Ordering New Magic Bands

[rubyeskimo]

Hi everyone. So I know that Disney have stopped complimentary magic bands going forwards and seem to have stopped UK visitors from ordering them in advance completely. However, I did a bit of searching and used my VPN set to the US to access MDE, and it took me through to the page where I can order a magic band supposedly for pick up at the hotel for my trip next year. Has anyone else in the UK managed to use this trick successfully?

I'm just a little wary about ordering and then it not being at the hotel for pick up when they realise I'm actually coming from the UK. I would re-use the ones we already have but the newest one will be 3 years old by then and not sure whether the battery will still be working or not and I don't want to have to constantly use my phone for things.

 

[csimon]

I believe that the only thing the battery is needed for is for long-range RFID, which amounts to automatic onride photos on a handful of attractions, and that the same thing can be achieved now by allowing the mobile app to use your phone's bluetooth. For all other functionality, short-range RFID is used and that's always active, no battery needed, it's exactly the same as getting a plastic key card instead - and to that end I believe you can still request one of those at check-in anyway.

 

[rubyeskimo]

I believe that the only thing the battery is needed for is for long-range RFID, which amounts to automatic onride photos on a handful of attractions, and that the same thing can be achieved now by allowing the mobile app to use your phone's bluetooth. For all other functionality, short-range RFID is used and that's always active, no battery needed, it's exactly the same as getting a plastic key card instead - and to that end I believe you can still request one of those at check-in anyway.

Thanks, I had read the things about the different RFID but it wasn't 100% clear on what the difference was, so your explanation makes a lot more sense! Think I might re-use an old one but DH keeps saying he want's a new one so we'll wait and see!

 

[csimon]

Yes, by all means, a MB can be a goal in itself! But no need to worry unduly about losing functionality on an old one when the battery runs out.

And unless you want a specific design that they offer via pre-purchase or with a discount, you can probably pick one up in the hotel shop when you get there.