Magic Bands

[tinkerone]

Have they said yet when Magic Bands will be rolled out for all the ships?

 

[Kwami]

No. They're previewing the tech on the Wish this summer. Other ships will follow later. Only MagicBand+ or DisneyBand+ will work.

 

[RedHead0186]

Have they said yet when Magic Bands will be rolled out for all the ships?

No, they've not announced that yet. As @Kwami noted, they're testing on the Wish this summer (though only small groups as I understand it, not whole sailings). I talked to a CM when I was on the Wish last month. He said it wasn't going all that well, since not all the POS (point of sale) systems had registers/places to scan the bands that were easily accessible to the guests. In some cases, guests had to take off the bands and hand them over to be scanned behind the counter-same as how you would use your KTTW card. That's obviously not ideal, as it's annoying for the guest and likely slows down the whole payment process. The CM said the solution would be to give everyone tablets to do POS 'mobilely.' But obviously that would be a big expense, and then you have to worry about keeping all the tablets charged (plus protecting them from dropping, etc.).

Not sure how that will affect the full rollout, but I would hope DCL is looking into this before they move forward on a larger scale.

 

[imbelle]

Just as an aside, I noticed that a DCL Magicband was an option this morning on the MDE pre-arrival Magicband listing.

 

[imbelle]

Just as an aside, I noticed that a DCL Magicband was an option this morning on the MDE pre-arrival Magicband listing.

And after ordering the DCL bands at 7am and getting a confirmation email, I now get an email at 7pm that the order has been cancelled due to supply issues.
Recently ShopDisney cancelled a Magicband 2 months after I ordered it, yet it was for sale on the website the very day that I got the email saying that they had cancelled my order. Not the first time this situation has happened to me.
So I guess don't trust Disney until your order is in your hot little hand.

 

[OpieDoodle]

No. They're previewing the tech on the Wish this summer. Other ships will follow later. Only MagicBand+ or DisneyBand+ will work.

Where did you see it was only MagicBand+ and DisneyBand+? I know in WDW you can still use the old version of the magic bands. They just are not as interactive and really only work to open your door, book fast passes, and charge. All of the interactive stuff, photos, etc are on the newer tech.

The only thing I've read so far that talks about the old magic bands was talking about how they're still using them in the kids clubs for those who do not have a DisneyBand+/MagicBand+.

My understanding is the original MagicBands use the same technology that essentially is in the KTW cards currently. It'll be interesting to see what happens. I have a MagicBand+ already from our recent WDW trip but I know quite a few people hoping to be able to use the old bands instead of buying new.

No, they've not announced that yet. As @Kwami noted, they're testing on the Wish this summer (though only small groups as I understand it, not whole sailings). I talked to a CM when I was on the Wish last month. He said it wasn't going all that well, since not all the POS (point of sale) systems had registers/places to scan the bands that were easily accessible to the guests. In some cases, guests had to take off the bands and hand them over to be scanned behind the counter-same as how you would use your KTTW card. That's obviously not ideal, as it's annoying for the guest and likely slows down the whole payment process. The CM said the solution would be to give everyone tablets to do POS 'mobilely.' But obviously that would be a big expense, and then you have to worry about keeping all the tablets charged (plus protecting them from dropping, etc.).

Not sure how that will affect the full rollout, but I would hope DCL is looking into this before they move forward on a larger scale.

I wonder if they'll just add the POS tech they have in WDW. Each register has a little credit card machine that also reads magic bands. You just tap them on it and type in your pin to charge. I can't imagine they'll reinvent the wheel for something they already have available. It would just be a matter of ordering more machines.

 

[erionm]

Where did you see it was only MagicBand+ and DisneyBand+? I know in WDW you can still use the old version of the magic bands. They just are not as interactive and really only work to open your door, book fast passes, and charge. All of the interactive stuff, photos, etc are on the newer tech.

States so on the DCL website:

Already have a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort MagicBand+? You can use it as a DisneyBand+ during your Disney cruise, starting with the Disney Wish preview.

Same applies at Disneyland where they only support the new MagicBand+.

 

[OpieDoodle]

States so on the DCL website:


Same applies at Disneyland where they only support the new MagicBand+.

I was saying where does it say you cannot use the standard MagicBand. The MagicBand+ and DisneyBand+ are essentially the same thing. The old MagicBands just don't light up and has as much tech. It only refers to them in one FAQ that I saw and it was talking about how they are still going to be offered in the kids clubs.

 

[RedHead0186]

I was saying where does it say you cannot use the standard MagicBand. The MagicBand+ and DisneyBand+ are essentially the same thing. The old MagicBands just don't light up and has as much tech. It only refers to them in one FAQ that I saw and it was talking about how they are still going to be offered in the kids clubs.

From the website: "Already have a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort MagicBand+? You can use it as a DisneyBand+ during your Disney cruise, starting with the Disney Wish preview."

While it doesn't explicitly state that original MBs can't be used, it doesn't list them here as one of the options you can use, so a reasonable assumption is that they won't work. One of the FAQs also specifically mentions using MB+s, but doesn't mention MBs.

 

[erionm]

And since Disney knows what version the MagicBand is based on the band ID, they will likely just prevent someone from linking a non PLUS band to the DCL Navigator app just like they do with the Disneyland app.

 

[VANY]

No, they've not announced that yet. As @Kwami noted, they're testing on the Wish this summer (though only small groups as I understand it, not whole sailings). I talked to a CM when I was on the Wish last month. He said it wasn't going all that well, since not all the POS (point of sale) systems had registers/places to scan the bands that were easily accessible to the guests. In some cases, guests had to take off the bands and hand them over to be scanned behind the counter-same as how you would use your KTTW card. That's obviously not ideal, as it's annoying for the guest and likely slows down the whole payment process. The CM said the solution would be to give everyone tablets to do POS 'mobilely.' But obviously that would be a big expense, and then you have to worry about keeping all the tablets charged (plus protecting them from dropping, etc.).

Not sure how that will affect the full rollout, but I would hope DCL is looking into this before they move forward on a larger scale.

I was recently on a 7 day RCL cruise and had their wrist band. Most of the time I had to take it off to make the sale. It was annoying but sooo much better than carrying around a bag or those ugly lanyards. I'd opt for the band and take it off for a purchase any day. I hope DCL doesn't use this as a reason to not roll it out to all ships.

 

[erionm]

I was recently on a 7 day RCL cruise and had their wrist band. Most of the time I had to take it off to make the sale. It was annoying but sooo much better than carrying around a bag or those ugly lanyards. I'd opt for the band and take it off for a purchase any day. I hope DCL doesn't use this as a reason to not roll it out to all ships.

Just off the Disney Wish and the only time you might need to remove your MB+ for a purchase is from a roaming bar waiter. Everywhere else seemed to have a reader on a long enough cable that they could scan the band while it was still on your wrist.

 

[RedHead0186]

I was recently on a 7 day RCL cruise and had their wrist band. Most of the time I had to take it off to make the sale. It was annoying but sooo much better than carrying around a bag or those ugly lanyards. I'd opt for the band and take it off for a purchase any day. I hope DCL doesn't use this as a reason to not roll it out to all ships.

Considering they added the Fantasy after trialing on the Wish, I think the plan is still to roll out to the other ships. (And, as PP said, seems like things are going better on the Wish lately than when they were first testing).

 

[ngtod]

Considering they added the Fantasy after trialing on the Wish, I think the plan is still to roll out to the other ships. (And, as PP said, seems like things are going better on the Wish lately than when they were first testing).

I just had one on the Fantasy last week. I didn't see kit as very useful. By the end of the week I stopped wearing it. At Preludes I had to take it off to buy something. Not worth it to me.

 

[RedHead0186]

I just had one on the Fantasy last week. I didn't see kit as very useful. By the end of the week I stopped wearing it. At Preludes I had to take it off to buy something. Not worth it to me.

And as long as they are optional, then those who feel it's worth it can continue to use them, and those that don't can continue to use their Key to the World cards. I was responding specifically to the PP who hoped DCL was still planning to roll them out to all the other ships.

 

[ngtod]

And as long as they are optional, then those who feel it's worth it can continue to use them, and those that don't can continue to use their Key to the World cards. I was responding specifically to the PP who hoped DCL was still planning to roll them out to all the other ships.

Very true. Just giving my personal opinion. I didn't know it was worth it at the time of purchase. Sorry my response quoted your post.

 

[RedHead0186]

Very true. Just giving my personal opinion. I didn't know it was worth it at the time of purchase. Sorry my response quoted your post.

Fair, and I think for most people they won't realize if it's ”worth it” or not for them specifically until they try it (like you said, you didn't know when you purchased it and now you do).