This article was originally published prior to the release of Magic Band+ and has been updated to share my thoughts on them. Edited: 01/24/2022
To say that I get this question a lot from clients is an understatement. In fact, it’s often one of the *first* questions my clients ask after booking.
I’ve been going to Disney World since the early 90s- way before MagicBands were a thing. I saw the FastPass+ system go from cradle to grave (a moment of silence, please, while I pour POG juice on the earth in remembrance).
Who else remembers a time when there were morning races to the FastPass kiosks, and <gasp> paper tickets? And then those paper tickets littered park grounds at the end of each night, without fail?
In came MagicBands, and *poof* the paper ticket systems at Disney World became mostly obsolete.
What are MagicBands?
MagicBands were introduced in 2013 at Disney World in Orlando, and were credited for streamlining the guest experience.
Do you know those surveys that Disney likes to send after your vacation? They showed that after the introduction of the MagicBand, more people wanted to return to Disney than ever.
When they were first introduced, guests of the Walt Disney World Resort received complimentary bands as a part of their Disney vacation packages. The original free versions came in basic, solid colors. The “O.G.” band itself was an innocuous gray, but also very cool. They are comfortable, adjustable, and waterproof wristbands.
MagicBands use radio frequency technology to talk to Disney’s devices. For example, it tells a PhotoPass photographer’s handheld system who you are so that your pictures go to your MyDisneyExperience account.
What Do Magic Bands Do?
With a tap, MagicBands can be used to:
- Access the theme park (with valid theme park admission & park reservations)
- Check-in at Lightning Lane and virtual queue entrances (previously, the FastPass+ system)
- Pay for purchases to your Disney Resort hotel room (with a secure PIN)
- Link Disney PhotoPass images
- Enter your room, like a room key
No more need to carry around paper tickets, lose them, get them wet, etc.!
Setup Is Simple
Nowadays, if you have a Walt Disney World Resort hotel reservation or you have purchased or renewed an Annual Pass, you can order select Magic Bands at a *discounted price* through My MagicBands and Cards in your MyDisneyExperience account.
If they are ordered this way, they are shipped free if purchased more than 10 days from check-in. No further action is needed- all you’ve got to do is remember to pack them in your carry-on bag. If purchased 10 to 6 days prior to arrival, they can be picked up at the front desk to your resort.
Anyone can purchase MagicBands online through ShopDisney online and in-person at various stores throughout the parks. If purchased this way, they’ll need to be linked to your MyDisneyExperience account, which is very easy to do.
MagicBands are Fun and Can Be Reused
My family still likes to pick out new MagicBands before each trip. For us, they act as sort of a souvenir (truth be told, we rarely buy souvenirs in the gift shops anymore).
For example, I was excited to buy an Annual Passholder MagicBand when I became a passholder for the first time, and the 50th Anniversary Celebration MagicBand to celebrate the Magic Kingdom’s anniversary.
They are also a fun way to enjoy your favorite character or showcase your personality.
Disney will continue to roll out exciting new versions, like the MagicBand 2; which was designed to be more comfortable than the original MagicBands.
MagicBands can be reused. They do have a very small battery inside, with a shelf life of about two years. To verify if your MagicBand is still active, simply go to My MagicBands and Cards in your MyDisneyExperience account.
The much-awaited MagicBand+ arrived at Disney World fall of 2022 as part of the 50th Anniversary celebration. In addition to having all of the mentioned MagicBand functionality, they have customizable color-changing lights, haptic vibrations to bring experiences to life, and gesture recognition to enable surprises in the parks.
For the first time, MagicBand+ became available for purchase at the Disneyland Resort in 2022. This is wonderful news because almost all of my Disneyland clients ask about MagicBands!
My Thoughts on the New MagicBand+
Here are my quick thoughts about MagicBand+!
MagicBand+ has customizable color-changing lights, haptic vibrations to bring experiences to life, and gesture recognition to enable surprises in the parks.
This is a feature my family had little use for. Yes, the designs were cute, and yes my 3 year old daughter loved when it would light up and vibrate.
If given the choice, I prefer the original MagicBands. I dislike having to charge MagicBand+s nightly and didn’t feel any sort of payoff for having to do this small nightly chore. The same with having to pair the device (there are instructions in the packaging accordingly).
They also feel bulkier than the original bands.
Will I buy them again? Probably, simply because these are the primary Magic Bands that Disney is offering at a discount for onsite guests, and they are fun souvenirs.
In fairness to Disney, the new MagicBand+ is in its first generation, so there is definitely time for improvement.
So, Do You *Need* to Buy MagicBands?
Short answer: No.
Will you *want* to buy MagicBands?: That’s up to you to decide.
Remember when I said that Disney’s surveys showed that more people said they wanted to return to Disney when MagicBands were implemented? Again, that’s because MagicBands were credited with streamlining the guest experience at the Most Magical Place on Earth.
They are extremely convenient and nice to have.
On the flip side, some guests see MagicBands as just another thing to buy or something that their child will lose. If you feel this way, or if MagicBands will take you over your budget, they aren’t necessary.
If you’ve purchased your theme park tickets, you have two alternatives to MagicBands:
- MagicMobile is available in the MyDisneyExperience app, another contactless way to access MagicBand features by using your eligible iPhone, Apple Watch (which can feel like a MagicBand), or Google Pay-enabled Android phone. Or,
- Go to Will Call and pick up Admission Cards. This can be done at any Disney Ticket Center, including the Disney Ticket Center at Disney Springs or any ticket window outside the theme parks. You will need to bring the credit card used to purchase the tickets, the person to whom the credit card belongs, and their photo ID.
For both of these options, you’ll need to use your confirmation number to link your tickets to MyDisneyExperience account in order to make your Park Pass Reservations before your trip.
There’s No Wrong Way to Do Disney
It’s been my personal preference to use a MagicBand while at Disney and I will probably keep purchasing them simply because I like them.
It’s *your* vacation- do what works best for your family. Whether you choose to purchase MagicBands or not, you’ll still be at the Most Magical Place on Earth.
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