Big changes to magicbands?!

[MagicHappens1971]

really wish you could just change out your battery. They seem to only last a year or two before they are dead. I could use the same band for years that way

The battery lasts 3-5 years, not 1-2.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I feel like I read they will integrate with smartphones eventually (God help us).

 

[elliepixie]

It's suggested that each person only have a maximum of 8 Bands/Cards active on their account at any one time. Some systems, especially the doors locks, can get overloaded when trying to keep track of too many serial numbers. So one way to combat that is to limit yourself to 7 or 8 active at one time.

-Rob

Thank you for this information. I never had issues before, but now that my account reached about 9-10 active magicbands per family member I started to run into problems. We just came back from our trip and had issues with the door locks, like you said. The cast member de-activated and re-activated all of them but we still had issues with some of them. Good thing that they felt bad about the whole situation (I wasn't really showing I was mad or anything...) and they wanted to change us to another room at the end of the day (we had unpacked already..) so they offered to upgrade us to Deluxe accommodations. We were staying at Caribbean Beach, but they upgraded us to the Poly!!!!! it was awesome actually, so yeah for non working magicbands

 

[danlb_2000]

That's why I said just iOS and probably just watchOS. It doesn't have to be forced on Disneygoers but assuming Apple can make it available, having the option would be cool.

But who knows, could be a total disaster. I could be over estimating the intelligence of many people. I think Disney already did that to a certain extent with MM+ and the bands. Not so much now but more so at the beginning.

You would get people going up to customer relations with their Android phones asking why it doesn't work with their IPhone.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

I thought that "puck" was going to be surgically implanted

Shhhhhhh.. Why do we continue to give Disney ideas like this only to see them implemented in a few years. Stop it.

 

[lazyboy97o]

You would get people going up to customer relations with their Android phones asking why it doesn't work with their IPhone.

You don't enjoy the iPhone Galaxy S7 paired with an AppleWatch Pebble?

 

[TeriofTerror]

And I thought MagicBands were unattractive.
Can't they marry style and substance?

 

[No Name]

Was confusing to me at first glance, because I thought that they were replacing the convenient band with an inconvenient hockey-esque puck.

But after reading this, if I'm understanding correctly, I actually like the sound of it. Only thing is the puck thing won't work with the current bands, so people who have a collection might be a bit upset. That's nearly all the harm I can see in this, apart from any technical issues.

Oh, and if they decide to call it a MagicBand+... they will hear from me.

 

[DinoInstitute]

They need to start working towards linking this to NFC for iPhones, Apple Watches, Android Phones and Watches, etc.

I should be able to tap my phone to enter.

I don't know if it will work, but I've always thought about putting my card (I don't use a magic band) in my phone case and seeing if it's close enough to just tap from there

 

[lazyboy97o]

I don't know if it will work, but I've always thought about putting my card (I don't use a magic band) in my phone case and seeing if it's close enough to just tap from there

I tried that with my iPhone 6s and it did not work. When the phone was placed near the reader it pulled up Apple Pay and the card would not read. I've thought about trying to find the chip in the card, remove it, and attach it to my watch.

 

[ScoutN]

I tried that with my iPhone 6s and it did not work. When the phone was placed near the reader it pulled up Apple Pay and the card would not read. I've thought about trying to find the chip in the card, remove it, and attach it to my watch.

Really? I use this one with my 6s+ and have zero issues with it.

 

[WildernessMan83]

I tried that with my iPhone 6s and it did not work. When the phone was placed near the reader it pulled up Apple Pay and the card would not read. I've thought about trying to find the chip in the card, remove it, and attach it to my watch.

Sounds like a fun experiment!

 

[Next Big Thing]

They are re-usable, but the battery has a limited lifespan.

I've been using my current band (as a local) for almost 2 years. I wouldn't consider that too limited.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I've been using my current band (as a local) for almost 2 years. I wouldn't consider that too limited.

Most people aren't local. By the time they return five years after a trip, the battery is dead.

 

[Next Big Thing]

Most people aren't local. By the time they return five years after a trip, the battery is dead.

I'll let you know when the battery dies. It's certainly not showing any signs.

Although 5 years is a long time... I doubt Disney would care producing up every 5 years.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I'll let you know when the battery dies. It's certainly not showing any signs.

Are you using PhotoPass, because that's the only way you'd know. The touch points don't require the battery and should work in perpetuity.

 

[Next Big Thing]

Are you using PhotoPass, because that's the only way you'd know. The touch points don't require the battery and should work in perpetuity.

Yeah, we've used it much more often since it got added to our pass.

 

[Biff215]

Thank you for this information. I never had issues before, but now that my account reached about 9-10 active magicbands per family member I started to run into problems. We just came back from our trip and had issues with the door locks, like you said. The cast member de-activated and re-activated all of them but we still had issues with some of them. Good thing that they felt bad about the whole situation (I wasn't really showing I was mad or anything...) and they wanted to change us to another room at the end of the day (we had unpacked already..) so they offered to upgrade us to Deluxe accommodations. We were staying at Caribbean Beach, but they upgraded us to the Poly!!!!! it was awesome actually, so yeah for non working magicbands

Sweet! I also didn't complain while we had issues at check-in at BCV, and the CM gave us a $75 credit which was really nice. Wonder how much this is happening?

 

[DisneyJayL]

I know, seems to be an issue with Apple Pay and security surrounding it because of the single NFC chip. I guess I should have said, once the ability is there, there's no reason why people shouldn't be able to use their Apple Watch.

They could do what Starbucks does with its app. They wouldn't have to use NFC at all. I'm sure Disney could come up with something like that.

 

[Gringrinngghost]

They could do what Starbucks does with its app. They wouldn't have to use NFC at all. I'm sure Disney could come up with something like that.

Starbucks actually have various forms of payment.
https://news.starbucks.com/uploads/..._Starbucks_Mobile_Apps_and_Mobile_Payment.pdf