Dumb Magic Band Question

[zurgandfriend]

OK, DS and I have “magic bands,” are they still usable or do we need to upgrade to magic bands+ or the dread “Disney App.” Understand I’m an old Boomer who would rather have a metal key. Also, I still like to pay with cash.

Thank You

Z

 

[NomadLounger]

OK, DS and I have “magic bands,” are they still usable or do we need to upgrade to magic bands+ or the dread “Disney App.” Understand I’m an old Boomer who would rather have a metal key. Also, I still like to pay with cash.

Thank You

Z

I’m still using my magic bands from back when they were complimentary with your hotel stay - just make sure you have the front desk verify that they are active for your room if staying on property! The only issue might be ride photos, but having the app on my phone seems to cover that. Good luck!

 

[JIMINYCR]

Disney will still be grateful for all and any cash you wish to hand over. Using MB's and tech devices is the preferred way of the times and you cant get by as easily without them. Some MB's have been reusable while others not. Try yours out and see.

 

[Tigger&Pooh]

Older MBs should be fine for "tap" -- entering the park, LLs, etc. It likely will not pick up distance stuff anymore such as ride photos or some interactive features. If you are fine with that you're good with the MBs you have. As PP suggests, the front desk at your resort may or may not need to program it for your room - but that seems to occur even with the newer bands.

 

[Swissmiss]

OK, DS and I have “magic bands,” are they still usable or do we need to upgrade to magic bands+ or the dread “Disney App.” Understand I’m an old Boomer who would rather have a metal key. Also, I still like to pay with cash.

Thank You

Z

You can ask for a key card at check in as well. That way if your MB isn’t working well you have a back up that isn’t tied to whether your phone battery is charged.

 

[nickys]

OK, DS and I have “magic bands,” are they still usable or do we need to upgrade to magic bands+ or the dread “Disney App.” Understand I’m an old Boomer who would rather have a metal key. Also, I still like to pay with cash.

Thank You

Z

On your MDE account you can see if your magic band is active.

If it isn’t, or you can’t see it, ask the front desk CM to help activate it. As @Swissmiss said, you can ask for a key card too.

The magic band won’t get you automatic ride photos, but there are ways round that.

As far as paying using cash, I think there are some snack carts that won’t accept cash. And you’ll need a card or gift card to mobile order from QS places, but you can order at the counter.

 

[Ayla]

On your MDE account you can see if your magic band is active.

If it isn’t, or you can’t see it, ask the front desk CM to help activate it. As @Swissmiss said, you can ask for a key card too.

The magic band won’t get you automatic ride photos, but there are ways round that.

As far as paying using cash, I think there are some snack carts that won’t accept cash. And you’ll need a card or gift card to mobile order from QS places, but you can order at the counter.

You can activate it yourself through MDE if it says inactive.

 

[NomadLounger]

You can activate it yourself through MDE if it says inactive.

It can say active in MDE and still not unlock your hotel room door (it’s happened to me on two different occasions). I always have the CM at the front desk check now before I make my initial trek to my room!

 

[John park hopper]

Magic band battery life is 2-3 years and can't be changed ----I know I tried

 

[nickys]

Magic band battery life is 2-3 years and can't be changed ----I know I tried

That’s the RFID battery life, that gives access to ride photos etc.

The magic band will still work for everything else well beyond that.

 

[Tigger&Pooh]

Magic band battery life is 2-3 years and can't be changed ----I know I tried

There are 2 batteries in a MB:
The short-range battery lasts much much longer (10+ years to-date) for the "tap" functions such as park entry, LL, payment, door entry, etc.
Long-range battery life is 2-3 years and then it's dead for long-range functions only such as automatic ride photos, interactive queues, etc. MOST functions utilize the short-range battery.

 

[nickys]

You can activate it yourself through MDE if it says inactive.

Good point!

Although I have seen some people say they don’t always see the Activate button. I also seem to remember there’s a limit as to how many you can have active at any one time?

 

[Ayla]

Good point!

Although I have seen some people say they don’t always see the Activate button. I also seem to remember there’s a limit as to how many you can have active at any one time?

Could be. I have 35+ magic bands in my account and I always make sure all are inactive except the newest one.

 

[cbarry26]

My daughter tried out her first generation band on a recent trip and it opened the room and was fine for park entry and lighting lanes even charging food! This is the very first magic band series.