I'm planning on upgrading our July trip bands rather than taking the free ones, but I'll probably just get the free ones for our October and November visits. I'd like to save those free ones for future use. Can I use the ones I'm buying for our July trip in October and November but still get the free ones we're "entitled to" so we can use them later?
A related question: When they arrive, do they have those little "plastic things" that prevent the battery from "starting to work"? You know what I mean -- the things that keep the battery from running down while it's still in the packaging. If you don't pull those things out, you can delay starting the Magic Band's life.
I literally just threw a HUGE bag of magic bands away that were the old style
See, that's a good reason for Disney to start selling Magic Bands. Sending a "huge bag" of technology to the landfill is not good for our planet.
Not putting you down: Disney sent them without cost. I totally get why you took them, but -- now that they won't be free -- people will re-use old bands, and it'll be a better choice for the environment.
Its really quite simple....MONEY.
They will spin it to be environmental, or give guests more flexibility, etc. But at the end of the day, it is a financial decision. Disney is a for profit business.
I think "money" is only a part of the story:
Imagine if Disney hadn't given Magic Bands to resort guests for free initially. Do you think they would've taken off as they have? Do you think a solid half or more of Disney visitors would be wearing them? No, but because they were given for free to a huge number of guests, they've now become popular -- and now people are willing to pay for them. Now that people are familiar with the technology and want it, why should they keep giving them away for free?
Giving away free bands was probably a calculated choice -- but it was probably always considered a temporary thing.
My guess is they are phasing out the MB technology - no reason why you couldn't do the exact same thing with a QR scan. A QR code could be pulled up on your phone or printed on a card - no MB battery to wear out. If you are concerned about your phone going dead, you could bring the card or be given one at guest services.
Eh, I see nothing to make me think the technology is going away -- just that it's going to cost money.
The bands ARE better than QR codes in that they won't "run out of battery" like a phone, they are waterproof, and children who don't have smart phones can use them.
I'm just not that adept at accessing an app to try to do all the things a MB will do.
Agree, and learning an app for a vacation feels like "work".
Any idea how much the new bands will cost?
I think $15 is kinda standard -- specialty designs run $25-35. They were recently on -- was it a Buy-Two-Get-One-Free sale online.
“Disney Resort hotel guests will continue to have the option to purchase new MagicBands at a discount ...
THAT makes a lot of sense: Offer discounted Magic Bands as an "add-on" to the room. It's not a big thing, but it might make a difference to some people.
My understanding is that we'll have 3 options
1-buy a magic band, it will work the way it always has.
2-use 'ticket card' media, it will also work the way it always has.
3-use your smartphone to scan the sensors. It will now (theoretically) work like a MB, although I don't know if it will do the 'remote' scan that automatically adds on ride pics. I don't see how it can unless you have
MDE open and 'on'.
Choices are good.
If I have to pay $15 a person for a magic band, I will.
That's what Disney is counting on.
I agree... Disney charging for basic magic bands make Disney come across as being “Cheap”. Disney saves money when guests use these bands. Although this is small in the grand scheme of things, it’s poor PR.
I'm missing something -- how does using Magic Bands save Disney money?
My guess is the mailing of the bands got expensive. But why not just give them upon arrival?
I suspect it's the manufacturing of the bands. Even though they've already spent the money on developing the technology, putting together the circuits and such inside the puck is high-tech stuff.
