MagicBands: Everything You Need to Know

You’ve narrowed down your hotel choice, purchased your tickets and reserved your park days. Now it is time to decide – should I purchase a MagicBand? Are MagicBands required for a trip to Walt Disney World? Should we upgrade to the newer MagicBand+?

In this post, we will break down the features of the original MagicBands which are also the base features for the MagicBand+. Once you’ve read all about these features you can head to MagicBand+: What’s New and Other FAQs? to learn more about the new bands!

What is a MagicBand?

The first question you may find yourself asking is, what even are these Magic Bands?
The MagicBand is a wristband that is connected to your reservation and all of your selections for your trip. All of your plans can be synced to your MagicBand as well as the My Disney Experience app.
When visiting the parks, your MagicBand acts as your park ticket. You’ll touch it to the sensor then scan your finger to gain entry to each park. Once inside, your MagicBand is used for Lightning Lane and Genie+ ride selections. When using these ride options, you will be asked to scan your MagicBand at the entrance of each ride. Your MagicBand is also used for PhotoPass. Disney PhotoPass photographers will scan your band prior to taking your family’s photos and they will be stored to your account. This is also how you will receive your ride photos.
If you will be staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel, your MagicBand can be used for additional convenient features. You can use your band to open your resort room door by simply touching it to the sensor. As a resort guest, you can also link a payment card to make purchases on property with your personally selected PIN number. You will simply touch your band to the payment terminal at checkouts throughout the property.

All of these features can be set up and linked in the My Disney Experience app.

Are MagicBands free?

MagicBands are a separate cost from your Disney World tickets. When booking your trip, you will be given the option to purchase bands for all members of your party.
If you have heard that MagicBands are free with your stay, this is no longer true. MagicBands used to be offered for free when booking a Walt Disney World Resort hotel stay, but now they must be purchased.

Does my toddler need a MagicBand?

If your toddler is under three they do not need a ticket and therefore do not need a MagicBand. Children 3 and over will need tickets, park reservations and their own LL/Genie+ reservations, so a MagicBand would be useful, but is not necessary. See below for other options.

What if I don’t want to buy a MagicBand?

If you do not want to purchase MagicBands for any or all of your party you have other options.
Admission cards can be picked up at any ticket windows at each park or your Walt Disney World Resort hotel check-in.
Your phone can also be used in place of a MagicBand. Disney MagicMobile can be set up through the My Disney Experience app. Once you have booked your trip, head to your profile in the app, select “Tickets and Passes” and select “Add to Device” on your ticket. Each family member will need their own account and phone to use this option. For children without their own phone, you may opt for a card or MagicBand.
Your card or phone can then be used for the same things a MagicBand would be used for including Genie+, PhotoPass and hotel charges.

Where can I buy MagicBands for my trip?

When booking a trip through Disney you will be given the option to purchase discounted MagicBands once you have completed your booking. You should have the same option when using a vacation planner.
The selection for discounted bands may be limited. Other options can sometimes be found on DisneyStore and in stores at Walt Disney World Resorts and at Disney Springs.

How is the new MagicBand+ different?

The new MagicBand+ has all of the same base features as the original MagicBand. While the MB+ bands have a battery and are rechargeable, the base features are available even when the battery dies.
Note: Original MagicBands do not have a battery. The RFID chip in the band enables these features without the need for recharging.
In addition to these features, MagicBand+ provides an interactive experience with lighting effects and gesture recognition at various times and places throughout the parks. You can read more about the different features in this post.

Can MagicBands be used for other trips or guests?

If you choose to purchase MagicBands for your trip you will be able to use them again on future trips as well. The same goes for your admission cards so be sure to keep these in a safe place. All of your linked tickets and MagicBands can be found in your Disney profile in the My Disney Experience app or online in your Disney account. If you have cards or MagicBands from a previous trip they can be used on upcoming trips. Confirm that they are linked in your Disney account.

Once a MagicBand is linked to your account, either automatically when ordered with your booking or manually in the app when purchased at another time, it cannot be transferred to other guests. The same goes for admission cards. Both MagicBands and cards are non transferrable and can only be used by the original guest they are linked to.