A Quick Guide To Walt Disney World's MagicBands
This Summer the vast majority of guests traveling to Walt Disney World will have their first experiences with the next generation technologies that have everyone talking. We've discussed MyMagic+ and the My Disney Experience App in the past couple of weeks. Today, we're going to give you a quick guide all about MagicBands.
Made From A Flexible Hypoallergenic, Non-latex Material
What is a MagicBand?
Disney's MagicBand is the brand new ticket media, and more, which guests wear around their wrist. It's a pretty nifty accessory that can be customized for each person, but we'll talk more about that later. With its radio frequency (RF) technology (not GPS technology), guests simply need to touch their band to special touch points for all-in-one access to places such as resort room doors, theme & water park entrances, FastPass+ entrances and cast mobile devices for quick and easy access.
The bands are made of a hypoallergenic, non-latex material, that is flexible and comfortable to wear. The adjustable design easily adapts to fit nearly any guest and has a peel-away layer to make the band small enough for young children to wear.
Guests who visit MyDisneyExperience.com before leaving for their trip will have the opportunity personalize the MagicBand by choosing one of seven colors for their MagicBand, and enter their name or nickname to be etched on the inside of the band.
Tap For Fast and Easy Access
Is MagicBand Safe To Use?
MagicBands safely and securely connect guests to all the choices made through the My Disney Experience website or app: things like their rooms, tickets, dining plans, dining reservations, FastPass+, PhotoPass and Guest charging. Guests' personal data will never be stored in the MagicBand. The bands (and RF-enabled cards) contain only a randomly assigned code that securely links to an encrypted database and associates it with experiences they've selected. All purchases made with MagicBands also require a four-digit PIN. Disney assures us that "extensive measures are in place to protect guest information, which is a responsibility Disney takes very seriously."
All Guests have the option of using a RF-enabled card instead of a MagicBand if they wish. RF-enabled cards will be the standard ticket media issued to Day Guests and Guest Staying at Non-Disney Resort Hotels, with the option to purchase a MagicBand later.
Day Guests Can Purchase MagicBands And Connect In Park
How do I get a MagicBand?
Guests can create and customize their MagicBands before leaving home when they book their Walt Disney World vacation experiences on MyDisneyExperience.com. If you would like a color other than Gray, be sure to log into the My Disney Experience Website more than 10 days before your arrival at your Disney Resort hotel to customize your MagicBand if you wish to have it shipped to you at home!
MagicBands are mailed right to the home of Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests who made their bookings far enough in advance (more than 10 days), or delivered to guests at check-in at their Disney resort (personalized 5-9 days before, or gray for those who have chosen not to personalize).
Day Guests and Guest Staying at Non-Disney Resort Hotels may use their RF-enabled card theme park admission to enter the parks and redeem FastPass+ selections. However, once in the Parks they may purchase a MagicBand ($12.95, plus tax, at many merchandise locations) then link their theme park admission to the MagicBand. Day guests do not have to purchase a MagicBand to enjoy the benefits of MyMagic+.
Be Unique With A Customized Their MagicBand
MagicBands are everywhere this year giving Walt Disney World Guest more access and customization in their trips than ever. This innovative and colorful wristband is your key to the magic, connecting you with a simple tap of the wrist.
Are you looking forward to using MagicBands on your next vacation? Have you already used them? Leave us a comment below and share your thoughts on this brand new technology at Walt Disney World!
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Heather DePaola wrote on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 13:26:
We used the MagicBands in Disney in March and loved them. We did personalize them, so loved the colored bands. It made everything so easy from fast passes, purchases and adding photos to our account. As always, Disney does not disappoint!
One question....
Can we use the same bands on our next visit?
Pattie wrote on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 13:28:
We just returned from WDW and our bands worked great. Together with the phone app we had a great experience. The cm's were able to link everyone in our party and coordinate all our fastpass times.
jeni wrote on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 13:41:
we used the magic bands in october whilst on honeymoon. i cant stress enough how amazing these are, no need to carry cash as your band holds the information, dining plan is also on your band, fast pass was amazing!!! amazing idea i hope it continues!!!!
Dave Russell wrote on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 14:57:
Used during stay 29th April to 13th May, 2014.
Used extensively at Photo stops and for entry into parks, very handy.
No smart phone (we are from British Isles) so not able to use effectively for fast pass.
Also, with staying at the Dolphin (not a Disney Hotel but in WDW) not able to use for purchases at outlets.
Not totally impressed.
KJG wrote on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 15:58:
Loved the magic band on our trip in January. Would love it more if phone app for fast passes could be on other phones beside iPhone.
Cynthia R wrote on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 17:28:
The Magic Bands are awesome!! Such
a great idea!! Easy to use, comfortable,
convenient and waterproof!! I still don't
like the FastPass+ system but that wasn't
the question!
Alison wrote on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 17:31:
Does anyone know if the magic bands are only available to purchase (for day guests) inside the park or can they be purchased in the boardwalk store so they can be linked to the account before we go into the park? Staying in a villa rather than a hotel this time!
Robin wrote on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 04:53:
We are annual passholders that have been going to WDW for many years and I don't care much for the magic bands. First of all they are very hot and the last thing we need in the Florida heat is another reason to sweat. I also have collected our room keys ever since we have been staying at WDW and now I can't. They are harder to keep up with when staying at a resort also because you can always put a key card in your pocket or wallet and if you go off Disney property for any reason you look silly wearing them but you have to have them to get back in your room. So for us two thumbs down on the magic bands.
Kristen K. wrote on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 16:05:
Alison - I'm told that the MagicBands can also be purchased at Downtown Disney.
Robin - Will you be opting out of the program then and sticking with the RF cards?
Claire in Wonderland wrote on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 09:23:
We were part of the Beta testing of the Magic Bands list year and loved them. Only problem was that, being from the U.K. we wanted to link our pre-loaded $ cashcard to the band (to avoid massive commission charges from our bank which would happen if we used our regular cards) and we were told that this was not possible at the time. Hopefully that'll be fixed before our next visit.
Sue wrote on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 15:49:
Regarding KGJ's comment. I have a samsung s4 smartphone and fast pass (my disney experience ) works great.
Sarah S4 wrote on Sun, 06/01/2014 - 09:16:
@Dave Russell. I too am from "the British Isles, and would like to re-assure all readers that in "the British" Isles" we do have smart phones. I have used my smart phone in all the Disney Parks, and it works just fine, like it does in the rest of the world. Turn data roaming off and connect to the amazing free wifi available throughout Disney. We travel extensively and can honestly say, Disney wifi is brilliant.
Irene wrote on Mon, 06/02/2014 - 22:20:
My husband and I are traveling this October 2014 for the 1st time since 1996 staying on Disney property, we have included the Deluxe Dining Plan, park hoppers the entire time we are staying and added the Memory Maker. So excited to see all the updates, Magic Bands and FastPass+!!! :)
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