Magic Bands going?

[bwfc4ife]

Hope they don't go. Maybe it's just me, but the magic band is a little something extra that makes me feel part of it all. I usually carry on wearing it when we get home for a couple of days too because I don't want to take it off

[Nimbus]

Over time I suspect Disney will encourage people to use their mobile phones and the Disney app where possible. However, they will also still sell MagicBands for the foreseeable future.

Just in case anyone wasn't aware, you no longer get MagicBands for free when staying onsite.

Originally Posted by Shades

Our next trip is Jan 2022 and we will get Star Wars Magicbands as part of the deal from ATC, however we have to go to Disney Springs to pick them up, something I don’t necessarily want to do early in the holiday. Whilst I realise we can unlock our AofA room using the My Disney Experience App, I wonder if our old bands will work for local RFID tapping purposes, if not the longer range ride photo functionality?

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Yes, they should still work for the short range tapping stuff. However, they won't work for the longer range stuff, such as ride photos. You would have to tap your old MagicBand on the screens after the ride to link the photos then.

Originally Posted by Shades

I have read mixed opinions on this. The bands are the old style (non-capsule) and are from 2016 so the batteries are probably kaput by now.

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The batteries will be kaput. But the short range RFID tap-to-enter/link functionality doesn't require batteries.

[halloweenbaby2]

Originally Posted by Shutterbug

we've got the deal for this November and i think it was mentioned somewhere, poss the small print. Bit annoying that we've got to travel to springs on our first night but they're included in the cost so we'll take them

I've just checked here attractiontickets/en...tels/MagicBand

How to collect your Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge MagicBand

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge MagicBands will not be posted to customers in advance of their holidays and must be collected from Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs.
Your Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge MagicBand can be collected at any time during your holiday and is not needed to get into the Disney Parks. However, should you wish to use your MagicBand as your admission ticket or your Disney hotel room key, please collect at the start of your Orlando holiday.

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Thanks for that. Don't you just love the small print!
Luckily we are doing Universal first this time so we have a few days before we need to pick them up.

[123]

Originally Posted by Leia77

I read yesterday that the next thing to go might be Magic Bands. Has anyone else heard this? I’d be pretty disappointed if this does happen - they are so handy and gives the kids autonomy.

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I wouldn't mind if thye were removed, they are pointless nowadays.

We already have :

1) Cash
2) Credit/Debit Card
3) Phone Payments

I go nowhere without my phone, neither do my kids so why would I need another payment method

Best to move these payments to a phone

[A&S&O]

Originally Posted by 123

I wouldn't mind if thye were removed, they are pointless nowadays.

We already have :

1) Cash
2) Credit/Debit Card
3) Phone Payments

I go nowhere without my phone, neither do my kids so why would I need another payment method

Best to move these payments to a phone

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All of which have to be removed from pockets / bags and aren't waterproof. We find Magic Band to be so useful.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by 123

I go nowhere without my phone, neither do my kids so why would I need another payment method

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The MagicBand isn't another payment method.

It allows you to charge items to your room account and then you pay off your room account using cash, your credit card or debit card, or whatever.

The MagicBand is more about convenience. It's there on your wrist so you just hold up your wrist to tap to enter. And it's waterproof so you can take it with you when swimming.

[123]

Originally Posted by Nimbus

The MagicBand isn't another payment method.

It allows you to charge items to your room account and then you pay off your room account using cash, your credit card or debit card, or whatever.

The MagicBand is more about convenience. It's there on your wrist so you just hold up your wrist to tap to enter. And it's waterproof so you can take it with you when swimming.

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I can see your point, but I also suggest that my credit card is waterproof

[Gill H]

Also the MB isn't just about payment. It's to get into the parks, into rides, into your room. It will enable certain things to happen in rides (eg special messages with your name - I don't know if this still happens? It did in some rides for a while I think.)

You will be able to use your phone, or even your Apple watch, to do all those things if you want. So a MB is not essential. But it will always be there on your wrist, never need charging, never need getting out of a bag or a pocket - plus they come in lots of great designs so make a good souvenir.

I'm not surprised Disney are not pushing them any more. Giving them free with every visit was an environmental nightmare (particularly for Americans who might go every couple of months). And there is a reason every other Disney park in the world decided not to bother with MBs, when you can do everything with an app instead.

But still ... I like them, and will probably buy one.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by 123

I can see your point, but I also suggest that my credit card is waterproof

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True. Assuming you are happy just to carry your credit card around - either in your hand, in a pocket of your swimming shorts, or tucked into your bikini - whilst you go swimming.

Having something securely strapped to your wrist that allows you to pay for things as well as open your hotel door when you return (and a couple of other things) is a little more convenient.

[Kraken]

Originally Posted by Gill H

I'm not surprised Disney are not pushing them any more. Giving them free with every visit was an environmental nightmare (particularly for Americans who might go every couple of months). And there is a reason every other Disney park in the world decided not to bother with MBs, when you can do everything with an app instead.

But still ... I like them, and will probably buy one.

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I will continue to use my old MagicBand when at Disney in Orlando. We stay off-site, so they only get used for park entries & FP+. Just very convenient as it's on your wrist and completely waterproof - unlike a phone (I could use the Apple Watch though as that is waterproof). I just dread the thought is being facing the wrong way, i.e. backwards on the Kali River Rapids - don't want my iPhone 12 Pro getting drenched.

Am sure I read somewhere that the reason MagicBands were not rolled out to other Disney parks is because the Florida project went significantly over budget.