MagicBand+ coming to DCL as DisneyBand+

[Karin1984]

So... They only ship to US addresses, they cost extra, and they do what? The same thing my card already does? What's the point?

They introduced it to the US parks, it was only a matter of time for the cruiseline to follow.

Wearable tech is common in real life and other cruiselines are way ahead of Disney when it comes to technology. In a few years they will be at the same level Princess is now with their medaillon. Only Disney is going to charge, where it is free on Princess.

Emma did a video on their technology. I assume this is where Disney will move towards to.

As the Disney Wish is aimed at families who are also doing the parks, it makes sense to make it a similar experience.

 

[soniam]

Not overly fond of a klunky wristband to wear during formal family pictures.

My thoughts exactly. I don’t want a clunky bracelet in photos!

Also I hate the way they feel on my wrist. Glad they are currently sticking with KTTW also.

Just stick it in your pocket or purse during the photo. Do you keep your lanyard on in photos?

Will the existing MagicBands work? The article made it sound like you'd have to buy a new one.

They MB will not work. That only MB+ will work. I presume that you could use any MB+ though, whether it's from WDW or DLR. I wonder if MB will work on the rooms though. At DLR, only MB+ work, because their readers use barcodes/QR codes and wallet/bluetooth. Only MB+ have bluetooth. However, most of the cruise ships use RFID on the cabins, and both MB and MB+ have RFID. Unless the Wish is different. I guess we will see.

Can you remove the center piece of the + like you can with the regular? I usually put the little puck on my Apple Watch band. I’d rather use the tech, but not if I need to wear the whole band

Yes, it has the screws. I don't know if Disney makes a puck holder for it though. My friend put her MB+ puck on her Apple watch band.

I saw on twitter something about how the use of the term Magicband has some limitations? So the DCL ones are called Disneyband

I suspect it just won't be able to access the same info/database as the parks. For instance, I think to use an MB+ at DLR, that you have used at WDW, you have to set it up in the DLR app/website. Just like you have to do for WDW. I believe they are not sharing database info between the parks and probably now between the parks and DCL. Otherwise, I think it should work similarly, ie open cabin, room charging, sparkly lights.

Does anyone know what the Wish cabin room readers are? I haven't seen any pics or been on the ship.

 

[KM82]

Yes, it has the screws. I don't know if Disney makes a puck holder for it though. My friend put her MB+ puck on her Apple watch band.

Thanks! I was hoping that was the case!

 

[Kwami]

They MB will not work.

I bet old MB will work, too. When the MB+ runs out of battery, it basically acts like a normal MB. Disney has said that the new DisneyBand+ will still allow you to open doors and make purchases when the battery is empty. So, I figure MB would probably work for those things, too.

 

[happycamper47]

I bet old MB will work, too. When the MB+ runs out of battery, it basically acts like a normal MB. Disney has said that the new DisneyBand+ will still allow you to open doors and make purchases when the battery is empty. So, I figure MB would probably work for those things, too.

The old MB also has a battery it's just not rechargeable like the MB+ You don't need the battery fo open doors or charge since the RFID chip idoesn't need it to function.

Yes, Magic Bands are reusable. They run off of a small battery inside the band. Disney says the batteries are designed to last for 2 years. I have read of batteries lasting for up to five years.

 

[erionm]

I bet old MB will work, too. When the MB+ runs out of battery, it basically acts like a normal MB. Disney has said that the new DisneyBand+ will still allow you to open doors and make purchases when the battery is empty. So, I figure MB would probably work for those things, too.

If you have to manually link existing bands like you do for DLR, Disney can prevent you from linking older MagicBands as they know what type of MB it is based on the band number.

 

[Kwami]

If you have to manually link existing bands like you do for DLR, Disney can prevent you from linking older MagicBands as they know what type of MB it is based on the band number.

True. But maybe it'll be like Aulani where they just work if they're linked to your account.

 

[brentm77]

I don’t love the + ones—too bulky and annoying to recharge. However, it is still an improvement over the lanyard—can keep it on swimming/showering/riding the water slides.

This is exactly how I feel. The originals were prefect for our needs, with no charging needed. I particularly don't like that the + version have a proprietary charger as I am already bothered by having too many charging cords. But, I have been told the + versions can be used uncharged for all the things the originals could do, so I hope that is the case on DCL. It would be nice to throw one on my wrist and not think about grabbing my card every time I leave the room.

 

[kiford]

We sailed on the Wish last July and there was already a blank card in the cabin for the lights.

I noticed that too but we always bring an old one with us to use so that we don't have to use our existing KTTW in case we forget to take it with us when we leave the room. I do normally remember to take it out and put it in the closet and then put it in as soon as we enter, buuut not always. We did forget a couple of times on our last cruise and our stateroom host just pulled it up a little. Still, it was nice that they provided blank ones but I don't know that all of the ships are doing that so we still keep the old keys around.

 

[CamColt]

I like the keycards and lanyards hope they always keep these

I second that! I have never liked magic bands, since day 1. I only clip them on my bag, never on my wrist. In fact at Aulani last summer having to keep the little plastic wristband on me all day drove me nuts. At least I can be flexible with the magic bands and put them elsewhere, so that's a plus.

 

[FastPasser.]

I have an original MB that's never been used, I haven't had a need. Right now a MB won't give me any more functionality than the card. So unless they become included in the price of the cruise like on Princess cruises, which has a system that's far superior to the Disney system, I won't be buying one. The only thing I'm wearing on my wrist is a cheap Mickey watch.

 

[insureman]

This just in, Disney Cruise Line announced a new app to replace the Disney Cruise line Navigator app.The new app will be called the Disney Cruise Line Genie+ and will allow you to prebook specialty adult restaurants, events and excursions. It will also allow you to jump in front of the line and book by using the Swim Lane feature a significant times saver. The new app will cost $35 per person per day. The Swim Lane feature will cost $25 per event.

 

[insureman]

It could happen eventually.

 

[brentm77]

The new app will cost $35 per person per day. The Swim Lane feature will cost $25 per event.

For a limited time! Variable pricing coming soon!

 

[OKW Lover]

Will the existing MagicBands work? The article made it sound like you'd have to buy a new one.

I'd think they existing MB's would work as well. At least for the features that require a touch.

Wish they would integrate more with Apple Watch and Disney app. I know not an upsell like Bands are, but would be nice feature since so many of us already wearing watch.

That would be great!

The FAQ says Magic Bands + will work on cruises, and Disney Bands + will work in the parks. Original Magic Bands will not.

I'm surprised that the original MB's would not work. I can't think of a reason why other than Disney wanting to sell the new product.

But often on deck and on Castaway the servers need to take your card.... is Disney going to issue all of them a mobile device to allow them to make order and to process a MB+, Phone, Watch? Or would a good old card simple work better?

Doubt they would do this on deck. The new MB should function just like your card does for charging purposes so why bother with equipping the servers with something new?

I bet old MB will work, too. When the MB+ runs out of battery, it basically acts like a normal MB. Disney has said that the new DisneyBand+ will still allow you to open doors and make purchases when the battery is empty. So, I figure MB would probably work for those things, too.

I agree with this sentiment. Yes, the old MB's had batteries as well, but that was only for the "long range" function that got you the on-ride pictures. The old MB's continued to function just fine for all applications that required an actual tap to a reader. I'd bet that's the case here too.

 

[Dailymeel]

I miss when they gave magic bands for free

 

[1lilspark]

Will the existing MagicBands work? The article made it sound like you'd have to buy a new one.

Magic Band+ will work
Original Magic Bands or 2.0 style will not same as the roll out they had in California

You know they are going to have experiences on board that you can only access with a band eventually. I feel bad for the parents who feel forced to buy them because all of little Johnny's friends have them.

I’d assume eventually when charged you will get lighting packages during the lighting moment in the lobby, shows, fireworks

Whats odd is the parks one are called Magicbands and now the Cruise one is Disneyband odd

License issues I wouldn’t be surprised if World & Land eventually rename things to streamline

I bet old MB will work, too. When the MB+ runs out of battery, it basically acts like a normal MB. Disney has said that the new DisneyBand+ will still allow you to open doors and make purchases when the battery is empty. So, I figure MB would probably work for those things, too.

No the classic and 2.0 won’t work
Even though uncharged the + has the same functionality I think there is slightly different tech in the RFDI capabilities

 

[tidefan]

Another additional cost. Remember when cruising was all inclusive except for alcohol.

Actually, up until 2015 you were allowed to bring a bottle of liquor onboard...

 

[soniam]

On a different forum, someone said that the DLR app doesn't allow linking of MB only MB+. I tried. There is an option to use a number instead of bluetooth pairing. I don't have any tickets or upcoming hotel reservations at DLR. It wouldn't allow me to link my MB. I didn't try my MB+. I wonder if it knows that it's an MB based upon the number on the back, and therefore, it can block the linking of regular MB. If it can't be linked, it can't be used. I am betting this is what will happen for DCL, even though the cabins will still use RFID.

 

[Bound4DisneyWorld]

Can you remove the center piece of the + like you can with the regular? I usually put the little puck on my Apple Watch band. I’d rather use the tech, but not if I need to wear the whole band

Yes. MagicBand+ pucks can be removed.