Magic Bands - "out of stock" in 13 seconds . . . .

[Sandisw]

I was just able to get Minnie Dots one. And in September, easily got the white Disney Parks one. Must be I want ones no one else does!

 

[DrunkJam]

I ordered mine yesterday. I was going to wait, but they had a sorcerer one and I loved it, and rather get one I loved than wait for a different one that may never actually be available.

 

[lcc2]

I ordered mine yesterday. I was going to wait, but they had a sorcerer one and I loved it, and rather get one I loved than wait for a different one that may never actually be available.

I was finally able to grab the sorcerer one today too, so I’m happy!

 

[Sleepyluke]

I actually was talking with CM on something else the other day and had been trying to buy the magic bands. She told me that the inventory issues are that they way underestimated the demand. It is a "rolling" inventory and literally can change every 30 seconds. They are getting more in, but may be a couple more months until the inventory across the board matches the demand with the cheaper upgrade at booking. Even on the shopdisney page, some of the same ones are sold out.

 

[quoo]

I’m so frustrated with this. I’ve selected one for me and my eldest son no problem. I selected the grumpy one for my husband and everything seemed fine, but I couldn’t get the Mickey castle one for my youngest, it would show up, then be out of stock.

Last night I finally managed to order it.But then my husbands band selection vanished. And when I refreshed to see if it was a glitch my youngest’s selection showed up as out of stock,

They have so many listed in the store. Shouldn’t the inventory just be the same? This is so frustrating.

 

[MomOTwins]

They have so many listed in the store. Shouldn’t the inventory just be the same? This is so frustrating.

I think when people first heard this was coming, we assumed it would be a convenient way to upgrade your plain magic band with all the selection of the store. After a few weeks, it was obvious that is not Disney's intent, and their goal is to put a few bands on display at a time to offload inventory that is not selling too well at a discount price. They may occasionally throw in more popular designs (e.g. frozen) to boost sales by encouraging an entire family to order upgrades instead of buying a one-off for a frozen fan, but they don't really want to sell popular bands at the lower price when those are selling just fine at full price.

Think of it like free dining: when it comes out, it is only for certain room categories, at certain hotels, even though there is much more hotel availability under different promotions or at rack rate. In both cases, the options you see are not based on what is available, they are about steering guests to fill rooms that would otherwise be unsold, and steering guests to buy magic bands that would otherwise be unsold.

 

[PaladinButters]

They may occasionally throw in more popular designs (e.g. frozen) to boost sales by encouraging an entire family to order upgrades instead of buying a one-off for a frozen fan, but they don't really want to sell popular bands at the lower price when those are selling just fine at full price.

DING DING DING we have a winner! Offloading unfavorable inventory (still at a profit) AND making money where somebody would have gotten a 'free' item before this started. Somebody at Disney is having all sorts of fun with the data to find a perfect balance. Somewhere in there is a sweet spot where they know an exact number of upgrade bands they need to sell to 'make up for the loss' on the free ones they give away in the magic band budget column. Super interesting stuff.

 

[MomOTwins]

DING DING DING we have a winner! Offloading unfavorable inventory (still at a profit) AND making money where somebody would have gotten a 'free' item before this started. Somebody at Disney is having all sorts of fun with the data to find a perfect balance. Somewhere in there is a sweet spot where they know an exact number of upgrade bands they need to sell to 'make up for the loss' on the free ones they give away in the magic band budget column. Super interesting stuff.

Now the only loophole they have to close is the two sets of bands for split onsite stays—that’s how we our family was able to all get upgraded bands we liked, by splitting the orders between two hotel reservations.

 

[scard192]

Now the only loophole they have to close is the two sets of bands for split onsite stays—that’s how we our family was able to all get upgraded bands we liked, by splitting the orders between two hotel reservations.

we have a split stay. so far I just ordered bands for the first reservations. got my DGD who is in my room the Mickey castle one and other DGD the Minnie Mouse one she wanted (she is in her parents room). the adults got the plain free ones. holding off on the 2nd set in hopes something will pop up that I want.

 

[Dug720]

I was super happy when my order came that it WAS the band I only saw once at like 2am and grabbed - it's sort of an Arendelle Aqua with a darker blue print of Castle and Stars. I was holding my breath since I had literally never seen that one before.

 

[quoo]

Ah that’s frustrating but makes sense. I think I got everything booked. I’m afraid to look again. Can I check my selections without risking canceling them?

 

[pangyal]

I was super happy when my order came that it WAS the band I only saw once at like 2am and grabbed - it's sort of an Arendelle Aqua with a darker blue print of Castle and Stars. I was holding my breath since I had literally never seen that one before.

I got that one for our June trip! It’s popped in and out of existence a few times since then, but I didn’t want to risk missing out on that one.

 

[focusondisney]

Ah that’s frustrating but makes sense. I think I got everything booked. I’m afraid to look again. Can I check my selections without risking canceling them?

Did you finalize the order with payment & everything? Our bands showed in a little picture by our names on the magic band page of MDE.

 

[quoo]

Ugh no:/ that was not obvious that I need to do that at all now they’re gone again

 

[Orionreplay]

I so wanted a Darth Vader one that was offered at my band time for our November trip and while adding it to the cart, I'd be told it was out of stock. Refreshed my browser and then tried another computer in the house, Darth Vader was still 'available' but adding it to the cart showed it unavailable for purchase. It lasted like this for about 8-10 hours of various checks during the day. Then it was gone. That was super frustrating.

My wife and son never, ever care so opted for free solid bands right from the get-go. My daughter hovered around for awhile hoping for something that had some teal in it (her favorite color). She eventually gave up and picked her free solid color. Meanwhile I went down to the wire, hoping for a band I might be interested in to take advantage of the discount offer. I ended up choosing a solid band too.

Just my opinion, but when you are paying to stay on resort and willing to put down a few more dollars for a band, I wish for a one time promotional discount on any band I wish in the store. I could still choose a free solid band, but also could opt for something special right up front and not play the Band Game like we were doing in the Fall.

 

[quoo]

They should just offer all the bands for full price and maybe discount some of them.

I may just order from the store for the kids and get us plain ones.

 

[HerRoyalHighness]

Honestly... was tired of checking. We will only use them for this trip, so went with plain ones and bought skins from etsy for my kids. I have a tiny baby yoda silhouette decal but am going to glue rhinestones around the circle on mine.

 

[focusondisney]

Ugh no:/ that was not obvious that I need to do that at all now they’re gone again

Ugj. I’m sorry. But they don’t stay or save. You have to finalize right away, they don’t get saved. So you can’t pick something for 1 person & save it while you keep looking for someone else. They all have to go thru at the same time.

I am wondering when the prices started to go up on these special bands. The first ones were $10. Then I saw a few listed as preorder for $15. Now there are 1 or 2 that are $20. Maybe Disney is trying to desensitize us so we pay for them all??

 

[scard192]

I am wondering when the prices started to go up on these special bands. The first ones were $10. Then I saw a few listed as preorder for $15. Now there are 1 or 2 that are $20. Maybe Disney is trying to desensitize us so we pay for them all??

I have only really been looking the last 3-4 weeks. I ordered 2 Premium ones for my DGDs and the price was around $15.00+ tax each. On Shop Disney those 2 were priced at $29.95. so maybe we are getting a $15.00 discount if we buy through MDE instead of ordering the plain free ones?

 

[focusondisney]

I have only really been looking the last 3-4 weeks. I ordered 2 Premium ones for my DGDs and the price was around $15.00+ tax each. On Shop Disney those 2 were priced at $29.95. so maybe we are getting a $15.00 discount if we buy through MDE instead of ordering the plain free ones?

Probably. The Millennium Falcon band is showing $20. Don’t know how much it goes for if it is bought on shop Disney.
Edit: that band isn’t even showing in shop Disney.