Magic band worth it

[Chris Folks]

Never used a magic band before is it worth buying one before I go to WDW

 

[Artygal90]

Are you staying onsite? If so, you'll get one for free, and it's very useful as it holds your park ticket, Fastpass+, payment method, and room key all in one.

If you aren't staying onsite, then the MagicBand, to me, seems less useful. You can't charge purchases to your room or use it to unlock an off-site hotel room. But you can link it to your tickets and Fastpasses so that you don't have to carry those cards around, which could be convenient.

Personally, I wouldn't pay for one if I wasn't staying onsite. I would just deal with having to pull cards out of my pocket whenever I go into a a park or FP line - works fine at Universal.

 

[Capitalangel]

I agree with the above poster but would also say that if you have the memory maker ( and not staying on site) the cost of the band might be worth it so you get the videos and pictures from some of the rides. I have them from my sons first roller coaster ( Mine Train) and it has been a great addition to our memories.

 

[jeff_h]

As with many of the threads here, the phrase "worth it" is used but that's a really subjective term so only you can decide. For example, many people consider a character breakfast to be "worth it" for the price of the dining but others would not consider something like that "worth it" for the price.

For our family, we bought them in advance from shopdisney.com to get the designs we wanted (though they have many designs at shops in the park), and we really like the convenience over using the plastic card over and over for entry, FP check-ins, and linking photopass pics.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Yes.

 

[OKW Lover]

Not worth it. Your admission media does almost everything a MB will do. The only thing you'll miss is automatically getting some on-ride pictures. But those can be added anyway.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

Can you use old magic bands from a previous trip? We are offsite this next time.

 

[Maxie86]

Can you use old magic bands from a previous trip? We are offsite this next time.

Yes, you just have to link your tickets in MDE.

 

[Maxie86]

Never used a magic band before is it worth buying one before I go to WDW

They can be convenient even for FPs and park admission, but just as easy to pull a card out of your pocket. I find them uncomfortable and can't stand wearing one in the heat. I only wear it in the hotel or during winter months. I mostly attach it to the strap of my cross body bag.

 

[Chris Folks]

I am going in December for the very merry Christmas so it will be cool when I have it

 

[bumbershoot]

I am fine with the way of carrying admission etc that I started with, which is with a lanyard. It’s still dine at Disneyland and both Universal parks and I’m good with that, so I’m ok with cards.

And you have to carry some cards with you anyway. ID and health insurance card are just prudent to carry always. Credit card (even if staying onsite with a charge account) is good. If you’re an AP holder, Chase Disney cc holder, and/or DVC member you need the cards for the discounts (plus ID).

I carry those things in my hard plastic waterproof lanyard case anyway, so having a card for admission FP and most photopass moments (though I don’t actually care about photopass at all) isn’t a big deal.


So you get to see the list of things the free card will do for you and the tiny list of things the band will do for you beyond the card (auto link to photopasss and the way to get the video on mine train and I think TOT), and figure out if those mean anything to you. And if they mean enough that you’re willing to pay for it.

 

[North of Mouse]

Never used a magic band before is it worth buying one before I go to WDW

Not worth buying one IMO. We always get one staying onsite, and use them, but a card works just perfect otherwise. A lot of people just like their looks - sort of a status symbol, I guess.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

If you stay onsite you'll receive one at no additional charge.
If you don't stay onsite personally I do feel like its worth buying.
I prefer it over a ticket that I have to pull out.
If you don't have a problem with taking your ticket out and putting it away muliple times a day then no need to purchase the magic band.

 

[jesskeys91]

I bought one during my last trip when we were staying offsite just because I like the convenience of having it on my wrist and not having to pull anything out when checking in for fast passes, etc. I also feel they make a nice souvenir. And $12 for a basic solid colored band didn’t seem too bad to me. It’s definitely a personal preference thing though.

 

[rteetz]

As a magicband lover I say yes but it is not necessary.

 

[Micca]

I think it's worth it because touching Mickey to Mickey to make a purchase is a Disney geek-out moment for me. Not to mention how cool it is to open your resort room with it.

 

[LabMouse]

I bought bands for our upcoming stay at the Swan solely because we're getting Memory Maker and I want the automatic ride photos and videos. Otherwise, no, I don't feel like it's worth it. For past off-site trips we have re-used older bands with dead batteries, or just gone without.

 

[tjmw2727]

I think it's worth it because touching Mickey to Mickey to make a purchase is a Disney geek-out moment for me. Not to mention how cool it is to open your resort room with it.

Except that the OP is asking about buying one in which case its likely they are staying offsite - no purchasing power or room key access with MB.

OP if you have memory maker it may be "worth it" to purchase one for the party in order to get the auto videos and pictures, otherwise IMHO just use your park passes for entry and FP+.