What IS a MagicBand at Walt Disney World?

Simply put, a MagicBand is a wristband that contains all of the information stored in your My Disney Experience account.

But what else do you need to know about MagicBands?  Keep reading…

MagicBands are no longer complimentary and do require you to purchase them.  They come in different colors and styles and are a great accessory to any outfit while you’re on vacation, but they’re also very functional.

Whatever is linked in your My Disney Experience account is accessible via your band.  Yes, you could use your phone, but it’s so much easier when it’s on your wrist!  Here’s some of the functions that are just so convenient with a MagicBand:

Access to your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel

Instead of a room key or key cards (they call it a Key to the World card), your Magic Band will unlock your resort room door.  If you used the online check in you can skip the front desk and go directly to your room if you have your band.  Tapping your Magic Band to the small device on the outside of your door will unlock it.  The doors automatically lock when you leave, so make sure you’re always wearing your band.  You can also unlock your resort door using your cell phone and the my Disney Experience App.

Your park admission

When you arrive at the theme parks or water parks you scan your MagicBand for entry.  There is a finger scanner as well that associates YOU to the band in case you lose it. The bands are waterproof for pools and water rides so you can put your phone away and still have access to what you need.  You can use your phone with the mobile app directly for your theme park tickets, but it’s definitely easier on your wrist.

Lightning Lanes

You can use your Magic Band to check in at virtual queue and Lightning Lane entrances.  If you have attractions reserved in your app, you arrive at the attraction and tap your band to the device at the entrance.  Once you have scanned in to that attraction it is automatically updated in your app so you can continue to make plans for additional ones if you have purchased the Multi Pass.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass Selections

Dining Credits

If you have the Disney Dining Plan, your dining credits are stored in your My Disney Experience account and therefore on your MagicBand. When you want to redeem them for a meal or snack credit you tap the band to the terminal and enter your personal pin. The pin protects you in the event you lose your band, no one can take your dining credits.

Charging and Shopping

If you’re staying at a Disney resort, you can charge your purchases to the payment credit card on file at your Disney Resort hotel room!  There is a pin associated with this feature to protect you in the event you misplace your MagicBand. I will caution you though, it’s easy to lose track of what you’ve spent in the gift shop when you just tap your wrist and enter a pin!  Disney really does make spending money easy…

PhotoPass Photos

When you see a Disney photographer in the parks, you have to stop and get a picture!  They are a great way to make sure everyone is in the shot and you’re capturing some of the memories you’re making. After the photographer takes your pictures they scan your MagicBand and your photos are magically added to you’re My Disney Experience account.  The MagicBand also allows you to get the ride photos they take of you.  Most are just linked automatically (using the RFID chip in it), but at some attractions as you exit you need to tap the picture spot to make sure it’s captured.

If you have purchased Memory Maker you’re all set, if not – you can purchase the photos individually.  I am a big believer that everyone should buy Memory Maker when they go on vacation to make sure that you get ALL the pictures.

MagicBands help you organize your vacation and manage it through your My Disney Experience account.

Where is the best place to buy a MagicBand?

Disney Resort Hotels: Staying on-site? You’re in luck! Most Disney Resort hotels have MagicBands available for purchase in their gift shop.  They may have resort specific ones but generally it isn’t the biggest selection.

Theme Parks: Once you’re inside the parks, keep an eye out for some of the main gift shops.  Many of the merchandise locations sell them, but there’s usually one or two shops in each of the Disney parks that has a wide selection.

Disney Springs:  The World of Disney and Disney’s Pin Traders at Disney Springs have a pretty decent selection as well as some of the other shops.  If you stop by D-tech on Demand in Marketplace Co-Op can make a customized MagicBand along with cell phone cases as well.

Disney Store:  You can buy these online if you live in the United States – but remember that they don’t ship internationally.

What kind of MagicBand should you buy?

There are two different kinds of bands right now, the MagicBand and the MagicBand+.  The new MagicBand+ unlocks some cool interactions throughout Walt Disney World Resort and also has a rechargeable battery.

The MagicBand+ will cost you more, so make sure that you are going to USE the features included in the +.  Based on my personal experience I didn’t find a lot of value in the interaction with the shows (I would rather watch the fireworks vs my wrist) but the Bounty Hunter experience in Galaxy’s Edge was a lot of fun.  For a Star Wars fan, it’s worth it.

What About Designs?

As I mentioned above you can purchase a custom Disney band, but they have many different designs and styles to choose from ‘off the shelf’.  You can get everything from simple solid colors to elaborate character-themed bands.  Whether you’re a Mickey fan, a princess at heart, or a Star Wars enthusiast, there’s a MagicBand for you.

Price Range

Magic Bands typically range from about $34 to $60 USD depending on the design and type,  Some limited edition or special event bands might cost a bit more, but they are pretty spectacular!

So if you’re heading to the most magical place, happy shopping!  Share your Disney style with this fantastic accessory that just makes things so much easier for your Disney vacation.  Of course this is an added expense, you can still have a magical time without a band if you choose not to purchase one.

They also make GREAT gifts instead of traditional jewlery!  Contact my friends at Playcation Travel to get your next vacation booked!