Magic Band Still Working?

[scheddj]

How can I tell if my magic band is still working before I leave for Disney? We’re staying at the Dolphin this time so no free magic band. I’d like to test the one from my last trip to see if it still works.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

how old is it?

 

[gatorlisa]

If you are wanting to use it for tapping into the park, tapping ride photos that still have a touchpoint, and tapping in for Fastpasses, it will work fine. That part does not require battery power and will work indefinitely, as long as the band is active on your account. If you are wanting to use it for the long-range stuff like ride photos and things like the Small World Good-Bye Room (if working), unfortunately there is no way to test that out but to go on the ride and see if the photo shows up/long range feature work. There's nothing you can do from home to see if the battery is still good. In general they say the battery should last 2-3 years.

 

[bakerworld]

We stay at the Dolphin and always use older bands. The back of the band has a code. You can check your My Disney Experience to verify the coded band is active. It lists the bands from new to old.

 

[Shellyred8]

I have bands that are two years old that still work.

 

[rpb718]

While I have no evidence as such, if your old magic bad is the "puck" one I have a feeling the internal battery may last longer than the original "plain band" style. That's just my hope.

 

[scheddj]

It’s from our trip in February of 2018 and is still active in MDE.

 

[Robo]

It’s from our trip in February of 2018 and is still active in MDE.

You should be just fine.

 

[deedubb]

It’s from our trip in February of 2018 and is still active in MDE.

It will still work.

 

[Sarahsmom85]

If you are wanting to use it for tapping into the park, tapping ride photos that still have a touchpoint, and tapping in for Fastpasses, it will work fine. That part does not require battery power and will work indefinitely, as long as the band is active on your account. If you are wanting to use it for the long-range stuff like ride photos and things like the Small World Good-Bye Room (if working), unfortunately there is no way to test that out but to go on the ride and see if the photo shows up/long range feature work. There's nothing you can do from home to see if the battery is still good. In general they say the battery should last 2-3 years.

 

[Sarahsmom85]

I have an older magic band about 3 yrs old. I do not need it for the room, staying off property. I ordered the picture package, the older band with work with the photograhers but not the ride photos? How would I get the photos from the ride if I did not have a band?

 

[Robo]

I have an older magic band about 3 yrs old. I do not need it for the room, staying off property. I ordered the picture package, the older band with work with the photograhers but not the ride photos? How would I get the photos from the ride if I did not have a band?

Manually scan your MB after the ride on some.
On the rides that don’t have a scanner... you can’t get the photo w/o an operating “distance” MB.

 

[AngiTN]

Manually scan your MB after the ride on some.
On the rides that don’t have a scanner... you can’t get the photo w/o an operating “distance” MB.

and no ride videos without a fully functional battery in the band

To answer the rest of the question in the initial post there is no way to test them in advance. Either they work for the remote functions or they don't. No way to know for certain till you get the photo or don't.

 

[Sarahsmom85]

I think we will pick up one new mb. That should solve the problem. We all stay together we all do not need a new one

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

The other thing you can do to get a ride photo is note the time you ride and fill out the missing picture form afterward. Disney will find it and put it in your MDE.

 

[StephenM84]

I have bands that work that are 2-3 years old perfectly fine at the parks, paying for things and opening the resort door.

The only time I've had issues is some of the bands don't want to work when i'm driving into the resort and trying to open the gate.