Magic Bands-Off site questions

[trara1375]

I have questions about Magic Bands. We have a trip planned for this next spring...5 of us...and we'll be staying off site. I'm wondering about Magic Bands. I understand that they basically work like your park ticket (credit card thing) with the ease of having it on your wrist instead of your pocket.

Some of the pros I've read about these are:

1. They "know" when you ride a ride that takes your photo and your pic is automatically linked to your Memory Makers Acct.

2. They unlock a level in the Disney Infinity Game.

3. They contain your Disney information (tickets/memory maker/etc.) in one place.

My questions are these...

1. If staying off site, what is the cost to get Magic Bands? (They're free if you are on site, right?)

2. If staying off site, does your whole party have to have magic bands? Or could you say, get magic bands for the kids and the parents keep hold of the tickets, and still have the benefits (like photos and memory makers).

3. If you have Magic Bands AND ticket holders in your group, does this cause problems with Fast Pass+ or park entry?

Ok, so I think that's everything...for now anyhow. TIA for any help and/or info.

 

[Robo]

I have questions about Magic Bands. We have a trip planned for this next spring...5 of us...and we'll be staying off site. I'm wondering about Magic Bands. I understand that they basically work like your park ticket (credit card thing) with the ease of having it on your wrist instead of your pocket.

Some of the pros I've read about these are:

1a. They "know" when you ride a ride that takes your photo and your pic is automatically linked to your Memory Makers Acct.

2a. They unlock a level in the Disney Infinity Game.

3a. They contain your Disney information (tickets/memory maker/etc.) in one place.

My questions are these...

1b. If staying off site, what is the cost to get Magic Bands?

1bb. (They're free if you are on site, right?)

2b. If staying off site, does your whole party have to have magic bands?

2bb. Or could you say, get magic bands for the kids and the parents keep hold of the tickets, and still have the benefits (like photos and memory makers).

3b. If you have Magic Bands AND ticket holders in your group, does this cause problems with Fast Pass+ or park entry?

Ok, so I think that's everything...for now anyhow. TIA for any help and/or info.

3a. "Kind of" true, but the bands, themselves, do not contain anything in regard to your resort, or tickets, etc.

Just to keep things as clear as possible-

There is no reservation info, or ticket info, or credit card info,
or FP+ info "put onto" a MagicBand.

The MagicBands just contain a unique serial number that is used
to access the information that is stored in your MyDisneyExperience computer file.

So, even if you were to lose a MagicBand, the info stays locked in your file.
Disney can just set up a new band (different serial number)
to access the info in your MDE file.
Disney can also issue ADDITIONAL MB's to a guest and each
additional band can be used for the same purposes as the first band.
So, yes, there can be multiple MB's per person, and each of them can be used by that person.

The MagicBand works like the combination to a locked safe, or a key to a locked door.

Why does this distinction matter?
Because there is so much fear about losing bands and,
in turn, losing all of a guest's information thought to be on the band.

The MB, itself, is not the file of info or the container of the info.
The MB just unlocks the file of info, allowing it to be accessed from your MDE account when needed.


1b. $12.99 ea., plus tax. (so, $13.83)

1bb. "Free" (included in the cost of the resort stay, really.)

2b. Nope.

2bb. Yes.

3b. No. The two can be used interchangeably.

 

[Missyrose]

Buying the Magic Bands doesn't automatically give you the Memory Maker photo package, you must buy the Memory Maker package separately.

 

[trara1375]

Thank you so much for all the information. I understand that Memory Makers is separate from the Magic Band (we already have our tickets and Memory Maker-and they're linked to our MDE acct.) I was just trying to figure out the Magic Band stuff for off site guests and trying to determine if it's worth getting for our family (or more specifically, for my 3 kids). I think Hubby and I can get by with the Card tickets...but was thinking for ease with the kids (DS12, DS9, and DD3). The older two may do a ride with out us, and all three would think the bands are cool...add to that the Disney Infinity Content and the Ride pictures automatically linking to our Memory Makers and it seems like it might be a good idea for them.

 

[wmpenguin]

This is a somewhat controversial topic on this board, but you can reserve a one night camping reservation at Fort Wilderness to get your Magic Bands - I got one night for $60. $13 Magic Bands x 5 = $65, plus two days of free parking ($34), and you got yourself a deal! Bonus points for getting to book FP at 60 days out and being eligible for BOG lunch FPs - it's kind of a no brainer!