Question on Magicbands for 1st and probably only visit

[irlapes]

Hi all:

We are less than 2 months away from our trip to Disneyland and I have some doubts about Magicbands.
This is going to be a once in a lifetime trip for us, as we live in Spain. I'm a HUGE Disney fan and purchasing a Magicband sounds like a nice souvenir from the trip.
Is it worth it? Do I need to buy Magicbands for my DH and DS as well? If we purchase Genie+, do we need Magicbands to use it?

Thanks in advance for the answers!

 

[sheilafri]

You do not have to purchase a MagicBand to use any feature offered at Disney. You can use the plastic admission media to access the G+ lines, to enter the park, etc. IMHO if you purchase Genie + you will want a smart phone to continue to make selections through the day when in the parks. The smartphone can also be used in place of the MB. The exception is automatic linking to photos on rides (which I don’t use so am not familiar with). Also IMHO if you buy a MB for one of your party you probably want to get for all as why have the convenience factor for only one in your party. The exception might be if using it for photos. Others will know more about that.

 

[foolish_mortals]

You do not have to purchase a MagicBand to use any feature offered at Disney. You can use the plastic admission media to access the G+ lines, to enter the park, etc. IMHO if you purchase Genie + you will want a smart phone to continue to make selections through the day when in the parks. The smartphone can also be used in place of the MB. The exception is automatic linking to photos on rides (which I don’t use so am not familiar with). Also IMHO if you buy a MB for one of your party you probably want to get for all as why have the convenience factor for only one in your party. The exception might be if using it for photos. Others will know more about that.

Agreed with all of this. The only caveats is

—It’s important to note that you need MB+ at Disneyland, a regular MagicBand will not work.

—Disneyland does not auto link ride photos

—If you want to play the bounty hunting game you need a MB+. It’s the only thing you can’t do without a MB+

 

[DLgal]

You don't need a Magic Band, but you do need a smartphone for Genie+. You can use your smartphone for everything. The Magic Band is, in my opinion, NOT worth it for just one trip to Disneyland. If you were going to Walt Disney World, I'd tell you it IS worth it there.

The functionality at Disneyland is very, very limited.

 

[varyth]

We had a mixed party at Disneyland this weekend (2 with and 4 without), and I only used my MagicBand+ for admission and with the PhotoPass photographers. When using Genie+, the lightning lane entrance scan was so much faster just using the phone because you keep your phone in place and swipe through all the tickets in one go.

 

[irlandaise]

You do not have to purchase a MagicBand to use any feature offered at Disney. You can use the plastic admission media to access the G+ lines, to enter the park, etc.

"Plastic admission media"? Disneyland doesn't even automatically offer paper park tickets, do they? The last time I saw a plastic ticket at Disneyland was when I had an AP years ago.

 

[varyth]

Disneyland doesn't even automatically offer paper park tickets, do they?

We received paper tickets automatically this past weekend.

 

[sheilafri]

"Plastic admission media"? Disneyland doesn't even automatically offer paper park tickets, do they? The last time I saw a plastic ticket at Disneyland was when I had an AP years ago.

My bad. I go to WDW. We get a credit card like ticket as we have APs. Not sure about DL if you do not get an e-ticket.

 

[GBRforWDW]

My bad. I go to WDW. We get a credit card like ticket as we have APs. Not sure about DL if you do not get an e-ticket.

The 2 times I’ve been to Disneyland, once each of the last 2 years, they have given us a paper ticket the first time we went through the gates with our multi day ticket pass. We typically just put them in the souvenir pile and use the phone app while there tho. It’s usually more accessible, at least for me.

Having been to both wdw and Disneyland, I don’t think there’s a reason I’d spend money on a magicband at Disneyland either, especially for a one and done trip.

 

[DLgal]

My bad. I go to WDW. We get a credit card like ticket as we have APs. Not sure about DL if you do not get an e-ticket.

Disneyland annual passholders no longer get any physical ticket media. App barcode only.

Day guests get a paper ticket printed at the turnstile after they scan in with their ticket barcode, but only if they want one. Technically, you don't need a paper ticket unless you don't have a smartphone with the app loaded.

 

[Tinkaboo]

I wouldn’t, not for just one trip. I went twice without one and didn’t get one until I became a MK holder.

 

[LKing]

The exception is automatic linking to photos on rides (which I don’t use so am not familiar with).

There is no auto linking to ride photos at Disneyland.

Spend the $40+ on another, more meaningful, souvenir.

 

[Kit Jackson]

I would skip the MagicBand, but I would get Genie+. It includes PhotoPass, which I think makes the purchase totally worth it.