Jenna SaxtonMagicBands have become one of the most popular Disney World park accessories since they first rolled out in 2013. And, it’s no wonder why – they are designed to make visiting the parks and resorts easier!
So, whether you’re planning your very first Disney World vacation or wondering if it’s finally time to invest in a MagicBand after all these years, we’ve got the answers to all your burning questions including what they are, how they work, and why almost everyone is wearing them.
Disney Magic Band Basics
What Are Disney Magic Bands?
MagicBands (and MagicBand+) are wristbands that are designed to be worn throughout the entirety of your Disney World vacation. They make your visit a bit easier in more ways than one and are a convenient and innovative way to access a variety of features during your stay. With a MagicBand, you can enter the theme parks, get into your hotel room, redeem Lightning Lane selections, make purchases, and so much more. There’s a reason almost everyone is wearing them around the park!
MagicBands are available in a variety of colors and designs, including solid hues and options featuring fan-favorite Disney characters. They’re also customizable with your name or a special message.
What do Disney Magic Bands do?
Disney MagicBands are essentially a way to streamline your park experience. Instead of carrying around multiple cards or tickets, you can simply wear your MagicBand and use it to access your hotel room, enter the parks, and even pay for food and merchandise.
And, that’s not all! Now you can check into your Lightning Lane or virtual queue reservations, pay with your Disney Dining Plan with one tap, and easily link your Disney PhotoPass photos to your My Disney Experience account. Plus, if you opt for the new MagicBand+, you’ll also be able to interact with Disney’s nighttime fireworks shows and other elements in the park with unique vibrations and interactive lights that go off based on where you are.
The bands use RFID technology to communicate with sensors throughout the park, so you don’t have to worry about swiping or scanning anything.
Are Disney Magic Bands Required?
No, you do NOT need a MagicBand to visit Disney World. You can still use traditional park tickets (what’s known as your Key To The World card) and room keys if you prefer. You can also utilize Disney’s new MagicMobile feature through the My Disney Experience app which essentially makes your phone your park ticket. There’s also a feature to unlock your Disney World hotel room door within the app as well.
MagicBand vs. MagicBand+
There are two types of MagicBands in Disney World now – the original MagicBand and the newer MagicBand+. The main difference between the two is that the MagicBand+ is more interactive and offers additional features, such as the ability to play interactive games throughout the park and unique lighting and haptic vibrations with select Disney World entertainment.
The MagicBand+ is also rechargeable, unlike the original MagicBand which is battery-operated. However, the biggest difference is the price, as the MagicBand+ is more expensive than the MagicBand.
What Are Disney Magic Bands Used For?
When you have a MagicBand on your wrist, there’s a whole lot that you can do! Here’s how you can use your MagicBand throughout your stay in Disney World.
Park Ticket
Your MagicBand acts as your theme park and water park ticket once it’s linked to your My Disney Experience account. Simply touch your MagicBand to the Mickey touch point at the entrance turnstile and you’re in!
Hotel Room Key
Your MagicBand can also be used as your hotel room key. All you have to do is hold it up to the sensor on your hotel room door to unlock it.
One Touch Payment
MagicBands can be used to make purchases throughout Walt Disney World including in the parks and resorts. You can link a credit or debit card to your MagicBand when you check in at your Disney World hotel or through your My Disney Experience account and use it to pay for food, souvenirs, and more with just a tap.
Disney Dining Plan
If you have a Disney Dining Plan, it’s even easier to pay for your meals at restaurants throughout Disney World. You can use your MagicBand to redeem your meals and snacks by touching your Magic and to the touch point at the restaurant or snack location.
Lightning Lanes
If you’re using Lightning Lane Multi Pass or purchasing any Lightning Lane Single Passes to skip the long lines in the theme parks, your MagicBand is all you’ll need! When your Lightning Lane window arrives, just head to the Mickey touchpoints at the entrance to the line and tap your MagicBand.
Disney PhotoPass
Disney PhotoPass is a photo service throughout Disney World that enables you to get pictures in front of different park icons, on rides, and more. You’ll be able to easily link your photos to your My Disney Experience account using your MagicBand so that you can see how your photos turned out right away.
Interactive Lights and Vibrations (MagicBand+ Only)
With the introduction of the MagicBand+, Disney rolled out a brand new way to utilize the park accessory that never leaves your wrist! Now, with the MagicBand+, you can access interactive lights and vibrations that enhance your experience in the parks. For example, when you watch certain fireworks shows, your MagicBand+ will light up and vibrate to the show.
Note that this feature is not available with the original MagicBand.
Where To Buy Disney Magic Bands
If you’re ready to purchase a MagicBand or MagicBand+ for your Disney World vacation, you have a few options – purchasing online ahead of your trip or buying one once you arrive. Here’s how to do both and details on how much a MagicBand will cost you.
How Much Do Magic Bands Cost?
The cost of a MagicBand ranges between $19.99 to $50+ with the original MagicBand starting at $19.99 and the MagicBand+ starting at $34.99. You can generally expect to pay less for solid-colored MagicBands and more for MagicBands with designs or designer ones.
However, if you’re staying at a Disney World Resort hotel during your visit or are a Disney World Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club Member (DVC), you can purchase MagicBands at a discount of up to 50%. Disney no longer offers free MagicBands for hotel guests, but this discount means that you’ll pay somewhere between $9.99 to $39.99 depending on the band.
Just note that you must order your MagicBands online prior to your trip to take advantage of the discount – once you arrive in Disney World, you’ll have to pay full price. And, of course, pricing can vary and is subject to change.
How To Get Disney Magic Bands Online
If you want to purchase a MagicBand before your trip and qualify for the hotel guest, annual passholder, or DVC discount, you can do so by logging into your My Disney Experience account and navigating to your hotel reservation. You’ll be guided to make your MagicBand selections for each qualifying guest and will receive them either in the mail or when you check into your hotel depending on how far in advance you order.
If you’re not a Disney hotel guest, annual passholder, or DVC member but still want to purchase a MagicBand before your trip, you can visit the Disney Store website. There is a limited selection of MagicBand and MagicBand+ colors and designs available.
Where To Get Disney Magic Bands at Disney World
If you prefer to purchase your MagicBand in person, you can find them at almost any merchandise store both in the parks and in the resorts. Some of the best places to look for a wide selection include Disney Pin Traders and World of Disney at Disney Springs.
How To Activate Disney Magic Bands
Activating your Disney MagicBand is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps online or in the My Disney Experience app. Follow these steps to activate your MagicBand:
- Create or sign in to your Disney account. If you have already done this, you can skip this step.
- Once you are signed in, you will need to link your Magic Band to your account. To do this, go to the “My MagicBands and Cards” section of your account.
- Next, you will need to locate the activation code for your MagicBand. This code can be found on the back of the Magic Band or on the packaging it came in.
- Enter the activation code into the appropriate field on the My MagicBands and Cards page.
- Once you have entered the activation code, your MagicBand should be activated and ready to use.
It is important to note that once you activate your MagicBand, it cannot be transferred to another person. Additionally, MagicBands can only be linked to one Disney account at a time. If you have any issues with activating your MagicBand, contact Disney’s customer service for assistance or speak with a Cast Member.
Are Disney Magic Bands Reusable?
Yes, Disney Magic Bands are reusable. You can use your MagicBands from a previous Walt Disney World vacation for your next trip as long as they are active in your My Disney Experience account. MagicBands can last up to 5 years and MagicBand+ may last even longer.
If you have multiple MagicBands or cards, you can manage which ones are active in the “My MagicBands & Cards” section of your Disney account. This means you can choose which MagicBand you want to use for your next visit to Walt Disney World Resort.
The best part is that once you have a MagicBand, you can attach new reservations and tickets whenever you visit the park. This can be done through the My Disney Experience app. Or, you can ask a Cast Member to do it for you when you arrive at the park. This makes it easy to use the same one over and over again.
Potential Issues and Solutions
If you’re planning a trip to Disney World, you may be wondering about the potential issues that could arise with your MagicBand. Here are some common concerns and solutions to help you prepare.
What if I lose my Magic Band?
Losing your MagicBand can be a frustrating experience, but there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage. First, make sure to report the loss in your My Disney Experience account as soon as possible. You can do this by going to “My MagicBands and Cards” online or “MagicBands and More” in the My Disney Experience app, finding the band in your account, and then selecting “Deactivate.” This will ensure that no one can charge purchases to your credit card or use your MagicBand to enter the parks or your hotel room.
Keep in mind that Disney will not usually provide you with a free MagicBand replacement if you report it as lost.
Are Disney Magic Bands Waterproof?
Yes, Disney MagicBands are designed to be waterproof for pools and water rides!
How To Charge Disney Magic Bands
Now, you might be wondering, “Do Disney Magic Bands need to be charged?”. And, the answer is yes…and no. The original MagicBand is not rechargeable. However, the new MagicBand+ is rechargeable, and you’ll need to know how to do it throughout your trip to be sure it doesn’t die!
When you purchase a MagicBand+, the box includes a charging cord for the wristband. All you have to do is find an outlet in your hotel room and hook up the MagicBand+. And, don’t worry if you lose it – Disney sells replacements in merchandise stores!
The battery will generally last between 1 to 3 days. So, be sure you have a charging cord with you if you’re visiting longer.
Are Disney Magic Bands Worth It?
So, are MagicBands worth the investment? Well, there are a few factors to consider to help you decide! First, you’ll want to think about which features you’d use with a MagicBand or MagicBand+. Many park-goers enjoy the convenience of having their room key, park ticket, and credit card at their fingertips. And, if you’re purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass it makes skipping the long lines even easier. However, if you’re not staying at a Disney World hotel and don’t plan on using Lightning Lanes, you may not be reaching for your Key To The World Card all that much anyway.
You may also want to consider how often you’ll be visiting the parks over the next five years. MagicBands have a battery life of about five years and MagicBand+ may last much longer since it’s rechargeable. If you plan to visit Disney World multiple times in that period, then the investment and time-saving aspects of the bands may be well worth it for you.
And, lastly, what’s your vacation budget? Both the Key To The World Card and MagicMobile are free services that have many of the same features as the MagicBand. So, if you’re on a tighter budget, and MagicBand or MagicBand+ might be something to skip.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your individual preferences. While most guests do opt to utilize a MagicBand during their trip, it’s certainly not necessary. However, there’s no denying the convenience of having everything on your wrist.
Comments
Do you think Disney Magic Bands are necessary for your trip? Do you prefer the original MagicBand or the MagicBand+? Let us know your experiences in the comments!
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