What's the latest on DCL Magic Bands+?

[vakamalua]

Anyone tested them on the Wish?
Any problems with opening your cabin door?
Do you still have to take them off to pay for something?
Assume you'll continue to need KTTWC every time you embark / disembark...

Bottom line: given the cost, worth it? Thanks

 

[erionm]

Assume you'll continue to need KTTWC every time you embark / disembark

Can't answer other questions, but this is a YES.

From the DisneyBand+ FAQs on the DCL website:

Your Key to the World and photo ID (for Guests 18 and older), will still be required to debark and embark at Ports of Call.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/bands-cards/using-key-to-the-world-card/

 

[SleepyDeb]

They appear to be about to go into Beta testing. Personally, Im not about to pay to Beta test a company’s hardware. If I already had a MB+, I’d do it, but I don’t.

 

[Atlantix2000]

Anyone tested them on the Wish?
Any problems with opening your cabin door?
Do you still have to take them off to pay for something?
Assume you'll continue to need KTTWC every time you embark / disembark...

Bottom line: given the cost, worth it? Thanks

So far, they've only been tested by a limited number of people on a limited number of cruises. Yes they are selling them now but it will still be quite awhile before there's a cruise with a significant number of DisneyBands in use.

 

[RedHead0186]

A CM on the Wish in April told me that in many cases, guests had to take the MB+s off to pay, if the point of sale system wasn't easily available (like, out on the counter). The CM said they were trying to figure that out, maybe by having everyone use tablets as POS systems, but that has its challenges as well.

 

[tvguy]

A CM on the Wish in April told me that in many cases, guests had to take the MB+s off to pay, if the point of sale system wasn't easily available (like, out on the counter). The CM said they were trying to figure that out, maybe by having everyone use tablets as POS systems, but that has its challenges as well.

I was not impressed with Magic Bands at WDW. KTTW card is working fine, why change?

 

[soniam]

I was not impressed with Magic Bands at WDW. KTTW card is working fine, why change?

It’s not a change, just another option. Guests have been asking for Magicband use on DCL since it started at WDW.

 

[squirk]

It’s not a change, just another option. Guests have been asking for Magicband use on DCL since it started at WDW.

And - shocker - another source of revenue for DCL.

 

[randumb0]

I was not impressed with Magic Bands at WDW. KTTW card is working fine, why change?

Take a cruise on Princess and you will understand why

- contactless boarding
- find the location of friends and family onboard
- order food or any item like sunscreen and a crew member will bring it to you anywhere on the ship

 

[insureman]

Take a cruise on Princess and you will understand why

- contactless boarding
- find the location of friends and family onboard
- order food or any item like sunscreen and a crew member will bring it to you anywhere on the ship

Does Princess charge extra for theirs?

 

[insureman]

If they want to give it to me for free I'll beta test it.

 

[tvguy]

Take a cruise on Princess and you will understand why

- contactless boarding
- find the location of friends and family onboard
- order food or any item like sunscreen and a crew member will bring it to you anywhere on the ship

LOL. Doesn't change my mind. Used them at WDW, so I have first hand experience.
Although from other cruise blogs, the "find location of friends and family" is mostly miss.

 

[holula]

Take a cruise on Princess and you will understand why

- contactless boarding
- find the location of friends and family onboard
- order food or any item like sunscreen and a crew member will bring it to you anywhere on the ship

And if Disney ever upgraded their IT I could definitely see the benefit for them to work like this. However I don’t think that will ever happen.

 

[vakamalua]

No, Princess doesn't charge for their medallion. Nor does it need to be charged like a MB+. We've used it on a 16 day cruise & thought it was great--lots of functionality compared to MBs including the +. Also loved Princess having big touch screens all over the ship--including passenger decks-- that show daily schedules, ship maps, etc. We were celebrating our anniversary on board & the screens would even congratulate us as we walked by!

 

[Kwami]

Take a cruise on Princess and you will understand why

- contactless boarding
- find the location of friends and family onboard
- order food or any item like sunscreen and a crew member will bring it to you anywhere on the ship

Disney isn't advertising any of those options and I doubt that they'll implement any of them. So, DisneyBand+ doesn't seem to have much value over KTTW cards. I guess it's easier to keep track of while you're swimming, though.

 

[RedHead0186]

Take a cruise on Princess and you will understand why

- contactless boarding
- find the location of friends and family onboard
- order food or any item like sunscreen and a crew member will bring it to you anywhere on the ship

I love this funtionality on Princess (also, being able to order food and have it delivered to my location). I think DCL has a looooong way to go to get to this level of functionality. If they did, I would be happy. But since they're still trying to figure out the POS workings, I have a feeling any of what you listed is a long way off . . .

 

[Kwami]

I love this funtionality on Princess (also, being able to order food and have it delivered to my location). I think DCL has a looooong way to go to get to this level of functionality. If they did, I would be happy. But since they're still trying to figure out the POS workings, I have a feeling any of what you listed is a long way off . . .

You know...

1. Disney already has regular, non-+ MagicBands working for youth activities.
2. Disney already uses bands to track the location of kids. They also used them to enforce Covid-19 protocols during the NBA tournament that was played at WDW.
3. Disney's been doing this longer than Princess.

So, why can't Disney do these things? Do they just not want to? I don't get it.

 

[ArtemisPhoenix]

I’ve honestly always hated the lanyards. They make my neck itch and get caught on things. I have used the Magicbands at WDW and prefer them just from the standpoint of not getting caught or itching my neck. My kids love the fun of getting to pick out individual styles. I’m not sure why everyone is so irritated by this addition. You can still use the KTTW cards if you like. Who cares if someone else wants to use the Magicband instead?