Everything you need to know about MagicBands.

[Miffy]

I just e'd guest services. I'll post when they reply. Thank you again, Bryan!

 

[siskaren]

I've read the main post and I wanted to see if any of these have been updated.

Are offsite guests allowed to attach a gift card/credit card to their magicband through MDE?

This isn't going to change because what it's actually allowing is charging to your room.

 

[bettymae1121]

I did try to do a search of this thread and didn't see this, if I missed it I apologize. I tried to read the whole thread but I've got a pounding headache so I thought I'd just ask...

I'm a WDW vet but I haven't visited since 2011 so this MagicBand stuff is really new to me. My family is going in May '17 but we're staying at the Swan on points. I understand that we do not get MB's, and I'm fine with purchasing them. My question is, can I purchase them ahead of time and add them to my MDE along with our park tickets (once I purchase those) so that we can use the MB's as park admission right from the moment we arrive? I just want to hit the parks the first morning we're there and not have to monkey around with it prior to entering MK or doing it later in the trip. If I can purchase/set up a head of time, where should I purchase from? I'm not looking for special edition bands, regular run-of-the-mill ones are just fine.

If I can't order/set up ahead of time, I would want to do it once we arrive at the Swan (we plan to just check-in and explore the resort/swim/have dinner and do our first park day on our first full day in WDW). Can I purchase/set up at Swan or do I need to head over to Epcot or DHS? I figure I can do it while DH and DD play in the arcade or something.

I know doing it there on site should be fast/easy but I really would rather have it taken care of ahead of time if it all possible.

I've been a frequent WDW guest since I was 7 and now I feel like such a newbie! I take a six year vacation break to have a kid and finish college and this is what I come back to!

 

[siskaren]

I did try to do a search of this thread and didn't see this, if I missed it I apologize. I tried to read the whole thread but I've got a pounding headache so I thought I'd just ask...

I'm a WDW vet but I haven't visited since 2011 so this MagicBand stuff is really new to me. My family is going in May '17 but we're staying at the Swan on points. I understand that we do not get MB's, and I'm fine with purchasing them. My question is, can I purchase them ahead of time and add them to my MDE along with our park tickets (once I purchase those) so that we can use the MB's as park admission right from the moment we arrive? I just want to hit the parks the first morning we're there and not have to monkey around with it prior to entering MK or doing it later in the trip. If I can purchase/set up a head of time, where should I purchase from? I'm not looking for special edition bands, regular run-of-the-mill ones are just fine.

If I can't order/set up ahead of time, I would want to do it once we arrive at the Swan (we plan to just check-in and explore the resort/swim/have dinner and do our first park day on our first full day in WDW). Can I purchase/set up at Swan or do I need to head over to Epcot or DHS? I figure I can do it while DH and DD play in the arcade or something.

I know doing it there on site should be fast/easy but I really would rather have it taken care of ahead of time if it all possible.

I've been a frequent WDW guest since I was 7 and now I feel like such a newbie! I take a six year vacation break to have a kid and finish college and this is what I come back to!

Well, first of all - Magic Bands are not necessary. But you can buy them ahead of time from the Disney Store online, or from the Shop Disney Parks app - both places have the solid colored ones as well as some of the special ones.

 

[bettymae1121]

Well, first of all - Magic Bands are not necessary. But you can buy them ahead of time from the Disney Store online, or from the Shop Disney Parks app - both places have the solid colored ones as well as some of the special ones.

So it sounds like I can buy them online and have them set up before we leave home, thanks! I'm not 100% sure we'll buy them, but I like the photopass feature (especially the ride photos). Plus, I like the idea of "hands free", not having to dig for passes and tickets every time we do a FP+ ride or enter the parks or whatever. I also have a 5 year old daughter, and while she isn't known for wandering off in public, being able to have a CM track her/us down if we get separated is extra peace of mind. I know we won't have charging privileges but other than that it's seems very convenient.

 

[Accident]

So it sounds like I can buy them online and have them set up before we leave home, thanks! I'm not 100% sure we'll buy them, but I like the photopass feature (especially the ride photos). Plus, I like the idea of "hands free", not having to dig for passes and tickets every time we do a FP+ ride or enter the parks or whatever. I also have a 5 year old daughter, and while she isn't known for wandering off in public, being able to have a CM track her/us down if we get separated is extra peace of mind. I know we won't have charging privileges but other than that it's seems very convenient.

disneystore has some for sale, but there is also a mobile app called Shop Disneyparks. The app will let you look up what is for sale and where at WDW. You use the same login as your MDE account. Some things can be shipped to your house and some of the magicbands are included in things that can be shipped home..

It really doesn't take much time except the normal pick and purchase of any merchandise if you did want to wait. I recommend waiting, not because it's just as easy, but because it'll give you a little time to try the park without having one. You'll know quickly if it's worth the cost once you are there and using your hard ticket for everything.

Lately I've also been saying to offsite guests or friends staying offsite to compare the magicbands to the cost of 1 night at a value resort. somewhere around 4 basic color magicbands, depending on price for the night when your going to be there, is when it's cheaper to just get a room and get them free. Also that would give you free parking ($40 value) for the arrival and departure day at the theme parks if you plan to visit theme parks on those 2 days. And you become eligible for EMH which in the morning means you get in an hour earlier. And you also get a resort to check it out if you've never been, a place to rest and maybe use the pool in the afternoon that is a hair closer in most cases all while saving money on buying magic bands and parking. You could also split stay where you change your arrival date offsite to 1 day later (that might get you in weekday cheaper rates for that location with larger saving) and just use the room the first night in it's entirety. They also have even cheaper campsites if that makes sense for how your traveling.

 

[bettymae1121]

disneystore has some for sale, but there is also a mobile app called Shop Disneyparks. The app will let you look up what is for sale and where at WDW. You use the same login as your MDE account. Some things can be shipped to your house and some of the magicbands are included in things that can be shipped home..

It really doesn't take much time except the normal pick and purchase of any merchandise if you did want to wait. I recommend waiting, not because it's just as easy, but because it'll give you a little time to try the park without having one. You'll know quickly if it's worth the cost once you are there and using your hard ticket for everything.

Lately I've also been saying to offsite guests or friends staying offsite to compare the magicbands to the cost of 1 night at a value resort. somewhere around 4 basic color magicbands, depending on price for the night when your going to be there, is when it's cheaper to just get a room and get them free. Also that would give you free parking ($40 value) for the arrival and departure day at the theme parks if you plan to visit theme parks on those 2 days. And you become eligible for EMH which in the morning means you get in an hour earlier. And you also get a resort to check it out if you've never been, a place to rest and maybe use the pool in the afternoon that is a hair closer in most cases all while saving money on buying magic bands and parking. You could also split stay where you change your arrival date offsite to 1 day later (that might get you in weekday cheaper rates for that location with larger saving) and just use the room the first night in it's entirety. They also have even cheaper campsites if that makes sense for how your traveling.

Thanks for the tips! The Swan/Dolphin already qualify for EMH and we won't have a car so parking won't be a factor. We are also only a party of 3 so I doubt 3 bands would be the same as or less than a night at a value or even a campground site. But it's an excellent idea, thank you for taking the time to answer.

I may still wait to buy when we get there (as you say, we may not find the cards to be that big a hassle). I'm rather early in the planning process but it's nice to know what all of my options are. Knowledge is power!

 

[Accident]

Thanks for the tips! The Swan/Dolphin already qualify for EMH and we won't have a car so parking won't be a factor. We are also only a party of 3 so I doubt 3 bands would be the same as or less than a night at a value or even a campground site. But it's an excellent idea, thank you for taking the time to answer.

I may still wait to buy when we get there (as you say, we may not find the cards to be that big a hassle). I'm rather early in the planning process but it's nice to know what all of my options are. Knowledge is power!

I forgot to mention, the one plan on getting them asap is ride photos on Frozen ever after or seven dwarves mine train. Those 2 rides you must have a magic band to get the ride photo and hard card is not an option. this is the only things that require a MB and one that isn't a few years old that might have a dead battery.

 

[MamaMeggie]

I need to order my magic band decals and don't want to end up with ones that don't fit! My magic bands were shipped 2 days ago - is everyone now receiving the new style??

I'm sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I didn't see a better option!

 

[hiroMYhero]

I need to order my magic band decals and don't want to end up with ones that don't fit! My magic bands were shipped 2 days ago - is everyone now receiving the new style??

I'm sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I didn't see a better option!

Merged you to the MB Sticky. It's been confirmed that all guests are receiving the new MBs.

 

[MamaMeggie]

Merged you to the MB Sticky. It's been confirmed that all guests are receiving the new MBs.

Thank you!!

 

[HopperFan]

Checked in at Pop yesterday, got old style purple Magic Bands (we're Canadian so they don't ship to us). Everyone receiving their bands at check-in appeared to be getting the old style

I imagine that will be the case until they are all gone. We also got old ones on 12/31 check in, adding a guest.

ok so you have the earliest checkin that got 2.0. I dont' recall anyone saying any dates after 1/25 for not getting them.

Got my 2.0 today for a January 22 check in.

 

[Accident]

Got my 2.0 today for a January 22 check in.

I was suspecting it was going to be the sunday of that week that it really went out for.. thanks for posting.

 

[bostonsnana]

What about Magic Bandits? I bought some for upcoming trip not thinking about new magic bands.

 

[Accident]

What about Magic Bandits? I bought some for upcoming trip not thinking about new magic bands.

The bandits stick into the holes in the strap and there is still holes in the strap in fact, there is 1 more hole and the bands are 1 hole longer than the old ones.. Sliders will also be fine, the MB didn't get wider except for that 1 spot at the mickey head which you don't want to cover so it works when you touch it.

 

[bostonsnana]

Thanks!

 

[chelynnah]

So it sounds like I can buy them online and have them set up before we leave home, thanks! I'm not 100% sure we'll buy them, but I like the photopass feature (especially the ride photos). Plus, I like the idea of "hands free", not having to dig for passes and tickets every time we do a FP+ ride or enter the parks or whatever. I also have a 5 year old daughter, and while she isn't known for wandering off in public, being able to have a CM track her/us down if we get separated is extra peace of mind. I know we won't have charging privileges but other than that it's seems very convenient.

I know people say they're not necessary for non resort guests, and they aren't, but DH and I stayed offsite in Nov 15 and loved them. Part was the fun of having character ones, but mostly, as you say, it was the ease of being hands free. Just touching to entrances/FP and photopass and the surprise of the 7DMT video showing up in our photopass. I loved not having to fish out and keep track of cards for everything.

If you're flying you can pick them up at the Disney Store in MCO on your way through, but if you like some of the online designs you can preorder and they are super easy to link to MDE. Just be careful. If you have a 'collecting gene' they can be a bit addictive (oops)

 

[rteetz]

According to saveatwdw.com guests who don't get their Magicbands until they arrive will get the old version until early February. I would imagine they are using the stock they have left before they start using the new ones.

 

[Angiea1114]

Sorry in advance if this is lengthy.. my son and I will be going to Disney on a high school band trip where we stay offsite. My husband and younger son are staying onsite and then me and the older son will join them at the end of the HS TRIP and will be staying onsite for a few extra days. Will my son and I be able to use and link the offsite tickets to the magic band we have coming for the few days we are staying onsite ? If So, it should recognize us for The Memory Maker my husband is purchasing for the entire trip, correct??

 

[Accident]

Sorry in advance if this is lengthy.. my son and I will be going to Disney on a high school band trip where we stay offsite. My husband and younger son are staying onsite and then me and the older son will join them at the end of the HS TRIP and will be staying onsite for a few extra days. Will my son and I be able to use and link the offsite tickets to the magic band we have coming for the few days we are staying onsite ? If So, it should recognize us for The Memory Maker my husband is purchasing for the entire trip, correct??

Magicbands are just an id for the computers to find you in their system. If you can link it to someone in MDE, it'll work on a magicband linked to you also. (in short, yes it'll work). With photos, if your using a different mde account with your son for the trip, just link the mde accounts together and all the photos will appear in both accounts to be downloaded using memory maker.