Magic Bands or not for off site stay? Recent experiences appreciated.

You really don't need to decide now. As far as setting up FP's, it makes no difference. If you decide during your trip that you want MagicBands, there are stores in each park that will sell them and you won't have to pay shipping. If you purchase one at an in-park store, they'll activate it for you right away using your park ticket, which will link it to your MDE account. Plus you have the advantage of picking any color along with some of the limited edition bands.
 
We stayed offsite in September - October last year and bought our MB in DTD on arrival night. My family is crafty and wanted to decorate them to keep as souvenirs. They had all colors to buy.
We used them again last month, after giving them a "makeover". My DH actually lost his between trips and used his card, so it was no big deal.
We liked the convenience, the novelty as a souvenir, easy of photos (especially at Ohana). I would not pay $20 for one! They didn't even have the character ones last September when we bought them. You can check on your MDE if the band is still "active". We may be going down again in Oct. and I plan to use the same bands as long as they're still active.
 

We used our cell phone cameras to catch those moments. Still need the phone for the app and to text with others in the party when separated.

We didn't carry money; didn't have any problems. I'm sure if there had been problems we'd have been stressed, but we lucked out. We had some snacks in our bag and could get ice water from any counter service.

I liked not having to stress about a stolen bag with valuables like money, cards or a camera. If someone had stolen our snack back-pack thinking they were hitting the jack pot, oh well.


Yes, I you were one who had a glitch happen with payment you would feel differently about carrying extra forms of payment. Hope you had ID and insurance card! Taking pictures on a phone is fine until you go to print or make a photobook. Those can only get to big before the resolution falls apart.

I like a lanyard with my Witz "see it safe" lanyard "locker" on it. Carries all the needed cards and some cash. Used to carry everyone's tickets but DS is 11 and capable of wearing (and keeping on) his own lanyard so I worry less about that. Alas he likes the rubber bracelets. I just love wearing my Ravenclaw "tie" lanyard to Disney. :)
 
I vote get them!! They really are a time saver!! Esp using fast passes!!! There were many times in May that we would be behind a family using cards, and it seemed like it took forever for them to make it past the Mickey readers. One time at Peter Pan, the Mom was "card holder" for her whole family. It took forever for her to pull out and tap everyones cards. Then she would put them away, only to have to pull them back out at the other FP reader next to the loading area. Im not a rush rush rush kinda person, so if it took enough time that I felt like it slowed everyone down, it must of been pretty significant. Not that I timed them or anything.
 
You really don't need to decide now. As far as setting up FP's, it makes no difference.

True in OP's case but for anyone else..... if you book a throwaway campsite for 1 night (the price you will pay for MB's anyway but will now get 2 days of free parking) they can book FP+ 60 days out instead of 30 days.


I booked a campsite for 1 night - $64 (comes with 3 free MB's, 2 free days of parking, book FP+ at 60 days)

If bought without a campsite (some folks call it a throwaway room) -

Magic Bands for 3 people - $38.85 (not including shipping if shipped)

2 days of parking at Disney - $34

Book FP+ at 30 days

Total if buying MB's and paying for parking - $72.85
 
I vote get them!! They really are a time saver!! Esp using fast passes!!! There were many times in May that we would be behind a family using cards, and it seemed like it took forever for them to make it past the Mickey readers. One time at Peter Pan, the Mom was "card holder" for her whole family. It took forever for her to pull out and tap everyones cards. Then she would put them away, only to have to pull them back out at the other FP reader next to the loading area. Im not a rush rush rush kinda person, so if it took enough time that I felt like it slowed everyone down, it must of been pretty significant. Not that I timed them or anything.
You can just use the other reader & walk around a delayed party next time. I'm surprised the CMs didn't instruct you to do so, actually.
 
Another advantage of booking a throwaway camp site is that you can get up to 10 MBs instead of just four -- meaning you can have another complete set for same-day FPs, plus the free parking and early FP booking.

Buying them at the store makes sense if you only want one, or if you want a specific decoration on the band.
 
i just got back and we stayed offsite but bought magic bands. the convenience was great! we had no problems at all with them working. one family who had paper tickets had to go exchange them for RFID plastic card tickets before getting into the park. it held up the line until the cast member pulled them aside to handle it. magic bands eliminate having to pull out your cards for park entrance and 2x in each fast pass usage (once to get into the line and second at the end of the fastpass line).
 


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