Do we need Magic Bands?

[nancybotwin]

I feel like I’m getting conflicting advice - I know we can use our phones for all of the things the Magic Band would do. Our three kids don’t have phones - do they need the bands? Are there advantages of getting the band?

[redheadk]

Will you have Genie+? If so, I think you will want Magic Bands. The cheapest ones will work perfectly.

If not, I'd get the cards (I think at your hotel desk?) and use those. You have to tap in and finger scan to enter each park so your kids being able to do it themselves will make things easier/faster, IMO. You can use the cards instead of Magic Bands with Genie+ but the MB are just so convenient.

[meganew]

We didn’t get bands the first time we went and it was a pain in the butt, bands made everything easier. We also stayed on property, so it was our key into our room and pool, hooked up to H’s cc so buying snacks and paying for things was really easy, for park photos they just swipe it to add it to your account- plus they’re fun to pick out! I miss when they came free with your room reservation, but it’s still worth the cost in my opinion.

[nancybotwin]

Thank you meganew and redheadk. Super helpful.

[purplepenguin7]

We have Apple Watches so we didn’t get them last time we went. Plus my daughter was only 3 so she wasn’t buying anything or going anywhere on her own. But, I will say even my H was totally like no we don’t need those, one of the first thing he asked when we were in the hotel (not even to the park yet) was “why don’t we have those bands”. Ugh don’t get me started on that! Anyway, I’d get them if you can. I think your kids were a little bit older (teen?) so they will probably find them cool. Plus they do make things easier I think.

[mrsslocombe]

Need: No. Is it more convenient for at least one person to have one...yes. My last trip of 4 adults-my mother used her old basic one. My sister bought a new band, my friend used her Apple Watch. I just used the key card from the hotel front desk. All worked fine.

The main advantage is you don't have to constantly dig your phone or key card out for your park tickets, you can pay with the band, etc. If you are staying on property and going for the 30 minute early opening time-one person in your group has to scan to get to rope drop and it's easier/faster to use the band.

[sent]

I’ve done two trips with them and two without where we used the card, the most recent trip being without. They were definitely fun and nice on the third trip where we had a few nights at a Disney owned property. Otherwise on our most recent trip, we didn’t have Genie plus and stayed at a Good Neighbor hotel. So besides the main entrance, the only other time we needed it was when I’d ask the photographers to take a photo.

[Patsy Baloney]

I love having magic bands. They just make everything so much more convenient.

[somersault72]

I can't really imagine NOT having the bands. I'm sure you COULD do it without them, but I'm not sure why you'd want to. Just tap and go... My kids had no problems wearing theirs, even my 4 year who loses everything. I do miss them being free though.

[shaynaatl]

We tried doing our last trip without the Bands, and we ended up caving after the first day. It's so easy to use.

[steamboat185]

We have older bands from 2019. Assuming we can find them they should work, right?

[mrsslocombe]

Mar 2, 2023 23:19:45 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

We have older bands from 2019. Assuming we can find them they should work, right?

They do have a battery that can run out (and can't be replaced) so there is a chance they will be dead. But in terms of tech, yes they still work. 

[daisyduck]

Mar 3, 2023 10:08:58 GMT -5 mrsslocombe said:

Mar 2, 2023 23:19:45 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

We have older bands from 2019. Assuming we can find them they should work, right?

They do have a battery that can run out (and can't be replaced) so there is a chance they will be dead. But in terms of tech, yes they still work. 

The battery is only needed for long range RFID, so if you have Memory Maker and want it to auto-detect you are on the ride for photos. Even if that battery is dead (and at this point it probably is), the bands will still work for getting into the park, lightning lanes, charging stuff, etc. If you want the ride photos, you can buy one new band and just make sure it is on the ride with the automatic photos (sometimes DH and DD will ride without me and take my band, for example). That is what we have done and it works great.

[fiddles]

Mar 2, 2023 23:19:45 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

We have older bands from 2019. Assuming we can find them they should work, right?

Yes they will work. We learned it’s rfid technology that lasts forever pretty much.

[Pilsy]

Where do people typically buy them? This wasn't on my radar at all, but maybe I'll get them for Easter.


Or if we have friends who'll give us their old bands, can we use those?

[redheadk]

Mar 7, 2023 16:10:36 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

Where do people typically buy them? This wasn't on my radar at all, but maybe I'll get them for Easter.


Or if we have friends who'll give us their old bands, can we use those?

I bought ours online from Disney through MDE. It was a prompt to prepare for our trip. If you order them, each person's name will be printed inside the band. You can also buy them at the parks.

You can't use anyone else's band. There is no way to change it from their account to yours. 

[Pilsy]

Thanks, redheadk!

Everyone on here is so helpful!