Security and Magic Bands

[The Prophet]

I just returned from a trip to WDW and was surprised that while dining at sit down restaurants, I only had to present my Magic Band for payment
There was no request to punch in my PIN and/or ID requested. I did not dine at any quick service restaurants, so I can't comment about the payment process there.

What this means to me is that a Magic Band is like cash. If it is lost, someone can enjoy a nice meal on me
I hope that WDW is thinking about moving away from Magic Bands, putting additional functionality into the app, which is more secure.

 

[CarolMN]

If you lose a magic band you should deactivate it and then report it.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Yea, I have to say I raised an eyebrow regarding the same concern with table service dining. They didn't seem to bring their normal 'hardware' to the table to scan the MB and have me enter the pin. Instead, they took the MB with them and then returned with paperwork for me to sign. Much less secure. I did have to enter a pin when using the MB to purchase souvenirs and quickserve foods, probably because they used the scanners with the keypad there.

 

[The Prophet]

If you lose a magic band you should deactivate it and then report it.

With my luck, I will realize it’s missing a few hours later. Worst case the next day as I use my phone to unlock my room.
Then I see a $500 charge made at the Yachtman’s Steakhouse
I would assume that since would be a fraudulent charge, I would not be responsible for it.

 

[bumbershoot]

I just returned from a trip to WDW and was surprised that while dining at sit down restaurants, I only had to present my Magic Band for payment
There was no request to punch in my PIN and/or ID requested. I did not dine at any quick service restaurants, so I can't comment about the payment process there.

What this means to me is that a Magic Band is like cash. If it is lost, someone can enjoy a nice meal on me
I hope that WDW is thinking about moving away from Magic Bands, putting additional functionality into the app, which is more secure.

A sit down restaurant means you certainly made a reservation. Your name is on that. So they saw the match.

 

[Pooh12863]

I just returned from a trip to WDW and was surprised that while dining at sit down restaurants, I only had to present my Magic Band for payment
There was no request to punch in my PIN and/or ID requested. I did not dine at any quick service restaurants, so I can't comment about the payment process there.

What this means to me is that a Magic Band is like cash. If it is lost, someone can enjoy a nice meal on me
I hope that WDW is thinking about moving away from Magic Bands, putting additional functionality into the app, which is more secure.

I don’t see Disney moving away from the Magic Band cash cow, especially since announcing Magic Band+ this past fall.

 

[corpcomp]

What surprised me after so many years was finally using my rewards card to purchase food instead of the MB. So much easier because I don't have to go late to the front desk on the night before leaving and having them reapply charges from the MB back to the Rewards card. If I did not do this it would hit my VISA and I would not get to use the rewards points.

Of course you need the MB to get into the parks.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

What surprised me after so many years was finally using my rewards card to purchase food instead of the MB. So much easier because I don't have to go late to the front desk on the night before leaving and having them reapply charges from the MB back to the Rewards card. If I did not do this it would hit my VISA and I would not get to use the rewards points.

Of course you need the MB to get into the parks.

If you switched from Disney Rewards to Citi Double Cash, you wouldn't have to juggle rewards cards in the first place, and you'd have a more points to begin with.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I just returned from a trip to WDW and was surprised that while dining at sit down restaurants, I only had to present my Magic Band for payment
There was no request to punch in my PIN and/or ID requested. I did not dine at any quick service restaurants, so I can't comment about the payment process there.

What this means to me is that a Magic Band is like cash. If it is lost, someone can enjoy a nice meal on me
I hope that WDW is thinking about moving away from Magic Bands, putting additional functionality into the app, which is more secure.

Have you ever been asked for a PIN or ID when handing them your American Express? No? What's the difference?