Reuseable magic bands?

[chefpapi34]

Our family received magic bands back during our November trip, we are looking to book for this fall. Does anyone know if the magic bands we already have will be used, or will we get new ones?

 

[btk2333]

Our family received magic bands back during our November trip, we are looking to book for this fall. Does anyone know if the magic bands we already have will be used, or will we get new ones?

As of now you will get new ones and your old ones will work- so pick a new color!

 

[Luvchefmic]

You don't have to get new ones if you don't want them I have used mine 3 times since Sept If you don't personalize/pick a color then the generic gray ones will be waiting at your resort when you check in and then you can just refuse it MB is reusable for a few years, not sure how long

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

The first time we got them we had bookd too,late to customize, so we got the plain (ugly) gray at check in...I was surprised they did have them in the fancy box, and our names were on them, that mustn't take as long I guess. Now that we've made another reservation and it's a few months out, I picked colors for everyone! And until then I'm using them on our day trips because they work with our APs...I did fancy them up with some Magic Bandits. I though if I'm wearing them more, they deserve some bling!

 

[disneyfreak33]

I remember the check in guy at GF told us they were good for 2 years after first use, whether that is true or not remains to be seen.

We will use our old ones next trip and if not I guess we settle for gray ones.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Forgive my ignorance but how do you reuse them? Do they do this on checkin or can you do it using MDE? I see my current MB listed but can't see a way of using it for my upcoming trip. It's automatically allocating new ones.

 

[Robo]

Forgive my ignorance but

1- how do you reuse them? Do they do this on checkin or can you do it using MDE?

2- I see my current MB listed but can't see a way of using it for my upcoming trip.

3- It's automatically allocating new ones.

1- The bands are associated with your permanent MyDisneyExperience files.

2- There is nothing that needs to be done on the site regarding "using" the bands.
(The bands only come into play when you are AT a WDW park or resort.)

3- Yes, but as I said in #2, on the MDE site there is nothing that is done regarding "using" the bands.

The new set of bands will work when you get to WDW...
AND, your old/current set of bands will ALSO work when you get to WDW.
You can use either or both.

Just to keep things as clear as possible-

There is no reservation info, or ticket info, or credit card info,
or FP+ info "put onto" a MagicBand.

The MagicBands just contain a unique serial number that is used
to access the information that is stored in your MyDisneyExperience computer file.

So, even if you were to lose a MagicBand, the info stays locked in your file.
Disney can just set up a new band (different serial number)
to access the info in your MDE file.

The MagicBand works like the combination to a locked safe, a key to a locked door.

Why does this distinction matter?
Because there is so much fear about losing bands and,
in turn, losing all of a guest's information thought to be on the band.

The MB, itself, is not the file of info or the container of the info.
The MB just unlocks the file of info to be read, when needed.

 

[AlisaMom]

The new set of bands will work when you get to WDW...
AND, your old/current set of bands will ALSO work when you get to WDW.
You can use either or both.

Thank you for the information - it means that I can use several "colors" bands during my next trip

 

[Luvchefmic]

1- The bands are associated with your permanent MyDisneyExperience files.

2- There is nothing that needs to be done on the site regarding "using" the bands.
(The bands only come into play when you are AT a WDW park or resort.)

3- Yes, but as I said in #2, on the MDE site there is nothing that is done regarding "using" the bands.

The new set of bands will work when you get to WDW...
AND, your old/current set of bands will ALSO work when you get to WDW.
You can use either or both.

Just to keep things as clear as possible-

There is no reservation info, or ticket info, or credit card info,
or FP+ info "put onto" a MagicBand.

The MagicBands just contain a unique serial number that is used
to access the information that is stored in your MyDisneyExperience computer file.

So, even if you were to lose a MagicBand, the info stays locked in your file.
Disney can just set up a new band (different serial number)
to access the info in your MDE file.

The MagicBand works like the combination to a locked safe, a key to a locked door.

Why does this distinction matter?
Because there is so much fear about losing bands and,
in turn, losing all of a guest's information thought to be on the band.

The MB, itself, is not the file of info or the container of the info.
The MB just unlocks the file of info to be read, when needed.

There DOES seem to be recurring fear about the info "stored" on the MB I don't know if you ever saw what actually comes up on the CMs end of things when they scan it I have seen it at a kiosk at the resort: This is all that shows up:

Your Name
Resort Name ( NO room number )
Dates to and from for the resort stay
any ADRs

Even though I had attached a CC/charge to the room there was absolutely NO info about the CC displayed I really hope people start believing its safe and let go of stress about this aspect of it

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

1- The bands are associated with your permanent MyDisneyExperience files. 2- There is nothing that needs to be done on the site regarding "using" the bands. (The bands only come into play when you are AT a WDW park or resort.) 3- Yes, but as I said in #2, on the MDE site there is nothing that is done regarding "using" the bands. The new set of bands will work when you get to WDW... AND, your old/current set of bands will ALSO work when you get to WDW. You can use either or both. Just to keep things as clear as possible- There is no reservation info, or ticket info, or credit card info, or FP+ info "put onto" a MagicBand. The MagicBands just contain a unique serial number that is used to access the information that is stored in your MyDisneyExperience computer file. So, even if you were to lose a MagicBand, the info stays locked in your file. Disney can just set up a new band (different serial number) to access the info in your MDE file. The MagicBand works like the combination to a locked safe, a key to a locked door. Why does this distinction matter? Because there is so much fear about losing bands and, in turn, losing all of a guest's information thought to be on the band. The MB, itself, is not the file of info or the container of the info. The MB just unlocks the file of info to be read, when needed.

thanks. I have no worries about my data being stored on the band I understand it's just a number that contacts some kind of uber database system for my details. That's great that my existing band is still live. The only reason I asked is I wondered if you are given a unique number each reservation so each band has a different number with some kind of expiry date. When you check out it expires. I was asked to set up a pin number on my old one so didn't know if this was time bombed.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Paula, You'll be asked to set up a PIN again for charge to room or dining plan but your MB from last time is alive and well ( hope to actually meet you two next time ) Ruthie

 

[ucfknight]

I remember the check in guy at GF told us they were good for 2 years after first use, whether that is true or not remains to be seen.

There are 2 radios in each MagicBand. One is an active long-range radio and the other is a passive short-range radio.

The 2 years is probably the expected life of the long-range radio which is powered by a non-replaceable battery in the band.

The short-range radio does not use a battery or any other onboard power. It is actually powered by radio waves emitted by the scanner it is held up to. The short-range radio has a lifespan that is probably measured in decades unless some externally caused damage occurs.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Paula, You'll be asked to set up a PIN again for charge to room or dining plan but your MB from last time is alive and well ( hope to actually meet you two next time ) Ruthie

thanks! That is helpful yes you too! My confusion is that if you have 5 MB active can't that mean somebody could use a MB in DTD charging an account whilst somebody else enters a park using another of your bands? Basically folks could give out their bands couldn't they? I wonder if the system would flag they were in two parks at once? CM did not always look at my photo when we entered the parks.

 

[Robo]

thanks! That is helpful yes you too! My confusion is that


if you have 5 MB active can't that mean

1- somebody could use a MB in DTD charging an account

2- whilst somebody else enters a park using another of your bands?

3- Basically folks could give out their bands couldn't they?
4- I wonder if the system would flag they were in two parks at once?
5- CM did not always look at my photo when we entered the parks.

1- Not without the PIN code.

2- Not unless they have your finger.

3- Can't be used without the finger scan.

4- See 2 & 3.

5- The MagicBands use a finger-scan.
Did your UK ticket require a photo?

PIN codes, finger-scans, photo ID, each unique to the real owner of the band.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

1- Not without the PIN code. 2- Not unless they have your finger. 3- Can't be used without the finger scan. 4- See 2 & 3. 5- The MagicBands use a finger-scan. Did your UK ticket require a photo? PIN codes, finger-scans, photo ID, each unique to the real owner of the band.

ahhh Robo yes that's it I completely forgot about the biometric element! It did require me to do a finger print scan each time you are right. Lol re they would need my finger.

I don't recall when they take your finger print scan. I wonder do they keep it on their system or will I need to do it again when we go? Last year we had our bands linked to our AP's which have now expired and this year we have new AP's which I have just linked in MDE. I don't mind them keeping it on the database from last time.

 

[Robo]

ahhh Robo yes that's it I completely forgot about the biometric element! It did require me to do a finger print scan each time you are right. Lol re they would need my finger.



1- I don't recall when they take your finger print scan.

2- I wonder do they keep it on their system or

3- will I need to do it again when we go?

4- Last year we had our bands linked to our AP's which have now expired and

5- this year we have new AP's which I have just linked in MDE.

6- I don't mind them keeping it on the database from last time.

1- Automatically happens the first time that you use a new ticket
or your first MagicBand (with a specific ticket associated with your MDE account) to enter a park.

2- Yes. (If there are any "days left" on a current ticket (with or without a MagicBand.)

3- If you are using new tickets (with or without a MagicBand.)
The system "knows" when it needs to scan for a new ticket.

4- Those finger scans are now extinct along with the expired AP's.

5- Your fingers will be scanned (and the info saved) the first time you enter a park with the new AP
(with or without a MagicBand.)

6- The scans expire with ticket expiration.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

1- Automatically happens the first time that you use a new ticket or your first MagicBand (with a specific ticket associated with your MDE account) to enter a park. 2- Yes. (If there are any "days left" on a current ticket (with or without a MagicBand.) 3- If you are using new tickets (with or without a MagicBand.) The system "knows" when it needs to scan for a new ticket. 4- Those finger scans are now extinct along with the expired AP's. 5- Your fingers will be scanned (and the info saved) the first time you enter a park with the new AP (with or without a MagicBand.) 6- The scans expire with ticket expiration.

thank you so much for this info Robo it's been so helpful

Looking forward to booking my experiences! Thanks again you are a star.

Paula

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I would like to see WDW to encourage guest to reuse, recycle and think more green. Big corporations need to set the example to everyday people that our planet is worth it.

Reuse the bands, find ways to decorate them with household things laying around and most of all. Have a great vacation.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I would like to see WDW to encourage guest to reuse, recycle and think more green. Big corporations need to set the example to everyday people that our planet is worth it. Reuse the bands, find ways to decorate them with household things laying around and most of all. Have a great vacation.

yes. At the very least the system should flag that you have a spilt stay and use the same band. Because of using different booking numbers I have 3 bands for my stay in May! I would be happy with just the one! In fact prefer it.