Disney announces the MagicBand+ - the next generation of wearable for Walt Disney World

Sep 30, 2021 in "MyMagic+"

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Posted: Thursday September 30, 2021 9:37am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has today announced the MagicBand+, the next generation of the MagicBand that was introduced to Walt Disney World guests in 2013.

MagicBand+

The next-generation MagicBand+ will retain the features of the original and add new functionality to unlock experiential moments of magic throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts. It will also be the first MagicBand to be rechargeable, a nd will come supplied with a charging cable.

Pricing will be higher than the current MagicBands, and will vary depending on style and edition. No pricing is yet available.

MagicBand+

After a guest enters a theme park, MagicBand+ will come alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition, enhancing the environment’s immersive storytelling. The wearable will allow guests to engage with favorite Disney moments in new ways and discover new interactive experiences, including:

Play like a bounty hunter in a galaxy far, far away and find virtual bounties throughout Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Interact with the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection,” the golden sculptures spread throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks.
Experience nighttime spectaculars in a new way as they see their bands light up and complement the magic in the skies, including the new “Harmonious” at EPCOT and “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park.

More details about MagicBand+ and its capabilities will be revealed in the future. The wearable will be available for purchase beginning next year. MagicBand+ will be available at a discounted, pre-arrival price for Disney Resort hotel guests, as well as new and renewing Walt Disney World Annual Passholders. Current MagicBands will continue to be available, as well, along with the complimentary Disney MagicMobile service that extends MagicBand features, such as park entry, to smart devices.

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AylaOct 22, 2024

If you can, Disney has yet to tell people about it. All they mention with Apple devices is getting into the park and using it for LL.

jpedenOct 22, 2024

For some reason I can't get it to work - it always wants to charge to my credit card and not my room. I would think since they have the key service in the app making it work with the watch wouldn't be too big of a stretch.

JaxFLBearOct 22, 2024

You can room charge using your Apple Watch. That's one of the features of the Disney MagicMobile service. Room entry would require WDW to add support for Apple's Hotel Key functionality. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/magic-mobile/

jpedenOct 22, 2024

I mean I always loved MagicBands and thought they were cool and part of the "Disney" experience at WDW, but now that they're $40 and I can get basically the same functionality from my Apple Watch, I just use that. My wife wears hers and does our back-to-room charging if we need it. If I see one that I absolutely love I'll buy it but at this point I'm content with my current collection of MB2's until they die and will use my Apple Watch as my primary entry mechanism. I'd love if I could charge back to my room with my Apple Watch and unlock my door with it (although it isn't a huge hassle to pull out the iPhone to unlock the door) but it would be nice. However, I know that would cut into MB sales so I doubt they ever actually go with a full integration like that.

JD80Oct 22, 2024

I bought them for our family, we've now used them for 2 years and I will be using them again in 10 days. Kids will use them again next year. Except my youngest who lost hers last year. I think you just need to learn to see things through other people's eyes and not just your own. These things are relatively cheap and kids love them. Those silly golden statues always have kids waving at them. My kids love how they buzz or glow in random places. The first time they felt a heartbeat in Mansion? My kids gasped. My 6 year old would scream at me, "DAD! LOOK! ITS GLOWING!" and she would them look around and try to figure out why. It's hilarious and awesome.

Indy_UKOct 22, 2024

Im sorry but what is the point?

UNCgolfOct 22, 2024

Sure -- I probably wouldn't buy one even if I did go regularly because they don't really offer any special functionality I care about (and I don't like wearing stuff on my wrist either), but as someone who just visits WDW once every few years and doesn't do Disney cruises or anything like that, even if I did like it it feels like a hard sell.

Vegas Disney FanOct 22, 2024

I despise that they aren’t included still but at least they work across all the parks, we’ve been using our old WDW ones (from 2 years ago) at DL this whole year, we bought new ones for DCL but I think we could have just used our old WDW ones there also.

Vegas Disney FanOct 22, 2024

DL has Magic Bands now too, they can’t be used as keys or payment (yet?) but it’s so nice being able to scan into the parks and DAS/LL with them. Not quite as useful as at WDW but getting there. Magic Bands are one of the things I love about WDW, I’m excited to try them on our upcoming cruise for the first time also, will be cool to be able to use them as keys on DCL also.

UNCgolfOct 22, 2024

Except they cost $36. I can see getting it as an AP/DVC, but if you're not visting Disney regularly it doesn't really seem worth it. You're going to have your phone with you anyways.

TouchdownOct 22, 2024

There the most efficient way to get in, they are easily accessible and the little lights make me smile. Infinitely better then using your phone for everything like DLR.