Magic Bands

[disneychrista]

I am debating buying a Magic Band because I really want to do the interactive 70th kiosks. Do they have a charge when you first buy them? I thought about ordering one on disneystore.com but can't justify the shipping. I am not even sure I can justify the cost for the kiosks but since I am planning a trip to WDW in 2027or 2028 assuming the tech doesn't change before then I will use it then.

 

[Irish Duck]

They are somewhat charged, but tbh, you don't need them charged to work because of the rfid chip. All the charging does is allow it to light up during shows and in line queues etc.. The ability to use them for scanning into the park, lightning lanes etc.. does not require them to be charged.

 

[disneychrista]

Second Question. Does it have to be scanned into the parks to work and the interactive kiosks? I assume no, since there are things in DTD that interact as well. I just had a coworker offer to let me use her band. It would be great if she didn't have to unlink it to her account.

 

[BrianL]

Second Question. Does it have to be scanned into the parks to work and the interactive kiosks? I assume no, since there are things in DTD that interact as well. I just had a coworker offer to let me use her band. It would be great if she didn't have to unlink it to her account.

I don't think that activating the interactive statues has anything to do with tickets and such. They really just detect the signal and activate - it doesn't do anything with your account. You would of course NOT be able to use the band for park entry, Lightning Lane, etc.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I actually don't think you can use it to scan into Disneyland/DCA. I've worn mine the last couple of times that I went to DL, but I still used my app to enter the parks.

To answer your original question, the bigger issue is that they might need a software update. Mine did when I got it, but mine was shipped to me. I've only had it for maybe 6 months and it's needed updating twice, which is time consuming. Charging also takes a while.

 

[Irish Duck]

Yes you can use it to scan into parks. Since we have a big family, we all have bands so I don't have to stand there swiping through our magic keys on my phone. Makes lightning lane much quicker as well.

 

[disneychrista]

I don't think that activating the interactive statues has anything to do with tickets and such. They really just detect the signal and activate - it doesn't do anything with your account. You would of course NOT be able to use the band for park entry, Lightning Lane, etc.

That is fine. I am not even sure if we will be utilizing LL or not.

 

[LKing]

You may need a software update
You can use it to scan into the park
You can use it for LL
You can use it with PhotoPass photographers
It doesn't need to be linked to your account to do the interactive 70th quest . If the MB is linked to a MK account, it will print a MK ticket instead of a generic ticket.
It doesn't need to be linked to your account to make the sounds come out of the interactive statues.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Thanks to those who pointed out the potential need for a software update. I haven't used mine in over a year, so I'm glad to know I need to check that before I leave in a few days!

 

[disneychrista]

How often does it need software updates? And how is that accomplished?

If I borrow one it will only be used for the interactive things. I won't be using it to tap into the parks, LL or Photopass, which, like LL, I am not sure we will even do any, except for the attraction photos.

 

[LKing]

I can't say how often they need updates or what the updates are. I switch between MB so need to re-pair every time I use a new band. The most recent update was in the past 1-2 mos. I get prompted to update the software when I pair the MB to the app.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I thought about ordering one on disneystore.com but can't justify the shipping.

Free shipping today (12/08/25) on Disneystore.com!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Works out of the box without even turning it on. Scanned into parks and used LL no problem over weekend.

 

[disneychrista]

Free shipping today (12/08/25) on Disneystore.com!

Thanks for the heads up. That gives me something to think about.

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

I don't think that activating the interactive statues has anything to do with tickets and such. They really just detect the signal and activate - it doesn't do anything with your account. You would of course NOT be able to use the band for park entry, Lightning Lane, etc.

The tickets printed out from the interactive kiosks are linked to your account. It will have variations like "DVC Member" or "Magic Key Holder" depending on the account the MB+ is linked to.

 

[BrianL]

The tickets printed out from the interactive kiosks are linked to your account. It will have variations like "DVC Member" or "Magic Key Holder" depending on the account the MB+ is linked to.

Ah, okay - I didn't realize that. I was thinking they were like the "interactive" statues at WDW - they just do a voice message when you wave your band.

 

[LKing]

Ah, okay - I didn't realize that. I was thinking they were like the "interactive" statues at WDW - they just do a voice message when you wave your band.

Here is a description of that the tickets look like.

https://mickeyvisit.com/disneyland-magicband-70th-celebration/

 

[irlandaise]

The tickets printed out from the interactive kiosks are linked to your account. It will have variations like "DVC Member" or "Magic Key Holder" depending on the account the MB+ is linked to.

I was really confused about this discussion of getting tickets from kiosks until I followed the link that LKing posted and realized that you folks are talking about souvenir tickets for certain DL attractions, not park tickets or ride admissions. I hadn't noticed the brief reference to the "70th interactive quest" earlier. So for anyone else who's confused, this is apparently just a fun little side activity and nothing to do with using your Magic Bands to enter the parks or attractions. Right?

 

[disneychrista]

I was really confused about this discussion of getting tickets from kiosks until I followed the link that LKing posted and realized that you folks are talking about souvenir tickets for certain DL attractions, not park tickets or ride admissions. I hadn't noticed the brief reference to the "70th interactive quest" earlier. So for anyone else who's confused, this is apparently just a fun little side activity and nothing to do with using your Magic Bands to enter the parks or attractions. Right?

Correct. This is not about admission to the park. Just about collecting souvenir "tickets" for attractions like the Disneyland RR and the Mark Twain.

 

[Tinkaboo]

iIt's just a fun little activity, tickets are cute and very nostalgic!!