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What’s the best accessory to wear on a Walt Disney World vacation? A Disney MagicBand, of course! Read on to learn about the magical wristband that can open doors – and so much more – for you and your family while visiting Walt Disney World.
A Complete Guide to Disney MagicBands
If you’re like me, keeping travel to Disney organized can be problematic. A trip for my family means keeping track of Disney park tickets, hotel room keys, FastPasses, dining reservations, and more.
But Disney has sprinkled some pixie dust on its visitors, in the form of the Disney MagicBand. It’s so much easier to keep everything organized when it’s all strapped to your wrist in a cute little band.
Have questions about how Disney MagicBands work? I’m an expert — I currently have 11 bands in my account! Let me share what I know. I’m sure you’ll agree that Disney MagicBands make travel organization easier, which makes Disney World even happier than before!
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Are MagicBands Going Away?
You may have heard rumblings of MagicBands disappearing from the Disney landscape. It’s partially true but they still exist, still come in a bazillion designs and can still be used. Disney has said that MagicBands will continue to be available for purchase and new designs will continue to be released. You may be asking, “How do I get in without a MagicBand?”. Key to the World cards are available for all guests.
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However, a new park entry option called MagicMobile has been introduced that will allow you to use your Apple phone or watch.
What is MagicMobile? (Starting March 2021)
MagicMobile is a park entry option where your Apple device can be utilized for park entry. Here’s how it works.
- First, you’ll need to have the My Disney Experience app on your Apple phone. If you’ve installed it in the past be sure to run the update.
- Open the My Disney Experience app and sign into your account. Hit the hamburger (stacked line) menu on the bottom right. In the right column you’ll see the Disney MagicMobile Pass as an option.
- Once you’re into the Disney MagicMobile section you’ll be able to link up your park reservations/tickets and create a MagicMobile pass.
- After creating your pass you’ll be able to save it to your Apple wallet. Then you’ll just scan your Apple device at the entrance to the parks.
- You can utilize MagicBands, MagicMobile passes, and Key to the World cards interchangeably.
Are MagicBands Free?
MagicBands used to be free to resort guests. However, January 1, 2021, MagicBands are no longer be free to on-property guests. Functionalities of the bands (opening doors, paying for food, park entry) are now available in the My Disney Experience app.
You can still add a MagicBand to your room but you will have to pay for it. This does give you the opportunity to be more creative with your bands. If you choose to get one get a fun one!
What is a MagicBand and Why Do I Need One?
A MagicBand is a colorful wristband that really lives up to its name. It works magic during a Walt Disney World vacation! These little all-in-one devices make life easier by storing park tickets, FastPass+ reservations, Disney hotel check-in information, room key and more, all in one place. They’re invaluable if you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort in Orlando.
TravelingMom Tip: Disney MagicBands are only good at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Disneyland and the other Disney parks do not use the bands.
Do I Need a MagicBand if I’m Not Staying at a Disney Hotel?
Even if you’re staying “off property” in a non-Disney hotel, you’ll want a Disney MagicBand, because it electronically connects to the vacation plans you’ve made in your My Disney Experience Account.
TravelingMom Tip: Even when you can’t travel to Disney World in person, there are plenty of ways to get your Disney fix while at home!
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In fact, this connection may be the most important function of the MagicBand. The wristband replaces paper tickets and the old paper FastPasses. Once connected, it acts as your ticket to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
How Does a MagicBand Work?
You’ll have to set up a free My Disney Experience account. That’s where you can link your park tickets and make your FastPass+ reservations. No more fumbling for tickets at the park entrance or running for the FastPass machine as soon as the park opens. Now your tickets and attraction choices are recorded in the MDE app and saved to the radio frequency (RF) chip inside your MagicBands.
When you get to the theme parks, simply touch your MagicBand to Mickey’s head at the entrance (known as “touchpoints”), and enjoy your day at the park!
When You Aren’t at Disney
Rev up the excitement for an impending Disney trip or extend the magic after a Disney vacation with these Disney recipes, Disney crafts and Disney at home activities:
How Do MagicBands Work with FastPasses?
Book your FastPass+ selections in the app. Then, when it’s your FastPass return time, head to the FastPass line and tap on the sensor, Mickey to Mickey, then take the fast track to your favorite ride.
Read More: 19 Questions Answered about FastPass+
Do MagicBands Work with PhotoPass and Memory Maker?
Everyone with a MagicBand receives one other major perk: Your MagicBand contains your PhotoPass and MemoryMaker information. PhotoPass is the complimentary photo service throughout the Disney resorts, theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. Professional photographers capture your Disney memories – for free. After the photographer takes the photos of you and your family, he or she will scan your MagicBand to — magically — link those photos to your My Disney Experience account.
At the end of the trip, you can choose the photos you want to buy. But I recommend pre-purchasing a MemoryMaker, which provides unlimited digital access to all of the PhotoPass videos and photos linked to your MagicBand. You can download the ones you like once you’re back at home, or you can order prints from Disney at a discount.
Does a MagicBand Work as a Room Key?
No need to rummage through your purse while juggling a sleeping toddler and his Mickey Mouse plush. Simply touch your MagicBand to the reader on your hotel room door to open the door.
Easy peasy!
Extra MagicBand Perks for Disney World Hotels
If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel — “on property” in Disney parlance — there are some extra special perks. Use your MagicBand as your room key, making purchases, and Disney Dining Plan.
Can I Use a MagicBand to Buy Things?
If you want to charge a purchase at one of the parks to your room, you can do it using your MagicBand. Simply link a credit card to the band, and your purchases will be added to your hotel bill.
And don’t worry about other members of your party charging to your card. You can specify “adults only” charging privileges, or create a PIN to share only with those allowed to use your card.
Does a MagicBand Work with the Disney Dining Plan?
Disney Dining Plans are currently unavailable.
The Disney Dining Plan is only available to visitors who buy it as part of a Disney vacation package — and stay at a Disney hotel. But that means your MagicBand will keep track of Disney Dining Plan credits, too. Simply scan your band to use the credits.
At the table service restaurants, the server will bring a machine to your table. At quick service and snack spots, touch your MagicBand to the touchpoint and your Dining Plan credits will be used to pay for your purchase.
Can I Use a MagicBand for the Magical Express Bus?
Disney’s Magical Express is the free bus that brings guests and their luggage from the Orlando International Airport to their “on property” Disney resort. You will be sent bus vouchers along with your luggage tags in the mail.
You’ll need the vouchers for your ride back to the airport at the end of your vacation, but your MagicBand is your ticket to board the bus from the airport to Disney World. If you forget to wear it or pack it in your carry-on, no worries – a cast member at the Magical Express desk will be happy to help!
How Do I Get a MagicBand?
At this point, you may have a hard time imagining your Disney vacation without a MagicBand. The convenience of all that power right on your wrist is irresistible. So how do you get a MagicBand?
MagicBand’s used to come complimentary with any stay at a Walt Disney World resort. Complimentary MagicBands ended. As of January 1, 2021 you will need to pay $14.99 if you wish to purchase and attach a MagicBand to your stay. Since the functions of the MyDisneyExperience app have been upgraded you technically don’t NEED a MagicBand but in our experience they come in handy. Phone batteries drain FAST at Disney and the peace of mind of not having to worry about your phone dying before you unlock your door is worth it! If you do venture forth with the app we highly recommend a portable charger to make sure your phone has juice.
Even if you are not staying at a Disney resort, you can – and should – purchase a MagicBand. They’re available at a variety of price points, based on the customization you choose. MagicBands can be linked to your park tickets (purchased separately) through the My Disney Experience app.
MagicBands also can be purchased online, from the ShopDisney app, at the theme parks, from select stores in the resort hotels, or at Disney Springs.
Need help planning your Disney trip? Get all your questions answered from our Disney Planning & Fun Facebook Group!
TravelingMom Tip: Buy your MagicBands before leaving home, so you can do link it to your My Disney Experience account before you leave for your trip. That way, you won’t be using valuable vacation time to set everything up, and you’ll be ready to go once you reach the parks. Plus it’s really exciting to have the wristbands before you leave your driveway!
Can I Customize My MagicBands?
Yes! You can definitely customize your MagicBand, there’s a whole new world of variety to choose from. Choose to purchase a premium MagicBand, featuring special colors like turquoise or millennial pink or favorite characters, from the Frozen sisters to the Star Wars favorites, and of course Mickey Mouse. You can even find special edition MagicBands on Amazon, and skins and decals for your MagicBand on Etsy and other sites.
Read More: Get More Fun Ideas for Customizing Your Magicbands
The second generation of MagicBand – known as MagicBand 2 – are a little larger than the first version. These come with removable center Mickey icons, so you can mix and match the colors to really personalize your bands. MagicBandits – little images, shapes and jewels – are also available to allow for further customization.
Check out these MagicBand holders that easily fits on your Apple Watch or other watch bands:
Disney MagicBand Puck Holder – Mouse Ears
Disney Magicband Puck Holder – Glitter
Disney Magicband Puck Holder – Toy Story
Check out these fun ideas for customizing your MagicBands.
Does One Size Fit All?
I don’t ever believe “one size fits all,” and I had serious doubts that a wristband that fits the tiniest toddler would feel comfortable on me. But Disney magic comes through again!
Yes, all Disney MagicBands come in one standard size, but it is made in two layers – a tearaway outer shell layer surrounding a smaller inner layer. Just peel away the outer shell to create a band for smaller wrists.
On the band itself, you’ll see “peel here for a smaller band.” (Just be sure you want to do this, as the layer cannot be reattached.) Both layers have several holes to allow for different sizes of band to further customize the fit.
What Happens if I Lose My MagicBand?
MagicBands can be deactivated right on the My Disney Experience app or by visiting Disneyworld.com and going to “Manage My MagicBands.” Simply click on the band you want to deactivate or report lost.
If you lose a band while on your Disney vacation, you should go to Guest Relations. Or if you’re a hotel guest, the concierge at the front desk at your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel can help deactivate a missing MagicBand and activate a new one.
How Long Is a MagicBand Good?
MagicBands remain active even after your Disney vacation is over. That’s good news. It means you can reuse any of your old MagicBands. So bring several, especially if you have a variety! And if you regularly stay at a Disney hotel, you will get new bands each time.
Whether you have one or many, Disney MagicBands make organizing your vacation so much easier. Everything you need is in one place, right on your wrist. That way, you can grasp the magic of your Disney vacation with both hands!
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If staying off site are the magic bands still beneficial with no FastPass+ in place? Are there other touch points around the parks?
Thanks!
My family and I all have tickets connected to one Disney account, do we each need a magic band or will one band work for everyone?
I have a magic band included with my purchase from American attractions, they said that we collect it in Orlando, do we collect them from somewhere at Disney springs?
I have read on other sites that old magic bands won’t work because the batteries die after 2 years and apparently there’s no way to check. Ours are 4 years old so I assumed I need new ones? Any clarification on this?
We went in Dec 2019 with magic bands from May 2016 and they all worked perfectly fine. When you get there just go to the ticket booth or guest relations and they can check. If they aren’t working then buy new ones…or maybe some will and some won’t saving you money.
Does each person in a party need a band or can one band be used for more than one individual?
Each person needs one, even the small kids. They are your tickets in to the park and you have to use them along with finger prints to get through the gate. Plus fast passes are on there for each person who is getting a fast pass. They use the unique magic band numbers on the back for each person.
If we are buying annual passes, do you know if we can link a credit card to the bands and use the bands instead of our cards in the park? We won’t be staying on property.
The Disney Store does NOT sell magic bands anymore
Hi- We have clarified this in the post that the bands are available for sale on shopDisney the online Disney Store. Thank you!