Life expectancy of magic bands?

[tseitel]

hi all. Does any know approximately how long magic bands are good for?
If we have bands from Oct 2015, will they be ok for Oct 2017?

And I would like to purchase the American Mickey band for a Christmas gift this year, but it would not be used till Oct 2017.
Thanks !!

 

[lovin'fl]

I thought I heard 2 years and our very first set (from Oct 2013 or Jan 2013???) no longer work. But then other folks say they never die. I thought there was a battery in there and that 2 years was about it.

 

[lovethattink]

Tapstiles should always work, but the attraction photos probably won't.

 

[lovin'fl]

Last Aug I brought all my MB and tested them on our room door. They were all active on MDE account but the oldest set (from Jan or Oct of 2013??) would not work on room door (no light up, no open, nada).

 

[tseitel]

Ok. Thanks. I don't think I will chance it, and just order all new bands for our next trip.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

Short range functions don't depend on the battery. I can still get into the parks with my oldest MB, which is from the original test period when only Pop Century guests got them. It doesn't work anymore for ride photos or the "magic" on certain rides like the hitchhiking ghosts at Haunted Mansion, though, which tells me the battery for long range functions is probably dead.

 

[CAS239]

Full life is about 3 years. 2 year old bands will work fine.

The band will always work for tapping the turnstiles (entering park, FP entrance), it's the long range rfid that will die out (picture and ride videos that you don't tap and are automatically sent to your MDE)