Two CM told me yesterday that they will eventually charge for magic bands.

[clouds]

I have an AP but forgot to bring my card with me and had to otherwise prove it to get my AP discount for merchandise. Both cashiers I had told me for now to carry both during the transition because they could not yet see my AP via scanning my magic band. But, that that will change.

Then I mentioned that the bands I had were from a recent hotel stay but Disney was sending me another set for AP holders. I thought the bands were meant to replace my AP card. She told me make sure I keep all of the bands because pretty soon Disney would be selling the magic bands for off site guests. I had pretty much the same conversation with the second cashier, too.

 

[Sammie]

That has been understood from the beginning and they will charge you if you lose them.

 

[doconeill]

It's bee generally rumored for a while that Disney will sell bands to non-resort/non-AP guests...number I've been hearing consistently is $15/pop.

Replacement fees have also been mentioned, but I haven't heard anything consistent. Last I remember was first free/$50 after, but I don't see them charging more than the offsite price.

Saving them from several trips isn't practical since the battery will eventually run out. You only really need one, and maybe your own "spare".

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Saving them from several trips isn't practical since the battery will eventually run out. You only really need one, and maybe your own "spare".

RFID does not need a battery.

 

[doconeill]

RFID does not need a battery.

There _IS_ a battery in the bands. And some types of RFID use it. Depends on application.

The bands have different RFID chips in them. Two of them are "passive" units and don't require a battery - they are powered by the magnetic field provided by the reader, and are very short range.

The third is an "active" RFID transmitter, and uses a battery. It transmits its ID constantly, and can generally be read at a range of 9-15 feet. This is used for more specific applications, but not park/room entry, charging, FP+, etc. It is geared for being able to provide some experiences transparently without overt action by the guest. The most prevalent one right now is where some ride photos show up in your MDX profile automatically, because it detected your band at the time you passed the camera. Oh, and the tracking aspects so they know where guests are concentrated, etc.

And thus concludes the MagicBands/RFID lesson for today.

 

[DebbieB]

You can use your ticket for entry and FP+. So having the MB is just a convenience. So offsite can decide if they want to pay for it or not. I don't see a problem with that.

 

[Micca]

I can see it now...guys with folding tables set up on I-drive selling "authentic" magicbands. "Only $9.95, and dey got Mickey right there on the band."

 

[Suellen]

My daughter "thought" she lost hers last night and I went to GR to get her a card pass to go in the park. They did give us a MB for her but mentioned in the future they would be charging for replacements. I hope in the future they have a better holding clasp. They fall off all the time. Maybe because we put ours on and off so much... ??

 

[pktbMouse]

I can see it now...guys with folding tables set up on I-drive selling "authentic" magicbands. "Only $9.95, and dey got Mickey right there on the band."

 

[rteetz]

A disney executive said in an interview with the Orlando sentinel that they will give the option to buy magic bands to off site guests for about $15

 

[patsal]

Good, because having like 18 bands in my house from one year of travel is rather inefficient. I have 3 bands from October, I have 3 from January, I will have 9 from my summer vacation and I will get 3 more in October. Fingers crossed they get it all together by August so I don't end up with those 9 and the 3 for October and I will be much happier!

 

[disneyobessed]

can u choose the card instead of the band? i have a skin allergy to plastic... much rather deal with the card than itchy wrists all week.

 

[RunnerMomO]

Good, because having like 18 bands in my house from one year of travel is rather inefficient. I have 3 bands from October, I have 3 from January, I will have 9 from my summer vacation and I will get 3 more in October. Fingers crossed they get it all together by August so I don't end up with those 9 and the 3 for October and I will be much happier!

I was thinking of looping all mine together and putting them up on my Christmas tree.

 

[BelleKer]

Good, because having like 18 bands in my house from one year of travel is rather inefficient. I have 3 bands from October, I have 3 from January, I will have 9 from my summer vacation and I will get 3 more in October. Fingers crossed they get it all together by August so I don't end up with those 9 and the 3 for October and I will be much happier!

I was thinking of looping all mine together and putting them up on my Christmas tree.

 

[tcherjen]

We heard that too when we activated our AP on Thursday. I have 2 sets from our split stay so we will put them in a safe place.

 

[EnchantedSurprise]

My daughter "thought" she lost hers last night and I went to GR to get her a card pass to go in the park. They did give us a MB for her but mentioned in the future they would be charging for replacements. I hope in the future they have a better holding clasp. They fall off all the time. Maybe because we put ours on and off so much... ??

I agree, mine fell off and I did not even notice until we were back at the resort that night. I guess I better put the ones we have in a safe place.

 

[carrie1626]

My daughter "thought" she lost hers last night and I went to GR to get her a card pass to go in the park. They did give us a MB for her but mentioned in the future they would be charging for replacements. I hope in the future they have a better holding clasp. They fall off all the time. Maybe because we put ours on and off so much... ??

Maybe
I wore mine 24/7 and never had a problem with it falling off. I thought it was comfortable enough too.

 

[DummbGiRL]

can u choose the card instead of the band? i have a skin allergy to plastic... much rather deal with the card than itchy wrists all week.

Yep! Just ask your CM at resort check-in as they do not automatically offer it anymore. But be prepared to be judged by people thinking you are not cool enough to stay on property

 

[arminnie]

My husband and I have a ton of magic bands. The last time we checked in they confirmed that the ones we were wearing (moved hotels) were still valid and that they would recyle the ones in the box.

 

[chrisd1991]

Yea, we have several as well. Seems like there should be an option to not receive new bands.