Magic Bands

[mrsmouse1960]

I could not find any dedicated post to Magic Bands and thought maybe one should be created.

I finally talked my husband into wearing one for our upcoming trip in less than 27 days. I have lots of questions and plan on calling DVC tomorrow to get some help but I thought I would try the experts out here:
1. Are the bands waterproof? Can you swim with them?
2. Is there an extra charge for the bands vs tickets?
3. I am assuming you do not have to participate in the Fast Pass+ part of the program.
4. If we get a band in a few weeks and we decide to come back in 6 months, can the same band be used?

Questions, questions, questions...

 

[emilyindisney]

I read a review of someone who used them a couple weeks ago and she said her family wore them at the water park all day with no issues!

I believe the idea is that you reactivate and reuse the bands for each trip. I can't cite any official Disney info on this off the top of my head though.

 

[EagleScout]

There are a few dedicated posts over on rumors and news, as well as a few dvc specific in the dvc mouse cellaneous category. But to answer some of your questions, no, there is no extra charge - the extra charge for bands is for the "bling" that you can get (sparkle holders, etc) - not just the standard color options, and regarding re-use, it still seems to be a bit undecided, but the "official" system seems to contemplate re-use, but it is unclear if these "test" models can be reused. And they are waterproof.

 

[catra121]

1. Bands are waterproof and yes you can swim with them.

2. There is no extra charge for the bands and if you order them early enough you can customize what colors you want. if you do not then you will just get standard grey. You CAN buy accessories for the bands like covers or character attach it things...but you do not HAVE to.

3. You do not HAVE to use the FP+ part of the system while they are testing it. You never HAVE to do advanced FP+ even once it goes live but eventually they will get rid of the regular FP system as it is used today. Unknown is how much day of availability there will be though. During testing you can either choose to not link you park tickets to MDE (and FP+ will not be an option) or if you tickets are linked you can just choose not to schedule any.

4. The idea is that the bands can be reused in future but right now even people with split stays are getting multiple bands, one for each resort they are staying at.

 

[sarmat1]

I could not find any dedicated post to Magic Bands and thought maybe one should be created.

I finally talked my husband into wearing one for our upcoming trip in less than 27 days. I have lots of questions and plan on calling DVC tomorrow to get some help but I thought I would try the experts out here:
1. Are the bands waterproof? Can you swim with them?
2. Is there an extra charge for the bands vs tickets?
3. I am assuming you do not have to participate in the Fast Pass+ part of the program.
4. If we get a band in a few weeks and we decide to come back in 6 months, can the same band be used?

Questions, questions, questions...

1. Yes, waterproof. We swam with them (in fact we needed them to get into SAB) and also took them to TL where they got plenty wet. They still worked afterward.

2. No extra charge.

3. No reason not to use the FP+ part since at least right now you can simultaneously use regular card FP's as well. For our stay that just ended, we got cards in addition to the magic bands that we ordered. The magic bands had the FP+ reservations and we were also able to use the cards to get additional traditional FP's. I don't believe that the intention is to allow this double dipping after testing, though. But for now, FP+ was just a bonus to keep from having a runner for the headliners, since those were pre-reserved.

4. Who knows. The CM's told us yes, and it seems as if we can manage the bands through MDE, so time will tell as to how practical it is in the future to reuse. We customized our colors, so for now we're keeping them .

 

[mom2ryandy]

We are annual passholders and just had a Disney vacation splitting our stay between POP and Boardwalk. Because POP was testing them at the time, we were able to customize our bands prior to arriving at WDW, connected our AP's to them and used them from POP through our BW stay.
We were definitely test subjects to see if it would work.
Thankfully for us it did!
Not sure how the magic band carryover would work using MYW tickets though.

 

[YCFAN]

We are annual passholders and just had a Disney vacation splitting our stay between POP and Boardwalk. Because POP was testing them at the time, we were able to customize our bands prior to arriving at WDW, connected our AP's to them and used them from POP through our BW stay.
We were definitely test subjects to see if it would work.
Thankfully for us it did!
Not sure how the magic band carryover would work using MYW tickets though.

We're your passes already activated?

 

[carmelhp]

Our bands just came a few minutes ago in our selected colors. I am a little worried about how secure the snap closure is. Anyone figure a way to make them more secure on the wrist?

 

[cseca]

...

3. No reason not to use the FP+ part since at least right now you can simultaneously use regular card FP's as well. For our stay that just ended, we got cards in addition to the magic bands that we ordered. The magic bands had the FP+ reservations and we were also able to use the cards to get additional traditional FP's. I don't believe that the intention is to allow this double dipping after testing, though. But for now, FP+ was just a bonus to keep from having a runner for the headliners, since those were pre-reserved.

...

I have a question on this, I know that they'll get rid of the old FP system eventually but right now during testing phase will we be able to use FP+ in 1 park and then use your regular park pass at another park with current rules (no limitation on quantity like the FP+)?

Thanks so much.

 

[mom2ryandy]

We're your passes already activated?

Yes. Our first trip using passes began Dec. 30 2012

 

[catra121]

I have a question on this, I know that they'll get rid of the old FP system eventually but right now during testing phase will we be able to use FP+ in 1 park and then use your regular park pass at another park with current rules (no limitation on quantity like the FP+)?

Thanks so much.

It doesn't matter what park...could be the SAME park or a different park. Regular FP will work with your KTTW card in any park. It doesn't communicate with FP+ so you can double dip as much as you want to.

Personally...I won't be because I want to test out the actual FP+ system and see how I like it without the fall back of regular FP. But lots of people are doing it and having a fantastic time.

 

[cseca]

It doesn't matter what park...could be the SAME park or a different park. Regular FP will work with your KTTW card in any park. It doesn't communicate with FP+ so you can double dip as much as you want to.

Personally...I won't be because I want to test out the actual FP+ system and see how I like it without the fall back of regular FP. But lots of people are doing it and having a fantastic time.

Thank you!
We mostly do MK but my little kids would want to try TSM this time and I don't want to "waste" 3 FPs at DHS... since there's nothing else there that we would need FP for.

So this is good news if we get selected for the MB this time around.

 

[Princess Katherine]

Something to add to this, the band will not hold up well over the years. Ours were already showing sun damage and were not griping the other side as they should. I am guessing if they decide to use the same ones it will fall off of lack of shape.

Katie

 

[jimmysmom74]

This might be a stupid question, but if you have magic band-do they also get you a ticket? If not, how do you get a regular FP? I have a resort package(MYW & DDP) booked with Disney.

 

[Missytara]

Actually there is a lot of information regarding the magic bands on the Theme Parks and Strategies board, because they are more related to tickets and park functions, like fast pass.

You will find lots of knowledgeable people who are actually CM's working at ticketing who are providing some really excellent information over there and most of the questions asked here have been answered over there already many times.

 

[cseca]

It doesn't matter what park...could be the SAME park or a different park. Regular FP will work with your KTTW card in any park. It doesn't communicate with FP+ so you can double dip as much as you want to.

Personally...I won't be because I want to test out the actual FP+ system and see how I like it without the fall back of regular FP. But lots of people are doing it and having a fantastic time.

Sorry to keep bugging you, but this poster seems to think double dipping was not available. At least with his/her AP.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49184608&postcount=101

Do you think it's limited to non AP passes for people that could double dip?

 

[dansdad]

Do you think it's limited to non AP passes for people that could double dip?

Right now, that is the conclusion we can draw. I have seen many people testing MB and FP+ have been able to use their KTTW to get paper FP. I have not read anyone that is not an AP holder have an issue with double dipping.

 

[dchi]

We just ordered our personalized magic bangs and made our fast pass + reservations. How are people remembering their fastpass reservations for the week while in the parks? I do not have a snazzy phone, just regular cell phone.

 

[cseca]

Right now, that is the conclusion we can draw. I have seen many people testing MB and FP+ have been able to use their KTTW to get paper FP. I have not read anyone that is not an AP holder have an issue with double dipping.

Gotcha and bummer
Just a thought tho.
What if you have the MB and still use your AP to enter the park?
Wouldn't that count as activating the pass hence making the pass valid to use on the FP machines?