Magic Bands 101

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Here now -- anyone have issues with LE bands not "fully functional"? Let me explain...

- We bought some, linked at purchase.
- They didn't work to unlock our hotel room door -- front desk fixed that (supposedly a known issue).
- Then when we tried to use them at attractions to "redeem" our FPs, the CMs were showing "no FP selections". We instead scanned our regular bands, and those worked.
- Went to the MB guru at MK guest relations, and when they looked up the code on the back of the MBs, they could see everything -- all FPs, etc -- looks good on their end. We'll try them again tomorrow and see.

A tad annoying to pay extra for these bands and not have them work properly yet... Only been a day so far, though...

Anyone have similar issues?

 

[disneywithfive]

Have room only reservations for November. Linked some RFID tickets to my mde account and hence, to the magic bands for this onsite stay. Realizing that we will be arriving late the first night and wanting to go to the MK first, then check in later to maximize (use) the fp's I reserved, can we just enter the park with our tickets and use those for our fp's without using the magic bands as someone said they aren't activated until check in???

 

[Itinkso]

Have room only reservations for November. Linked some RFID tickets to my mde account and hence, to the magic bands for this onsite stay. Realizing that we will be arriving late the first night and wanting to go to the MK first, then check in later to maximize (use) the fp's I reserved, can we just enter the park with our tickets and use those for our fp's without using the magic bands as someone said they aren't activated until check in???

You can enter by using your MB because you have your tickets directly linked to your MDX/MDE account. Your MBs can also be used at the FP tapstiles. No need to check-in before using your MBs because you do not have a package. You only need to check-in first to use your MB as a room-door key.

 

[disneywithfive]

You can enter by using your MB because you have your tickets directly linked to your MDX/MDE account. Your MBs can also be used at the FP tapstiles. No need to check-in before using your MBs because you do not have a package. You only need to check-in first to use your MB as a room-door key.

Thanks so much!!

 

[Itinkso]

Thanks so much!!

You're welcome. And, you won't be able to charge anything to your band until after you check in.

 

[disneywithfive]

You're welcome. And, you won't be able to charge anything to your band until after you check in.

Thanks!!!

 

[TCGMom]

I don't recall the exact events leading to to be transferred to IT, but there is an option to be transferred if you're having problems with the website. That might do it. If not just ask to be transferred. I don't know what 3 or 4 CMs kep telling me the 10 day thing, too, since it's so obviously incorrect. Be sure you make the call early enough for them to mail them if it's important to you to get them before you leave. Good luck!

I was in the exact same boat, and fortunately found this post (thanks timestwo!). I called the website support number listed on Disney's help center page. I selected option 3 (for technical enquiries), and then waited for about 15-20 mins. I explained to the CM that I was receiving the "Act quickly. Your order may ship at any moment" message, but other people with whom I am traveling (different rooms/different reservations) had already received their magic bands. I then told them that I had read on disboards that there may be a problem because I had booked via an OTA and the people in my room have different names. After checking on our customization status, she came back and confirmed that the bands were on "hold". She was able to have the hold removed.

I would think there are many people in the same boat. So glad and thankful I found this info. Just wanted to pass along a few more details. Hope it helps someone!

 

[momto3boysillbe]

Can someone help me? We are only a few days from leaving and there are so many posts I don't know where to look!

We have an onsite reservation for 4 so we all got new magic bands. My oldest son was not going at first, but decided last week he wanted to go too. We are only going to the Halloween party so I bought his ticket online and it linked to him on MDE. I went ahead and copied our FP to him and all was well. His MB from last time was still listed and activated in the account so I assumed the FP would be linked to that band. Now for the problem, he can't find his MB from last time.

So what are my best options here? Getting a card from one of the outside windows at MK and linking it to him there? Buying another magic band when we get there and linking it that way? Or can I use my husband's extra band from last time that he's not using and link it to my son's name?

Thanks!!!!

 

[lvloopingbag]

I have an annual pass that I activated in July and I have that Magic Band. I am going again at the end of the month, so if I understand correctly, I can use the new Magic Band or the old Magic Band if I wish? The fact that I have an AP does show up in MDE.

Also, I am going with a friend in January for a few days and am listed on her reservation, but then a few days later I am switching resorts to meet family and I am on that reservation too. Will that impact my Fast Pass selections? Will I be able to make selections for the first few days on the friend's reservations and then do the rest for the remainder of my trip based on the 2nd reservation?

Thanks!

 

[dxsanti]

I was in the exact same boat, and fortunately found this post (thanks timestwo!). I called the website support number listed on Disney's help center page. I selected option 3 (for technical enquiries), and then waited for about 15-20 mins. I explained to the CM that I was receiving the "Act quickly. Your order may ship at any moment" message, but other people with whom I am traveling (different rooms/different reservations) had already received their magic bands. I then told them that I had read on disboards that there may be a problem because I had booked via an OTA and the people in my room have different names. After checking on our customization status, she came back and confirmed that the bands were on "hold". She was able to have the hold removed.

I would think there are many people in the same boat. So glad and thankful I found this info. Just wanted to pass along a few more details. Hope it helps someone!

Mine have been that way since the end of september. I'm not sure if it's because they're being sent to the resort (we're not from the US) and so they're shipped at a later date. We didn't book through a 3rd party but all of our names are different since I'm going with friends.

Anyone has any experience with bands being shipped to the resort closer to the arrival date? I think maybe I should call in case I'm in the same boat. Thank you for the info! I don't want to be stuck with gray bands

 

[bkowals25]

We are a family of 4 and my wife and I would rather let our teen daughters enjoy more rides if we can. Is there anything stopping us from switching MBs and letting the girls use our FP+ reservations.

 

[hskaggs11]

We are a family of 4 and my wife and I would rather let our teen daughters enjoy more rides if we can. Is there anything stopping us from switching MBs and letting the girls use our FP+ reservations.

I don't think there is anything really stopping you from doing that. I know when we went last year, that at a few of the FP+ ride tapstiles the CM thanked us by name. It must show up on their screen when they are scanned. Your daughter with your wife's MB should have no issues at all, but your other daughter with your MB might get a weird look if a male name pops up when the MB is scanned, lol

I plan on doing just what you are thinking about in Hollywood Studios with my husbands band. He doesn't like the Rock-n-Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror, so I'm booking my FP for one, and his FP for the other, and using both MB on myself, to shorten his wait time alone while I ride. It helps that his name is Robbin, I shouldn't get a second glance from the CM with that ambiguous name.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I don't think there is anything really stopping you from doing that. I know when we went last year, that at a few of the FP+ ride tapstiles the CM thanked us by name. It must show up on their screen when they are scanned. Your daughter with your wife's MB should have no issues at all, but your other daughter with your MB might get a weird look if a male name pops up when the MB is scanned, lol

I don't think it really matters at all because when we went in May, my DD11 and I didn't want to use our FP+ for Mission Space so DH and DD13 rode with their FP+ and when they were finished, DD11 and I gave them our bands while we held onto theirs as they went off to ride (we went off shopping instead). According to DH, the CMs saw the names on the screen and laughed and told DH no worries, this happens all the time .

 

[Sublime24]

When your tickets are linked to your MDE account, you'll be able to book your FPs. Your MagicBand will provide the link to your MDE account at Entrance tapstiles and FP tapstiles. Credit cards do not link to MDE. They are linked to onsite room reservations and the charges get billed to the room and finally to the credit card. Because you are an off-site guest, you won't have charging capability.

thanks so much!

 

[robinbutterfly]

Any word when purple and white bands will be used?

 

[Missyrose]

Any word when purple and white bands will be used?

No word whatsoever on new colors. The good news is the Magic Bands are really easy to paint.

 

[mpgrandpa]

Do they ship Magic Bands to Alaska?

 

[crazy4wdw]

Can you attach multiple partially used tickets to the same magicband? I have three passes (one pass I purchased when AK opened) which still have days on them. I finally remembered to bring them with me on my current trip to find out if they were still good. Two passes have two days on them and the other one has one day. That's five days I can use on a future trip.

 

[DISNEYD14]

I received my MagicBands in the mail and I also received a notification from WDW this morning that my MagicBand package is at the resort?

Does anyone know what this means? Did they have to give me new Magic Bands since I added the dining package? Are the ones at my house in active?

 

[jperrot1]

You can enter by using your MB because you have your tickets directly linked to your MDX/MDE account. Your MBs can also be used at the FP tapstiles. No need to check-in before using your MBs because you do not have a package. You only need to check-in first to use your MB as a room-door key.

OK. Now, what if you purchase a package. Disney sends you the magic bands. Now you arrive early and don't want to waste time checking in at your resort so you drive directly to the park. Will your magic band allow you access, or do you need to check in first?