Do I really need a Magic Band?

[HerzerHerrick]

Wow! I didn’t know that. So do they not have screens to see your ride photos anymore at WDW? We used to just take a photo of the number on the screen and grab them later.

You can scan your ticket or magic band below the photo and it will automatically download to your app.

 

[erionm]

Wow! I didn’t know that. So do they not have screens to see your ride photos anymore at WDW? We used to just take a photo of the number on the screen and grab them later.

Newer rides don't have photo displays at the end of the ride.

 

[AustinTink]

You don't need one. But as someone with young children it makes life so much easier. Scanning 4 tickets from your iphone takes much longer and is much more cumbersome. If you order them through the app before your trip you can get the plain jane ones for like 20-25 bucks.

I can definitely see how it would help with young kids. We’re two old timers traveling with our adult child.

 

[RoseGold]

Wow! I didn’t know that. So do they not have screens to see your ride photos anymore at WDW? We used to just take a photo of the number on the screen and grab them later.

Only a couple have screens. Most are linked to your MB. I don't wear my MB all day, just pull it out on rides or LL.

But the Apple watch is def a workable option if you only buy one MB for your party.

 

[voxparse]

This I could do. The puck just adheres to the watch band with the holder?

The holder has a strip in the back so it slides onto your watch band. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1276873631/flexible-smart-watch-bands-puck-holder

 

[RoseGold]

I wouldn't buy the pucks from the a cheap ones that goes out in a year or two, I'd buy the new rechargable one, so you know it will work for ride photos going forward. You only need one.

 

[AustinTink]

The holder has a strip in the back so it slides onto your watch band. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1276873631/flexible-smart-watch-bands-puck-holder

Thank you! I like that a lot.

 

[AustinTink]

I wouldn't buy the pucks from the a cheap ones that goes out in a year or two, I'd buy the new rechargable one, so you know it will work for ride photos going forward. You only need one.

Omg, I’m so out of the loop. Do you have to charge magic bands every night? That’s a lot of work.

 

[RoseGold]

Omg, I’m so out of the loop. Do you have to charge magic bands every night? That’s a lot of work.

I charge mine every night. I think it would last maybe almost 2 days?

To me, it's better than not getting my ride photo from our first GOTG ride with a <2 year old MB. I was so disappointed. Or my graveyard of useless, ancient MBs. I have a brick charger with me anyway.

 

[Miffy]

I charge mine every night. I think it would last maybe almost 2 days?

To me, it's better than not getting my ride photo from our first GOTG ride with a <2 year old MB. I was so disappointed. Or my graveyard of useless, ancient MBs. I have a brick charger with me anyway.

This is for MB+. The old-style MBs (MB2, I think they're called) don't need to be charged. You can't play the game in SWGE with the old-style band and I think the MB+ does things along with fireworks, but for everything else--room key, park admission, photos, charging to the room, G+, ILLs--the old-style MBs work fine.

 

[voxparse]

This is for MB+. The old-style MBs (MB2, I think they're called) don't need to be charged. You can't play the game in SWGE with the old-style band and I think the MB+ does things along with fireworks, but for everything else--room key, park admission, photos, charging to the room, G+, ILLs--the old-style MBs work fine.

Also worth noting only the “plus” features require charging. So if your MB+ battery dies mid day it will still do all the regular MB stuff like room, payment, LL

 

[RoseGold]

--the old-style MBs work fine

The old school MBs work fine for a year or two and they they stop transmitting, so you don't get ride photos. It's how I didn't get my GOTG photos. But sure, for one trip a $10 old school one will be fine for ride photos.

 

[AustinTink]

But sure, for one trip a $10 old school one will be fine for ride photos.

This will probably be our only WDW trip for a long while. Old school will likely be fine then.

 

[RoseGold]

If you go to DL every year, I'd just buy one MB+ and put everyone else on Apple watch. The MB+ does have some functionality at DL, and I would imagine that will expand.

 

[AustinTink]

I just called and confirmed the Magic Cards (formerly Keys to the World) are readily available at check in and do all the same things as the magic bands. At least that’s what the cm told me.

I asked her if they still mailed them beforehand like they used to and that was a no.

 

[AustinTink]

The MB+ does have some functionality at DL, and I would imagine that will expand.

Yes it’s definitely expanding.

 

[RoseGold]

just called and confirmed the Magic Cards (formerly Keys to the World) are readily available at check in and do all the same things as the magic bands. At least that’s what the cm told me.

The cards will scan just like your Apple Watch. But they will not transmit, so you won't get ride photos. The only way to get ride photos is MB.

 

[loves to dive]

Bottom line, unless you want pictures from the newer rides, no you don't need them. Yes, you can still get cards from the front desk. My DIL does not have a MB and just uses the card to tap into the park. My son has a MB and so do I so all pictures go to both our accounts. I have the very first ones issued as an experiment all the way up to the + and all of them still work. I still get most ride photos even with the old ones (caveat - I don't do MM or buy ride photos so I'm not real careful checking). Yes, you have to charge the + if you want it to light up, play games or get ride photos. It will still open you room door and tap into the park without being charged.

Push comes to shove, one person in your party buy a MB and just strap it to a bag or a belt loop and it will still work if you don't want to wear it on your wrist.

 

[AustinTink]

The cards will scan just like your Apple Watch. But they will not transmit, so you won't get ride photos. The only way to get ride photos is MB.

That’s a bummer. The cm said they card would work for ride photos. Guess she didn’t understand the question.

 

[AustinTink]

Push comes to shove, one person in your party buy a MB and just strap it to a bag or a belt loop and it will still work if you don't want to wear it on your wrist.

That’s what I’ll do I guess. One more thing to manage though and I’m always the one to manage it all. The cards are so much easier imo.