Hi Elaine,
Welcome to planDisney! Thanks for dropping in with your question about the evolution of the MagicBand technology.
While there has been an upgrade to the MagicBands since you acquired yours a few years ago, the older models you have should still be functional. I have a dozen or so from that era, and I frequently choose one of them for a day in the parks. I even keep a couple of those in my car, just in case I decide to make an impromptu visit.
You can check to see if your bands are still active by signing into your
My Disney Experience profile and locating the Magic Band section. There, you should see a picture and serial number for each MagicBand assigned to your profile. It will say whether each is active or deactivated. If it has been deactivated, you should be able to reactivate it there.
That generation of MagicBand, when active, allows you to tap into the theme parks, unlock your resort room, charge purchases to your resort and access your
Lightning Lane passes. What it lacks are the interactive features that were added to the newer
MagicBand+ models.
If it's been a few years since you visited, Elaine, you'll find scores of new rides, attractions and updates throughout the parks and resorts. Please check back with us here at planDisney any time before you arrive if you have other questions about all the things to see and experience at the Walt Disney World Resort this fall.
Enjoy,
Wilma