Old Magic Bands/Fastpass plus Loophole Closed?

[marciemi]

Sorry to be dense, but I was planning on just buying some more MBs at the parks and using those for SDFP. Do you have to create an MDE account? Instead of creating a second MDE, I was planning on just buying the MB and using the kiosk to pick our three SDFPs. I realize that we wouldn't be able to modify any of those SDFP+ if we don't create another MDE account or add phantoms to our current MDE account...but if I don't plan on modifying any, do they still need to be connected to an MDE account? Trying to figure out the easiest way to do it....If I do have to create another MDE account, would it be easier to do it before our trip? We will not have any tickets or reservations linked to our purchased MBs.

The magic bands need to be linked somewhere or they won't work - you'll get an error message at the kiosk and if you ask for help in the park they'll be determined to link them up to your current MDE account. Best bet is to either create a new account for those or to add them to your regular MDE using different names (either middle names, names with numbers after them, or simply things like ExBand1, etc.) - may be easiest to just add them as someone you manage (like you would a child) so you can make changes for them easily and not have to link to other emails, etc.

 

[yaya74]

first time reading this thread... the thought of carrying phantom bands for SDFP+ is just as wicket as reading 50 shades of grey (which I haven't read and am not interested in reading). I am tempted to do it since the bands are on sale today. But the thought of spending time at the kiosk deters me. However, this is one awesome way to crack Disney's FP+ system since now it is charging us nickels and dimes (or hundreds and thousands(.

 

[ArielSRL]

first time reading this thread... the thought of carrying phantom bands for SDFP+ is just as wicket as reading 50 shades of grey (which I haven't read and am not interested in reading). I am tempted to do it since the bands are on sale today. But the thought of spending time at the kiosk deters me. However, this is one awesome way to crack Disney's FP+ system since now it is charging us nickels and dimes (or hundreds and thousands(.

I pretty much feel the same. I really think we would only need it for one of our MK days and maybe Epcot and DHS bc of Tiers....I was all set to buy but then found out the 15% off is not for the solid color bands, so I'm holding off to think on it more or until I need to purchase more stuff from the disney store (so I can either get free shipping or only pay shipping once). I also am not sure I want to take the time to go to a kiosk and mess with all this. The day I would need it most is arrival day and we won't get to the park until 3pm anyway, so there may not be much available then, and the kiosk lines may be long (or not since booking addt on the app should be avail then). In any case, I have 74 days until our trip so I don't have to decide right away.

 

[marciemi]

I pretty much feel the same. I really think we would only need it for one of our MK days and maybe Epcot and DHS bc of Tiers....I was all set to buy but then found out the 15% off is not for the solid color bands, so I'm holding off to think on it more or until I need to purchase more stuff from the disney store (so I can either get free shipping or only pay shipping once). I also am not sure I want to take the time to go to a kiosk and mess with all this. The day I would need it most is arrival day and we won't get to the park until 3pm anyway, so there may not be much available then, and the kiosk lines may be long (or not since booking addt on the app should be avail then). In any case, I have 74 days until our trip so I don't have to decide right away.

If you're not going really soon, I'd definitely hold off. I'm not at all confident that when they do all these updates to the system in April (including adding the 4th from your phone option) that it won't do away totally with this same day possibility. As far as the time at the kiosk, my experience has been that if you go right at RD that there rarely is a line at most kiosks so worst case you quickly book 3 more FPP's for the day (basically doubling what you get) and then just don't mess with any more if kiosk lines are prohibitive.

 

[ArielSRL]

If you're not going really soon, I'd definitely hold off. I'm not at all confident that when they do all these updates to the system in April (including adding the 4th from your phone option) that it won't do away totally with this same day possibility. As far as the time at the kiosk, my experience has been that if you go right at RD that there rarely is a line at most kiosks so worst case you quickly book 3 more FPP's for the day (basically doubling what you get) and then just don't mess with any more if kiosk lines are prohibitive.

Thank you! That is good advice. As far as the kiosk issue, the day I need them most would be our arrival day and we won't get to the parks until 3pm....so it may not be worth it anyway.

 

[HI-Wire]

While in the parks, how do you carry the extra bands? Wrists, ankles, pockets, daisy chain necklace? I'm thinking putting it on the opposite wrist when I need it. So I'll be calling out prior to the line, "kids, left hand band or no green Mickey for you!" (Nobody wants the blue Mickey)

 

[boltfan]

I haven't read the entire thread, but what I'm wondering about is using them for the morning if you get FP+ for afternoon park when you're park hopping. Because we usually are there at rope drop, we usually use FP+ for our second park instead of wasting them on the morning park when wait times are low (we go in September or November, so it's a slower time of the year). Would it be worth it to get the extra magic bands and use them at the kiosks at our morning park, or would it just be a hassle as the wait times are already pretty low? (I think the longest we've ever waited in the morning is 30 mins). Thanks!

 

[yaya74]

since Disney is charging us nickels and dimes, I wonder if soon they will give us the option to pay $25 to upgrade the magic bands that would would carry 6 fP+.

just saying...

 

[ckelly14]

I haven't read the entire thread, but what I'm wondering about is using them for the morning if you get FP+ for afternoon park when you're park hopping. Because we usually are there at rope drop, we usually use FP+ for our second park instead of wasting them on the morning park when wait times are low (we go in September or November, so it's a slower time of the year). Would it be worth it to get the extra magic bands and use them at the kiosks at our morning park, or would it just be a hassle as the wait times are already pretty low? (I think the longest we've ever waited in the morning is 30 mins). Thanks!

I guess it depends what time you "hop". FP+ will be of limited value until about 11AM, maybe later on a slow day. However, if you stay in the first park through the afternoon, it may be worth it. I think most will agree that FP+ is of most value in the 1-5 PM range...

 

[marciemi]

While in the parks, how do you carry the extra bands? Wrists, ankles, pockets, daisy chain necklace? I'm thinking putting it on the opposite wrist when I need it. So I'll be calling out prior to the line, "kids, left hand band or no green Mickey for you!" (Nobody wants the blue Mickey)

We use cards instead of Magic Bands (either our kids AP cards when they're out of town or cards from guests who have visited with no valid tickets still left) and I keep them all sorted in small ziplocs in my purse. Anyone with me knows not to get in a FP line until I've handed them the right card and told them who they are for the ride! I will say though that many times someone has used the wrong card or MB - the CM will identify and say "Oh, your FPP is for Space and this is Splash" and I just go "Oops, wrong one" and pull out the right card and scan it and never been questioned beyond that (as long as it then turned green).

I guess it depends what time you "hop". FP+ will be of limited value until about 11AM, maybe later on a slow day. However, if you stay in the first park through the afternoon, it may be worth it. I think most will agree that FP+ is of most value in the 1-5 PM range...

I agree - and also remember that since you're basically getting the leftovers that morning times are the ones to "sell out" the soonest (since many people want the earliest time slots to then try for a 4th and subsequent FPP) so most likely anything you'd get in the 9-10 or 10-11 range will be things that are walk-ons anyway. If you plan to stay until 2 or so and can get like a 12-1, 1-2 and 2-3 (and use the last one right at 2 before you leave) then you'll probably have many more choices plus be using them at a time that they'll help. If you plan to leave before noon, I'd doubt it would be worth it at least with options right now (not sure how Soarin', A&E meet, Frozen Ride plus TT will work when they're all open).

 

[hodad]

I know this is a contentious topic, but I have a question about using a second set of magic bands connected to a second MDE account with tickets for a future visit. What steps should I take to ensure that the bands are not triggered at entrance gates, thereby starting the clock on the second set of park passes? Is it enough to put them on the other wrist or should I be wrapping them in aluminum foil and burying them at the bottom of a backpack?

 

[bell.of.the.ball]

So confused. I have a trip coming up,in May and will be getting magic bands for that trip and all my fp have been made. In the closet I have old magic bands from a previous trip. I can somehow make FPs and link then to the old bands?

 

[marciemi]

So confused. I have a trip coming up,in May and will be getting magic bands for that trip and all my fp have been made. In the closet I have old magic bands from a previous trip. I can somehow make FPs and link then to the old bands?

No, because those MB's are tied to you as well and would just be "clones" of your new MB's so you could wear either interchangeably. But not use them for extra FPP's unless they are for different people (ie your mom and dad came last time but aren't traveling on this trip) or you created a new MDE account for this trip.

 

[marciemi]

I know this is a contentious topic, but I have a question about using a second set of magic bands connected to a second MDE account with tickets for a future visit. What steps should I take to ensure that the bands are not triggered at entrance gates, thereby starting the clock on the second set of park passes? Is it enough to put them on the other wrist or should I be wrapping them in aluminum foil and burying them at the bottom of a backpack?

Interesting question that I haven't seen addressed but also have never seen anyone say happened to them. I'm pretty sure they don't activate unless held against a tapstile and a finger scan attached but personally if I were taking a chance on using ones with different tickets I'd probably do the latter that you suggested (maybe not that extreme but definitely not right on my wrist next to the other one).

 

[bell.of.the.ball]

No, because those MB's are tied to you as well and would just be "clones" of your new MB's so you could wear either interchangeably. But not use them for extra FPP's unless they are for different people (ie your mom and dad came last time but aren't traveling on this trip) or you created a new MDE account for this trip.

So if I borrowed my sister's family magic bands I could make fp using her account and bands.

 

[marciemi]

So if I borrowed my sister's family magic bands I could make fp using her account and bands.

Yes. If you're already linked via Family & Friends on your MDE you wouldn't even need to use her account (as long as she has you set to see "all" plans instead of just "shared" plans). If by chance they have AP's, you could even book the FPP's 30 days in advance. But if they just have expired tickets you could use them same day (and still see in your MDE and make changes as long as you did it in the browser, not the app). For at least as long as this loophole remains - no promises of course!

 

[Flamingeaux]

Interesting question that I haven't seen addressed but also have never seen anyone say happened to them. I'm pretty sure they don't activate unless held against a tapstile and a finger scan attached but personally if I were taking a chance on using ones with different tickets I'd probably do the latter that you suggested (maybe not that extreme but definitely not right on my wrist next to the other one).

Last trip I created a new MDE account booked a room only trip and got a bunch of extra MBs. I canceled the trip after receiving the bands. The bands were color coded - our bands tied to our package (old MDE account) were one color and we each had two extra sets color coded.

I assigned an old one day ticket to one of the MBs on the new MDE account. I got "night before" FPs for everyone by reassigning the one day ticket. When we got to the park we were wearing our package MBs. Once we were in the park we would put on our extra MBs. I had a cheat sheet with the FPs that were linked to which color MBs. When we got to to a ride I would tell them which color band to use. Worked like a charm!!! Not one CM said a thing. I would recommend doing this for MK and DHS.

 

[senadler]

I know this is a contentious topic, but I have a question about using a second set of magic bands connected to a second MDE account with tickets for a future visit. What steps should I take to ensure that the bands are not triggered at entrance gates, thereby starting the clock on the second set of park passes? Is it enough to put them on the other wrist or should I be wrapping them in aluminum foil and burying them at the bottom of a backpack?

We had an extra set of bands in October that were assigned to another MDE with our MNSSHP tickets on them. We wore them on our opposite wrist and used them for SDFP each day of our trip as well as advanced FP on our one MK day. They do not activate unless you match them up to the Mickey at the gates.

 

[pcdesmond]

This may have already been answered, but I was wondering if you could use someone else's plastic card that went a few years ago (pre magic band) and select sdfp. Do I need to do anything in mde?

 

[abbycwell]

I'm sure someone has explained this but I just want to clarify- I'm heading to MK with just one of my kids next month. If I change my hotel reservation to say 2 of my family members are coming but don't then buy them tickets- I can use those extra magic bands at the park for sdfp? Its ok if they are on my MDE from past trips as long as they don't have current tickets right? Or do i need to create something totally separate?
Thanks so much if anyone knows the answer!