The Ultimate Guide to MagicBands at Walt Disney World | the disney food blog (2024)

So… you’ve got (or will soon be getting) a MagicBand or MagicBand+ for your Walt Disney World vacation! But how, exactly, does this unique piece of technology-on-your-wrist work, and what can you DO with it?

Or maybe we should ask what can IT do for YOU? That’s what we’re discussing in our Ultimate Guide to MagicBands!

And if you’d like to learn more about the NEW MagicBand+ available NOW in Disney World AND Disneyland Resort, click HERE to jump to the MagicBand+ section on this page!

MagicBands and My Disney Experience

MagicBands made their debut in 2013 as one component of MyMagic+, a system allowing guests to plan and experience their Disney World vacation in a whole new way. The suite introduced and incorporated MagicBands along with My Disney Experience.

Guests with valid theme park tickets, Annual Passes, or a vacation booked at Walt Disney World Resort can begin planning their visit within My Disney Experience (which is available to anyone by registering for an account via the free My Disney Experience smartphone app or online at disneyworld.com).

MagicBands are the wearable technology (a band worn on the wrist containing a Radio-Frequency Identification or RFID chip) that connects — or “unlocks” — all the experiences booked through My Disney Experience once guests arrive at Walt Disney World.

What Can MagicBands Do?

MagicBands can be “put to work” the very moment you arrive for your vacation!

Resort Room Access

Your MagicBand serves as the “key” to your Resort room!

And if you have utilized the online check-in service before your arrival, your MagicBand allows you to bypass the front desk entirely and proceed to your Resort room from the very start of your trip.

TIP: MagicBands are waterproof, so there’s no more worrying about keeping track of your room key while in the pool, because you can wear your room “key” while you swim since it’s actually your MagicBand!

Park Admission

Your MagicBand also serves as your “park ticket” (when linked to pre-purchased valid admission). Park entrances are equipped with readers to tap with your MagicBand (or Key to the World Card, if you opt out of the MagicBand).

Just press “Mickey to Mickey!”

Lightning Lane Access

If you choose to utilize Disney Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane Attraction Selection (which allows guests to bypass Standby lines and enter the Lightning Lane to access select attractions), you can also use your MagicBand to tap into the Lightning Lane for the attraction you’ve chosen when it’s time to ride!

Oh, that’s a whole other topic, isn’t it? 😉 Check out everything you need to know about Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lanes here!

Disney’s PhotoPass and Memory Maker

Disney’s PhotoPass service is offered at over 100 locations around Walt Disney World. PhotoPass Photographers are stationed at character greeting spots and at iconic locations (such as Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle). And select attractions (including the Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Frozen Ever After, Expedition Everest, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and more) even offer on-ride photographs.

Upon having your photo taken, your photographer will scan your MagicBand and the image will then be ready to view in your My Disney Experience gallery afterward!Then, PhotoPass downloads are available through individual purchase or you can download all your photos for one price with Memory Maker.

Charge Purchases

Guests who opt to link their MagicBand to a credit card during their Resort check-in may charge purchases to their room.

It is not required for Resort hotel guests to link their credit card; however, those who choose to do so will assign a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to their MagicBand for additional security. Note that this option is only available for guests during their Disney Resort hotel stay, and is not available for Annual Passholders or guests who are not staying at a Disney Resort hotel.

Disney Dining Plan Payment and Credit Tracking

Are you participating in the Disney Dining Plan during your vacation? If so, simply touch your MagicBand to a touch point to “pay” (using your allotted meal or snack credits). For snack or Quick Service meal purchases, the touch point will be available at the ordering register, and at Table Service restaurants your server will bring the touch point to you!

(Bonus Tip: if you’re ever wondering how many snack or meal credits you have left, you can find out by viewing your receipt after purchase OR by checking your My Disney Experience app!)

MagicBand+

Okay! So, that’s the basics… but there is also a NEW type of MagicBand, which is available in both Walt Disney World AND Disneyland Resort:MagicBand+!

MagicBand+ has all the same capabilities as the current MagicBands listed above — PLUS MORE. It includes various INTERACTIVE features meant to enhance your park experience.

The MagicBand+ comes alive with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition!

Interactive features include, but are not limited to:

• The ability to become a bounty hunterinStar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where guests can find virtual bounties.
• The MagicBand+ lights up in sync with the evening fireworks spectaculars in the parks, includingHappily Ever AfteratMagic Kingdom,Fantasmic!atHollywood Studios, andEPCOT Foreverand the nighttimeSpaceship Earth lightingsatEPCOT; World of Color — One in Disney California Adventure; and Fantasmic! at Disneyland and Disney World’s Hollywood Studios!

And, as is the case with the original MagicBands, choices are available for a large variety of designs.You can a TON of designs HERE.

Note that guests are still able to purchase the regular (non-interactive) version of MagicBands in Disney World, as well as use the Disney MagicMobile service on My Disney Experience. (The original MagicBands are not available in Disneyland Resort.)

Find out EVERYTHING PLUS about MagicBand+ HERE!

How Do I Get a MagicBand or MagicBand+?

Purchase as a Pre-Order with a Walt Disney World Resort Reservation

Disney World Annual Passholders and guests who have booked a Disney World vacation or Resort hotel stay can purchase select MagicBands or a MagicBand+ at a Special Pre-Order Price. (The solid color original MagicBands normally retail for $19.99. MagicBand+ options begin at $34.99 for solid-colored designs,whilespecialty designs are $44.99.

Disney shares that eligible guests can “order MagicBands at pre-arrival prices by completing the following steps:

• Create or sign in to your Disney account
• Link your reservation to your Disney account
• SelectMy MagicBands and Cards to complete your order.”

After you customize your MagicBands, they will be mailed to you at home if you order them up to 10 days prior to your arrival! Guests arriving 10 to 6 days or guests visiting from outside of the U.S. can pick up their MagicBands at the front desk of their resort upon check-in. (Note that if you do not select a MagicBand, a complimentary Key to the World card is the default.)

Again, your customized MagicBand is automatically linked to your My Disney Experience account, so it is ready to go to work for you the minute you arrive for your vacation!

Purchase Individual MagicBands

MagicBands are available for individual purchase at retail locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. (MagicBand+ options are available at retail locations in both Disney World and Disneyland.)

Of course, since MagicBands come in MANY unique designs and themes, lots of guests buy them as collectibles!

You can find MagicBands themed to park attractions, Disney characters, special events or seasons, and MUCH more.

Limited Edition MagicBands (which sometimes activate unique sounds at the MagicBand touch points around the park) often sell out quickly.

Outside of the Resort, you may purchase MagicBands on shopDisney.com. (You may also find MagicBands for online purchase on Amazon or resale sites such as ebay.)

No matter how you purchase it, all MagicBands comes with instructions — and we will provide them below — so you can manually link it to your My Disney Experience account. (You can link several MagicBands to your account and wear them interchangeably.)

Personalize Your MagicBand

Beyond selecting your favorite, there are many ways you can further personalize your MagicBand. For smaller wrists, for instance, the inner gray wrap can be removed for comfort. You can purchase accessories such as Magic Bandits or Sliders to decorate your MagicBand. You may even spy unique varieties like Slap Bracelet MagicBands!

Magic Band On Demand can be found at D-Tech merchandise locations around Walt Disney World, which allow you to design and personalize your very own MagicBand with your choice of color and theme!

For some extra customizing fun, you can search etsy.com, where shop owners sell adhesive decals in a variety of themes for an inexpensive way to customize your MagicBand.You can even find MagicBand display cases with a quick search on etsy to enjoy your MagicBands after you return home!

How To Link a MagicBand to My Disney Experience

MagicBands are automatically linked to your My Disney Experience account when purchased as a pre-order as part of a Resort reservation. Guests who purchase an individual MagicBand must manually link their new MagicBand to their My Disney Experience account. (If you have not registered for an account already, you may do so at disneyworld.com.)

From the available options once you’re logged in, select MagicBands and Cards. You’ll then see a reminder to link your MagicBand with a blue box to click to lead to the next steps.

Confirm that it is a MagicBand that you wish to link from among the options.

From here, simply enter the ID Number for your MagicBand to link! A diagram reminds you where you can find the ID number on your new MagicBand’s interior strap.

And now, your MagicBand is activated, meaning you’re ready to roll!

How To Deactivate a MagicBand

If you have a wide variety of MagicBands, or simply prefer that your MagicBand not be considered active after your vacation, you may deactivate your MagicBand as well.

Upon logging in to your account, you’ll once again visit My MagicBands and Cards. In addition to linking MagicBands as seen above, this is where you can manage the status of any MagicBands by simply selecting “Deactivate” for any MagicBand you choose. You can’t reassign a MagicBand to another person, but you can reactivate them at any time for an upcoming trip!

How Long Do MagicBands Work?

MagicBands come equipped with a small battery that is not replaceable. Generally speaking, they tend to last about two years or maybe a bit longer. And certain features may work better than others with extended use.

For instance, you may find that the MagicBand works longer term for touch points at a park entrance or a Lightning Lane queue. But it may not work as well for “longer range” things like on-ride attraction PhotoPass pictures. It’s advisable to replace your MagicBand about every two years.

Note, however, that the MagicBand+ line features RECHARGABLE bands!

They come with a USB cord for recharging. (Disney has said that MagicBand+ bands will have a battery life of1 to 3 days, depending on how often you use the band.)

Find a Step-By-Step Guide on setting up and recharging a MagicBand+ HERE.

What If I Don’t Want to Purchase a New MagicBand for My Next Resort Reservation?

You may be perfectly happy to reuse your MagicBand from a previous vacation for your next Resort reservation. And that is certainly allowed (as long as your MagicBand is activated).

Or perhaps you don’t particularly want to keep your MagicBand, but you don’t want to simply throw it away. You can turn in a deactivated MagicBand to the front desk at your Resort, and they can recycle it for you.

See MagicBands in Action

MagicBands have truly revolutionized the Walt Disney World vacation experience. And to see them in action — and learn MORE tips! — you can view our DFB YouTube video below.