Next Generation of MagicBand & New MagicKeeper Revealed

[Figment!]

12/17/16

Disney Parks & Resorts has announced more details to how the next Generation of MagicBand's will offer new options with the "puck" style device:




... new MagicKeepers for guests who prefer an alternative way to wear their MagicBand 2. MagicKeepers will include two Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse-themed lanyard clips and a carabiner. The images ... show how MagicKeepers will be sold (without a removable icon) and how they appear with removable icons.

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A release date for MagicKeepers has yet to be announced.

11/19/16

Disney Parks & Resorts has announced the second generation of MagicBand's using the "puck" style device previously reported.

Although the statement is made that the new design is "versatile and customizable" there is no mention if the "puck" can be removed from the band or embedded in other items like a clip or necklace.




... MagicBand 2 will feature a new design for the band itself. While the design helps make MagicBand 2 more versatile and customizable it’ll still work like the current MagicBand. You will be able to link My Disney Experience to your MagicBand 2, which can serve as a theme park ticket, access to FastPass+ selections, Disney PhotoPass card as well as a room key for Disney Resort guests.

MagicBand 2 will make its resort-wide debut soon.

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8/18/16

FCC test reports have recently been declassified that indicate a new style of RF device to potentially replace the current Magic band:




Application: MB-R1G2

Full Company Details: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US., INC. - Q3E
Company Code: Q3E

Address:
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US., INC.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc.
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
United States

Frequency Range
2401.00000000-2476.00000000

Power Output
0.0012000

Rule Parts
15C

Antenna info:

The antenna of the product is embedded in the PCB and is implemented as a PCB trace. The PCB permanently
sealed inside a plastic cover such that the antenna is not accessible, removable or replaceable without
permanent damage and disfiguring of the device. There is no RF connector between the radio and the
antenna.

The antenna type is a loop antenna. The maximum gain is -2 dBi

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It is unknown if this disk-type device is planned to replace the band-type device or if it would attach to interchangeable bands or similar attachment devices.

[baldburke]

This seems a bit suspect. I wouldn't doubt that Disney is developing a replacement, but why would there be a pic circulating with Mickey ears?

Ideally Disney will let us use our smart phones instead of a band. However there are some advantages to a band for young kids and at the pool.

What we really need is version 2.0 of the software, not the hardware. More FP+ options per day!

[Tekneek]

If they want to be able to track you, having you use your phone as a full-on replacement is not going to work. If they really want to harness the true power of this, they need to be able to know where you are on property and then push opportunities to your phone/other device associated with your band.

[Figment!]

This seems a bit suspect. I wouldn't doubt that Disney is developing a replacement, but why would there be a pic circulating with Mickey ears?

Similar "form" pictures were revealed through FCC filings for the first "generation" of Magic Bands.

The FCC pictures and test reports are publicly available here:

https://fccid.io/Q3E-MB-R1G2

[texas211]

Boo to all of it. Too 1984 meets Minority Report.

[ChipNDale79]

If they want to be able to track you, having you use your phone as a full-on replacement is not going to work. If they really want to harness the true power of this, they need to be able to know where you are on property and then push opportunities to your phone/other device associated with your band.

The push notifications are something my wife and i were talking about the other night, I could be wrong, but i don't think the current app does this. Is that right?

IMO, that's a flaw, the app should allow push notifications to notify guests of upcoming scheduled events, like fast pass windows and dining reservations.

With location based services, and the amount of money spent overall on MM+, there is no reason why the app shouldn't send you a push notification letting you know when things are coming up, and from where you are now, how long it'll take you to arrive at your destination.

Think Waze and their planned drives, something similar should be implemented.

Example: "You're dinner reservation at Garden Grill is at 6:30, from your current location, you should leave now to arrive at your reservation time".

[Tekneek]

The push notifications are something my wife and i were talking about the other night, I could be wrong, but i don't think the current app does this. Is that right?

That is my understanding.


IMO, that's a flaw, the app should allow push notifications to notify guests of upcoming scheduled events, like fast pass windows and dining reservations.

With location based services, and the amount of money spent overall on MM+, there is no reason why the app shouldn't send you a push notification letting you know when things are coming up, and from where you are now, how long it'll take you to arrive at your destination.


Not just that, but my thinking is that they could encourage you to check out certain attractions near you that have low wait times (that you might not know about or be thinking about). This serves multiple goals: driving guests to under-utilized attractions, balancing out the crowds in certain areas of the parks, etc. If they wanted to, they could also be learning which attractions/kinds of attractions you prefer and ping you when you are near one with the wait time, or even just encourage you to go there when the wait time is abnormally short. These sorts of things would add so much value to the guest experience. I don't mind this kind of data mining when I actually realize the benefit. Treating me like a data point just to shake money out of my pocket is a downer. Do all of this other stuff and I will be so happy that I want to spend more money and time. It takes care of itself.


Example: "You're dinner reservation at Garden Grill is at 6:30, from your current location, you should leave now to arrive at your reservation time".

They really must implement this. Not only walking time, but also estimates based on walking plus other transportation methods if you are at some other park, hotel, etc. Sort of like, "You must make your way to the bus stop at X by this time." They could use it for all the methods available to you, or let you specify in the app which to exclude, etc. There is a tremendous amount of unrealized guest value here that Disney has not tapped (for all that they do, they really struggle with this and games).

[baldburke]

The puck seems to be a confirmed idea. I was reading on another site that the puck could be popped in and out and transferred from band to band (more merch). It would also go to server those that don't like the band and allow them to more easily slip the puck into their pocket.

[TracyL]

The puck seems to be a confirmed idea. I was reading on another site that the puck could be popped in and out and transferred from band to band (more merch). It would also go to server those that don't like the band and allow them to more easily slip the puck into their pocket.

This. If it's a little puck, you can turn it into a wristband, a necklace, a key chain or backpack dongle, or any number of other things (all of which you can charge extra for, natch). The wristbands are pretty perfect for kids (waterproof, relatively hard to lose, etc.), but for people who don't like wristbands, or just would prefer some other form factor, this gives them options.

[texas211]

I just miss using the cards.

However, if it got me through the front door faster, helped my wife locate me faster when we get separated, or alerted others when i'm in a bathroom stall, that'd be ok. Especially items 1 or 3.

[Figment!]

**Update**

[baldburke]

The 11/19 said new equipment should debut soon but the 12/17 info doesn't give any estimates. Any ideas when these should be spotted in the wild...1q17?

[buzznwoodysmom]

Any ideas when these new bands will debut? We arrive in late Feb., and these large bands look aweful! The bands are way too big! Now perhaps some of the alternative ways of "wearing" the puck might be something we would consider, however I am sure that would mean us having to purchase accessories.

[VWL Mom]

I'm waiting for my AP band to arrive, supposedly it should be the new one. The new ones for resort guests should start going out early January. I will be adding an accessory if they're available next month. I don't mind wearing the band in the parks so my plan is to bring an old one for that and using the fob to clip on my purse when we go to dinner.

[VWL Mom]

I did receive my band and it is the new style. The width of the face is 1 ½" as opposed to 1". The old band had 2 ½" underside for the RFID while the new bands have 2" which leads to a more comfortable fit and much better bend IMO.

[ThanxForNoticin]

I did receive my band and it is the new style. The width of the face is 1 ½" as opposed to 1". The old band had 2 ½" underside for the RFID while the new bands have 2" which leads to a more comfortable fit and much better bend IMO.

We're AP holders, too, still waiting for ours! Is there a particular color/style the new ones come in? I assume color choices and customizing will only come later, after they are sent to all guests?

[VWL Mom]

We're AP holders, too, still waiting for ours! Is there a particular color/style the new ones come in? I assume color choices and customizing will only come later, after they are sent to all guests?

I have an active pass that I had not ordered a band previously for so I just went to MDE and declined my resort band and selected my AP band. I picked the color and customized just as you normally would.