Using an Old MagicBand?

[disneydaydreamer33]

We have MagicBands from our Feb. 2014 trip. Our three kids really want to use MagicBands for our upcoming trip (Feb. 2016) even though we will be staying in an off-site condo. I know that they can be reused, but how would I know if the battery was still good, etc? It would be nice to save $60-70 if I knew they were useable. Just wanted to see if anyone had experience with older ones. TIA!

 

[subtchr]

They are fine. As long as they show in each individual's MDE account, and there are tickets linked to the same account, they will work to access all MDE info.

I have not heard of anyone since the origin of the MB program say they had issues with batteries. And in any case, the only function that would not work if batteries are dead is long range signal, on certain rides. Short range (touching the band to a touchpoint) is passive -- it does not require battery at all.

 

[CAS239]

Yes they'll be fine to use. Once the battery starts to die it'll be the photos that won't make it on the magic band. You'll still be able to enter the park and fast passes.

But magic bands that are two years old are still good to go. It's when you hit the 3+ year mark is when they recommend to get new ones

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

Perfect! Thanks so much for replies @subtchr and @CAS239

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I have to agree - I still use my first magic band on trips and have never had a problem with the battery. We have lots of magic bands because we stay onsite each trip - we just pick out which one we want to take (based on whatever we put on the inside and the color) My favorite band is red and says WExplorer on the inside I got it on our first magic band trip

 

[Accident]

There is 2 parts to the magic band. The "battery" part is used for ride photos and tracking your every movement. If your touching the band to use it, that doesn't require the battery to work and in theory should work long after your band no longer clasps correctly.

In the past 18 months, we've had 2 different bands stop working for ride photos out of the 20 or so bands wdw has sent us. It's really 7dmt where the band is needed for ride photos, the rest you can use the free hard ticket to tap the screen when you see your photo after the ride.

My experience, about a year the bands become questionable.

EDITED TO CLARIFY:

I just happened to look up on the site to ensure my info was correct, I found this:

If you are wearing your MagicBand, it automatically links attraction photos and videos to your Disney account. If you don’t have a MagicBand, please visit the attraction’s photo preview wall immediately after experiencing the attraction and touch your Disney PhotoPass card, Memory Maker card or annual pass to the touch point next to the preview screen that displays your photo.

MagicBands are required to link attraction videos to your Disney account.

I wish disney had some spot you could stop to find out "is my magic band still good for ride photos" so you don't have to guess. Then it's not guesswork on which bands you might want to replace, especially when they aren't free to replace.

 

[CarolynFH]

I too wish there were a way to check on the battery. On our most recent trip early this month, I was using a band that was only a year old. It worked fine for park admission, unlocking room doors etc. However, the ride photos at the beginning of the trip linked just fine, but the ones at the end didn't. The PhotoPass people found them for me, so we didn't lose them, but next time I use an old MB I'll tap it on the touch point at the end of the ride. If I get two copies in my PP account I'll figure the battery is fine, but if I get only one then I'll suspect the battery is dead.

 

[Tuffcookie]

We got 2 trips out of our first MBs. I got new ones for our Dec. trip we just back from. We will be using them again in April. And, even when the batteries run down, keep your MBs and hang them on your Christmas tree!

TC

 

[LisaPisa]

Now I'm really regretting buying the no longer sold but still sealed Toy Story band on EBay. It's gonna be dead, isn't it?

 

[tnolan]

If you got it within the past 2 years, it should still be good, from what I've seen on here. But use it soon, if you are depending on it for ride pix.