Magic Bands at DL

[VGCgroupie]

Those MagicBand functions are only at WDW not at Disneyland. My guess is because Disneyland is a locals' park, most local people do not want one more thing to bring to the park, especially one they have to spend money on when there is already something in their pocket that can accomplish most of the same functions.

If I already had a recent MagicBand from a WDW trip, I would bring it to Disneyland. I'm not sure I would spend the money for a MagicBand for a single Disneyland trip. I would consider it if I knew there would be another Disney trip (Disneyland, WDW, or Disney Cruise) soon.

Don't locals also stand in long lines line to buy expensive popcorn buckets? I think locals spend a fair amount of money at DL and if Magic Band had the capability to attach card to it to tap to charge all the stuff they buy they would gladly buy a Magic Band for every outfit. Just my opinion on it.

 

[LKing]

Curios, can you ise your apple watch in lieu of a
MB?

No, Magic Mobile is not available at Disneyland.

 

[LKing]

Functionality doesn't have to do with it being a locals park. @MonocularVision can probably explain the difference in how the tickets/MB work at DLR vs WDW.

 

[irlandaise]

The new MagicBand will scan you into the park, scan into rides, let PhotoPass photographers (like those near characters or park icons) scan the MagicBand so the photo goes on your account, and it lights up with some entertainment.

I got one last time I was at DL even though I don't know when I might return. I figured since I was already dropping $800/night for a hotel, another $35 wouldn't matter! I used it for LL and PhotoPass, and like you, was pleasantly surprised when it started lighting up and making sounds, such as when getting off HM or near the bear statue at Grizzly River Run.

 

[irlandaise]

Those MagicBand functions are only at WDW not at Disneyland. My guess is because Disneyland is a locals' park, most local people do not want one more thing to bring to the park, especially one they have to spend money on when there is already something in their pocket that can accomplish most of the same functions.

But a phone is much less convenient than a MB, so I don't think that's the reason. It's not like you need to carry or fumble with a MB as you do a phone.

I had assumed that locals would buy more MBs since they have more opportunities to amortize the cost, until @LKing pointed out that locals tend not to use LLMP, which is the main reason to get a MB. So with the limited feature set at DLR, I guess MBs will remain attractive primarily to the subset of DLR guests who (1) visit repeatedly but infrequently enough that they want LLMPs, and (2) don't mind popping for the cost.

 

[Kit Jackson]

Don't locals also stand in long lines line to buy expensive popcorn buckets? I think locals spend a fair amount of money at DL and if Magic Band had the capability to attach card to it to tap to charge all the stuff they buy they would gladly buy a Magic Band for every outfit. Just my opinion on it.

I agree with you. If MagicBand did more at Disneyland, more people there would buy them. As @LKing pointed out, since locals can go back pretty much whenever they want, if something has a long line, they'll skip it and try for it another visit instead of buying Lightening Lane Pass.

 

[Irish Duck]

If you have a party of three or more AND you plan on using LLMP. Then I would highly recommend a MB+. Makes it so much easier than me having to whip out my phone and scan in four, five or six times. And if my daughters want to go do a ride by themselves I can book the LL and they can run off without me having to scan them in. We also like the fact that you can use it to scan into the parks. My wife likes to chill in the morning while we rope drop and she can use her MB to scan in without me meeting her at the gate.

 

[LKing]

As @LKing pointed out, since locals can go back pretty much whenever they want, if something has a long line, they'll skip it and try for it another visit instead of buying Lightening Lane Pass.

Often I don't go on rides at all. Recently, I've waited in standby for Monsters after Dark and HMH because they are seasonal. Otherwise, I go to get my steps in, enjoy the entertainment, pin trade, try new food, etc.

 

[BrianL]

Don't locals also stand in long lines line to buy expensive popcorn buckets? I think locals spend a fair amount of money at DL and if Magic Band had the capability to attach card to it to tap to charge all the stuff they buy they would gladly buy a Magic Band for every outfit. Just my opinion on it.

Well, Magic Bands don't link to a credit card at WDW either - they charge back to your resort room, which is then settled by your credit card. DLR has not implemented the use of Magic Bands as resort room keys, etc. so they cannot be used to charge back to your room. Now, WHY they haven't done that, who knows? I find it convenient personally.

 

[LKing]

Maybe I tagged the wrong person. @brightlined might be who knows about soft/hardware.

B

Post in thread 'Long lines for Guardians'

Feb 23, 2025

They are wider. I think strollers, wheel chairs and larger guests can go through the new turnstiles. Plus, since you tap yourself in, there is less work for a CM. I'm guessing that a CM will be able to watch multiple turnstiles which will cut down on cost.

I'm 85% sure that they're not self-service yet. They've been testing that, but I think all of the gates are still using manual scanning via CMs.

Eventually, I believe the screen will work sorta like the TSA booths at a lot of airports (inc. LAX) to compare pictures against the one in the system and/or take a picture if the...

• brightlined

• 

The tech between WDW and DLR is vastly different. WDW is entirely RFID media across the resort, from hotels to parks, so everything can be tied together.

DLR doesn't have user accounts like WDW does - instead of everything being based on a user account like at WDW, DLR is based on the ticket barcode, which makes what you're describing impossible. At WDW, they can just scan a new card and attach it to a person, and the system knows what admission they have. That's not possible at DLR. The only real identifying mark of the user at DLR is the photograph on the ticket.

Even to implement MB+, they used the DL app as a bridge between the ticket barcode and the RFID in the band. (At WDW, the MB+ is attached to the user account.) Compared to that MMSSHP ticket example - you have to manually switch the MB+ to an OBB ticket to be able to use it. Any physical media at DLR would be specific to the ticket, so you'd have to get one for admission and a separate one for the OBB ticket.

I keep hearing mumbling that the phasing out of physical media at DLR is partially cost - tickets are almost entirely sold digitally now - but there's seemingly some issue with them printing existing barcodes, they may have to re-issue an existing ticket under the new barcode on the physical media. (It sounds like they may not be able to print the existing barcode onto a card, but I'm not sure about that.)