How long are Magic Bands go for?

[halfmonkey]

We have a Disneyworld trip planned for next March and I saw a Magic Band for sale on the Disney Store website that I like. I'm interested in maybe purchasing it now but since I'm not going to be using it until next March, will it still be usable? In other words, will the batteries last that long because I thought I read somewhere that you can't change the batteries on the bands.

 

[Willow1213]

Yes! Magic band batteries will be good for multiple years. You should be good to purchase now for next year's trip.

 

[Ryansdad0727]

Mine are going on 4 trips in 3 years.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The batteries are for the long range scanners, not the touchpoints. They should work at touchpoints indefinitely but a working battery would be needed to upload ride photos or see the interactive StoryMaker additions.

 

[halfmonkey]

The batteries are for the long range scanners, not the touchpoints. They should work at touchpoints indefinitely but a working battery would be needed to upload ride photos or see the interactive StoryMaker additions.

Can you explain the difference between the long range scanners and the touchpoints? I'm not familiar with what they are or for what purpose they would serve. I just thought the Magic Bands were used as your hotel room key and keys for fast pass rides.

 

[CAS239]

Can you explain the difference between the long range scanners and the touchpoints? I'm not familiar with what they are or for what purpose they would serve. I just thought the Magic Bands were used as your hotel room key and keys for fast pass rides.

Long range: ride photos and videos
Short range/touch points: enter park and fast passes

In a nutshell.

All magic band usage is the same for everyone except on site guests can use it to open their hotel doors and to pay with items in the park. Those not at a Disney resort can't use those two features.

Magic bands are used as easy access for fast passes, entering parks, free parking, photopass, ride videos, etc. Their not needed, but it's a lot more convenient than pulling out everyone's cards anytime you need them

 

[halfmonkey]

Besides online, does anybody know if you can purchase them at DLR/DCA? If so, can you tell me where exactly I can purchase them? I'm looking for Star Wars bands, specifically the Darth Vader band.

 

[Willow1213]

Besides online, does anybody know if you can purchase them at DLR/DCA? If so, can you tell me where exactly I can purchase them? I'm looking for Star Wars bands, specifically the Darth Vader band.

Probably not at DL/DCA since the West Coast hasn't implemented the technology yet.

 

[ddavev3]

Just to verify, the batteries for the long range scanners work for multiple years? My understanding was they lasted for about a year. My kids have limited edition bands from SWW 2014 and I wasn't sure if they would still work for the long range scanners when we go in June.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The long range batteries supposedly last 3 to 4 years.

If you have special bands you want to use, and you don't know if they will still work for long range, you can get a newer band (much easier if you are staying onsite and don't have to pay for it) and wear or carry it as well.

Magic Bands are not available at the Disneyland resort. They are not being used there yet.

For any function where you are actually required to touch the band to a scanner (room doors, park entrance, fastpass redemption, room account charging) any band should work indefinitely.

 

[CAS239]

Just to verify, the batteries for the long range scanners work for multiple years? My understanding was they lasted for about a year. My kids have limited edition bands from SWW 2014 and I wasn't sure if they would still work for the long range scanners when we go in June.

They'll still work. We have bands that are 3 years old that still work.

 

[AeroKU]

Is there any way to check the batteries when we get back to Disney? Ours will be 2 years old when we go back in November.

 

[CAS239]

Is there any way to check the batteries when we get back to Disney? Ours will be 2 years old when we go back in November.

No way to check other than your photos not popping up after rides. Your bands will be good