Magic bands

[buzz1fan]

I’m struggling on if we should order new magic bands. I want to use a band only not phones for fast passes.
Our bands are 2017-2019. I did a chat and they advised we would not know if they work until we are there. We are staying at dolphin so will only use them at parks. I really don’t want to have to deal with issues with bands at our park morning. If we are at Disney springs the night before can they scan them there and if we need to get new ones get them then?

 

[morrik5]

I’m struggling on if we should order new magic bands. I want to use a band only not phones for fast passes.
Our bands are 2017-2019. I did a chat and they advised we would not know if they work until we are there. We are staying at dolphin so will only use them at parks. I really don’t want to have to deal with issues with bands at our park morning. If we are at Disney springs the night before can they scan them there and if we need to get new ones get them then?

Anyone, correct me if I'm wrong but I heard the only thing they might not work on is the photos from rides linking up to your account. You could try going to Guest Services at DS and ask them if it will work for everything and then if not, you can always buy a Magic Band while you're there.

 

[Poohlovr]

I’m struggling on if we should order new magic bands. I want to use a band only not phones for fast passes.
Our bands are 2017-2019. I did a chat and they advised we would not know if they work until we are there. We are staying at dolphin so will only use them at parks. I really don’t want to have to deal with issues with bands at our park morning. If we are at Disney springs the night before can they scan them there and if we need to get new ones get them then?

You read my mind. Ours are from 2017 and I wounder if they've died since then. I assume they use batteries, right??

 

[morrik5]

Allears.net posted previously "When preparing for your upcoming visit, Disney now informs guests that they must confirm that they would like to reuse an old MagicBand. If they wish to do so, they need to make sure that the old MagicBand is part of their Disney profile. Guests will then click “Decline Pre-Arrival Offer” if they have an old MagicBand and do not wish to purchase a new one. "

PlanDisney wrote: "You can always check on your MagicBand battery at the front desk of your Disney Resort hotel, at Will Call or a Guest Relations location at any of the theme parks. "

 

[buzz1fan]

I may just get 4 new ones- I wish they were cheaper! I will just get basic one- no way I’d pay for fancy ones if they don’t last years with the batteries

 

[DWillowBay]

Worst case scenario is that you have to use your phone one time to enter the first park and THEN purchase new ones. Its not like you won't be able to get in a park. I have bands from several years ago that still work. Hope your trip is great!!

 

[DizParks]

They will always work for tapping. The only thing that won't work after 2-3 years are the ride photos linking to your account that need the long range antenna.

 

[Suzabella]

I'd check them at hotel or a hotel gift shop along the Boardwalk and then if they don't work, buy new ones in the gift shop. Most shops carry them.

We're still using bands that are 2 years old without any issues.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

I’m struggling on if we should order new magic bands. I want to use a band only not phones for fast passes.
Our bands are 2017-2019. I did a chat and they advised we would not know if they work until we are there. We are staying at dolphin so will only use them at parks. I really don’t want to have to deal with issues with bands at our park morning. If we are at Disney springs the night before can they scan them there and if we need to get new ones get them then?

Since you're staying in the International Gateway area, I would just walk over to Yacht/Beach Club or Boardwalk and ask the front desk to test them.

You read my mind. Ours are from 2017 and I wounder if they've died since then. I assume they use batteries, right??

Only the long range transmission uses the battery. Long range is used for ride photos and things like the names at the end of It's a Small World.

Short range (tap operations) do not require battery and work long after the battery has died.

 

[Poohlovr]

Since you're staying in the International Gateway area, I would just walk over to Yacht/Beach Club or Boardwalk and ask the front desk to test them.


Only the long range transmission uses the battery. Long range is used for ride photos and things like the names at the end of It's a Small World.

Short range (tap operations) do not require battery and work long after the battery has died.

thank you!! Appreciate that

 

[buzz1fan]

Okay- well then I went into our Ap- I made all inactive and kept 1 for each of us.
We will bring them- and hope it works- I will test over at a hotel around ours or springs- if needed I’ll buy then.

Im guessing if we do that and have to buy new ones- do I just go in and inactive our current ones and add new ones?

 

[Robo]

PlanDisney wrote: "You can always check on your MagicBand battery at the front desk of your Disney Resort hotel, at Will Call or a Guest Relations location at any of the theme parks. "

Sorry, but that is incorrect.
There is no place set up at WDW for a guest to "check the battery" of a MagicBand.

But, since there is no battery used for the tapping/scanning function of a MB,
that's not a problem for most MB uses.

 

[CarolynFH]

Okay- well then I went into our Ap- I made all inactive and kept 1 for each of us.
We will bring them- and hope it works- I will test over at a hotel around ours or springs- if needed I’ll buy then.

Im guessing if we do that and have to buy new ones- do I just go in and inactive our current ones and add new ones?

As above, the old ones will work fine for tapping into parks and using Genie+ LL, etc. The only thing they might not work for is capturing the long range photos on certain rides, and as long as one person riding with the group has a newer MB, that will capture the photos. You can also give MDE Bluetooth connectivity on your phone and that will capture photos too, although we had trouble with it in June.

 

[buzz1fan]

I didn’t know about MDE Bluetooth capabilities. Would the pics drop to your photos? Thanks!

 

[luv2cheer92]

Okay- well then I went into our Ap- I made all inactive and kept 1 for each of us.
We will bring them- and hope it works- I will test over at a hotel around ours or springs- if needed I’ll buy then.

Im guessing if we do that and have to buy new ones- do I just go in and inactive our current ones and add new ones?

There is no need to deactivate any bands. You can have several active at any one time. I usually use anywhere from 4-6 bands on a trip, and I have more then double than that active. Occasionally, people who have lots (I'm talking like 30+) active, they can start to have issues.

 

[buzz1fan]

Okay- I thought we needed to sort by family member right? Kids have same tickets as us.

 

[CarolynFH]

I didn’t know about MDE Bluetooth capabilities. Would the pics drop to your photos? Thanks!

Yes, sometimes MDE will even remind you that you have to give MDE specific permission to use Bluetooth in your phone settings. Then the photos are supposed to link to MDE and show up in your PhotoPass photos. That didn’t always happen for us in June, though; hopefully it’s better now.

 

[Robo]

Okay- I thought we needed to sort by family member right? Kids have same tickets as us.

You need to make sure that the MB chosen for use on any day "belongs to" (is connected to) the person using it,
so that the right ticket (and other aspects) are used by the correct person.

 

[VickiVM]

Just wanted to affirm that older MB’s will still work to tap in at the park entrance. We’re here now and are using ours from 2016.

 

[loves to dive]

I have the very first ones issued when they were testing them at a few resorts, many others issued free with resorts after that, the first new puck type and a newish one I bought 2 years ago. I have many, I've deactivated many in MDE and threw them away but still have one of every color in the older ones, one in just about every color of the puck type and my fancy one. All still work, all still show ride photos (I don't know about the name thing as I don't ride Small World) including the first test one.

PlanDisney wrote: "You can always check on your MagicBand battery at the front desk of your Disney Resort hotel, at Will Call or a Guest Relations location at any of the theme parks. "

Sorry, but that is incorrect.
There is no place set up at WDW for a guest to "check the battery" of a MagicBand.

But, since there is no battery used for the tapping/scanning function of a MB,
that's not a problem for most MB uses.

PlanDisney wasn't totally wrong, just in using the word battery. You can take you MB to the front desk of your resort, or at Will Call or GR and have them check them to make sure they can see your info. and that they will work to get you in the park. I have the front desk check mine every time I stay at a Disney resort, even if I've done on line check in.