Magic Bands

Had to make an emergency trip to the Orlando area last night and stopped in at Downtown Disney for about an hour (mostly for Earl of Sandwich, haha), but didn't notice anyone wearing their magic bands, if they had one. I would have asked how they liked it, if they could use FP+, etc!!

Can't wait to hear your opinion on them, Dee!

Right now the magic bands are being tested by cast members. They will have everything on the band. Room key, fastpasses, credit card, photopass and dining plans will be on the bands. I believe they will be getting rid of the room keys since room access will be on the band.

Welcome to the forums Mandy!

Be sure to stop by our introduction thread and tell us a little about yourself!
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forums/general/welcome-wdwfg-introduce-yourself

There are actually test groups of guests coming in all the time that are getting to use the Magic Bands. But the full roll out has not been completed.

Because not everyone can wear a MagicBand (or wants to) Disney has said that it will be entirely optional program. Guests who don't want to use them will be able to have a standard RFID enabled Key to The World Card that is in use now.

Kristen,

I am SOOO glad to hear that the magic bands will be optional. I really don't like the idea of a rubber typed bracelet on my wrist, especially in the summer heat.

Thanks. That's why I said I believe they are because I wasn't quite sure how everything will work because I hadn't heard that much about it being optional.

Here are a few of the articles that we've posted on WDWFG about the MagicBands and MyMagic+. There was also some more that came out recently on other new sources after Tom Skaggs did a media talk.

http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/mymagic-set-roll-out-walt-disney-world
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/congressional-bi-partisan-privacy-caucus-questions-disney-mymagic
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/disney-ceo-bob-iger-respondes-inquires-about-mymagic

Disney has been fairly forthcoming with information about them, but here are still a good amount of questions. I'm really looking forward the the program being launched completely. It will take away a lot of ambiguity many people are having at the moment when planning their trips!

I'm so excited to hear about Dee's testing!

I'd love it to be a hybrid of a MyMagic+ and a Nike+ Fuel Band. It tracks your progress around the parks and keeps a record on a personal webpage that shows all the attractions you've experienced, miles you've walked, etc. You can friend people and chalenge them to missions around the park. Missions like ride all of the Disney Roller coasters; get the highest score on Toy Story Mania; etc. It could link to all of the social networks and if you choose to, post on your behalf. I'm so bought into this 1000%.

I like this idea!! It can tell you how many steps you've taken, how many miles that equals AND how many calories you've burned so that you feel less guilty about all those yummy Disney snacks!!!

LoL! That would be so cool!

GREAT idea!

I lOVE my Nike Fuel Band - this is a great idea!

Okay Magic Bands are completely optional for resort guests. They are customizable with many colors and with names but that's only if you choose it ahead of time. If you loose your band, you can go to guest relations and they will replace it but it won't be the same color or have the persons name. They are made by Adidas or Nike so that way the bands breath while you wear them. You can also wear them anywhere as long you use them i.e. ankle or belt loop. They will be mailed to you ahead of time.
During testing stages, they are giving out keys to the world in case the bands don't work. They will also mobile guest relation stations around the park to help with issues as well. So far that's all I know or can think of right now. I hope this really helps. They are water proof as well.

Thanks Mandy.

You're welcome. I just got this info today before I started work. They are still in the rough stages and may have glitches for the next few months. Also they are getting rid of paper fastpasses as well within the next the couple years.

Thanks for this info, Mandy. I know I am resisting a bit right now, but I also know that I can be the dinosaur that ends up being a huge fan of the changes! Case in point - just downloaded 4 ebooks from my public library today to read on the iPad I said I would never need. I have already finished one of them and returned it - no gas used, and I could make the font bigger for my oldish eyes.

So....I will love them. Eventually.

There will be a lot of glitches this year since its still new and they are changing things if needed to be changed. It will be rough for now but it is completely optional. I do recommend trying it out first.

I have spoken with several CMs about the bands and linking our AP passes. Depending on who you speak to there are different responses. Right now they are Beta testing with guests at Contemporary and AKL. I was told AP holders may be the last to get them as they don't know how they are going to issue them. The app for Disney says you CAN link your tickets and Passes, BUT I was told yesterday not to UNLESS you received an invite like

I linked my AP a d have had no problems using the bands. We used them for DME and are now on our way to AKL. I'll keep you all posted.
This is the packaging. I found out earlier that there are cute buttons and e tras to decorate them. I'm already sold on them. More picks later!

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Awesome! Thanks for the updates Dee, I can't wait to hear more!

Cool!

I saw pictures of some of the extras that are already in the shops at the Contemporary and AKL - band covers, sliders and doo dads to personalize your band. Love the Mickey slider!!!! Thanks for sharing your pics Dee!

What is a magic band? Are they just something fun to wear or do the serve a purpose?

OOH, fancy, Dee! Thanks for sharing the box pic! It's cute! And they have your names on the box...nice touch!! Cannot wait to hear how they pan out!

Drebe73, have you put your little suggestion in the Disney Comment Box? I think that is a FAB idea. If they have the means to load all the other stuff on there, why not?

We're not saying on resort, but I like the idea behind these. Having to worry about which of us have the tickets is always a fun family game , so having a wristband would solve that!
Just hope they roll them out for non-resort guests by January.....

Those bands looks stellar. I'm actually really excited about this. Just no so excited about Fastpass+. Everything else looks like it is going to be fantastic and the bands look very wearable.

The bands will be completely rolled out by the end of this year. I'm pretty sure that they will only be available to resort guest but not 100% sure. Please be patient with Disney for the bands because they still might have a couple bugs when fully released.

When is full release expected?

Not entirely sure because I think we might be still in testing phases.