Magic Bands

[Mkaiser1]

Hi all.

Apologies if this is not in the right forum and needs moving. I’m not sure which is the best place to put this thread.

We have a trip booked in December and will be going every year thereafter. But we haven’t been for four years! I can’t believe I’ve lasted so long!

When we come we will need new magic bands. I can see on Shop Disney USA there is a selection available online and I assume they can ship them to the UK. But, I also assume there are more available at the resort and at the parks. I’d really like to get a Riviera one as this is our home resort.

But, would you recommend having them before we travel and having them already? Or, given that we will be using them repeatedly for a few years to come (or until the batteries run out) would you buy at the resort?

FYI, we wouldn’t arrive until early evening, so buying on arrival day isn’t really an option but I don’t think it’s something we’d really need that day either (it will be around 9:00pm when we arrive at the resort) so it would be the day after that we purchase them.

 

[teawar]

Magic Bands from previous trips can be reused until they die.
IMO, if there is something that you really like that is Disney, I suggest getting it sooner than later because it might not be around later. On the flip side there is a huge choice of magic bands all over WDW, so you may find something you like better. I get the feeling Disney is gradually trying to get away from magic bands and have people use their phones more and more.

 

[Robo]

Magic Bands from previous trips can be reused until they die.

Note of clarification...
In general, MB's never really "die" for most important functions.
For most functions, they will last indefinitely.

 

[Orion Nebula]

Hi all.

Apologies if this is not in the right forum and needs moving. I’m not sure which is the best place to put this thread.

We have a trip booked in December and will be going every year thereafter. But we haven’t been for four years! I can’t believe I’ve lasted so long!

When we come we will need new magic bands. I can see on Shop Disney USA there is a selection available online and I assume they can ship them to the UK. But, I also assume there are more available at the resort and at the parks. I’d really like to get a Riviera one as this is our home resort.

But, would you recommend having them before we travel and having them already? Or, given that we will be using them repeatedly for a few years to come (or until the batteries run out) would you buy at the resort?

FYI, we wouldn’t arrive until early evening, so buying on arrival day isn’t really an option but I don’t think it’s something we’d really need that day either (it will be around 9:00pm when we arrive at the resort) so it would be the day after that we purchase them.

If you keep an eye on the official Disney site you will notice certain bands go on sale, and some limited editions will pop up. We watched it for six months or so and grabbed up the ones we liked when they dropped in price. My feeling is (obviously) to just hunt around now and buy the ones you like prior to the trip so they are ready to go.

 

[gharter]

Personally, we like MBs just for the convenience of them.
as noted, Disney keeps having sales so you can get them very cheap if you watch for sales.
The MB will work for years for getting into rooms, parks and charging. The battery for getting ride photos often dies after about 2 years, but the other features of the band will continue to work.

 

[Fangorn]

As already mentioned, MBs will last indefinitely for all things except ride photos and "special" things like having you name show up at the end of IASW.

Shop Disney will not send MBs outside the US. The tech involved triggers massive import/export fees that are way more than the cost of the bands themselves.

If you're staying at the Riviera, and want a Riviera MB, that's not a problem at all. They are available at the gift shop of the lobby of the Riviera resort. You can quickly and easily pick one up there.

There's no real reason you have to have them before you travel. They aren't a necessity for anything.

A PP mentioned that they thought Disney was wanting to do away with magic bands. Not the case. Disney has already stated that MBs are not going away. At this point, they have invested too much in the tech infrastructure to just eliminate it. Not to mention that MBs have become a serious source of merchandise revenue. They are just like Mickey Ears in that regard. Not going anywhere.

Steve

 

[Robo]

I think we can begin folding in the likelihood of MBs (nearly inevitable) demise.

 

[otts4disney]

We decided to do a last minute (2 week) WDW trip. I ordered Magic Bands and they will not get to my home before we leave. Can I purchase cheap ones at the resort?

 

[Robo]

We decided to do a last minute (2 week) WDW trip. I ordered Magic Bands and they will not get to my home before we leave. Can I purchase cheap ones at the resort?

Yes.
You MIGHT be able to get them free at the resort if you explain carefully and ask nicely.

 

[Mkaiser1]

Well, I think I’ll be getting a Riv one at the resort for myself then. If they won’t ship outside the US that perhaps answers the question for everyone else in the family too.

Is there a particular shop with a bigger choice in WDW than elsewhere?

 

[Mkaiser1]

Well, I think I’ll be getting a Riv one at the resort for myself then. If they won’t ship outside the US that perhaps answers the question for everyone else in the family too.

Is there a particular shop with a bigger choice in WDW than elsewhere?

 

[Robo]

Well, I think I’ll be getting a Riv one at the resort for myself then. If they won’t ship outside the US that perhaps answers the question for everyone else in the family too.

Is there a particular shop with a bigger choice in WDW than elsewhere?

The major gift shops (closer to the entrance) inside the Theme Parks.
(Like Emporium in MK, MouseGear in Epcot.)

World of Disney in Disney Springs.

 

[LivCK]

I believe that they *won’t* ship Magic Bands to the UK but I could be wrong. When we went in 2018 and stayed off site, we went to Beach Club for an ice cream that evening and looked in their shop but ultimately decided to wait until we arrived at Animal kingdom park the next morning. We used our physical tickets to get through the barrier than bought Magic Bands in the shop when we got inside. Took 5 mins to set up and we didn’t have any problems.
We’re staying on site next year and if we can’t order through My Disney Experience to collect at reception when we check in, I would be happy waiting till we get to our first park shop.