Disney’s Magic Band FAQ Link

[Mike Marzano]

To recap.... If you don't want to purchase MB+ bands you do have options...

There are SHORT range (i.e. tap) features. For example, entering the park, entering lightning lane queues, claim your photo pass pictures, claim your on-ride photos (like on Buzz Light Year, Space Mountain, etc), and if staying on Disney property, Tap to Pay with band(aka charge to your Disney Resort room), unlock Disney Resort Room Door.

And LONG RANGE features. For example: auto link of select ride photos/videos (like 7Dwarfs Mine Train, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Frozen, Slinky Dog Dash, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Tron, etc. where they don't have a bank of monitors at the exit for you to find your photo and tap), your name showing on the exit signs at Small World (when they have that on), and Pre-Covid they also used it to bring your food at Be Our Guest lunch.

For Short Range, you can use:

• any MB, MB2, MB+ band that is linked and assigned to you in My Disney Experience, no matter how old (the internal battery isn't needed for tap features).
• a Keys to the World Card (aka plastic ticket)
• your phone with MagicMobile feature in the Disney World app configured
• Apple Watch (if configured properly, including Magic Mobile in MDE)

For Long range you can use:

• Recent MB2 bands. NOTE: MB/MB2 bands have internal, non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery which powers the long range features. It must still have power (most say the battery typically lasts about 2 years, some have claimed slightly longer, but there is no way to test other than using the band on a ride that auto links and seeing if you get the ride photo/video). Needless to say, using MB/MB2 bands which are more than 2 years old is risky, and may not work, for long range features.
• MB+ that is charged and powered on. (Anyone know how many recharge cycles the battery in the MB+ is supposed to be good for?)
• Your phone using the Magic Mobile features in the My Disney Experience app, but myself and a friend who tried it found its not 100% reliable. (i.e. we got ride photos on Pirates but not 7D). NOTE: Make sure any phone power saving features are turned off, and keep the app running! If the phone tries to save power by pausing, sleeping, ending the app, it could impact your ability to get photos this way. See also the EDIT section below...

The added features of MB+ over MB/MB2 are: the gaming experiences (Fab 50 Quest and Batuu Bounty Hunter), LED Light ring (glows with the show, and lights in some ride queues), vibrations, and being rechargeable. Its best to fully charge them every night. If you don't do Fab50 or Batuu Bounty Hunters you might be able to go 1.5 or 2 days before needing to charge. If the MB+ battery dies, its short range (tapping) functions will still work, while long range, light up and interactive features will stop until you recharge it.


If I've missed anything please let me know.

EDIT: (just wanted to paste this so its in one post with the most information) IF you use MagicBand/MagicBand2.0 bands that are older than 2 years, because its internal battery might be dead, and you won't get your auto linked ride pictures and videos, you can keep track of your ride time, and visit the "Memory Maker Sales Center" in the parks (Town Square Theater in MK, Pin Traders/Camera Center in EP, Sid Cahuenga's One-of-a-Kind in DHS, Garden Gate Gifts in AK) and ask them to search for and link your photos. Of course this means potentially waiting in line, and the time to search through the pictures.

Because TAP/Short Range features of MagicBands do not rely on battery, the tap features of the any of the bands (no matter how old) will continue to work unless/until Disney changes the technology they use. Its the long rage that requires battery, and therefore will stop working when the battery dies.

EDITED FOR SPELLING MISTAKES

 

[thinkerbell]

@Mike Marzano - Your post is very helpful and I think it addresses my question but just want to make. If I am using the MB2 that we got back in early 2020, I know they may not work for ride pictures. Is there anyway that we can scan it when we get off the ride to attach our pictures to our account? Seems like we have done that before or we may have seen others do it. Not sure. We won’t have the PhotoPass picture package thing but we just like to see them on the app later.

 

[Mike Marzano]

@Mike Marzano - Your post is very helpful and I think it addresses my question but just want to make. If I am using the MB2 that we got back in early 2020, I know they may not work for ride pictures. Is there anyway that we can scan it when we get off the ride to attach our pictures to our account? Seems like we have done that before or we may have seen others do it. Not sure. We won’t have the PhotoPass picture package thing but we just like to see them on the app later.

Some rides which use long range MB feature to auto-link your photos, like Pirates, 7Dwarfs, Guardians, do not have a place to TAP to claim your photos. So if long range on your band isn't working you wouldn't get those pictures/videos.

An alternative is to keep track of your ride time, and visit the "Memory Maker Sales Center" in the parks (Town Square Theater in MK, Pin Traders/Camera Center in EP, Sid Cahuenga's One-of-a-Kind in DHS, Garden Gate Gifts in AK) and ask them to search for and link your photos. Of course this means potentially waiting in line, and the time to search through the pictures.

 

[thinkerbell]

Some rides which use long range MB feature to auto-link your photos, like Pirates, 7Dwarfs, Guardians, do not have a place to TAP to claim your photos. So if long range on your band isn't working you wouldn't get those pictures/videos.

An alternative is to keep track of your ride time, and visit the "Memory Maker Sales Center" in the parks (Town Square Theater in MK, Pin Traders/Camera Center in EP, Sid Cahuenga's One-of-a-Kind in DHS, Garden Gate Gifts in AK) and ask them to search for and link your photos. Of course this means potentially waiting in line, and the time to search through the pictures.

Thank you. Might order a 9.99 band for one of us.

 

[erionm]

@Mike Marzano - Your post is very helpful and I think it addresses my question but just want to make. If I am using the MB2 that we got back in early 2020, I know they may not work for ride pictures. Is there anyway that we can scan it when we get off the ride to attach our pictures to our account? Seems like we have done that before or we may have seen others do it. Not sure. We won’t have the PhotoPass picture package thing but we just like to see them on the app later.

If you have the MDE mobile app loaded on a smart phone and you've granted bluetooth access to the MDE app, your photos are supposed to link automatically.

 

[Mike Marzano]

If you have the MDE mobile app loaded on a smart phone and you've granted bluetooth access to the MDE app, your photos are supposed to link automatically.

Thanks. I mentioned that in post #341 under the long range section. Its part of enabling Magic Mobile in the MDE app.
Based on my friend's experience this isn't as reliable. I haven't tired it myself, so I can only go by what they said their experience was. And I don't know if there is any difference between Android and iPhone (they have iPhones, I have Android).

 

[Mike Marzano]

Thank you. Might order a 9.99 band for one of us.

Keep in mind some rides like 7Dwarfs and Guardians sit 4 per car for the photo, Haunted Mansion is 1 photo per Doom buggie. You need to be sure that one in each "group" of riders has a working band.

Rides like Pirates they take a picture of the entire boat, so only one is needed.

 

[Jim972]

You think my Magic Band will work from 2018?

 

[scrappinginontario]

You think my Magic Band will work from 2018?

Yes, please see this excellent post written further up this page:

To recap.... If you don't want to purchase MB+ bands you do have options...

There are SHORT range (i.e. tap) features. For example, entering the park, entering lightning lane queues, claim your photo pass pictures, claim your on-ride photos (like on Buzz Light Year, Space Mountain, etc), and if staying on Disney property, Tap to Pay with band(aka charge to your Disney Resort room), unlock Disney Resort Room Door.

And LONG RANGE features. For example: auto link of select ride photos/videos (like Pirates, 7Dwarfs, etc.), your name showing on the exit signs at Small World (when they have that on), Pre-Covid they also used it to bring your food at Be Our Guest lunch.

For Short Range, you can use:

• any MB, MB2, MB+ band that is linked and assigned to you in My Disney Experience, no matter how old (the internal battery isn't needed for tap features).
• a Keys to the World Card (aka plastic ticket)
• your phone with MagicMobile feature in the Disney World app configured
• Apple Watch (if configured properly, including Magic Mobile in MDE)

For Long range you can use:

• Recent MB2 bands. NOTE: MB/MB2 bands have internal, non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery which powers the long range features. It must still have power (most say the battery typically lasts about 2 years, some have claimed slightly longer, but there is no way to test other than using the band on a ride that auto links and seeing if you get the ride photo/video). Needless to say, using MB/MB2 bands which are more than 2 years old is risky.
• MB+ that is charged and powered on. (Anyone know how many recharge cycles the battery in the MB+ is supposed to be good for?)
• Your phone using the Magic Mobile features in the My Disney Experience app, but I've had friend who tried and claim its not 100% reliable. (i.e. the got ride photos on Pirates but not 7D)

The added features of MB+ over MB/MB2 are: the gaming experiences (Fab 50 Quest and Batuu Bounty Hunter), LED Light ring (glows with the show, and lights in some ride queues), vibrations, and being rechargeable.


If I've missed anything please let me know.

 

[erionm]

My Family is going to Disney world on March 26th. We are getting Magic Band Plus for the kids. My Daughter does not like any of the presale ones on line and we where wondering if there are different ones available at Disney Springs or in the parks? Is the whole collection on line or should we chance it and hope for something Avator or Star Wars at Disney Springs?

A Pandora: World of Avatar open edition MB+ was recently released. Not sure it it's available at WDW yet.

https://www.magicbandcollectors.com/magicband-details/?id=2387

 

[Mike Marzano]

My Family is going to Disney world on March 26th. We are getting Magic Band Plus for the kids. My Daughter does not like any of the presale ones on line and we where wondering if there are different ones available at Disney Springs or in the parks? Is the whole collection on line or should we chance it and hope for something Avator or Star Wars at Disney Springs?

On past trips, I have seen bands at Pin Traders in Disney Springs and the different shops in the parks and resorts that are not available for Pre-Arrival Orders (with a Disney Resort Stay or annual pass), or via ShopDisney dot com. That being said, the selection can and will vary. The Emporium in MK, and Fantasia Marketplace (just outside Bay View Gifts) in the Contemporary have a nice selections too

Here is a great resource for what bands have been, or will soon be, released -> https://www.magicbandcollectors.com/ (I am not affiliated, just a long time fan of their work)... If you want to search, use the CheckList feature. I use the checklist feature to keep track of bands I own.

If the same band is available on Shop Disney and in the parks, its usually the same price.

And remember any you purchase that are NOT through the Pre-Arrival process in My Disney Experience, will need to be linked to your account and assigned to a person. Only the Pre-Arrival selections come pre-linked and assigned.

The only thing Avatar I see is the Way Of Water (open edition) MB+ that has been out, and for Star Wars the N1 Mando (limited time release) MB+, Yoda (open edition) MB+ and the soon to be released May the 4th (limited edition 5400 being made) MB+ . All of those are available on Shop Disney, some haven't been released and are for pre-order so check their release dates vs your trip (allow 7 business days to arrive once they ship).

The Woman of Star Wars (open edition) MB+ should be available at Walt Disney World someplace, potentially Pin Traders at DS, or Celebrity 5 & 10, Resistance Supply, or the Market Merchants at DHS. There are some limited release Grogu and

note: Open Edition means will remain on sale for a long while. Limited Release or Limited time release will only be available for a couple of months.

 

[CarlyMur09]

I keep trying to search, but must not be using the right keywords.

Leaving on a trip tomorrow and was checking everything. Have an Orange Bird MB+ that I got for a trip in Sept last year, and I used it again in Dec.

When I charge it, it circles around once before it’s green for a second then goes away. Doesn’t seem to come back. When I try to pair it or reset it, it’s not seeming to respond to the button on the back of it, even if I hold it down for a while.

I have other bands and such, so not too worried, but wanted to pair this one to my new phone.

is it done for, or will it still work?

 

[Tk0021]

Just went on a trip with my family in December 2022 and we bought 4 new, but old version of magic bands and they were all linked in MDE account. We are going back in November and plan on using the same magic bands, but when I go into the app under our hotel reservation and click on magic bands it takes me to the website. On the website I don’t see my wife at all under magic bands, but me and both my kids are there. Any ideas why my wife is gone?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Just went on a trip with my family in December 2022 and we bought 4 new, but old version of magic bands and they were all linked in MDE account. We are going back in November and plan on using the same magic bands, but when I go into the app under our hotel reservation and click on magic bands it takes me to the website. On the website I don’t see my wife at all under magic bands, but me and both my kids are there. Any ideas why my wife is gone?

Does your wife possibly have her own MDE account? If so, can she see her band?

 

[Tk0021]

Does your wife possibly have her own MDE account? If so, can she see her band?

Good question. I think she does. I will check there. Thanks.

 

[mommy2paisley]

We want to purchase magic bands for our upcoming trip in June. I was told I could purchase them through MDE and there are ones there we want that are less expensive than in the Disney online store. My problem is, it allows me to select a MB for each member of our party, but it doesn’t let me go anywhere from there to actually purchase them. Has anyone else had this issue and what did you do to fix it?

 

[Aprilshack]

I’m using a VPN (I’m from the uk) to try and see the selection of magicbands. It’s usually no problem but the past few days I keep getting an access denied message, you don’t have permission for this server… I’ve cleared cookies/cache, tried on both my laptop and iPhone (each are different browsers) and even tried another VPN and it still doesn’t work. Any suggestions?

 

[glocon]

This will be our first F&W visit…
Any idea when F&W specific magic bands will be out?
Thanks!

 

[Mike Marzano]

We want to purchase magic bands for our upcoming trip in June. I was told I could purchase them through MDE and there are ones there we want that are less expensive than in the Disney online store. My problem is, it allows me to select a MB for each member of our party, but it doesn’t let me go anywhere from there to actually purchase them. Has anyone else had this issue and what did you do to fix it?

Are you doing it on your phone? or via PC and visiting-> https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/bands-cards/

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Ordered magic bands from MDE for an upcoming trip, and when placed, it said they would ship within 10 business days. That would mean if they ship by day 10, I wouldn't get them in time for the trip.

What happens if I don't receive them before the trip, when they are supposed arrive before the trip according to when the order is placed?

Technically that is on Disney since they shipped it, instead of just going straight to the hotel.

Do they help?