Magic bands w/o resort stay

[mom2aprincenprincess]

This has probably been addressed before, but I can’t find it. Can I get Magic Bands without staying in a resort on site? Unfortunately we will be staying off site this visit, but we all really want to use magic bands. I’ve seen people talk about linking their previously used magic bands with their new vacation plans in MDE.

 

[verleniahall]

you can use previous magic bands that are already linked to your account

OR

if you don't HAVE any, you can purchase them online at the disneystore

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Do you have magic bands from a previous onsite stay?
If so then you're good to go.
If you don't already have magic bands you can certainly purchase them and use the code on the back of the band to link them to your MDE account.
Bottom line is you don't have to stay onsite in order to use a magic band

 

[mom2aprincenprincess]

Do you have magic bands from a previous onsite stay?
If so then you're good to go.
If you don't already have magic bands you can certainly purchase them and use the code on the back of the band to link them to your MDE account.
Bottom line is you don't have to stay onsite in order to use a magic band

Thanks. We don’t have any from a previous stay. Our last stay was in 2011 before magic bands

 

[Jimsig]

As an FYI without a resort stay you can only use them for park entry and FP's, you will not have charging privileges.

 

[mom2aprincenprincess]

As an FYI without a resort stay you can only use them for park entry and FP's, you will not have charging privileges.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[kuhltiffany]

Odd question, if we're staying at a resort but have bought some of the fancy character bands to use instead, can we keep the unused Magic Bands and give them to someone else?

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Odd question, if we're staying at a resort but have bought some of the fancy character bands to use instead, can we keep the unused Magic Bands and give them to someone else?

No because they are already assigned to you on MDE and they cannot be reassigned.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Thanks! What a waste, I was hoping to be able to pass them onto someone...

No because they are already assigned to you on MDE and they cannot be reassigned.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Thanks! What a waste, I was hoping to be able to pass them onto someone...

Not really a waste because you can still use them yourself at any point. The waste was technically purchasing the special ones but I myself have a Figment one I purchased even though I have plenty of complimentary ones from staying onsite so obviously I see the draw to them

 

[Mamabun]

Thanks! What a waste, I was hoping to be able to pass them onto someone...

If you’re concerned about ‘waste’, there is a decline option so you won’t be sent unwanted bands.

 

[kuhltiffany]

We’re Canadian so they are given to us upon check in, maybe I’ll see if that’s an option.

If you’re concerned about ‘waste’, there is a decline option so you won’t be sent unwanted bands.

 

[Mamabun]

We’re Canadian so they are given to us upon check in, maybe I’ll see if that’s an option.

I’m in the US, so it may be different, but for me the decline option is in the same place where you can customize/pick colors.

 

[Best Aunt]

As an FYI without a resort stay you can only use them for park entry and FP's, you will not have charging privileges.

You also can use Magic Bands for Photopass photos and ride photos (assuming you have an Annual Pass or are MDE friends with someone who does or you purchase Memory Maker) whether or not you are staying onsite.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

I know this was discussed when they first came out, but how long will the RFID last in a magic band? I am guessing that there is some "shelf life" when they will not function?

 

[StageTek]

I've read from three to five years...

 

[Jimsig]

I know this was discussed when they first came out, but how long will the RFID last in a magic band? I am guessing that there is some "shelf life" when they will not function?

I've read from three to five years...

The far field portion, think ride pics and videos, has a limited shelf life. The near field portion, think kissing mickey stuff like admission, FP's, photopass/memory maker photographers etc supposedly could last forever or at the very least a long longer. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any way of knowing if the far field battery portion has run out until you check your Memory Maker and realize you don't have those ride videos/photos.

Originally IIRC Disney said 2 years for the battery, but that may have been on the side of caution but lots of DISBorders have said theirs have lasted longer. I'm not sure if the MB 2.0's battery life is projected to be longer.