Nothing got you ready for a trip to Disney World in the 2010s more than receiving a box of Magicbands in the mail. For those who may not remember, Disney provided Magicbands for free if you booked a hotel or a vacation packages. The great part was that you could go online before your trip and customize them. Disney would then ship you the Magicbands for free (well, as part of your package anyway).
The entirety of Magicbands and My Disney Experience in the 2010s was truly game-changing as it did away with turnstiles and got rid of the hassles of dealing with a card. Honestly, the old Key to the World cards weren’t that bad, but having everything conveniently on your wrist was remarkable.
What Happened to Magicbands?
Magicbands are still available for sale at both Disney World and Disneyland. However, I have noticed on recent trips that fewer guests use them. My assumption is simply that Disney no longer gives the bands away with vacation packages anymore.
Another reason that Magicbands are going by the wayside is smartphones. Everyone has a smartphone or watch these days, so many people opt to use these devices. Digital tickets are the route that many parks already use, including Disneyland and Universal. Unfortunately, I’ve noticed many people do not fully understand the purpose of a Magicband and its benefits, but more on that in a moment.
In recent years Disney has done a really bad job of advertising Magicbands. Additionally, Disney rolled out Magicband+ going into its 50th anniversary. While the new variations work with the bounty hunter game in Galaxy’s Edge, there is little added value. Worst of all, Magicband+ costs about $10 more than Magicband 2.0. Although that doesn’t sound like much, it adds up for a family. Finally, there is a misconception that the Magicband+ needs to be recharged to work, which is not true. You can utilize all of the original features, like unlocking your door and entering the theme park, even if your band is not charged.
What Are Magicbands Used For?
All Magicbands allow you to:
- Unlock your hotel room door
- Access resort amenities like the parking lot, pools, and laundry areas
- Charge purchases across property to your room
- Enter theme parks (with valid admission)
- Redeem Lightning Lanes, DAS passes, and virtual queue reservations
- Connect PhotoPass photos
- Redeem dining plan credits
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, Magicband+ comes with several “extras.” The most noteworthy is that you can play the bounty hunter game in Galaxy’s Edge. It really is not as groundbreaking as it sounds, but it could be a fun time for kids who are not yet tall enough for the park’s thrill rides.
Magicband+ also works with the 50th-anniversary statues, which appear to be sticking around. When you wave at the statue with a Magicband an audio clip plays. Magicband+ does include Disney’s “Made With Magic” technology that allows it to light up during select fireworks and nighttime shows. Finally, the band buzzes and lights up when a PhotoPass picture is added at select rides.
Are Magicbands Waterproof?
One of the best benefits of all Magicbands is that they are waterproof. That means you can take your Magicband to the pool or even the water park and not have to worry about it getting wet.
Keep in mind you should carry an ID if you are headed to the water park just in case there is an issue. However, you don’t have to worry about carrying around a room key or wallet when visiting a resort pool (unless you plan to visit the pool bar for alcohol).
Will Old Magicbands Still Work?
All Magicbands still work at Disney World. That includes the original Magicbands, Magicband 2.0, and Magicband+. Bear in mind that Magicbands uses an internal battery to power its RFID chip. That battery will eventually fail, but many people report that their original bands still work.
Worst case scenario, you can bring your old band, and if it doesn’t work you can buy a new one when you arrive.
How Long Do Magicbands Last?
Magicbands came out in 2013, making the first ones over a decade old. I have not tried one of my original bands in a couple of years. However, numerous reports from other parkgoers seem to indicate that those older bands still work.
The limiting factor is always going to be the battery, so if you store your Magicband in an area exposed to extreme temperatures, it may not work. Because there are no indicators on Magicbands, the only way to know for sure if they work is to try them.
If your band is approaching ten years old, I would highly suggest buying a new one or at least anticipate buying one. Although the older bands still work for things like park admission, some people say that the long-range RFID readers (the ones used to attach your ride photos) no longer work consistently.
Can Magicbands Be Transferred?
Disney previously allowed guests to transfer Magicbands, but has changed the rules. Once a Magicband is assigned to a Disney account it cannot be undone. You can view all of your connected Magicbands through a My Disney Experience account. In the event that one of your Magicbands no longer shows up, you should be able to add it back to your account either in the app.
Do Disney World Magicbands Work at Disneyland?
Disney World Magicband+ works at Disneyland, Disney World, and Disney Cruises. The band should already show up on your account when signing in to the respective apps.
Whether or not Magicbands worked at Disneyland was a major concern on my last trip to California. I love having a Magicband at Disney World and was excited to try it out at Disneyland. Things worked pretty well, but I only saw a handful of people on my trip wearing Magicbands. With that in mind, I found it to be much easier than dealing with the tickets on my phone.
One thing worth mentioning is that Magicbands are universally supported at Disneyland like they are at Disney World. What I mean by that is you may still need your paper or digital ticket at some point. For instance, I had Genie+ (before Lightning Lane Multipass) and if an attraction went down that I had a reservation for, I needed to scan the digital ticket on my phone to redeem a multi-experience pass. Looking back, if you are not Lightning Lane, then there is little reason to use a Magicband at Disneyland.
Where to Buy Magicbands at Disney World?
Magicbands are available at stores throughout Walt Disney World, including at resort hotels and theme parks. However, Disney offers a discount on Magicbands if you book a vacation package. After booking a package, you will have the option to purchase Magicbands for your travel party. You can even have each person’s name printed on the back for free. Disney says you can order Magicbands as late as six days before your arrival. Keep in mind that the bands will be provided at check-in or brought to your room if you order between 6-11 days before arrival. Ordering at least 12 days in advance means the bands will be shaped straight to your house.
Should You Still Use Magicbands at Disney World
You should absolutely use Magicbands at Disney World if it’s in your budget. With that said, I probably would not recommend it if staying off-site and not using Lightning Lane. However, on-site guests will find the Magicband to be much easier than constantly fiddling with a phone. I personally love Magicbands, and after visiting numerous other theme parks that require using a digital ticket I think it is one of the most unique things that Disney offers.
