that1jeff
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2023
- Messages
- 86
After our second time to Aulani, I wanted to share our experience solely using our MagicBand+. As I had some questions concerning their capability, specifically in regards to online check-in (and not having to visit the front desk), and parking structure access. I specifically did not want to wait in line at the front desk for check-in like we did our first visit.
Prior to leaving for our trip, I confirmed that all MBs were either linked to my Disney account or my wife’s Disney account via the Walt Disney World website.
On the day of check-in, prior to our room being available, we decided we would leave the rental car at the self-park parking structure and walk across the street to the Monkeypod for some lunch. Upon arrival to the parking structure, my MB did not work to open the gate arm. So I simply took a ticket to get us inside (that I would eventually just throw away later). Once parked, we started walking over to Monkeypod and I got a text that our room was not yet ready. This was around 2:30PM. An hour later during lunch, around 3:30PM, got another text that our room was ready with the room #. Once we finished up at lunch, we went back to the car to grab our bags and went straight to our room. (We never visited the front desk our entire trip). Upon arrival to our room, my MB did indeed work for room access. Once we settled in for a few minutes, I tested everyone else’s MBs to make sure they all worked for room access as well, which they all did.
After a few hours of pool time, we decided to do our grocery run to Foodland and Costco later that evening. I tried tapping my MB to exit the parking structure, and again the arm would not open. I asked my sister to hand me her MB (which is also linked to my Disney account, not hers), and that one did work and the arm opened. When we came back from our grocery run, I tried my MB again, and on the first tap, it did not work. Tap’d again, still no luck. Tap’d a 3rd time, and finally the arm opened. After that, I solely used my MB to enter/exit the parking structure for the remainder of our stay, and it worked from that point on. But I made a mental note to myself that I may need to tap multiple times to get it to work at the parking structure. (Never had to tap multiple times from that point on though).
90% percent of our on resort purchases were made by tap’n our MBs. I can confirm they worked to make purchases at Ulu Cafe, Mom’s Snack Shack, Kālepa's Store, and even the Photo Services desk. Aulani website also saved our 4 digit pin from our previous visit, so we just reused that same pin. But I could’ve updated this pin if Iiked.
Some other interactive experiences that I can confirm worked with the MagicBand+...
-Light up turtle on the Menehune Adventure Trail. When you walk by the rock with the hidden fiber optic turtle, your MB should vibrate. Wave your MB and the turtle will light up.
-Light up rain drops in the main lobby. When you walk through the center of the lobby, your MB should vibrate. Wave your MB and sounds of rain drops will play and the floor will light up with little water ripples.
-On the lazy river, there are 2 concrete bridges with “1923” you float under. If you wave your MB just prior to entering under the bridge closest to the Ewa tower, the rock bowls on the wall to your right will shoot little streams of water.
And I’m also happy to report that on our first day, I finally got the MBs with an Aulani specific designs (that I was hoping they had available on our first visit, but sadly did not). Was staring at both Aulani designs in the store, not knowing which one to get. My wife knowing I had been waiting for this moment since our last trip, said, “Just get both!” I’m so glad I did, because the blue design was no longer available for the remainder of our stay. At least every time we checked the store each day.
Side note: Merch selections and designs in general this trip (April 2025) was significantly better than our first trip (Dec 2023).
Aloha!
Prior to leaving for our trip, I confirmed that all MBs were either linked to my Disney account or my wife’s Disney account via the Walt Disney World website.
On the day of check-in, prior to our room being available, we decided we would leave the rental car at the self-park parking structure and walk across the street to the Monkeypod for some lunch. Upon arrival to the parking structure, my MB did not work to open the gate arm. So I simply took a ticket to get us inside (that I would eventually just throw away later). Once parked, we started walking over to Monkeypod and I got a text that our room was not yet ready. This was around 2:30PM. An hour later during lunch, around 3:30PM, got another text that our room was ready with the room #. Once we finished up at lunch, we went back to the car to grab our bags and went straight to our room. (We never visited the front desk our entire trip). Upon arrival to our room, my MB did indeed work for room access. Once we settled in for a few minutes, I tested everyone else’s MBs to make sure they all worked for room access as well, which they all did.
After a few hours of pool time, we decided to do our grocery run to Foodland and Costco later that evening. I tried tapping my MB to exit the parking structure, and again the arm would not open. I asked my sister to hand me her MB (which is also linked to my Disney account, not hers), and that one did work and the arm opened. When we came back from our grocery run, I tried my MB again, and on the first tap, it did not work. Tap’d again, still no luck. Tap’d a 3rd time, and finally the arm opened. After that, I solely used my MB to enter/exit the parking structure for the remainder of our stay, and it worked from that point on. But I made a mental note to myself that I may need to tap multiple times to get it to work at the parking structure. (Never had to tap multiple times from that point on though).
90% percent of our on resort purchases were made by tap’n our MBs. I can confirm they worked to make purchases at Ulu Cafe, Mom’s Snack Shack, Kālepa's Store, and even the Photo Services desk. Aulani website also saved our 4 digit pin from our previous visit, so we just reused that same pin. But I could’ve updated this pin if Iiked.
Some other interactive experiences that I can confirm worked with the MagicBand+...
-Light up turtle on the Menehune Adventure Trail. When you walk by the rock with the hidden fiber optic turtle, your MB should vibrate. Wave your MB and the turtle will light up.
-Light up rain drops in the main lobby. When you walk through the center of the lobby, your MB should vibrate. Wave your MB and sounds of rain drops will play and the floor will light up with little water ripples.
-On the lazy river, there are 2 concrete bridges with “1923” you float under. If you wave your MB just prior to entering under the bridge closest to the Ewa tower, the rock bowls on the wall to your right will shoot little streams of water.
And I’m also happy to report that on our first day, I finally got the MBs with an Aulani specific designs (that I was hoping they had available on our first visit, but sadly did not). Was staring at both Aulani designs in the store, not knowing which one to get. My wife knowing I had been waiting for this moment since our last trip, said, “Just get both!” I’m so glad I did, because the blue design was no longer available for the remainder of our stay. At least every time we checked the store each day.
Side note: Merch selections and designs in general this trip (April 2025) was significantly better than our first trip (Dec 2023).
Aloha!
