New resv open by 28th?

[tseitel]

Just reading on WDW info that new reservations for next year should open by June 28th, but reservations for the rest of this year will not open till later this summer.
Also no more complimentary magic bands, but will be available for discounted price.

 

[MB1232]

I saw that as well. "Later this summer" for 2020 reservations it read. I found that interesting. It didnt say the cost of the magic bands-- I assume you can link old bands instead of purchasing new ones.

 

[sponica]

If I read the announcement correctly, it sounded like you could still get them at a discount just not free.

We have the bands that shipped before everything shut down...so we can just use those.

 

[tseitel]

Yes, that’s how I read it also. That they would be available at a discounted price, and for sale at the parks, just not free with your hotel stay anymore. And you can still use any old bands you may have

 

[Scooley01]

I'm curious about the MagicBand change. It doesn't seem like a necessary change because of Covid, since the MagicBands aren't any more "contact-y" than someone's cell phone. Perhaps just a cost-saving measure?

 

[kylenne]

I'm curious about the MagicBand change. It doesn't seem like a necessary change because of Covid, since the MagicBands aren't any more "contact-y" than someone's cell phone. Perhaps just a cost-saving measure?

Definitely feels like cost saving to me. Also looking at the fact that smartphones are much more ubiquitous now than they were when Magic Bands first came out.

 

[unrequited23]

In hindsight it seems like the popularity of the ability to purchase discounted specialty magic bands paved the way for this change. People were willing to pay for something that they could get for free. As much as I'm frustrated when I have to pay for something that used to be included, our family will mostly pony up for magic bands for our next trip. The kids will be 9 & 7, old enough for a little freedom (sure, use a FP on Barnstormer, we'll wait right here), but not yet old enough for a smart phone.