Pacemakers in the parks

[hope23]

Hello- My young daughter has a pacemaker and I want to be sensitive to anything that could interfere with it while at Disney. I saw that the magic bands warn that they should stay 9 inches from a pacemaker, so I called Disney to verify this. The CM I spoke with said that the bands are actually quite harmless to pacemakers and shouldn't interfere with them at all and not to be concerned. She said that the only time they would emit an interfering signal is when they are being used (entering the park, paying for something, using FP+). I just wanted to verify this information with others who may have had pacemaker experience in the parks? I also plan to chat with our cardiologist. Thanks so much!

 

[hope23]

I should add that I don't plan on my daughter wearing one, just trying to decide if we should also not wear them. Thanks!

 

[chartle]

When talking to your cardiologist you need to tell them that Magic Bands have a passive RFID chip and and, unlike what the CM told you, a very low power signal that it transmits at some interval. Now the CM may know about that very low power signal and know that its not an issue but if it is why talk about the 9 inch limit.

 

[theskyisawake]

I have a pacemaker and didn't have any issues last month. I just made sure to wear my band on the right hand to keep it as far away as possible.

 

[Dimaline312000]

I have an Implanted Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) which is basically a pacemaker and was still able to use the magic band this past December with no problems at all. I was able to wear it on the same side and still no negative effects. I really don't think it should be a problem as I was born with extensive heart problems and have been to Disney World over 20 times and have never had a heart related incident from anything at Disne!! Have a wonderful time!!

 

[princess sunshine]

Hi, my Grandma has a pacemaker too, and we have taken precautions to help limit any interferences. For starters, we wear the bands and she doesn't (she uses the plastic card instead for entry/FP). On rare occasion though she will feel a sensation if our bands get to close to her chest on a ride or once in a great while when pushing the wheelchair and leaning over to talk to her. Something that we didn't think about right away is if you are staying on property and get the resort Disney mugs, be careful because there is a chip in there too with allowing access to correspond with the length of your trip. Grandma ended up needing to use regular water cups with permission because there's no chip in that. Finally, one other unexpected event was in a souvenir shop in Animal Kingdom when she had the strange sensation from her pacemaker. When she mentioned this, we noticed that we had been located right beside a large display wall of magic bands. So, the magic bands are fun and fantastic to wear for most of us, but I'm glad you asked about the pacemaker interactions because from our experience it is best to not wear one with a pacemaker. Have a wonderful time...we always do too

 

[hope23]

Thanks so much for all of your input... it is very helpful! I'm glad you shared how it felt from an adult's perspective, because our daughter isn't able to clearly convey what she might be feeling. I appreciate it!

 

[RmeDad]

Contact the manufacturer of the pacemaker. They are the definitive answer.

 

[Gary Kiely]

I should add that I don't plan on my daughter wearing one

 

[disnut8]

I should add that I don't plan on my daughter wearing one, just trying to decide if we should also not wear them. Thanks!

I have yet to wear a MagicBand on my wrist. You can just stick it in a bag or a pocket and take out when needed and then stuff back in wherever once you are through whatever it is you needed the Band for.

 

[momof2n2]

Either the manufacturer or her cardiologist should be able to reassure you that the bands won't pose a threat for her.
I hope you all have a fantastic trip.

 

[tjevans]

When talking to your cardiologist you need to tell them that Magic Bands have a passive RFID chip and and, unlike what the CM told you, a very low power signal that it transmits at some interval. Now the CM may know about that very low power signal and know that its not an issue but if it is why talk about the 9 inch limit.

That depends on whether they contain active RFID chips or passive RFID chips (I don't know which they contain). An active chip has its own power source. A passive chip gets its power from the radio waves that are transmitted to it. My point being, that if it's a passive chip, it's not the magic band you need to worry about as much as the "Mickey head" magic band transponders.

 

[jmkjr72]

All medical questions should be taken up with your Dr
unless her Dr is on the board or someone from the team that helped with her pacemaker they cannot give you the answers you need

Unless disney has tested every medical device out there they have to say magic bands can mess with them

 

[chartle]

That depends on whether they contain active RFID chips or passive RFID chips (I don't know which they contain). An active chip has its own power source. A passive chip gets its power from the radio waves that are transmitted to it. My point being, that if it's a passive chip, it's not the magic band you need to worry about as much as the "Mickey head" magic band transponders.

It has 2 chips one passive and a low power active one with a battery.