Magic band notice - is this new?

[DisneyJade]

I was reviewing my 2021 reservation today and on the magic band selection page, I saw this alert that was not there last time I checked. Is this a move away from magic bands? I think I heard the Dis Unplugged team talking about a move from bands to smart phones in a recent podcast, but I can't recall the discussion exactly. Thoughts?

Also, I assume since I already booked, our bands are still complimentary?

 

[rteetz]

Disney announced a while back that the free colored magicbands included with your stay would be going away come January 1, 2021.

 

[skeeter31]

I was reviewing my 2021 reservation today and on the magic band selection page, I saw this alert that was not there last time I checked. Is this a move away from magic bands? I think I heard the Dis Unplugged team talking about a move from bands to smart phones in a recent podcast, but I can't recall the discussion exactly. Thoughts?

Also, I assume since I already booked, our bands are still complimentary?

View attachment 529647

No, as of 1/1/21, complimentary magicbands are no more. Was discussed quite a lot prior to COVID, but got lost in the shuffle since then.

 

[DisneyJade]

Thanks! I must have just missed it when we first booked. Glad we didn't have to pay for ours.

 

[Disneytrippin']

I sure hope not smart phones. Its already annoying how much everyone is stuck on thier cell phones.

 

[Disneytrippin']

Disney announced a while back that the free colored magicbands included with your stay would be going away come January 1, 2021.

Will you still be able to use magic bands if you buy or bring your own? I don't want to have to use my phone. I like being hands free.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I sure hope not smart phones. Its already annoying how much everyone is stuck on thier cell phones.

Yes they want you to use the app and eventually the new Genie service.

 

[Disneytrippin']

Yes they want you to use the app and eventually the new Genie

Boooooo

 

[SaintsManiac]

Will you still be able to use magic bands if you buy or bring your own? I don't want to have to use my phone. I like being hands free.

Yes they’re still selling them. They just don’t want the cost of sending free ones out anymore.

 

[skeeter31]

Yes they’re still selling them. They just don’t want the cost of sending free ones out anymore.

Exactly. They want to transition to MDE use for everything, but you can continue to use bands you have, and buy new bands, for the foreseeable future.

 

[dclpluto]

I always get a card even thou I get free magic bands. very nice if everything was on a smart phone. Card is no problem but I don’t get one until I check in.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

I sure hope not smart phones. Its already annoying how much everyone is stuck on thier cell phones.

My battery already dies to quick letting my kids watch videos in long lines

 

[anthony2k7]

I always get a card even thou I get free magic bands. very nice if everything was on a smart phone. Card is no problem but I don’t get one until I check in.

Interesting that the page doesn't mention cards. Presumably they will still be available and free?

The thought of booking a hotel room and then having to pay extra for the "key" to access it seems to be a whole new level of money grabbing only Disney to elevate themselves to.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Interesting that the page doesn't mention cards. Presumably they will still be available and free?

The thought of booking a hotel room and then having to pay extra for the "key" to access it seems to be a whole new level of money grabbing only Disney to elevate themselves to.

I don’t recall there ever being wording about cards on the MB page. Maybe I am wrong.

 

[anthony2k7]

I don’t recall there ever being wording about cards on the MB page. Maybe I am wrong.

Probably not, but that may be because it wasn't important when they were already giving bands away for free to all guests.

Its more relevant now if guests do not have a compatible smartphone or do not expect their battery to last full days every day reliably.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I always get a card even thou I get free magic bands. very nice if everything was on a smart phone. Card is no problem but I don’t get one until I check in.

One would hope they still do room keys. Idk if they’ll allow charging to them. Can you imagine being the poor Guest Services CMs who have to work with the MDE errors and even just normal explanations once international travel comes back?

 

[SaintsManiac]

Probably not, but that may be because it wasn't important when they were already giving bands away for free to all guests.

Its more relevant now if guests do not have a compatible smartphone or do not expect their battery to last full days every day reliably.

I just don’t see it as something worth stressing over.

 

[71 Truck]

I told my wife a long time ago when Disney started allowing people to open their room door with their phone, this was the end of the free magic bands. This was long before Disney announced this new policy.

 

[Disneytrippin']

My battery already dies to quick letting my kids watch videos in long lines

We like to play Heads Up in line when we have a group. Our phones seem to get drained fast in Hollywood Studios.

 

[gharter]

looks like the cellphone battery will die even faster now, using it for everything instead of a magic band..
Using MDE now, already drains the battery quickly.