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Will you buy one for your next trip? MagicBand Plus Cost: Is it Really Worth It? - WDW Magazine Please view our advertising policy page for more information. However, I highly doubt MagicBand+ will be a good value for every family, no matter how fun they are to play with. Become a part of the show as your wristband lights up and vibrates during special moments. These include the Disney MagicKeepers and the Disney Smart Watches. I got one when I went with my Dad last month (the first time I had been to Disney in 20+ years) and none of us really understood the point. They range in price from $34.99 for a plain color band to more than $50 for special edition bands. Home Frugal Travel Disney World Disney Magic Bands Ultimate Guide. The upgrades for MagicBand+ combine these convenient features with new immersive experiences, like LED lights, vibrations and gesture recognition that let you become a part of the magic in the parks. The alternative to having a MagicBand is that your Disney resort will give you a standard plastic card use as a room key and hotel ID. If you pack along an external battery and the charging cord that comes with your MagicBand+, you can recharge it fairly quickly while you are still in the parks. 14. Great article on pros and cons. By using the app instead of the MagicBands, guests can save money and avoid having to wear a wristband. I have a 2 year old whom I bought a magic band for but my guess is it will not work with the lights and haptic vibrations if it's not linked to a pass/ticket. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Are MagicBands Worth It For A Single-Day Visit? Well done! When I first used a MagicBand, back in the olden days of 2013, my reaction was, MARVELOUS! Seven years laters, my feeling is a more neutral, Meh.. Magic bands, worth it? : r/DisneyWorld - Reddit Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Once you've located the bounty, you can use the Play Disney Parks app as a thermal scanner and return to the Guild master, a physical show prop of an alien, who will give you your bounty i.e., galactic credits. It is easy tolink PhotoPass pictures taken in the parks (such as at character Meet & Greets) to your My Disney Experience account with your MagicBand. The MagicBand Plus boasts additional features such as haptic and light-up effects, and can be used for in-park games. I'm on a mission to live a rich life on a budget and I'm sharing everything I learn along the way! Hello, does the magic band+ need to be connected to a pass/ticket to work? The change is also good for the environment. @Leah, Hi! MagicBands are colorful wristbands that seamlessly connect you with your My Disney Experience information. First of all, you set up a four-digit PIN number when you check-in online or at your resort. , Many young children are strongly attached to a transitional object, commonly known as a lovey. MagicBand+ vs the old MagicBand 2.0 bands. When you arrive at Walt Disney World, make sure to have a cast member check whether your past MagicBand still has battery and works properly. With the ability to use the bands for park entry, FastPass+ reservations, and purchases, guests can streamline their park experience and avoid the hassle of carrying multiple cards or devices. You can pick them up at the front desk of your Disney hotel and start using them immediately by unlocking your room door with one. When you purchase a MagicBand Plus from shopDisney youll get a charger with a short USB cord. Note that the electronic ticket will get you in the park, but it will not do any of these other things. With these tips and a bit of patience, guests can make the most of their Disney MagicBands and enjoy a seamless park experience. It also comes with a charging cable so you won't have to worry about it running out of battery (which can potentially happen over time with the original MagicBand). When MagicBand+ came out, I wasn't that impressed. There's only one way to find out, so my family plunked down $150 (with the annual pass discount) for our four MagicBands the day they debuted and set out to put them to the test. MagicBands have the upper hand in this scenario as you can use them all day, every day, without worrying about the battery. Click here to check out the MagicBand+ that are currently available. I have seen some chatter that they reconcile charges by placing holds on your debit/credit card daily as purchases are made. Obviously, these wearables don't cost much money, but you're still probably wondering. A family of four with no discounts available to them is looking at spending up to $200 to play MagicBand+ games and enjoy the other functionalities. It also says to pair each band in order to access interactive features. Pros and Cons of a June Trip to Walt Disney World, The Pros and Cons of Traveling to Walt Disney World Without Kids, Bringing a "Lovey" to Walt Disney World: Pros and Cons, Animal Kingdom Waits Increase Disney World Crowds for Wednesday, June 16, 2021, Using the Walk Up Waitlist at Disney World Restaurants, The Best $50 You Can Spend at EPCOTs Food & Wine Festival in 2023, Ten Things You Cant Bring on Your Disney Cruise, Win a Stay in Cinderella Castle Suite with Give Kids the World, The SATURDAY SIX Looks at Universal Studios Floridas MINION CAFE (Details, Secrets, THE FOOD, and more! My (possibly out-of-date) understanding is that some on-ride photos are only matched to your photopass account if your magicband is detected in the ride vehicle being photographed. There are currently two options available: Disney Fab 50 Quest: As part of its 50th Anniversary celebration, Walt Disney World has 50 golden character statues situated around all four theme parks also known as the Fab 50 Character Collection. If you have a reservation at a Disney World Resort hotel, you may be able to pre-order Magic Bands for your trip at a discount! Disney MagicBands are not necessary to enjoy a trip to the parks, but they can make the experience more convenient and efficient. You may be wondering, are Disney MagicBands worth it at all. MagicBands are worth it and are valuable for regular visitors seeking convenience, but may NOT be worth it for occasional or short-term guests. So the MagicBand is connected to a My Disney Experience account, not a theme park ticket. The downside is theres no off button, so once you have an active MagicBand, its always on. Will the room charges reconcile the night before checkout? As long as you are prepared for that and have some kind of budget in place, I think the ease of paying for food and more with your Magic Bands makes vacation simpler and more enjoying. Magic Bands are also sometimes referred to as: Since I travel with a little one in tow, I usually dont have an extra hand for digging around in a purse or pocket for my room key or credit card. Do you need a MagicBand? Using the Play Disney app, MagicBand+ wearers aim to locate 36 gold statues that represent the Fab 50 characters located throughout all four theme parks. I took advantage of this new feature to mix up our wristband colors for one of our trips. I wear my magic band face side down. Now, the standard MagicBand will set you back $19.99. Are Disney MagicBands worth it? Long gone are the days of paper tickets at Disney World. Whether buying a MagicBand is worth it (now) depends on your preference. The next page is about customizing your pass, so have a little fun with the options available (some are even animated!). (I never understood the logic of eliminating the FastPass for COVID; in fact, I thought Disney should have expanded it and eliminated the standby lines for COVID safety. The colors, patterns and vibrations changed in sync with the lights and music during the show, but it felt odd to be staring at my wrist instead of the show. You can also order Magic Band Plus and specialty bands at a discounted price. The cheapest MB I can find are 34. Add to that the loss of the free Magical Express option to/from the airport and free FastPasses of yesteryear and that's a lot of 'extra' you now may end up paying. Best Add a Comment superherostitch 1 yr. ago Family of four, two kids. Copyright 2022 Frugal Travel Productions LLC | Trellis Framework by Mediavine, purchase a MagicBand Plus from shopDisney, Get the lowdown on using Genie + and the Lightning Lanes at Disney World in this post, such as using Orbitz to take advantage of the great discounts, this MagicBand puck holder that slides onto your watch wristband, how to turn your Apple watch into a MagicBand. Some of the fancier ones are about $20.00, but the most basic are $5. What is the Disney World Cost for 2 Adults? While Disney has not made any official announcements regarding the future of MagicBands, the company has been rolling out new technologies such as Magic Mobile that may eventually replace the physical wristbands. If you (or your kids) want a themed band, like the ones we purchased, expect to spend more. Its crucial to weigh these factors when deciding if Disney MagicBands are the right choice for your trip. First, the lowest-cost Magic Band is $19.99 and the lowest-cost Magic Band Plus is $34.99. The debate on Are Disney MagicBands worth it? is subjective and varies based on individual preferences and experiences. Its especially true if youre with your family or friends. Firstly, the frequency of park visits can determine are Disney MagicBands worth it. Click Disney MagicMobile Pass then Set up Your Pass in the next window. anyone else notice the cheapest magic bands are now $10.00? You'll start by visiting the "bounty board" pictured above located between the Droid Depot and the marketplace stalls. So, what can these bands do exactly and is the new Disney MagicBand+ worth the added cost? Magicbands have two separate sets of functionality: Active and Passive. In July 2022 Disney released a new generation of Magic Bands Disney Magic Band Plus. If youre all about convenience, youll find value in a MagicBand. I called WDW and talked to a CM. They have their pros and cons, but theres no doubt they remove some of the stress during your time at the park. Is Disney's MagicBand+ Worth The $35+ Price Tag? A Breakdown It's also worth mentioning that the previous generations MagicBands can not be used at Disneyland Resort. But with MagicBand+, I suspect we'll think a lot harder before choosing a new design to add to our stash thanks to the substantially higher cost. Fortunately, based on first impressions, it seems MagicBand+ exceeded expectations here. Currently MagicBand+ is only sold in three locations, Starcade in Disneyland's . So I am going in June and not staying a a disney resort . You can also configure some other settings, including the color of the light-up theme, brightness and level of vibration, in the My Disney Experience app. What are Disney MagicBands? Anne Grant Updated on October 26, 2022 Before January 1, 2021, MagicBands were offered free of charge to Disney guests with valid park admission. I have read of batteries lasting for up to five years. The My Disney Experience app is a free tool that can be downloaded on your smartphone. So you can use the same Magic Band Plus at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World! MagicBands may now be becoming a thing of the pastfree distribution was discontinued in January 2021. TikToker Floored During Raptor Encounter at Universals Islands of Adventure, TikToker Figured Out How to Bring Disney World Home, Celebrating 25 Years of Magic: Disneys Animal Kingdoms Wild Anniversary Extravaganza, The 6 Best Harry Potter Alcoholic Drinks at Universal Orlando (Updated 2023), 10 Best Restaurants At Universal Orlando CityWalk (Updated 2023). Disney MagicBand+ review: ultimate wearable for Disney fans? | Digital The Key to the World Card is a physical card that can be used for park entry, FastPass+ reservations, and purchasing items. We're here to help you decide! Is MagicBand+ worth it? - WDW Prep School Inside of each band is an RFID chip that allows your band to interact with Disney technology, as well as it allows for the use of location services in the park. But Disney World vacations are already expensive, and MagicBand+ will put an even bigger dent in your wallet especially if you are buying several for the whole family. With these alternatives to the Disney MagicBands, guests can still enjoy a convenient and seamless park experience without having to wear a wristband. I am happy to report that Disneyland parkgoers FINALLY can use Magic Bands in the west coast park starting October 26th, 2022. It will still function as a regular Magic Band. We aren't staying on property, however I've decided to pay for the memory maker given the size of our group. If you want to pay any of your room charges with a gift card, you must do so before then. So I guess as long as you are in proximity of the paradge/event/show and it has a charge, you will be able to experience the lights and haptic vibrations on the magic band. While the feature is still being rolled out and may not be available on all devices, it is a promising alternative to the physical MagicBands. MagicBand+ will help immerse you in Disney stories and connect with characters you love like never before. Though the price adds up if you are buying one for each member of an entire family, it's an innovative product that upgrades your experience by adding that "wow" factor. Read on to learn everything you need to know to decide if its worth it to buy one for your trip! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I recommend buying them there so you can set them up before you hit Walt Disney World property! The process of obtaining Disney MagicBands can be confusing and overwhelming for first-time visitors. In addition to all of the same basic features of the original bands, these bands feature interactive color-changing lights and haptic vibrations when you are in the theme parks! No charging privileges of course lol. Gets tangled in everything. We are staying at a Disney Resorr, do we buy them there? Next, add your pass to your phones digital wallet this can be Apple Wallet, Samsung Pay, or any other compatible cardless payment system. Are Magic Bands Worth It? - Magical Guides Definitely yes - Magic Bands are worth it if you plan to visit Disney World in the future again. Basically magic bands mean that you don't have to take anything like cash, credit cards, room keys etc into the park with you unless you really want to. With this feature, guests can use their Apple Watch or other smartwatches to access park features and amenities. And, as far as limited-edition bands are concerned, they can reach a price upwards of $50. A basic band costs $19.99, while those with more intricate designs cost $24.99 and above. For frequent . .css-lwn4i5{display:block;font-family:Neutra,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-0.01rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-lwn4i5:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2023, Everything You Need to Know About a Viking Cruise, 20 Best Caribbean Resorts for Families 2023, How to Please Kids of All Ages on Vacation. From now on, Walt Disney World visitors must pay for MagicBands. They run off of a small battery inside the band. You are correct that if youre staying off site, you cant charge food/merch to your band and you obviously cant open your room with a band. If youre staying at a Disney Resort hotel, youll receive a complimentary MagicBand for each guest in your party. Disney says the batteries are designed to last for 2 years. When I first used a MagicBand, back in the olden days of 2103. Most folks don't even carry plastic cards to access their tickets anymore. This is because you can turn any MagicBand into a child-sized band by removing the extra piece of flexible plastic that surrounds the band. Are MagicBand+ bands really worth it? : r/dcl - Reddit The fact you need to pay for a MagicBand while the digital alternative remains free of charge tells you all you need to know about the situation. Disney also notes that MagicBand+ has a rechargeable battery. Magic Bands are adjustable, waterproof wristbands that have a small radio frequency (RF) chip inside. 17 helpful votes. A power bank is a good option to help with this, and I recommend bringing one on your trip. If you arent staying at a Disney hotel you can still buy and use a Magic Band, though what you can do with it will be limited (more on this below). Best Add a Comment cornfrontation 5 yr. ago It does make getting into fast pass lines easier, though you can get a lanyard for your tickets and go that route. The charge should last 1-3 days depending on use, but its recommended that you charge the band each night. However, with the introduction of new technologies such as Magic Mobile, its possible that Disney may shift its focus away from the physical wristbands in the future. Hi Teresa! Most people have a smart device, and Disney saves millions of dollars a year by not giving away MagicBands. The fate of Disney MagicBands has been a subject of debate and speculation in recent years. 10 Disney Magic Band Secrets to Know Before You Go Most guests have smartphones, and with the My Disney Experience app being free to download and use, for many, its just a no-brainer. You dont need to buy a MagicBand or set up a MagicMobile pass. Long gone are the days of paper tickets at Disney World. "Absolutely! The MagicMobile pass is a likely future replacement for the MagicBand, but Disney hasnt discontinued the wristbands yet. fancy themed versions sold in the parks and on shopDisney.com. The bands should charge completely in about 90 minutes. The MagicBand 2.0 is a non-chargeable band, and they are less expensive than the newer MagicBand+. Thanks to the removable puck in the Magic Band 2.0, you have lots of options. Since Magic Bands last for years, if you can break the cost up over several trips (and get them at a discount through Disney) then they are a no-brainer. We also participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. When deciding, are Disney MagicBands worth it, there are several factors to consider. Disney also sells the chargers separately if yours gets lost or broken. If you have an Apple Watch with a MagicMobile pass, it can also be used as a MagicBand of sorts. Or if you are into DIY, you can get some tattoos and nail gems for a few dollars and decorate away! For starters, the original Disney MagicBand is priced at $19.99, while the MagicBand Plus comes with a price tag of $34.99. What Are The Advantages Of MagicBands Over MagicMobile? This site is not authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with, The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc. or any of their affiliates. If you are getting further away, it'll turn red. Additionally, the process of customizing your MagicBands can add an extra layer of complexity, as youll need to navigate through multiple steps to select the color and add a name to each band. I have MagicBands from 2014 that still function. If you REALLY want to save some money and are staying at a Disney resort, ask at the front desk to have all your tickets added to what is basically your room key. The photographer just scans your band after taking your picture and it shows up in your account a short while later. In most cases, this feature is automatically activated, but if it isnt, I recommend turning on Express Mode manually. You could only use them for park entry and to enter the FP lines. Once you get the MagicBand+, you can link it to your account and pair to your smartphone to customize its settings and match your preferences, like which colors you want it to glow and whether the vibration is on or off. Im not going to lie it is VERY hard to keep your spending in check at Disney World in general. They've been in the Walt Disney World parks since 2013. Magic bands that feature Disney characters or icons cost more, somewhere in the range of $24.99 to $30. Hence, to get one, you'd need to purchase it. Disneys MagicBands are waterproof, reusable, and removable wristbands that mainly act as park tickets. Score Details. To create the pass in the Disney app, you need a valid park ticket or Disney Resort reservation. If youre with a large group, every party member requires a card, and, like the MagicBand, remember to keep them safe. Related: How to plan an epic Disney 'Star Wars' trip that doesn't cost $6,000. These colorful wristbands (unless you forgot to select your color and got assigned the default drab gray option) allowed you to not have to carry paper tickets or FastPasses, avoid worrying about keeping track of a room key, skip having cash and credit cards at the ready and much more. The MagicBand+ price starts at $34.99, with more elaborate designs retailing at $44.99. With these factors to consider, its important to weigh the pros and cons to determine whether the additional cost of the MagicBand Plus is worth it for your park experience. While this feature is still being rolled out, it is a promising alternative to the MagicBands for guests who prefer not to wear a wristband. Lexie has more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. First, you'll need to periodically update the software on your MagicBand+. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. One big bummer about the new MagicBand+ is it is yet another thing you need to keep charged while at Disney World. Disney Magic Bands Ultimate Guide - The Frugal South Magic Mobile is a great alternative to a Magic Band if you are staying off-property or only visiting once and dont want to spend the extra money on a Disney wristband. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. In an exclusive Good Housekeeping interview with JC Diaz, Product Management Director at Disney, we got to try out the MagicBand+ at Magic Kingdom Park weeks before its release date. . Hurricane Hilary is rapidly intensifying in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Thursday and is on track to deliver potentially significant rain and flooding to parts of the Southwest as a . Once you have your Disney MagicBands linked to your My Disney Experience account, using them in the parks can still be confusing. Also with the advent of the new Magic Band Plus (Disney loves adding a Plus to everything right?!) That said, this process didnt work for me. My only wish after playing the game was that they would add something like this to the other three Disney parks. With shimmering decorations to celebrate the 50th Anniversary, each of the four icons (Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, The Hollywood Tower Hotel and Tree of Life) have their own EARidescent glow. We are at Disney World a fair amount and made the decision to invest in MagicBand+ as another way for our kids to have fun in the parks. In addition to the MagicBands, Disney offers several other wearables that can be used for park entry and purchases. The transition to digital is underway, but you can still enjoy the benefits of your MagicBand before Disney makes it official. The most affordable MagicBand+ bands feature a solid color and start at $34.99 before any potential discounts. Yes, in most cases you can use your phone instead of a MagicBand in the Disney World theme parks! You can then take the active disc from the wrist band and place it in the keeper I usually attach this to my handbag or purse with its clip. Preview the Latest DLR Issue MagicBand Plus Cost: Is it Really Worth It? If you want a pattern on yours like your favorite Disney princess or Star Wars character, prices start around $24.99 and can go up from there depending on the design. This means I may receive compensation when you click on links and actions are tracked by means of a code in the links. You may get a better selection than what is available online! That is why they allow you to use your Lightning Lane reservations and park tickets that are in your account. Why do you keep going to Walt Disney World without kids? If you dont live in the US, your MagicBands will be waiting for you at your hotel when you arrive. The bands with the cool designs, the ones we all want, are $44.99. Opinions are the author's and not financial or legal advice. According to Disney, you may be able to receive a special discount if you already have a Walt Disney World Resort reservation or are an Annual Passholder. However, power banks can also die and leave you stranded if you dont have another backup option. However, guests who prefer not to wear a wristband or who want to save money can still enjoy a great park experience without using MagicBands. If you book with a third party (such as using Orbitz to take advantage of the great discounts) or a travel agent (I recommend Siera with Destinations in Florida) you will be able to add your reservation to your account with the confirmation number you receive at booking. Plus, it's likely to be a favorite souvenir that you can keep after your trip. The only place to buy the solid ones for $5 is on the WDW website in advance of your trip. While the Fab 50 character interactions are cute (especially for kids), the shining star of MagicBand+ is the Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters game in Hollywood Studios' Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Now the pricing is important to note. If you are staying at a Disney resort, your Magic Bands will be mailed to your home soon after you order them. Just to clarify a fact for those who like using them, most functionalities of the band do NOT have an expiration date. Secondly, cost of the bands is another important factor to weigh when wondering, are Disney MagicBands worth it? Wave your hand in front of each statue to help Tinker Bell spread pixie dust; the statues will then greet with you a reaction like a catchphrase or a short musical tune. It took about 90 minutes to go from one bar left to full charge, so you'll probably want to let it juice up overnight. MagicBand+ has officially launched at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Learn how your comment data is processed. That said, the MagicMobile pass is ushering in a new era of contactless payment. :) Thanks so much for all your help! Magic Mobile is a new feature that allows guests to use their smartphone as a digital MagicBand. MagicBand+: Worth It or No? Then, you'll need to make sure the battery is charged enough to use it for the new interactive game (more on that in a bit). The main difference between the types of bands is how interactive they are. You can keep track of which characters you collect on the Play Disney Parks app, which has an augmented reality feature that lets you place the characters on any wall even once you return home. Magic Bands are adjustable, waterproof wristbands that have a small radio frequency (RF) chip inside. If you have multiple MagicBands (because you are splitting your stay between two resorts, for example) they can be used interchangeably because they both link to your same My Disney Experience account. Along with these games, MagicBand+ comes with the promise of other interactions during experiences like Disney World's nighttime shows. I have linked each Magic Band Plus to my My Disney Experience account. If youre staying off property you can use a Magic Band as your park admission, to check in for Lightning Lanes, access the Disney World Virtual Queue, and for Photo Pass. Re: Magic Bands, are they worth it? In this case, you can simply use the Disney app instead. It just wont light up or interact in the parks. Get more detailed instructions on this Magic Band DIY approach here. Any questions about Disneys Magic Bands? Our family has a healthy collection of the original MagicBands, as it was easy to invest in the fun, new creations back when they were previously priced at $15 each. MagicBand+ also unlocks the ability to play interactive games in all four Disney World theme parks. To set up a MagicMobile pass, log into your My Disney Experience app and pull up the apps menu. Some of the functions of MagicBands include: Disney hotel room key, park admission medium, food/merchandise payment method, and FastPass ticket (when FastPasses existed).