How to tell if MB still works?

[mdurette]

My DD wants a Winnie the Pooh MB for an upcoming trip. They don't sell them anymore, so I purchased a new one on ebay (unopened package). But, now I am reading the MB batteries sometimes only last for a year. I think this special addition Pooh came out a couple years ago.

How do I test it when it comes in to know if it is still good?

 

[Alesia]

You can't.

Even if the battery is dead, it will still work for park entry and fastpasses. The battery is only needed for long range functions - primarily automatically detecting you for ride photos.

 

[Robo]

My DD wants a Winnie the Pooh MB for an upcoming trip. They don't sell them anymore, so I purchased a new one on ebay (unopened package). But, now I am reading the MB batteries sometimes only last for a year. I think this special addition Pooh came out a couple years ago.

How do I test it when it comes in to know if it is still good?

As long as there are other members of your MyDisneyExperience group wearing newer MagicBands and riding attractions
with her, it won't matter if her Pooh MB's long-range battery is dead, or not.
The newer MBs will trigger any ride photos and videos on which everyone is riding together.

As Alesia mentioned above, even if the Pooh band has a dead battery, it WILL work just great for park entry and FastPass entrances,
so that's not a concern.

 

[BrianL]

There are also the new interactive displays that might show your name and stuff (see the end room of it's a small world and the Hitchhiking Ghosts). These features are not always running though, but if the band's long-range battery is dead then they won't read it.

That said, I'd bet that the battery should last much longer than 1 year, which is probably a low-ball estimate.

 

[CAS239]

The magic band batteries last much more than a year. Their estimated to last about 3 years

 

[dpena2]

The magic band batteries last much more than a year. Their estimated to last about 3 years

Great! I wanted to reuse mine next year but was unsure how long the batteries lasted!! Thanks

 

[Skywise]

How about the resort room doors with a dead battery?

 

[Fangorn]

How about the resort room doors with a dead battery?

There are actually two RFID chips in a magic band. One is connected to a transceiver and is for long-range detection purposes such as ride photos. That one has the battery. The other chip is the one used for anything where you touch the band to Mickey's head - room locks, park entry, FP+, payment for food/ merchandise. This chip does not require a battery as the transmission of information is powered by your band and Mickey's head coming into contact.

If the battery dies, the primary functions are unaffected.

Steve

 

[CAS239]

How about the resort room doors with a dead battery?

It'll still work. All touch points will work.

When the battery dies after a few years it's the long range connections that won't work..such as automatically linking your photos to your MDE account. With a good MB you don't have to touch the Mickey heads after any rides, your photos are automatically uploaded to your account

 

[mdurette]

thanks all!

 

[Skywise]

Thanks - I knew there were two sensors in the band but wasn't sure if the room touch points used the same sensor or not.