Your Guide to the Disney MagicBand+
One of the questions I most often get asked is whether you need the MagicBand to enjoy your time inside Disney Parks. Sometimes this inquiry is conflated with other things like Genie+, Lightning Lane, or Virtual Queue. So, let’s take a few minutes to discuss what the MagicBand is and whether it’s something you truly need for the parks. Let’s go!
History of the MagicBand
The MagicBand’s history goes back to 2013 when it was first introduced to Disney fans at Walt Disney World. This simple soft-plastic band was provided, free of charge, to guests traveling to Walt Disney World. It was billed as one solution for room entry into Walt Disney World Resort hotels, and entry into the parks. Since Fast Passes were still made of paper at the time, it wasn’t apparent that they could be used for Fast Pass entry until a few years later when Fast Pass+ was introduced. What made the MagicBands truly remarkable was that they were waterproof and that you could link a credit card to them, therefore eliminating the need to carry a room key, a wallet, or a credit card with you. Everything you needed was in the MagicBand. And from the moment they were introduced, guests ate them up!
Originally complimentary MagicBands were just a few select colors. They were sent to you a few weeks before the start of your trip, and each had the individual guest’s name printed on the inside. If you didn’t order the MagicBand, you were provided basic grey ones when you checked into your resort hotel.
Over the years, the MagicBand has gotten a few upgrades. Specifically in 2017, the version 2 edition of the MagicBand debuted. More colors were offered, and the MagicBand featured a larger more rounded look. And accessories were added. Specifically, the core of the MagicBand could pop out from the strap altogether and be placed in a pendant, a key chain, or some other accessory.
Even with this change, the functionality remained the same – simply touch the Mickey icon on the band to the Mickey icon to those gloriously-themed golden posts that get you into the park or to you room door, and you heard that familiar magical chime, knowing that you’ve been granted access to the most magical place on earth!
The MagicBand became a staple for Disney vacations. Families collected them and took pride in their MagicBand collections. And many had creative ways to display them – many even making Christmas tree garland out of all the MagicBands they collected. At this point, Disney even made more stylish ones available with different characters and other theming. These were available for purchase via shopdisney.com. One of the beneficial things about the MagicBand was that you could reuse it from one Disney trip to the next – so if you invested in special edition ones, they weren’t one and done.
In January of 2021, Disney made the choice to stop offering the MagicBand as a complimentary accessory to your Disney vacation. They could be purchased via the My Disney Experience App or through ShopDisney. But this change left many wondering whether or not the MagicBand was a required part of a Disney vacation, especially for any family who had visited since 2013. Disney had drilled this idea into our heads for the better part of 7 years – and now, suddenly, they were charging for it.
That brings us up to speed to the present. In 2022, Disney debuted the MagicBand+ which would slowly phase out all previous versions of the MagicBand. This more costly MagicBand had some additional features like LED lights and the ability to make different sounds and vibrations. And, most amazing of all – when waved in front of the golden statues at Walt Disney World, they could activate them to say or do different things and during a nighttime show, the bands would light up and glow with the show. Coming in at a price tag starting at $40 to $45 for basic-colored bands, up to over $100 for special edition bands, many guests were unsure of what to make of this accessory. In addition, Disney introduced MagicBand+ to Disneyland for the first time in October 2022, making it the first time that guests on the West Coast could take advantage of them.
So, Are MagicBands Required?
So – are MagicBands something that you MUST have to enjoy your vacation? NO. MagicBands are a nice souvenir. They are convenient, they are fun, they are easy, and they can bring joy to those of us who have used them since their inception, but they are NOT required to enjoy your Disney vacation.
A MagicBand is simply an RFID chip encoded into the band. This RFID chip sends out a signal to readers in your door or at the gate of a park or at the entrance of an attraction that gives them information about who you are. Without a MagicBand, you can still do all those things. If you prefer not to use a MagicBand, you can receive a simple plastic card at check-in that not only serves as your room key but also serves as your park entry.
And, if you want to go super technological and you have an iPhone, you can even download the My Disney Experience app and put your park entry into your wallet with My Magic Mobile. And, from the My Disney Experience app, you can also magically open your room door too!
When I have clients ask me – my answer is simply, it’s up to you. For a family of 5 traveling, one MagicBand per person can cost upwards of $500 for special edition bands or as low as about $250 for regular ones. They almost always cost more in the My Disney Experience App, but if you catch a sale on shopDisney, you can get them at a discount. If you are going to purchase MagicBands, I recommend making sure you’ve ordered them no later than 45 days before the start of your trip to ensure they arrive on time. Once they arrive, they must be charged, and they must also be connected to your My Disney Experience app by following the instructions provided with the band.
MagicBands allow you to take advantage of some of the interactive elements like the character statues or the glow with the show options. MagicBands are a fun, interactive element that will make your stay even more magical. If you plan to spend a lot of time at the pool and don’t want to carry a wallet, a credit card, or a phone around, then they could be the perfect edition for your trip. And, if you already have some lying around from a previous vacation that are already connected to your account, as long as the batteries are still functioning, they can be reused.
I personally have always enjoyed the MagicBand. In my career as a Disney traveler, I have probably over two dozen of them between my partner and me. Some of these are even special edition ones I’ve purchased, including this really cool Walt legacy one with the classic Mickey plush.
On the other hand, if you want to save money, and if you’re fine using a plastic key or your mobile phone, you can save that money and purchase another souvenir or do a great character meal instead. In my opinion, your vacation will not be diminished in any way by not having the MagicBand. The choice is entirely up to you. At the end of the day, this accessory is an option for any guest who wants to add a little extra MAGIC to their trip, but if you’re doing Disney on a budget, I would say, skip the band and save the money for something else.
Planning a Trip?
So, are you ready for a trip? Then let Magical Memories by Casey help you! Visit www.caseywooley.com and fill out a planning blueprint or email me at caseywooley@mainstreetandmoretravel.com and we can start planning today!
Magical Memories by Casey 