PlutoTheDog89
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2011
- Messages
- 2,088
I tried a fun experiment on our last trip to see just how far the MagicBand could take you. Here are the results:
As part of the MyMagic+ rollout a few years ago, Disney worked to build a seamless and efficient vacation. At the center of it all was the MagicBand (now the MagicBand 2.0) The MagicBand would serve as the nucleus for your trip, doubling as your room key and park ticket, storing information such as FastPass+ reservations, Disney Dining Plan credits and could even be linked to your credit card for hassle-free paying. In other words, you could leave the room with nothing but your wallet and phone and access everything you need—so Disney claims.
Touring Disney without a wallet is probably a bit of a situational hyperbole. In fact, the true perk of the MagicBand is to allow guests to pay without having to reach for their wallet every. single. time. It's both a marketing tactic (you never actually realize how much you're spending) and a way to create a faster and more efficient checkout at stores. Think: paying via smartwatches.
But, I decided to try and go my entire vacation without a wallet. Okay, so of course I had a wallet—how else would I be able to board a plane without my ID? I consolidated my wallet to a small cardholder with my ID, the credit card I used to book my resort reservation and about $40 of money in case I need cash.
Day 1
We checked into Coronado Springs on Saturday, April 15th. I handed the Cast Member my driver's license and confirmation number as she looked up our reservation. After getting us checked in, she asked if we'd like to link a credit card to our reservation. "Sure," I replied. I decided to link my travel rewards credit card, as any purchases would work toward future travel (such as Disney trips). She entered my credit card information and had me add a secure 4-digit pin to be used for all payments and purchases.
I decided to bring my cardholder with me just this once. We'd have to activate our Annual Passes and I would need my ID and the credit card I purchased mine with. We left the room and went to EPCOT for the day. With no bag, I breezed through security. It took my mom and sister, who were both carrying bags, about 5 minutes to go through the security check.
We went straight to the ticket booth where a Cast Member activated our Annual Passes. I'm glad I brought my cardholder as I did need both my credit card and ID. The Cast Member handed us each our Annual Pass card. I immediately thought "oh man, another card?" I would obviously need the Annual Pass card in order to take advantage of the discounts this weekend. I would soon learn that I'd need another card as well...
We immediately went toward the World Showcase. First up was a FP+ at Frozen Ever After. Once we finished, it was time to check out the Flower and Garden booths. At the first booth I reached for my wallet, then chuckled to myself as I came to my senses. The Cast Member looked at me like I was crazy. I scanned my MagicBand by touching "Mickey Head to Mickey Head" and struggled for a moment to recall my 4-digit pin. This exact procedure would happen about four or five more times. Around 4pm I decided to have a beer with my meal. "ID?" the Cast Member requested. I reached into my pocket for my cardholder, feeling defeated. Maybe this isn't possible.
Scanning my MagicBand became second nature by the end of the day. I stopped reaching for my wallet and stopped purchasing alcoholic beverages after my realization. I kept all my receipts in my left pocket and tallied the damage before heading to bed that night. I spent right around $60 at the Food and Wine booths.
Day 2
On Easter Sunday I vowed not to even carry my wallet. I locked my cardholder in the safe. I always like to have my ID in case of an emergency, so I carried both my license and the Annual Pass card in a rubber band. We had a 10:45am breakfast reservation at 'Ohana. I was happy and surprised to find that the Annual Pass discount worked on Easter Sunday. Our server asked if we'd like to charge the meal to the room. "Yes," I replied. I signed the check and pocketed the receipt.
Off to the Magic Kingdom. We breezed through the new monorail security with limited bags. We did make some purchases throughout the day. I used my Starbucks app at the Main Street Bakery to pay for my coffee, then nearly had a heart attack as I thought I lost my wallet when going to pay for popcorn. My sister quickly reassured me "didn't you leave it in the safe?" Ah, that's right. I touched the Mickey head to Mickey head and was on my way.
Later in the afternoon we took a boat ride over to Geyser Point for dinner. The Cast Member asked if we were on the dining plan. I quickly answered "no" then proudly said "but you can charge it to our room." My sister and I each got a beer with our dinner. The server ID'd both of us.
I had initial sticker shock that night when adding up the receipts. My family would later split breakfast at 'Ohana and dinner at Geyser Point, but I definitely realized just how quickly it could all add up.
Day 3
In the morning we grabbed breakfast at the Pepper Market. We then spent the morning at Hollywood Studios. Not a ton of spending was done here. My sister and I went to Joffrey's instead of Starbucks. She volunteered to pay this time around. I had to quickly remind her to show her Annual Pass card. Pssh, you'd think she was the one traveling without a wallet!
After a morning and afternoon at Hollywood Studios, we took the boat over to EPCOT for more eating at the Flower and Garden Festival. Paying was pretty seamless, once again. I did need my ID for a beer flight at the Smokehouse and a beer in Germany. Otherwise, I rarely had to reach into my pocket.
I'm a coffee mug collector and wanted the special Flower and Garden flower pot mug to commemorate our trip. I didn't feel like carrying it around the rest of the day, so I purchased it with the "Shop Disney Parks" app and chose to have it delivered to my home.
After watching Illuminations, we went over to Beaches and Cream for a "night cap". Again, our server asked if we were on the meal plan, to which we replied "no". At the end of the meal, our server brought over the bill and we asked to charge it to the room. My mom opted to leave a cash tip, as I was treating this time around. This was the first time I saw money used by any member of the family.
EPCOT had already closed, so we took Uber back to Coronado. I paid through the Uber app without using my wallet again.
Day 4
Originally my family planned on going to Disney Springs, but we wanted to get in a few more things at Magic Kingdom.
We checked out and I received my bill. Honestly, it wasn't quite as high as I was expecting, especially after my family squared away for the meals. We hopped on the bus to Magic Kingdom and spent the day on a few rides. Before leaving, we stopped at Columbia Harbour House for dinner. I went to scan my MagicBand when I remembered that we had already checked out. I swiped my credit card and accepted my defeat.
Overall
The idea of traveling without your wallet is definitely an exaggeration. The MagicBand is great if you're heading down to the pool and don't feel like carrying your wallet, money or room key. Obviously, as you can see, you need your wallet at some point or another. I did "cheat" by using my makeshift wallet of the Annual Pass and ID banded together.
As part of the MyMagic+ rollout a few years ago, Disney worked to build a seamless and efficient vacation. At the center of it all was the MagicBand (now the MagicBand 2.0) The MagicBand would serve as the nucleus for your trip, doubling as your room key and park ticket, storing information such as FastPass+ reservations, Disney Dining Plan credits and could even be linked to your credit card for hassle-free paying. In other words, you could leave the room with nothing but your wallet and phone and access everything you need—so Disney claims.
Touring Disney without a wallet is probably a bit of a situational hyperbole. In fact, the true perk of the MagicBand is to allow guests to pay without having to reach for their wallet every. single. time. It's both a marketing tactic (you never actually realize how much you're spending) and a way to create a faster and more efficient checkout at stores. Think: paying via smartwatches.
But, I decided to try and go my entire vacation without a wallet. Okay, so of course I had a wallet—how else would I be able to board a plane without my ID? I consolidated my wallet to a small cardholder with my ID, the credit card I used to book my resort reservation and about $40 of money in case I need cash.
Day 1
We checked into Coronado Springs on Saturday, April 15th. I handed the Cast Member my driver's license and confirmation number as she looked up our reservation. After getting us checked in, she asked if we'd like to link a credit card to our reservation. "Sure," I replied. I decided to link my travel rewards credit card, as any purchases would work toward future travel (such as Disney trips). She entered my credit card information and had me add a secure 4-digit pin to be used for all payments and purchases.
I decided to bring my cardholder with me just this once. We'd have to activate our Annual Passes and I would need my ID and the credit card I purchased mine with. We left the room and went to EPCOT for the day. With no bag, I breezed through security. It took my mom and sister, who were both carrying bags, about 5 minutes to go through the security check.
We went straight to the ticket booth where a Cast Member activated our Annual Passes. I'm glad I brought my cardholder as I did need both my credit card and ID. The Cast Member handed us each our Annual Pass card. I immediately thought "oh man, another card?" I would obviously need the Annual Pass card in order to take advantage of the discounts this weekend. I would soon learn that I'd need another card as well...
We immediately went toward the World Showcase. First up was a FP+ at Frozen Ever After. Once we finished, it was time to check out the Flower and Garden booths. At the first booth I reached for my wallet, then chuckled to myself as I came to my senses. The Cast Member looked at me like I was crazy. I scanned my MagicBand by touching "Mickey Head to Mickey Head" and struggled for a moment to recall my 4-digit pin. This exact procedure would happen about four or five more times. Around 4pm I decided to have a beer with my meal. "ID?" the Cast Member requested. I reached into my pocket for my cardholder, feeling defeated. Maybe this isn't possible.
Scanning my MagicBand became second nature by the end of the day. I stopped reaching for my wallet and stopped purchasing alcoholic beverages after my realization. I kept all my receipts in my left pocket and tallied the damage before heading to bed that night. I spent right around $60 at the Food and Wine booths.
Day 2
On Easter Sunday I vowed not to even carry my wallet. I locked my cardholder in the safe. I always like to have my ID in case of an emergency, so I carried both my license and the Annual Pass card in a rubber band. We had a 10:45am breakfast reservation at 'Ohana. I was happy and surprised to find that the Annual Pass discount worked on Easter Sunday. Our server asked if we'd like to charge the meal to the room. "Yes," I replied. I signed the check and pocketed the receipt.
Off to the Magic Kingdom. We breezed through the new monorail security with limited bags. We did make some purchases throughout the day. I used my Starbucks app at the Main Street Bakery to pay for my coffee, then nearly had a heart attack as I thought I lost my wallet when going to pay for popcorn. My sister quickly reassured me "didn't you leave it in the safe?" Ah, that's right. I touched the Mickey head to Mickey head and was on my way.
Later in the afternoon we took a boat ride over to Geyser Point for dinner. The Cast Member asked if we were on the dining plan. I quickly answered "no" then proudly said "but you can charge it to our room." My sister and I each got a beer with our dinner. The server ID'd both of us.
I had initial sticker shock that night when adding up the receipts. My family would later split breakfast at 'Ohana and dinner at Geyser Point, but I definitely realized just how quickly it could all add up.
Day 3
In the morning we grabbed breakfast at the Pepper Market. We then spent the morning at Hollywood Studios. Not a ton of spending was done here. My sister and I went to Joffrey's instead of Starbucks. She volunteered to pay this time around. I had to quickly remind her to show her Annual Pass card. Pssh, you'd think she was the one traveling without a wallet!
After a morning and afternoon at Hollywood Studios, we took the boat over to EPCOT for more eating at the Flower and Garden Festival. Paying was pretty seamless, once again. I did need my ID for a beer flight at the Smokehouse and a beer in Germany. Otherwise, I rarely had to reach into my pocket.
I'm a coffee mug collector and wanted the special Flower and Garden flower pot mug to commemorate our trip. I didn't feel like carrying it around the rest of the day, so I purchased it with the "Shop Disney Parks" app and chose to have it delivered to my home.
After watching Illuminations, we went over to Beaches and Cream for a "night cap". Again, our server asked if we were on the meal plan, to which we replied "no". At the end of the meal, our server brought over the bill and we asked to charge it to the room. My mom opted to leave a cash tip, as I was treating this time around. This was the first time I saw money used by any member of the family.
EPCOT had already closed, so we took Uber back to Coronado. I paid through the Uber app without using my wallet again.
Day 4
Originally my family planned on going to Disney Springs, but we wanted to get in a few more things at Magic Kingdom.
We checked out and I received my bill. Honestly, it wasn't quite as high as I was expecting, especially after my family squared away for the meals. We hopped on the bus to Magic Kingdom and spent the day on a few rides. Before leaving, we stopped at Columbia Harbour House for dinner. I went to scan my MagicBand when I remembered that we had already checked out. I swiped my credit card and accepted my defeat.
Overall
The idea of traveling without your wallet is definitely an exaggeration. The MagicBand is great if you're heading down to the pool and don't feel like carrying your wallet, money or room key. Obviously, as you can see, you need your wallet at some point or another. I did "cheat" by using my makeshift wallet of the Annual Pass and ID banded together.
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