Magic band vs cards?

[TOBS2010]

In effort to make concessions on costs, we are leaning towards not purchasing magic bands for our next trip. Up until this point all of our trips we have stayed on property and this time we are trying out the Swan and Dolphin. We know that the magic band will not act as a room key at our hotel nor can we charge back to the room. For things like admission into the parks, lightening lanes, disney photographers and ride photos---talk to me about how difficult it is to not have magic bands.

The magic bands we do have are several years old---as we did not purchase new ones once they started charging for them since they always worked before. But on our last trip we noticed some delays with them at admission to the parks and they did not pick up the photo passes in the rides.

This seems like a great way to save $100-$150 to spend elsewhere. Thoughts?

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

The cards work in the same way when you tap.
They aren't going to pick up the photos where you don't have the option to tap but sounds like your magic bands may have lost their long range battery and ability to do that as well.
Just be sure to have your bluetooth on to hopefully capture those photos and if it doesn't work you can contact Disney with info about the day, time, ride, and what you were wearing and they can usually find it.

 

[Becky2005]

It's very easy! I have gone with my siblings several times and my brother doesn't have nor would he ever get a Magic Band. As a matter of fact, the last time we went it was for 1 day and we got our tickets at the Guest Services in Disney Springs -- even though I had a Magic Band, they gave all 3 of us cards.

You do need to link them to each person in the app but Guest Services did that for us.

On our upcoming trip, I am the only person who is going to have a Magic Band in my immediate family. Everyone else will get cards when we get there.

As the person above stated, the ride photos may be the only issue but I believe you can also go to a photo pass place & they can help. For the regular photopass, they can scan the card the same way they scan a MB.

 

[emilyann704]

If you're on the fence, just don't get them. I go about once a year/year and a half and I'm always tempted to get one -- but opt to save the $50. I just use my phone.

It definitely seems more convenient when tapping into Lightning Lanes (twice, sometimes in a line) but again, not worth the additional cost to me. As for pictures, my phone bluetooth picked up 75% of ride photos. I never seem to get one on Guardians, Tron and Haunted Mansion, maybe something to do with the WiFi in there.

If I went more than once a year I'd get one.

 

[Disneydawg74]

Your old Magic Bands should still work. We’ve been using the same ones for years. They use RFID technology and last a long time.

 

[squeezeplay101]

We've done cards at other parks, and I personally prefer the magic bands. They are a convenience when riding rides and don't need to be stowed away. I get wanting to avoid the cost though.

 

[BrianL]

Your old Magic Bands should still work. We’ve been using the same ones for years. They use RFID technology and last a long time.

The close range should theoretically work forever - meaning tapping in to the parks, Lightning Lanes, room key, etc. however the long-range batteries do eventually die, so you won't get your on-ride photos loaded. You can do all that with your phone now though, so that's an alternative.

 

[ucf_knight]

In effort to make concessions on costs, we are leaning towards not purchasing magic bands for our next trip. Up until this point all of our trips we have stayed on property and this time we are trying out the Swan and Dolphin. We know that the magic band will not act as a room key at our hotel nor can we charge back to the room. For things like admission into the parks, lightening lanes, disney photographers and ride photos---talk to me about how difficult it is to not have magic bands.

The magic bands we do have are several years old---as we did not purchase new ones once they started charging for them since they always worked before. But on our last trip we noticed some delays with them at admission to the parks and they did not pick up the photo passes in the rides.

This seems like a great way to save $100-$150 to spend elsewhere. Thoughts?

Long time AP here. We've only ever used the magic bands when they used to send us ones for free when we first got our AP's (or maybe they used to send one every year but we haven't had a new one in years). Never understood the appeal of buying a magic band as we use it so little in the parks/resorts. I typically use my smart watch for purchases, lighting lane and entry (can't use it for the room for some reason). Long story short use your old ones or just use your phone or smart watch (if you have one)

 

[DVCjj]

Love Magic Bands (though I don't like the new need-to-be-charged ones) and babying the old ones I have. Wish I hadn't thrown many out.

We always get a hard card anyway because we don't trust Disney with anything electronic. Ha.

 

[Dave006]

Love Magic Bands (though I don't like the new need-to-be-charged ones) and babying the old ones I have.

The MB+ does not need to be charged. You only need it charged to use it with the long range RF used for attraction interactions, and select ride photos. Without charging a MB+ works just like the older versions of MB when the battery has given up the Ghost...

Dave

 

[Simba's Mom]

It's just as easy (some of us might say easier) to use the cards. On a recent trip, my MB wouldn't work one day so the front desk gave me a card-and fixed my MB. The next day, I decided to try the card all day-which was easier to tap to get into my room? Into the park? For me, the answer was always that the card was easier. The CM at the tap styles told me that the "chip" was in one specific spot on the card, but by contrast the chip moved around in the MB, so sometimes it didn't contact right.

 

[Tinkfan0104]

Long time AP here. We've only ever used the magic bands when they used to send us ones for free when we first got our AP's (or maybe they used to send one every year but we haven't had a new one in years). Never understood the appeal of buying a magic band as we use it so little in the parks/resorts. I typically use my smart watch for purchases, lighting lane and entry (can't use it for the room for some reason). Long story short use your old ones or just use your phone or smart watch (if you have one)

I didn’t know you could use your smart watch. How does that work?

 

[Genie+]

The MB+ is too big for my wrist. Very uncomfortable and after losing 2 shortly after purchasing I gave up.

Luckily I still have many of the older ones and use those along with sticking my park ticket in my phone wallet and making sure I have blue tooth turned on for MDE. And I also turn on Express Mode so in many cases I don’t even need to open my phone to tap.

—————————————— From Google:

Yes, you can add your Walt Disney World (WDW) park tickets to your Apple Wallet using the Disney MagicMobile service. This allows you to use your iPhone or Apple Watch to enter the parks, tap to pay for merchandise, and access other features.

Here's how to do it:

1. Ensure you have the latest versions: Make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS and your My Disney Experience app is also up to date.
   
   
2. Open My Disney Experience: Launch the app and navigate to the menu (three horizontal lines).
   
   
3. Select Disney MagicMobile: Choose the "Disney MagicMobile" option.
   
   
4. Set up your pass: Follow the prompts to create your Disney MagicMobile pass and add it to your Apple Wallet.
   
   
5. Add to Wallet: You'll be given the option to add the pass to your Apple Wallet. You can also add it to your paired Apple Watch.
   
   
6. Use your pass: Once added, you can use your phone or watch to tap at the park entrance, just like you would with a MagicBand.
   

Important Notes:

• Express Mode:
  If you are using multiple passes, Express Mode will automatically be enabled, allowing for quick access without unlocking your device.
  
  
• Sharing:
  You can share your Disney MagicMobile passes with family members through the My Disney Experience app via iMessage.
  
  
• Alternative:
  If you prefer not to use your phone, you can always opt for a physical ticket card from Guest Relations or a ticket window.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

It's just as easy (some of us might say easier) to use the cards. On a recent trip, my MB wouldn't work one day so the front desk gave me a card-and fixed my MB. The next day, I decided to try the card all day-which was easier to tap to get into my room? Into the park? For me, the answer was always that the card was easier. The CM at the tap styles told me that the "chip" was in one specific spot on the card, but by contrast the chip moved around in the MB, so sometimes it didn't contact right.

I did just buy an MB+ for my trip in a few weeks but I have been wondering if the card contacts easier because I always have a difficult time with the MB. Like if I don't get it exactly flat to the touchpoint it doesn't work. So I end up using my other hand to like "guide" my wrist to make it touch flat.
It's slightly embarrassing.

 

[ucf_knight]

I didn’t know you could use your smart watch. How does that work?

Someone posted above here directions for an apple watch

 

[Tinkfan0104]

Thanks for the Apple Watch directions! I have several older MBs but may end up using my watch. For the photos, this is only if you purchase the photo package right? The CM I spoke with about my old MBs said they would work for everything but photos ( we won’t get the photo package, have hundreds of WDW pics already). Sorry for the questions, I’m old school!

 

[DizneyFamof4]

We did not like it when they started charging, but we much rather have a MB than a card, just so much easier then digging in my pockets and DW and DD's hate having to use the card also. For us the cost is worth it since we can use them for years, if we were only going once than no.

 

[TOBS2010]

Love Magic Bands (though I don't like the new need-to-be-charged ones) and babying the old ones I have. Wish I hadn't thrown many out.

We always get a hard card anyway because we don't trust Disney with anything electronic. Ha.

Can you have a card and a magic band both be active at the same time? Wondering if we were to bring our old bands and at least try to use them to scan into the park and lightening lanes---but I like your idea of having the card for backup in case the band doesn't work.

 

[Dave006]

Can you have a card and a magic band both be active at the same time?

Yes absolutely, you can have mutliple MBs, and even multiple RF Cards active for you at the exact same time.

There is nothing unique about your MB or RF Cards, they just have a chip. All the magic happens in the back-end system.

Dave

 

[DVCjj]

Can you have a card and a magic band both be active at the same time? Wondering if we were to bring our old bands and at least try to use them to scan into the park and lightening lanes---but I like your idea of having the card for backup in case the band doesn't work.

We 99% have an Annual Pass. Supposedly it's entered into MDE automatically once renewed/purchased. We don't trust it so we immediately stop at Guest Services for a backup card before we enter the first park to get into the park.

We also get a resort card even though we've done online registering because SO many times we can't get into the door so now we always have a backup card. We come/stay often at Disney and it's less stress with both.