If no magic bands, then what?

[Roxas_XIII]

Or they might inject you with a chip when you arrive to open your door, charge to the room and enter the parks.

Strangely, I think I'd be ok with this. (≧▽≦)

 

[itutorfortravel]

We have lots of leftover bands from previous trips. Does anyone know if they can be changed to another user? My brother and sister-in-law are going with us October 2021 and it would be nice for them to be able to use a couple of our leftover bands.

I don't think you can reassign a band once it's linked to a particular person. I was hoping to do this because we have TONS of bands and I need one for a friend we haven't taken before, but I was unable to do it.

 

[BcIcemen]

Are there batteries that can be changed to get the long distance features

 

[Spartan86]

Are there batteries that can be changed to get the long distance features

No, the “medallion“ is sealed.

 

[AdamsMum]

Can you use your smartphone if its on airplane mode? Roaming is getting expensive, the roaming company I used the past few times has closed down during the pandemic. I travel alone most of the time so I don't need to communicate with anyone in real time. I do have old magic bands I can use.

 

[Spartan86]

Can you use your smartphone if its on airplane mode? Roaming is getting expensive, the roaming company I used the past few times has closed down during the pandemic. I travel alone most of the time so I don't need to communicate with anyone in real time. I do have old magic bands I can use.

I think to open your resort door, yes. That is a Bluetooth function as far as I know. Other than ApplePay or GooglePay however I think that is the extent of smartphone functionality in WDW on AP mode.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Can you use your smartphone if its on airplane mode? Roaming is getting expensive, the roaming company I used the past few times has closed down during the pandemic. I travel alone most of the time so I don't need to communicate with anyone in real time. I do have old magic bands I can use.

Yes if you have access to WiFi. I do this in the parks all the time because I don’t want to use my data. The WiFi usually works but it isn’t perfect.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

Last time I stayed on site the KTTW card was still an option. Not sure about the current status of that.

ETA: I went to Epcot last week and just used my hard AP to get in. No issues.

They make puck holders so you can have a keychain or even attach it to a lanyard. Just an idea if you want something slightly more convenient than a card.

Doesn't make much of a difference right now considering there isn't fastpass though.

 

[NoTime42]

I think to open your resort door, yes. That is a Bluetooth function as far as I know. Other than ApplePay or GooglePay however I think that is the extent of smartphone functionality in WDW on AP mode.

Since MDE loads a ton of data when opening the app, I’ve always needed at least WiFi to open the app before selecting the open door option (it’s quite troublesome when I have had a room in an area with bad cell and WiFi coverage)

 

[sssteele]

Since MDE loads a ton of data when opening the app, I’ve always needed at least WiFi to open the app before selecting the open door option (it’s quite troublesome when I have had a room in an area with bad cell and WiFi coverage)

What about people who don't have smartphones or use apps on them? Won't they still want their money? (Asking for a friend)

 

[NoTime42]

What about people who don't have smartphones or use apps on them? Won't they still want their money? (Asking for a friend)

The plastic KTTW (room and/or park ticket) cards currently still work because they have the same passive RFID chip as magic bands. I would guess they would remain the free option.

 

[n2mm]

We’ll just use the plastic cards once our Magicbands die. We don’t wear them either. I hook mine to my bag. My husband keeps his in him pocket. I did pickup a few magickeepers too.

 

[jimim]

I didn't realize this. I'm glad they don't give them out anymore. It was getting nuts with all the shipping costs and material. Maybe they can inject this into something positive for us. I won't get my hopes up but hey maybe. I have like 3 bass of them at this point. We each have at least 4 of each color and of the 2 different designs. We have been buying limited ones or ones we like here and there. not many but we do buy them. I can't see myself ever using my phone. I don't wear anything on my wrist either like others. I just loop it onto my camera strap or camera bag when I use it. If I got nothing it gets looped onto my a belt loop at nights when I don't carry my cabers at times.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

They make puck holders so you can have a keychain or even attach it to a lanyard. Just an idea if you want something slightly more convenient than a card.

Doesn't make much of a difference right now considering there isn't fastpass though.

I keep a magic band puck holder on a lanyard for DAS access- when you get a DAS return time you have to tap your magic band puck to a handheld scanner. Some CMs hold the scanners at awkward angles and you wind up having to contort your arm to get it to scan so I find it easier to just put the puck on a lanyard.

 

[Chuck S]

I'll continue to use my old magic bands. The last thing I want to do is dig out a cell phone or key card when I'm carrying stuff into the room.

 

[CraigInPA]

I think to open your resort door, yes. That is a Bluetooth function as far as I know. Other than ApplePay or GooglePay however I think that is the extent of smartphone functionality in WDW on AP mode.

Opening a door or entering a park via the touch point is NFC, whether is is done from a band or your smart phone. NFC chips in bands generally have a 10+ year life span before they begin to degrade.

Pictures on rides and things at a distance is RFID, which relies upon a battery inside the puck portion of the band. That battery should last between 2 and 5 years from the date it was installed into the circuit at the manufacturer. As far as I know, no smartphone manufacturer has RFID circuitry in a consumer phone.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So much hype for Magic Bands. Now cards are king again.

 

[Sandisw]

I'll continue to use my old magic bands. The last thing I want to do is dig out a cell phone or key card when I'm carrying stuff into the room.

Me too...and, if they stop working for special things, I will buy one to replace the puck in my specialized bands. Since they will work for at least two years at least for the special effects and longer for the door, ticket, etc., its worth spending $10 ever few years if I need to at this point.

 

[Simba's Mom]

How do you know if MBs from previous trips will work or if they've died (run out of battery)? My son and family went 3 years ago, and they're planning to go again this fall and wonder if their MBs work

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

How do you know if MBs from previous trips will work or if they've died (run out of battery)? My son and family went 3 years ago, and they're planning to go again this fall and wonder if their MBs work

The technology is such that anything you tap for - room entry, park admission, purchases etc will work. It's just ride photos that read your band while on the attraction that won't work. Really no definite way to know that until you find those photos are not showing up. And then even just 1 on the family is good enough for a number of the rides.