Grandfathered Magic Bands

[Pyxie]

I've heard mixed things here and am looking for recent experiences with this. I know free magic bands ended January 1, but I had also heard at one point that if you booked your trip prior to the announcement this past summer, that you will still receive them. They will just be waiting for you at the resort instead of being mailed to you. I booked my trip before the announcement and the Disney website still let me choose colors, but I'm not expecting to receive anything in the mail since my trip is in March.

What I'm wondering is if anyone else was in a similar situation recently and if you did receive them at check-in. We have some from a previous trip we can use, so it's not a HUGE deal. But, if we are going to receive plain ones, I'd like to get some of those Apple Watch puck holders. I don't want to use my upgraded custom bands for those lol.

 

[Sarahslay]

For some reason the trip we had booked for this summer, scheduled around the time of the announcement of no more free bands, didn't have bands attached or any option to choose them. However, we extended that trip by a few days by renting points and that trip has the option to choose bands for a fee. I would go in to MDE and see if there is even an option to choose them, if not I wouldn't worry about it. I for one don't need any more gray bands, one is enough, so I hope they aren't sitting there for us at check in (I have over 20 bands as it is, lord knows I need more).

 

[Pyxie]

For some reason the trip we had booked for this summer, scheduled around the time of the announcement of no more free bands, didn't have bands attached or any option to choose them. However, we extended that trip by a few days by renting points and that trip has the option to choose bands for a fee. I would go in to MDE and see if there is even an option to choose them, if not I wouldn't worry about it. I for one don't need any more gray bands, one is enough, so I hope they aren't sitting there for us at check in (I have over 20 bands as it is, lord knows I need more).

I did have the option to choose them (for free) and did so months ago. I'm just curious if we are actually going to receive them or not, so I'm wondering if anyone else has. We have them already, but I want some of those Apple Watch puck holders and the ones we have are the upgraded design bands. I don't want to take those apart to put them in a puck holder. If that makes sense lol.

 

[Dave006]

I know free magic bands ended January 1, but I had also heard at one point that if you booked your trip prior to the announcement this past summer, that you will still receive them.

The announcement was made on June 19th concerning new reservations on or after January 1, 2021 and new functions coming to MDE and your smart devices. So if you booked your March trip before June 19th, 2020 you will still receive free MBs.

The new functionality should appear in MDE at any moment it may no longer be an issue for many guests. However basic MBs for resort guests are still going to be available for $5 for the basic colors and existing MBs will continue to work for years to come.

Dave

 

[Sarahslay]

I did have the option to choose them (for free) and did so months ago. I'm just curious if we are actually going to receive them or not, so I'm wondering if anyone else has. We have them already, but I want some of those Apple Watch puck holders and the ones we have are the upgraded design bands. I don't want to take those apart to put them in a puck holder. If that makes sense lol.

At this point who the heck knows what will happen lol, it is Disney IT and MDE after all. I still think it’s weird my one trip doesn’t have the option for bands and the second half, booked after the announcement, does. I would think if the system let you choose the bands then you’ll get them. You can also buy the plain bands from shop Disney for around $14 if you’re really wanting just a plain band puck to go in the holder.

 

[travelbug]

Just returned from 12 days at WDW. Our Magic Bands were free, apparently because our reservations were made before the announcement. They were mailed out, but horribly delayed in the mail. They arrived 24 days after Disney mailed them out (I followed the tracking), literally on the morning we were leaving to drive down there.