Over the last decade, MagicBands have become an integral part of the Walt Disney World experience. The modern MagicBand+ models serve multiple functions, including functioning as a Walt Disney World or Disneyland entry ticket, checking in for Lightning Lanes and connecting with Photopass, and reacting to select Disney theme park attractions with special lights and vibrations!
MagicBand+
However, these upgrades have come at a price… literally. The most significant difference between the 2013 model and the models we have today is that they are no longer free or even discounted for hotel guests, which is partially why experts are refusing to pay for MagicBands now.
Let’s travel back in time. Magical Express picked you up at the Orlando International Airport for free, you could book your FastPass+ (in the pre-Lightning Lane days) selections before your vacation for free, and your MagicBands were delivered to your house for free or at a discount. But now, neither of those options are being offered. The good ole days!
We miss you, Magical Express!
Today, MagicBands are still around and have been upgraded throughout the years. Currently, there are two types of MagicBands: MagicBand, the classic model, which Disney is starting to phase out, and MagicBand+, the newest and interactive model. Let’s go through the pros and cons of these Disney World “handy helpers.”
Encanto MagicBand+
Pros
Let’s start with the positives first!
Discounts
While MagicBands are no longer free for Disney World hotel guests, they can still be super helpful if you are staying on property. Believe it or not, your old MagicBands can still work at Disney World as long as the battery is still active. If you have any Disney discounts, those can also be applied at gift shops across Disney World to purchase MagicBands.
Fantasmic MagicBand+
MagicBand+ is Interactive
The newest model of MagicBand, MagicBand+, can add a little bit of extra magic to your vacation. The new bands now light up and vibrate as they interact with different elements around the parks and resorts. This includes stage shows, nighttime entertainment, and other unique offerings like the Christmas Tree Stroll in Disney Springs. While this is not a make-or-break element, it can be fun to see your MagicBand+ interact with different parts of the park.
Frozen Sing-Along MagicBand+ interaction
It is Your Park Ticket, Room Key, and Credit Card!
If you are staying at a Disney World hotel, a MagicBand can be super helpful, as your MagicBand can do it all! Once your MagicBand is linked to your My Disney Experience account, you will be able to use your MagicBand to scan into the parks, get into your hotel room, and charge purchases.
Off-White MagicBand+
Cons
And now for the downsides of MagicBands.
You Can’t Use it to Charge Unless You are Staying at a Resort
Sorry, locals or those who are staying off-property, you will not be able to use your MagicBand to make purchases unless you are staying at a Disney World hotel. This is because charges must be charged to a hotel reservation.
Black MagicBand+
They Can’t Be Returned
Once you purchase your MagicBand, they cannot be returned. In some instances, MagicBand+ can stop working and lose its fun features. There have been cases where Cast Members have made magic happen and ended up replacing MagicBands, but this is never guaranteed.
MagicBand+
MagicBand+ Needs to be Charged
The new version of MagicBands, MagicBand+, needs to be charged in order for the interactive features to work. The good news is that if your MagicBand+ dies, you will still be able to use it as your park ticket and room key and to make a charge, but it will not light up or vibrate.
Star Wars Resistance Magicband+
Overall
Overall, if you still have an old MagicBand, bring it with you on your trip! It may still work! But if you are a local or not staying at a Disney World resort, you may want to skip out on purchasing a MagicBand. It is totally up to you and your party, as there are some super cute MagicBand designs. Disney World experts aren’t paying for MagicBands and MagicBand+ anymore since everything a MagicBand can do can be done on a phone. So, as long as you download the My Disney Experience app, you can still master Disney World without the additional cost of purchasing a MagicBand or MagicBand+.
Star Wars R2-D2 Magicband+
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My original Magic Band broke a while ago. I carry around the broken piece in my purse because it still works to scan into the park. I will never purchase a new Magic Band. There are better places to spend my money.
My family and I have had the same MagicBands for four trips. I like the convenience of not pulling out my phone or a card to have to enter the parks and my room. I’ll probably be buying new ones for the trip I’m planning next.
We love the Magicband+ interactive features, and we’ve never had one die on a park day. We also love using it for room charges and getting into our hotel rooms. Anything we DON’T have to do on our phones is a good thing, and out phones DO often ‘die’ by the end of a park day (even with fuel rods). We love bringing multiple Magicbands and coordinating with our park visits or outfits. Magicband+ can be a bit of a pain to charge, and it can be hard to tell if it’s really charging, and you can get false ‘fully charged’ indications if the band isn’t sitting right in the charger. But they are fun, and nothing matches the convenience for photopass, room charges, or room access.
If you pay $1200 for a anual pass, you can afford a $35 magic band.
My husband bought a MB+ because he likes to have all the latest gadgets. My son & I both have the second generation MBs because they are limited edition DVC ones and were quite expensive at the time. We all have some of the plain free ones and use those if we go swimming because the water does fade them. I prefer a MB to using a phone for everything because I keep my phone in my bag and it can be a pain to get it out. MBs are particularly useful for getting into the hotel room when you are carrying a bunch of full reusable cups from the restaurant on your own.
The comments! We love our Magic. We are already on our phone too much at WDW. I guess the experts don’t mind having to get their phones out constantly, but I like swiping my wrist. Having said that, we haven’t ever bought a magic band. We are still using our old ones from when they were free!
It’s always people without magic bands holding up the line. Struggling to use their phones or looking for their cards.
Disney has in their MagicBand section that the old bands will always work. I use mine. I have no interest in the +Bands.