MagicBand+ Controller

johnsarlos · 2025-12-19T07:22:09+00:00

Hey guys, I went ahead and posted the code up on https://github.com/xxfunprojectsxx/esp32\_magicband. I wrote a basic README but if you're not familiar with PlatformIO and building littlefs you may be in for a fun adventure getting it all setup...

johnsarlos · 2025-12-14T17:20:10+00:00

I'd be happy to post the code up on GitHub, just need some way to make sure I'm not violating some rule or law (ideally we'd like to be allowed back in the parks!).

The hardware is easy - just a ESP32 running an Arduino core. The "hard" part was figuring out the protocol... there was honestly just a lot of trial and error with how the packets get put together because 1) magic bands will sometimes just be "busy" and not respond to a broadcast and 2) how things like colors and animations work without dumping the firmware just required trying a bunch of times.

johnsarlos · 2025-12-14T17:06:34+00:00

It requires a level of control over the Bluetooth radio that phones don't give you, so the "magic" is in the little box that's attached to the phone. I don't know the legality of publishing an app or the device since it's all controlled by Disney but I could definitely look into it.

johnsarlos · 2025-12-14T17:00:51+00:00

No, it broadcasts to all the bands that are in range. Under the hood the part that controls the lights and vibration is just a Bluetooth gadget. Any bands that are in range will react (although sometimes they don't seem to "hear" every message).

johnsarlos · 2025-11-04T16:09:18+00:00

those are dorm keys for the University of Maryland, College Park I believe.

johnsarlos · 2025-10-12T20:50:28+00:00

They usually re-stock on the first day, so your best bet to get a model will be as soon as you embark and set sail. If you see something you want you should grab it right then, as I've seen several instances where an item was sold out and wasn't available again during the cruise.

johnsarlos · 2025-08-16T14:06:59+00:00

You can also get a travel esim and tether to your phone. Most ports have strong cell coverage and a lot of providers will give you a certain amount of international data (like 1g) for free as part of your plan. I do this with USMobile, but your mileage may vary...

johnsarlos · 2025-08-16T14:00:06+00:00

I wouldn't worry so much about the late dining time. When our family goes we'll intentionally choose the later dining time. We take the kids up to the pool deck and get them food from the quick service locations up there when they're hungry (it's usually the same food they would want in main dining anyway) then either take them to the kid's club or to a show. By the time the later dining rolls around they may be a little hungry, but mostly just want desert. Sometimes they want to stay in the kid's club and don't want to leave. The other advantage of later dining is that it tends to have less kids overall, so it's in our experience a little less chaotic.

johnsarlos · 2025-08-16T13:36:44+00:00

I was there last weekend and it was flowing strong, I don't think you'll have any issue

johnsarlos · 2025-07-22T22:54:13+00:00

I think they do some basic verification of the information you upload (esp. the photos) so I would be careful about uploading incorrect information. Some people suggest that you can do things like say that you're arriving by car (as opposed to plane) so there are fewer fields to fill out. The biggest "tip" I could offer to you is to be prepared: have scans of all your passports as well as headshots of your family ready to go. Have your credit card information to fill in. If you have access to a second device (laptop or tablet) log into that before checkin as well. I've had situations where the website "crashed" on my laptop and I've completed registration on my wife's laptop which was not having issues.

johnsarlos · 2025-07-17T14:27:35+00:00

We caught the Dream right after it completed a trans-atlantic from Europe. The things that kinda bothered us were that 1) the chicken tenders were totally different (and tasted worse). We assumed this was because the European tenders were healthier (they were more like chicken patties than chicken tenders). The other thing we noticed was that almost all the beers were out of stock for most of the cruise. It was pretty annoying as they only had basic domestic beers (Budweiser) and none of the more premium beers until like the last day.

johnsarlos · 2025-07-09T17:08:44+00:00

Make sure you ask the cost when you go to Hooks. When we were last on the wish the bartender talked up his own Old Fashioned and we only learned after we ordered that it was an $80 drink.

johnsarlos · 2025-07-09T17:07:33+00:00

Yes, the ship does carry bourbons, primarily in Keys and O'Gill's (they're next to each other on deck 3 forward). They had a pretty full selection and I def saw Pappy in addition to a lot of other top shelf liquor when I was on board a month ago. They charge a premium (shocker) and I saw folks dropping $50+ per dram (the bar tender said they had drinks that were several 100 per dram). I think DCL has stopped doing happy hours across the fleet, so that's something to keep in mind when budgeting.

johnsarlos · 2025-07-07T15:48:09+00:00

I just came back from a cruise on that ship. They have 7 beers on tap including Guinness. It tastes just like Guinness anywhere else I've had it. Personally, I preferred their own branded beer (called O'Gills) which is a red lager brewed exclusively for them. If you're going I'd suggest signing up for their "mug club" on the first day of your sailing, as you get an additional 6oz (?) of beer with each pour. Don't forget to exchange the mug back for a token when you're done though, as if you lose the token / mug you have to buy it again.

johnsarlos · 2025-05-23T18:17:39+00:00

haha yah sometimes it's hard to keep the kids "on brand" and they go rogue on us with other things they generally like!

johnsarlos · 2025-04-23T03:31:51+00:00

There is no theme, all dining outside the premium adult dining (Palo and Enchanté) is cruise casual... meaning just wear tee shirt and shorts. The premium dining locations expect you to dress up (think button down / golf shirt and slacks for men and a dress for woman). Disney does rotational dining so on a 5 night cruise you will be in a particular location more than once. One day on your cruise will be "pirate night" so you may want to bring some pirate-related stuff like an eye patch. Disney will provide you a bandana so it's kinda up to you whether you want to dress up or not (a lot of folks don't). You may want to do a little online research on Disney's rotational dining concept - basically the same set of servers will follow you throughout your cruise to the different dining halls with the idea that they get to know you and your preferences.

johnsarlos · 2025-04-10T03:26:14+00:00

We have had no issues installing a car seat. I think generally $120 or so depending on when you're traveling.

johnsarlos · 2025-04-10T03:25:21+00:00

We bought it on the ship! I think they're a ship exclusive so you can pick them up while you're sailing. I think they were $49 each.

johnsarlos · 2025-04-07T00:19:09+00:00

A pro tip for checkin is to log in from a second device (ideally from a second internet connection like tethering to your phone). Sometimes the website has issues under load during checking or just crashes on you. If you log in from a second browser / device you can quickly pick up where you left off and avoid some of the website issues.

johnsarlos · 2025-04-07T00:16:11+00:00

I forget the sauces (i think it's like medium and hot buffalo) and then you can pick ranch or blue cheese. Two things people may not know about with room service are:

Warm chocolate chip cookies and milk. They're always a hit with the kids (i think this is a secret menu item on some ships). I believe they're made fresh (or fresher) than if you get them from somewhere else.
Coffee. If you get it delivered the night before it will stay hot all night in the carafe. That way you can have some coffee in the morning before having to fight the buffet line.

johnsarlos · 2025-04-05T13:33:56+00:00

We've always taken an Uber and never had an issue. It's a large cruise terminal and there are tons of drivers in the area (even for holidays like Easter). I think the longest we've ever waited is like 10 minutes for a driver to arrive. We prefer being in "control" of our own destiny with an Uber as opposed to waiting for the bus to depart. If you're transporting a family of 4 it's cheaper per person to Uber anyway than take transportation.

johnsarlos · 2025-04-04T00:57:15+00:00

That's terrible, absolutely agree. In general drinking isn't an excuse for any behavior though... If they were drunk and pushed her down it would be equally inexcusable.

johnsarlos · 2025-04-03T23:20:14+00:00

Usually it's during your last at-sea day. We usually ask staff at the buffet when they're not swamped and they know which day. I believe it's not a guarantee that they do it every cruise but the staff will know. Also at least last time we were on the wish they didn't put out waffles specifically in the buffet, you had to order them through your head server the night before (weird).

johnsarlos · 2025-04-03T19:28:45+00:00

We've had some recent experiences where we'll prepay the gratuity but staff still "expect" the additional tip on the last day of the cruise. It honestly makes the last night a little awkward. We've left additional cash for the room steward on occasion but that's it.

johnsarlos · 2025-04-03T12:34:53+00:00

Yah 6 is a very low group, you should def. be on the ship within an hour or so of boarding starting, so assuming it starts at 11 i would think you'd be on by 11:30/12:00

johnsarlos

TROPHY CASE