Is there really no way to re-use an old magic band?

[DSNY4ever]

I searched through some old threads on here and it looks like the battery dies after 2 years? We have two sets of magic bands that will be 3 years old on our upcoming trip. But I really hate to get a whole new set. I don't want them. Is the info on the old threads I found still correct? There is no way you can bring them and then have them swap out the battery or something? I just wanted to check before I order more.

 

[hakepb]

Old bands will still function in standard RFID mode (like the plastic park tickets) without a battery.

But without the battery powered "extended range" transmitter you will miss a automatic few in-ride pictures and videos.

Otherwise the magic bands are intended to be sealed units and are intended to be trashed instead of rebuilt :/

 

[Alesia]

Old bands will still function in standard RFID mode (like the plastic park tickets) without a battery.

But without the battery powered "extended range" transmitter you will miss a automatic few in-ride pictures and videos.

Correct. And, no, the battery cannot be changed.

 

[coolmark18]

Old bands will still function in standard RFID mode (like the plastic park tickets) without a battery.

But without the battery powered "extended range" transmitter you will miss a automatic few in-ride pictures and videos.

Automatic in-ride pictures, but surely all ride with this ability allow you to scan your Magic Band or ticket at the end of the ride when you spot your photo and still link it to the account?

 

[hakepb]

Automatic in-ride pictures, but surely all ride with this ability allow you to scan your Magic Band or ticket at the end of the ride when you spot your photo and still link it to the account?

7DMT does not have scanners, but most others still do

 

[scrapquitler]

Automatic in-ride pictures, but surely all ride with this ability allow you to scan your Magic Band or ticket at the end of the ride when you spot your photo and still link it to the account?

7Dwarves doesn't have a place to scan your band to link the photo/video from the ride. I think we will see more rides like that in the future.

 

[serrotak]

Is there any way to tell beforehand if your battery is dead? My last trip was January 2014. We will be going back September 2016, but we will be staying offsite to save some cash. I was hoping to reuse the ones I have...

 

[OKW Lover]

Is there any way to tell beforehand if your battery is dead? My last trip was January 2014. We will be going back September 2016, but we will be staying offsite to save some cash. I was hoping to reuse the ones I have...

No, there's no way to know ahead of time.

 

[joelkfla]

I think some of the special magic, like Mickey greeting you by name, also needs a working battery.

 

[DOOM1001]

I think some of the special magic, like Mickey greeting you by name, also needs a working battery.

If Mickey ever greeted me by the name I put on my magic band I probably would never realize it as I think only my first magic band ever has my actual name on it,all the other ones have unique,creative creations by me.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Use your expired band as an ornament on your Christmas tree!

TC

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I did not realize they had batteries in them. I was going to buy some of the ones with characters on them, they're not really expensive, but if they won't be reusable the next time I get a chance to go, I'll just stick with the free ones they send.

 

[BudgieMama]

My DH took his apart when we got home (nerd!)... but there was no way of resealing it properly when he was done. They definitely didn't design them with replacing the batteries in mind.

I think I might buy a special one on my trip this year, as I'm planning a return trip in 2017 and can use it again. Otherwise, I'd just stick with the new set they'll give me when I get there.

 

[china mom]

If Mickey ever greeted me by the name I put on my magic band I probably would never realize it as I think only my first magic band ever has my actual name on it,all the other ones have unique,creative creations by me.

No one will see your creative name. They will only see your name as it appears on your MDE account.

 

[DOOM1001]

No one will see your creative name. They will only see your name as it appears on your MDE account.

Good to know!!!

 

[waynethexplorer]

I had a disney rep tell me that the bands do expire, of course we were discussing one that was linked to an annual pass.

 

[supersnoop]

I had a disney rep tell me that the bands do expire, of course we were discussing one that was linked to an annual pass.

Bands aren't linked to tickets or passes. They're linked to your profile.

As not d, there is an active rfid and a passive rfid chip in the band. The active chip will cease to transmit when the battery dies. The passive chip will always work.

 

[waynethexplorer]

Bands aren't linked to tickets or passes. They're linked to your profile.

As not d, there is an active rfid and a passive rfid chip in the band. The active chip will cease to transmit when the battery dies. The passive chip will always work.

I told the rep the same thing, she said they do expire in their system, but that could be only for AP bands?

 

[bumbershoot]

OP, bring them. Get the new bands, yes, but bring the old. No one actually knows how the older ones will work. When they came out the estimate was 2-3 years. But no one said if that's 2-3 years of just time going by, or that time's worth of active use, etc.

I'm bringing mine next month. Of course, I'm not doing anything but where the active chip will be needed lol.

 

[bumbershoot]

I told the rep the same thing, she said they do expire in their system, but that could be only for AP bands?

The rep doesn't know what she's talking about.

Phone rep? Doesn't work at the parks, isn't likely in FL, maybe has never been to the parks and doesn't know how it works there.

And if she is at WDW? Well that's just sad.