Using old magic bands

[SKYYCAMEL]

I’m sure this has been addressed here somewhere, but here goes. We opted to use our magic bands from last year’s trip. We completed online check in already. Will the old magic bands work automatically or do I have to go to the front desk?

 

[Sandisw]

All MB will work...as long as active...so you should be all set! I have several specialty that I bring to each trip!

 

[Pixie Dusted Dee]

As long as they are active they will work just fine.

 

[_19disnA]

There are two different functions for magic bands, one requires the battery to be working and the other doesn't. Apparently the battery can't be replaced from other threads I have seen in the past. Battery life probably depends on how often you use it, how you store it and maybe things like if it ever got wet that could corrode the battery.

 

[Fangorn]

I’m sure this has been addressed here somewhere, but here goes. We opted to use our magic bands from last year’s trip. We completed online check in already. Will the old magic bands work automatically or do I have to go to the front desk?

As @Sandisw said, any active band attached to your account *SHOULD* work just fine, without you having to visit the front desk. That said, each resort operates somewhat independently and they have some options in the system that they can choose to implement - or not. One of the options the resorts have is to limit the resort-specific stuff like opening doors and entering pools to a single band. Most of the resorts don't do it, but a few do (particularly looking at you BC). Even those that do restrict bands, don't do it all the time.

So, it's possible that your old band will not initially open door to your room. If that happens, you'll need tp go to the front desk and have them fix it. It'll only take a minute, but it's very annoying. What's more annoying is that the CM is likely to imply that it's your fault and that you have too many bands on your account. (That particular WDW urban legend has been around since MBs were a thing).

Steve

 

[GADisneyDad14]

particularly looking at you BC

I’m going to throw a little shade at YC too on this topic. At least in my experience.

 

[Erica Ladd]

Can someone in your current party use a band that was someone else’s on a previous trip? ie - I got bands for DH and I but cancelled the trip - can dd and I go and use them?

 

[tstein12]

I have a magic band that is around 5.5 years old that still works (as of our trip in January 2020)! I brought it along just to see if it worked. Also, I have approximately 20 magic bands and have never had an issue with any of them, so I really think that the excuse one has too many magic bands is an urban legend. By saying this, I probably just jinxed myself for our upcoming trip in October!

 

[tstein12]

Can someone in your current party use a band that was someone else’s on a previous trip? ie - I got bands for DH and I but cancelled the trip - can dd and I go and use them?

No - if they are already linked to your husband, you cannot reassign them to someone else.

 

[Fangorn]

I’m going to throw a little shade at YC too on this topic. At least in my experience.

That makes sense. I've spoken with the General Manager of BC and she told me that the reason they do it is to prevent someone passing out multiple old bands so that non guests can enter Stormalong Bay.
I've always assumed YC did it too, but I've never stayed there so I have no personal experience.

Steve

 

[GADisneyDad14]

That makes sense. I've spoken with the General Manager of BC and she told me that the reason they do it is to prevent someone passing out multiple old bands so that non guests can enter Stormalong Bay.
I've always assumed YC did it too, but I've never stayed there so I have no personal experience.

Steve

Yeah, I can’t say YC is the only place we’ve ever had MB troubles, but it definitely is where we’ve had the most consistent/reoccurring trouble. It’s become a running joke in the family.