Do I really need a Magic Band?

[Boba(not-so)Fit]

A couple exceptions off the top of my head for using of a single MB across 3+ people for pics.

For Haunted Mansion and your party is riding in more than 1 car you (which may be the case for the OP with 3 adults), you will only get the picture for the car the MB rider is in.

Also for Slinky Dog, all of the cars have 2 rows of seats which will be fine for a single MB (for 3-4 riders). BUT, if part of your party is in the last (tail) car which only has a single row of seats, you would need 2 MBs to capture that row and the other row where your party is seated.

 

[AustinTink]

A couple exceptions off the top of my head for using of a single MB across 3+ people for pics.

For Haunted Mansion and your party is riding in more than 1 car you (which may be the case for the OP with 3 adults), you will only get the picture for the car the MB rider is in.

Also for Slinky Dog, all of the cars have 2 rows of seats which will be fine for a single MB (for 3-4 riders). BUT, if part of your party is in the last (tail) car which only has a single row of seats, you would need 2 MBs to capture that row and the other row where your party is seated.

Oh, good grief. It’s never easy. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Not specific to this conversation, but for the life of me I can't understand the amount of energy expended on the MB debate. People spend thousands of dollars on a single Disney vacation, yet stress over whether to spend an extra $25 for a reusable MB+ that will last for years (and that can now be used on both coasts).

 

[DLgal]

Not specific to this conversation, but for the life of me I can't understand the amount of energy expended on the MB debate. People spend thousands of dollars on a single Disney vacation, yet stress over whether to spend an extra $25 for a reusable MB+ that will last for years (and that can now be used on both coasts).

People do this in all areas of personal finance and it makes absolutely NO sense. It's got to be some sort of human behavioral trait. This kind of mentality prevents people from getting ahead with money.

 

[AustinTink]

Not specific to this conversation, but for the life of me I can't understand the amount of energy expended on the MB debate. People spend thousands of dollars on a single Disney vacation, yet stress over whether to spend an extra $25 for a reusable MB+ that will last for years (and that can now be used on both coasts).

The money is not an issue for me. I have other issues with MB, money is not one of them.

 

[AustinTink]

People do this in all areas of personal finance and it makes absolutely NO sense. It's got to be some sort of human behavioral trait. This kind of mentality prevents people from getting ahead with money.

Again. Not a money thing for me, but maybe for others.

 

[DLgal]

The money is not an issue for me. I have other issues with MB, money is not one of them.

What are the other issues?

 

[DonMacGregor]

The money is not an issue for me. I have other issues with MB, money is not one of them.

I mean, I understand that many small purchases eventually add up, and developing good spending habits (avoiding unnecessary or emotional purchases, for example) is never a bad thing, but Magic Bands seem to draw an unusually large amount of debate.

(For me, I personally can't understand anyone with an AP or DVC membership (or both), paying a penny extra for that photo of their 253rd time down Splash Mountain. But, that's just me.)

 

[AustinTink]

What are the other issues?

I don’t see the point of it when the card works just fine and I don’t want to wear anything additional on my wrist. I barely want to wear my watch.

We just got home from Aulani and I could not get the daily pool wristband off my wrist fast enough each night. It’s a sensory thing.

 

[AustinTink]

(For me, I personally can't understand anyone with an AP or DVC membership (or both), paying a penny extra for that photo of their 253rd time down Splash Mountain. But, that's just me.)

Lol. Honestly, same here. We have 25 plus years worth of ride photos. I don’t really need more.

However, we are making this WDW to see Tron and I’m sure my DH will want those ride photos. This is his special Tron trip. He’s a mega-fan. We have a Tron pinball machine and way too much Tron stuff.

 

[Miffy]

I don’t see the point of it when the card works just fine and I don’t want to wear anything additional on my wrist. I barely want to wear my watch.

We just got home from Aulani and I could not get the daily pool wristband off my wrist fast enough each night. It’s a sensory thing.

I totally get this. I don't like wearing a thing on my wrist either and I rip off my MB the minute I get back to my room. But it's super convenient to have it at WDW. I haven't been to DLR in years so I can't comment on how things work there, but at WDW, having a MB is very convenient for many reasons, the primary one being that they work, you don't have to mess with them to make them work (other media can be finicky), and they work for nearly everything.

My DH really doesn't like wearing one so he got a puck holder the last time we were at WDW and he clips it to his belt. Easy.

 

[Marrila]

I don’t see the point of it when the card works just fine and I don’t want to wear anything additional on my wrist. I barely want to wear my watch.

We just got home from Aulani and I could not get the daily pool wristband off my wrist fast enough each night. It’s a sensory thing.

Some people prefer to be hands free with the door to their room. I think they also scan the band at SAB. Others are fine with carrying a card. It is an individual choice.

 

[AustinTink]

I totally get this. I don't like wearing a thing on my wrist either and I rip off my MB the minute I get back to my room. But it's super convenient to have it at WDW. I haven't been to DLR in years so I can't comment on how things work there, but at WDW, having a MB is very convenient for many reasons, the primary one being that they work, you don't have to mess with them to make them work (other media can be finicky), and they work for nearly everything.

My DH really doesn't like wearing one so he got a puck holder the last time we were at WDW and he clips it to his belt. Easy.

The puck holder might be the way to go for us. No worries about losing the puck with these holders?

 

[DLgal]

I don’t see the point of it when the card works just fine and I don’t want to wear anything additional on my wrist. I barely want to wear my watch.

We just got home from Aulani and I could not get the daily pool wristband off my wrist fast enough each night. It’s a sensory thing.

I get that. I can only wear something on my left wrist for some reason. My right one gets SUPER itchy and forms hives when I put anything on it, even jewelry. I wear a smart watch daily on my left wrist. I don't use a MB+ at Disneyland, but we will be buying some for our upcoming WDW trip. I plan to attach my MB+ to my sling bag with a retractable keychain. I need to keep my smartwatch on to monitor my heart rate due to a medical condition, so this will be my workaround.

 

[Gary Stocker]

Do you NEED a Magic Band? No. Can I imagine a trip with my family where we don't select new ones? NO! . Trying out Magic Band Plus this time around. Will see if it was worth the extra $.

To me Magic Bands give me the illusion of not really spending $ during my trip...kick the can of financial ruin down the road a couple weeks.

Also picking out the right one is a thrill for my kids. My 7 year old LOVES the new Monorail one and of course my daughter picked the Stitch one... and I will also always choose whatever Darth Vader one they sell (which I did).

 

[DLgal]

The puck holder might be the way to go for us. No worries about losing the puck with these holders?

No, they are pretty secure.

 

[DLgal]

Do you NEED a Magic Band? No. Can I imagine a trip with my family where we don't select new ones? NO! . Trying out Magic Band Plus this time around. Will see if it was worth the extra $.

To me Magic Bands give me the illusion of not really spending $ during my trip...kick the can of financial ruin down the road a couple weeks.

Also picking out the right one is a thrill for my kids. My 7 year old LOVES the new Monorail one and of course my daughter picked the Stitch one... and I will also choose whatever Darth Vader one they sell.

There is a monorail one? Where?

 

[Gary Stocker]

There is a monorail one? Where?

 

[RoseGold]

If you're staying on site, the Tron MB+ is on MBE right now for pre-order for $35, and it looks pretty slick. If you want that one, I would do it now. These go in and out of stock a lot.

 

[DLgal]

View attachment 762409View attachment 762410

I don't see that available for purchase online.