Magic bands

[lovethattink]

I got mine on Amazon, they are called bitbelt and came in a pack of 12

 

[HollowxBastion]

The MagicBand+ is a worthy investment for your trip (and especially if you go often). It stores your park entry ticket, can be used for payments, is your resort room key, reacts with parades & fireworks which really adds to the WDW immersion.


I've used my MB+ on the past two trips and really enjoyed having it react with HEA & Starlight

 

[Fangorn]

The MagicBand+ is a worthy investment for your trip (and especially if you go often). It stores your park entry ticket, can be used for payments, is your resort room key, reacts with parades & fireworks which really adds to the WDW immersion.


I've used my MB+ on the past two trips and really enjoyed having it react with HEA & Starlight

Just to clarify: Regardless of the version of Magic Band, NOTHING is stored on them. Each band has a chip that contains only a single, unique serial number. That serial number is used to access your MDE account. All information resides in your MDE account which is stored on Disney's servers. Magic Bands are merely the key that unlocks your account and allows information about you to flow between Disney's various systems.

Steve

 

[CynBeth]

How far in advance before a trip should you get them and from the moment they arrive do you have to charge them or only right before you leave?

 

[Fangorn]

How far in advance before a trip should you get them and from the moment they arrive do you have to charge them or only right before you leave?

When you get them is up to you. Once ordered, they can take 2 weeks or more to be delivered, so plan accordingly.

A new MB+ has to be connected to your MDE account, before it can be used. The band needs to be charged in order to connect it. Once the connection process is complete, the band does not need to remain charged. At WDW, bands only need to be charged if you want them them to light up/buzz, or download ride photos. They will work just fine for anything where you touch the band to a device (room door, purchases, park entry, etc.) regardless if the battery is charged or not. We've used the same set of bands for the past many trips and don't bother charging them much at all unless the grandkids are with us.

Steve

 

[lovethattink]

How far in advance before a trip should you get them and from the moment they arrive do you have to charge them or only right before you leave?

Mine don’t hold the charges very long. Half the time, I go to a park without charging. It really isn’t necessary. We’re AP and often go Tuesday and Friday. By Friday, there’s no charge left.

 

[CynBeth]

Thank you Fangorn and love! Our trip is not until Thanksgiving figured to order in the summer. We are bad with technology is it easy to connect to the account?

 

[Fangorn]

Thank you Fangorn and love! Our trip is not until Thanksgiving figured to order in the summer. We are bad with technology is it easy to connect to the account?

It's pretty easy. The bands come with a very detailed set of instructions for connecting them to your account, and the processes is pretty straightforward. But be sure to read the instructions over a couple times before you begin the actual process. If you do have problems, call Disney IT support and they'll walk you through it.

Steve

 

[erionm]

Thank you Fangorn and love! Our trip is not until Thanksgiving figured to order in the summer. We are bad with technology is it easy to connect to the account?

If you order them through your room reservation in MDE, they will automatically be linked to your MDE profiles. Pairing them to your smartphone is optional.

 

[CynBeth]

Wonderful! Thank you!

 

[J and R's mom]

We love using our bands! We have been using them on trips since they first came out, so they are kind of like a tradition for us now. Every couple of trips or so, we purchase new ones depending on the new designs. Our daughters, who have grown up going to Disney, are now both in their 20s and still like wearing their bands. Part of the tradition was putting them on while on the Magical Express from the airport over to our resort. Even though the Magical Express is no longer around, we still put them on once we get into whichever transportation option we selected for the trip. So far, that tradition is still worth it for us. But magic bands certainly aren't necessary.

 

[Dave006]

Mine don’t hold the charges very long. Half the time, I go to a park without charging. It really isn’t necessary. We’re AP and often go Tuesday and Friday. By Friday, there’s no charge left.

You actually have good battery life if it lasts for (4) days of use. The MB+ are designed to be charged each night when at WDW. You can also power them off at night to save you battery.

To power off a MagicBand+ press and hold the button on the back of the device for approximately 6 seconds, until it vibrates twice and the LED light flashes red. A successful power-down is indicated by a red light rotating in reverse. To turn it back on, hold the same button for 1 second.

Dave

 

[JackiesHubby]

Are the Magic bands worth it? Are they all rechargeable?

It really all depends on you. We've gotten bands for every trip to dis since they first came out. You can see from our screenshot we used to go quite a lot. For us they are memories and as you can see they chain together really well. in the screenshot each pair equals at least a 3 day trip for the wife and I. They make a really good Christmas tree ornament.

 

[Barefoot On A Plane]

We love our Magic Bands!
I think they are worth it - very convenient!
My tip is to get a Key to the Kingdom card when checking in at your resort, just in case your MB doesn’t open your room door or in case you lose your MB. It’s always good to have a backup.

*We don’t buy a new MB each trip unless there’s a design we just have to have. Disney….if you’re listening….I’m very patiently waiting for a Pirates one. I’ll spend $40 right now!

Can you please explain what a Key to the Kingdom card is and what its for? Thank you

 

[BrianL]

Can you please explain what a Key to the Kingdom card is and what its for? Thank you

I don't think they actually call them that anymore, but basically it is an RFID card that can be used to access your MDE like a MagicBand, so you use it as your room key and park ticket. This is always an option - just note that while it works at tap-points, it does not work for long-range features like ride photos, etc. These days you can use your phone for that though.

 

[slo]

Can you please explain what a Key to the Kingdom card is and what its for? Thank you

I just looked it up and it's now called the Key to the World Card. I'm really dating myself with calling it a Key to the Kingdom card - I didn't realize the name changed.

Brian explained it great - I concur with everything he said.

I don't think they actually call them that anymore, but basically it is an RFID card that can be used to access your MDE like a MagicBand, so you use it as your room key and park ticket. This is always an option - jus tnot that while it works at tap-points, it does not work for long-range features like ride photos, etc. These days you can use your phone for that though.

Thank you for the explanation.
You worded this so much better than I would have.

 

[MartyParty]

Not worth it IMO. Especially if you have a smart watch. The new magic bands are rechargeable.

My wife and I have magic band + and find it useful. We tend to tap for photos, payments, room access, and some of the special affects.

Our daughters has an Apple watch and uses that instead.

Overall, not necessary but we like having them.

 

[bakerworld]

I bought DH new style MB for Christmas thinking he would enjoy the interactive aspect of the rechargeable band but he prefers his old MB with the Black Panther motif. I'm not sure whether its that the band is new or he just prefers older band cause he's use to it. He did say the new band is larger.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

They are expensive for the PITA they are and the battery part that causes it to light up and do the haptics has about a 2-year shelf life. They need to be charged nightly. Another charger to carry with you on vacation. You can use an older MB for all of the same stuff and just use your phone for the photos.

The real plus with them is just convenience.