Disney World is going through some major changes, and while we’re excited about some of them, there are others that fans have been pretty ticked off about.
MagicBand+
It was recently revealed that Disney World hotel guests will no longer receive discounted MagicBands ahead of their visits, and the response has been, well, what you might expect it to be when Disney says they’re taking away a discount. Let’s just say Disney fans are pretty furious about this MagicBand change.
Amid sweeping price increases across the parks and hotels, Disney World also revealed that hotel guests would no longer receive discounts on MagicBands ahead of their park visits. This was something that had been in place since Disney stopped providing complimentary MagicBands for hotel guests.
MagicBand
While it was already disappointing that Disney got rid of free MagicBands for hotel guests, getting rid of the discount stings even more. Now, hotel guests will have to pay full price if they want to add a MagicBand+ to their trip.
Disney fans are, understandably, disappointed by this.
Halloween music!
One reply we got when we shared the news was, “Disney has gotten rid of most of the perks of staying on site and the customer service at the ‘resorts’ and parks has taken a nose dive. It is not the same as it was even 7 years ago.” Of course, this is just one person’s opinion, but it speaks to how fans aren’t happy about this change.
That’s so neat!
Another reply said, “Remove all of the perks, detheme the rooms, cut service like mousekeeping to a bare minimum, raise ticket prices. Universal is loving this. Disney will be selling off assets within the next 5 to 10 years.”
Others mentioned that MagicBands are pretty convenient for kids who are too young for phones but still want to have a bit of independence, and it helps parents avoid having to be responsible for scanning everyone’s tickets from their phones.
So many choices!
On the other hand, though, this could be a sign that demand for MagicBands isn’t quite as high as it used to be. Many fans wouldn’t even opt to purchase MagicBands at all if not for the discount in the first place.
After all, everything that a MagicBand can do, the My Disney Experience app can do as well via MagicMobile — and that’s free.
MagicBand+ lights!
Having the hotel discount was an incentive for people to buy MagicBands who likely wouldn’t have done so to begin with. Now, there really is no incentive at all, aside from the novelty and collectible value.
It’s possible that MagicBands just aren’t as popular as they once were. With the introduction of MagicBand+ (and the price increase that came along with it), plus MagicMobile, maybe Disney fans are realizing that this extra cost really isn’t worth it at all.
MagicBand
We’ll be on the lookout for more changes from Disney World you need to know about. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more.
CONFIRMED: Disney World Raises Prices of Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What do you think of this Disney World change? Let us know in the comments.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
As you said, Disney has taken away all the perks that made it wonderful to be a passholder and a DVC member. There are many hotels in the area that aren’t as expensive and offer shuttles back and forth to parks. Disney needs to go back to the magical feeling one got when staying on property.
Is there any way to interpret what the MagicBand+ lights are doing? Do the buzzes mean anything?
Its actions don’t seem to add anything useful to what’s happening.
Hi Mike! They do buzz when you’re near any of the 50th anniversary statues. Mine always flashes colorful lights during fireworks shows and pulses like a heartbeat and glows red inside the Haunted Mansion.
Was disappointed to see this – my current old-school magic band works just fine and i have not been willing to justify the $45 price for a new MB+ – I finally decided to get a new one last month after realizing because i am staying on property next month i got a discount and hence it was worth it to get a new one. I do agree that i wonder if this is WDW’s attempt to phase them out over the phone/app – i have the app on my phone but also much prefer my MB around the park.
I don’t do well with changes, but I have never had a bad experience with the cast members at the resorts. In fact in December 2024, out front desk person at Pop Century was so amazing. Talked with us for quite a while (near 11pm also). She sent my daughter a birthday gift and card the next day. So so sweet.
As a Vacation Club member for over 20 years, I can say I am not happy with many of the changes. Perk after perk is disappearing as prices for everything keep going higher and higher. We used to come to WDW 2-3 times a year. Now we will be going every other year and not visiting the parks at all. The ticket prices are way too high for the average family to buy.
The problem with Magic Bands is that you can’t get them anymore! It’s all Magic Band Plus, and the premium price that comes with it. That’s what’s not worth it. Magic Bands, on their own, are still extremely worthwhile.
We were there 2 weeks ago and there were hardly any magic band+ options to purchase. We looked everywhere! Very limited selection at resorts and parks.
However I will also admit, I did not jump on the mb+ bandwagon early on due to the cost.
Disney has become a once and done destination for most people. I’ve been a DVC member since before Old Key West opened(we visited the site wearing hard hats). I truly believe Disney will become a vacation of the past. So very sad. They surely have set their profit margin really high.
I agree with all the comments above and will only add that we still come to Disney, but our next trip will be only to stay at the resorts. We are not planning on visiting any of the parks as the cost has exceeded the value. Clearly though many people still are going as the park attendance is still extremely high all year. But it can’t last forever, and when people start skipping in droves, Disney will be in a very difficult position.
Yep customer service at the WDW reasorts has indeed taken a nose dive over the last few years…inexcusable…perhaps price increases have to be fact of life :but not any lack of customer service…