. I'm never going to do that, but I know a lot of people who seem to think that's the epitome of convenience and security.

Given Disney's abysmal track record with consumer IT tech, my expectations are extremely low that this will work even marginally well for the next several years; by which time there will be something new out there that a set of guests will be clamoring for and Disney will attempt to accommodate them. Meanwhile, MBs will continue to provide all the necessary functions (and a bunch of unnecessary ones) as they have since 2013.

Steve

 

[gharter]

I find them so convenient! Park entrance, room entrance, charging food and purchases.

Completely agree. And for ride photos as well.

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm curious as to whether MB are still being used to tap in for return times for those using the DAS pass.

Yes, they are. Either the MB or the ticket card are used to tap in to use a DAS pass.

 

[CarolynFH]

New app functionality

So far as I know, MagicMobile has not been implemented yet.