Reviews of MagicBand
Reviewed by Quika Review Date: 11/13/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We were quite pleasantly surprised with how well the bands worked overall. We were interested in using them but our travel agent checked and told us we weren't on the list to receive the magic bands. Then we were tinkering on the my disney experience site and found we DID in fact have the bands. We were a little disappointed not to receive earlier notifications because it meant we couldn't pick the custom colours. In addition, all the bands for our party of 9 had the persons name on the back except our son. That sort of thing does bug kids.
When we checked in our bands were there and ready. They really worked quite well most of the time. It was great not to have to dig in pockets for a card all the time. The bands worked for park entry, water park entry, meal plan, purchases charged to our room. The bands were comfortable to wear, even in the water all day.
On the downside one of our party seemed to have a very 'glitchy' band. It had intermittent problems throughout our trip. Also, you have to hold the band over the reader very precisely for it to read. I'm hoping disney improves that functionality a bit so you can just waive the band over the reader and have it work.
Overall I think these are going to be a great addition for disney visitors!
Pros:
Generally works very wellCons:
A little buggy still for some peopleReviewed by KellyBCV Review Date: 11/13/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
I was in WDW the last week of October using my points to stay at GF. I received my Magic Band at home before leaving and had absolutely no problems using it for room access, purchases, dining plan, fast passes and gate access. I even linked my Halloween pass to it. It worked perfect every time! I loved it--no fumbling for cards. I did hear other guests had some problems, but I didn't and can't wait for it to become the norm!
Pros:
Super Time SaverCons:
NoneReviewed by The Hendies Review Date: 11/12/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We had a split stay, first half of our trip was off-site, second half was on-site. We reserved several FP+ for the on-site days in advance, and found that we could reserve FP+ on that day when we were off site.
I wish...
You could select fewer that 3 FP+ at a park. (when park hopping, it would be good to be able to reserve at different parks)
There were more FP+ kiosks, and cast members were more familiar with where they are located.
It was easier to cancel FP+ that you are not going to be able to use (ie: you decided to change plans for the day or the stand-by wait was so short you didn't use the FP+)
In all, a great system, that once the kinks are ironed out, should work well!
Pros:
Had a little issue at first, but once it was fixed, worked great!Cons:
Limitations on Fast Pass +Reviewed by retired605 Review Date: 11/11/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We just returned from a Disney trip November 2-9.
We were given the Magic Bands at check-in to our resort and, contrary to what we had been told previously in emails, we 'had' to use them. They are great when they work and frustrating when they don't. The biggest complaint we would have is that all the cast members are not on the same page when it comes to explaining how they work. Person who sold us our annual passes told us to definitely sync them with our bands and then when mine didn't work to get into Epcot the cast member at the gate said you should not sync the passes yet since the bands are still experimental. So ???
The FastPass feature is great and we had no problem with it. Also as a room key it worked fine.
Pros:
convenienceCons:
still has some bugsReviewed by DisneyDork Review Date: 11/11/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We were wary of the wristbands, fearing they would be uncomfortable, sweaty, etc., but were pleasantly surprised. I didn't realize beforehand that they could be taken off and put on so easily, we had no trouble at all (I thought they had to be worn the whole time, which is incorrect). Loved the convenience of not having to look for my park ticket while making sure my purse is all zipped up after going through security, etc. We give the bands a thumbs up.
Pros:
very convenientCons:
noneReviewed by NJDzneMom Review Date: 11/11/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
My family just returned from a trip the first week of November. We loved the bands! We enjoyed being able personalize in advance - everyone's favorite colors. I was less worried with my sons losing their tickets throughout our vacation because I could always visually see them on their wrists. We also enjoyed being able to use them for everything - hotel room, park entrance, purchases, meals, fastpasses, etc. Very convenient!
Pros:
ConvenientCons:
NoneReviewed by ThermoChamuco Review Date: 10/28/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
Currently on first WDW trip with Magic Bands. The other reviews are all fair and accurate so I won't rehash what they said. I want to point out what I find to be a somewhat frustrating side effect. Yes, Magic Bands allow you to use FastPass+ to select 3 entitlements, be it rides, characters, parades, or shows. However, all 3 currently have to be in the same park. (OK, so, maybe that is more of a FP+ complaint, but seems to be counter intuitive to expecting folks to pay more for Park Hopper.) The big shock for me was that the old school FastPass distribution machines do NOT read Magic Bands. I am not trying to sound greedy. My family typically kept a close eye on the Mobile Magic app and would use runners to acquire FastPasses. We could easily do 6-8 FastPasses a day. Apparently no more with Magic Band. You have 3 entitlements in a single location and there will be no more there or any other hopped to location. I hope this is a limitation they find out how to tweak.
Pros:
—Cons:
FastPass limitationsReviewed by RichardErnst61 Review Date: 10/22/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We were able to use the Magicbands during a 4 day trip to WDW for theFood and Wine Festival the2nd weekend of October. The Magicbands worked flawlessly at almost all of the locations, including Magical Express check-in. They make everything easier and no need to rummage through your pockets to find a key card or credit card to pay for items or get into your room. The only downside is that the keypad used to enter your pin for purchases is very small. I had minimal problems using them but my wife had a much higher chance if mis-keying her pin becaus of her longer nails.
Pros:
Very easy to use, works well, available everywhere on WDW propertyCons:
Small keypad on PIN machinesReviewed by cs1236 Review Date: 10/06/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Used magic bands from 9/22-9/29 used for hotel rooms, fast pass plus, photo pass plus, park hoppers, and dining. Never had to use our regular key to the world card in fact left them in the room. Band is comfortable like a watch or bracelet my 5 year old grand daughter never to hers off she swam and showered with it. Never had any issues. Very convenient .
Pros:
EverythingCons:
NoneReviewed by Brandon Review Date: 09/26/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
I was skeptical at first because it was my first trip to Disney and I didn't want to ruin it with a new product. I just didn't want anything to mess up my time at the most magical place on earth. Let me tell you that it performed outstandingly. The MagicBand is the only way to go for me. You can use it any where for anything as long as you have your access code. There really isn't a need for a wallet or purse when you are out and about. This made the trip for me so much easier and stress free. My wife wishes she could use this thing in our everyday lives, for my sake thank God she can't!
