Are Magic Bands still worth it?

[Disstevefan1]

No, they are not worth it but I still want one of the new ones that light up.

Is there anything worth the price payed at WDW? Also no, but we still pay.

 

[Rob562]

No, they are not worth it but I still want one of the new ones that light up.

Is there anything worth the price payed at WDW? Also no, but we still pay.

I picked us up a couple of the MNSSHP + bands on clearance last winter for like $15 each and bought some decals online to cover most of the designs. (The edges and one end still showed) Used them in Disneyland back in February, mostly for Bounty Hunters and the light effects during shows.

For $15, worth it. Full price? Nope.

-Rob

 

[NelleBelle]

Yes, the long range one uses the rechargeable battery. You can power off a MB+ by pressing the button on the back of the band for 6 seconds. Disney does recommend fully charging the battery in a MB+ at least once every 6 months.

This is good to know! I would’ve just theown it in with all my other WDW trip essentials and left it until our next trip (hopefully next year).

I did splurge and get a MB+ for our trip earlier this month. Not sure if it was the MB or things just actually working but for the first time ever, my name appeared consistently at the end of IASW. I may not have been paying close enough attention in HM (or could’ve been because my mom was escorted to the WC entrance) but didn’t notice anything after the stretching room. It was kind of cute to see the band light up with the fireworks. Only draw back is I nearly forgot it one morning after charging it overnight. The previous versions of MB I’d just leave it on the whole trip.

 

[gerarar]

I had my first ever solo trip earlier this month. First time staying at a Disney resort also; stayed 3 days at All Stars Sports.

Weeks leading up to my trip, I ordered a Fantasmic! MagicBand+. It was my first ever MB. In the past, we would just use those ticket cards for everything (scanning at the entrances, fastpasses, etc).

Once I got it in the mail, I charged and linked it in MDE with my account and it was pretty seamless. At WDW, the MB+ worked automatically at the turnstiles to tap into the parks, unlocking my door at the resort, scanning any lightning lanes I had, paying for stuff, etc. Didn't need to get it fixed with Guest Services or anything. Never had technical issues either.

I thought it was a pretty cool experience. Gone are the days I had to pull my wallet out and take out that RFID card. Honestly now to think about it, I rarely ever pulled my wallet out of my bag since everything was on my wrist now. I now completely understand the first-hand experiences I read about why having a MB may be super helpful on a trip.

Besides that, I loved interacting with the nighttime spectaculars, especially Fantasmic! (my favorite) and HEA. The band would light up and vibrate throughout the duration of the show. It was also do its thing on some attractions like GOTG, ToT, Tron, HM, etc. At the end of the day it would still have some battery left (never ran out), but I would recharge it overnight regardless.

So all in all, I would say it's definitely worth it. I don't have an Apple Watch, which I often saw some guests use instead to scan into the parks, so can't speak about that.

 

[Minnie1986]

I had my first ever solo trip earlier this month. First time staying at a Disney resort also; stayed 3 days at All Stars Sports.

Weeks leading up to my trip, I ordered a Fantasmic! MagicBand+. It was my first ever MB. In the past, we would just use those ticket cards for everything (scanning at the entrances, fastpasses, etc).

Once I got it in the mail, I charged and linked it in MDE with my account and it was pretty seamless. At WDW, the MB+ worked automatically at the turnstiles to tap into the parks, unlocking my door at the resort, scanning any lightning lanes I had, paying for stuff, etc. Didn't need to get it fixed with Guest Services or anything. Never had technical issues either.

I thought it was a pretty cool experience. Gone are the days I had to pull my wallet out and take out that RFID card. Honestly now to think about it, I rarely ever pulled my wallet out of my bag since everything was on my wrist now. I now completely understand the first-hand experiences I read about why having a MB may be super helpful on a trip.

Besides that, I loved interacting with the nighttime spectaculars, especially Fantasmic! (my favorite) and HEA. The band would light up and vibrate throughout the duration of the show. It was also do its thing on some attractions like GOTG, ToT, Tron, HM, etc. At the end of the day it would still have some battery left (never ran out), but I would recharge it overnight regardless.

So all in all, I would say it's definitely worth it. I don't have an Apple Watch, which I often saw some guests use instead to scan into the parks, so can't speak about that.

I have a collection of the original bands from when they were free with a resort stay. I more than likely will get the girls MB+s since it's their first ever trip, and I want them experience all of the bells and whistles; especially since we'll get a discount for pre-ordering. I'll get a new one for myself, but am still deciding between v2 or the +.

 

[Touchdown]

Remember if a trip to DLR is in your future only MB+ work there. I’ve got 4 MB+ one for each park.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I was shocked to see only 4 MagicBand2s available when I looked online (four different lands at MK). Not a huge fan of the need to charge MB+ but I guess they are forcing anyone interested in MBs to get those now…

 

[Disstevefan1]

They are NOT worth it, but since when that stopped us from buying anything at WDW ?

So I was in the Creations shop and saw this very cool Magic Band, I loved the colorful EPCOT logo on the face of it. Forty something dollars later it was mine.

It wasn't till I got home I realized it was a Harmonious Band, LOL, I still like it, still NOT worth it, but I still like it.

Side note, you know the gold figures you are supposed to be able to wave your Magic band at and they make sounds? I tried the Simba one at AK..... it was broke, LOL

 

[JaxFLBear]

I was shocked to see only 4 MagicBand2s available when I looked online (four different lands at MK). Not a huge fan of the need to charge MB+ but I guess they are forcing anyone interested in MBs to get those now…

You don't have to charge the MB+ for any function where you need to touch the band to a reader (park entry, room entry, room charging, etc.). A charged battery would be necessary for automatic linking of ride photos/videos and the interactive features (like Bounty Hunting in Galaxy's Edge).

 

[DrAlice]

Is it worth it if you are NOT staying at a Disney hotel?

 

[ToTBellHop]

You don't have to charge the MB+ for any function where you need to touch the band to a reader (park entry, room entry, room charging, etc.). A charged battery would be necessary for automatic linking of ride photos/videos and the interactive features (like Bounty Hunting in Galaxy's Edge).

I know. I just miss the cheapo $5 base model but those are long gone!

 

[JaxFLBear]

Is it worth it if you are NOT staying at a Disney hotel?

Worth it is subjective. They are more of a convenience in not needing to pull out a plastic ticket.

Another option would be to setup a Disney MagicMobile Pass using the MDE mobile app. The Disney MagicMobile Pass will make your smartphone work much like a MagicBand.

Disney MagicMobile Service

Be our guest! Your wish is our command, as you enjoy this Walt Disney World service.

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