Mickey and Minnie Ears have become the quintessential Disney Parks accessory, but there’s another accessory that has become almost mandatory in Disney World — a MagicBand!
Since launching in 2013, it can be hard to find a Disney guest who isn’t sporting the techy bracelet in the parks, hotels, and beyond. In fact, it’s not even surprising to see people wearing it in the Orlando Airport as they arrive for their vacation with the mouse!
And, while a MagicBand makes your Disney World trip easier in more ways than one, they are an added cost to your vacation budget. But, there is still one way to save! If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, you’ll have access to MagicBands at up to 50% off (!!)…if you order your MagicBands at the right time, that is.
A Disney vacation is already complicated enough, so we’re simplifying the MagicBand process to help make sure you secure your Disney Park accessory at the very best price — let’s get to it!
Why Use A MagicBand In Disney World
So, you’re going on a Disney World vacation…do you really need a MagicBand? Nope! But, there’s a reason that thousands of Disney guests are using them every day.
MagicBands have five main functions for your Disney vacation:
- They act as your park ticket so you can easily scan into the parks at the entrance without having to shuffle through your bags to find your ticket.
- They act as your hotel room key so you can unlock your Disney World Resort room without the hassle.
- You can link your credit card to your account making your MagicBand your payment method for food and merchandise.
- They automatically link your Disney PhotoPass pictures taken in the parks and on select attractions to your My Disney Experience account.
- And, they allow you to easily check in at Lightning Lane and virtual queue entrances at select Disney World attractions.
Plus, if you’re opting to purchase the new MagicBand+, you’ll have access to Disney’s brand new interactive features including haptic vibrations and coordinated lights during fireworks, bounty hunting in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, scavenger hunts, and more.
So — to put it simply — MagicBands are convenient which is why Disney guests keep reaching for them (and buying more) despite the added cost.
MagicBand vs MagicBand+
One of the first things you’re going to be faced with when purchasing a MagicBand for your trip is deciding what type you want — the original MagicBand or the MagicBand+. And, while they have nearly all the same functions, there are some key differences that might sway you one way or the other.
At the most basic level, the “upgrades” offered with the MagicBand+ include a rechargeable battery and the ability to “unlock enchanting interactions throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.”
A rechargeable battery means that you’ll be able to reuse your MagicBand+ for future vacations years and years to come (as the MagicBand is really only built to last about 5 years according to Disney). And, the “enchanting interactions” can add some fun to your trip, especially if you’ve got little kids.
Beyond the actual functions of the MagicBand and MagicBand+, it’s important to consider a few other things. For example, the MagicBand+ is much larger than the original MagicBand and, in our experience, the MagicBand+ can accidentally pop off your wrist because of its size and stiffer material.
Additionally, while the rechargeable battery is nice, it’s another thing that you need to remember to charge at the end of the day in your hotel room. Disney has shared that the battery is expected to last 1 to 3 days, so you’re definitely going to have to remember to plug it in at some point during your trip.
However, if you plan to vacation to Disney World frequently over many years, the fact that one MagicBand+ will last you throughout all of them can be a great way to justify the cost compared to playing the guessing game of whether your MagicBand is dead or not.
And, unlike the original MagicBand, MagicBand+ can also be used in Disneyland and on Disney cruises, which can be a huge advantage if you plan to visit more than just Disney World at any point in the future.
And, there’s one other major factor to consider when deciding between the MagicBand and the MagicBand+ — the cost.
How Much Do MagicBands Cost?
The cost of a MagicBand can range between $19.99 to $50+ depending on what type of band you’re buying and what designs your opting for. But, if you’ve got a Disney World Resort hotel stay booked, you can purchase MagicBands at a discount of up to 50% before your trip. So, you can expect to pay between $9.99 to $39.99 depending on the band.
Here’s a look at the discounts and how much you can expect to pay per MagicBand as a hotel guest:
- One Color MagicBand — $9.99 (from $19.99)
- MagicBand with design — $24.99 (from $39.99)
- One Color MagicBand+ — $24.99 (from $34.99)
- MagicBand+ with design — range from $34.99-$39.99 (from $44.99-49.99)
Of course, pricing can vary and is subject to change.
How To Buy Discounted MagicBands Before Your Disney Vacation
The only way to get a discount on your Disney MagicBands (whether you’re opting for the MagicBand or MagicBand+) is to purchase it online BEFORE your trip. If you wait until you set foot on Disney property, you’re too late.
So, get ready to order — here’s your step-by-step guide to ordering your bands online for less!
Step 1: Create or sign in to your My Disney Experience account on a web browser.
You’ll need to ensure that your Disney World Resort hotel reservation is linked to your Disney account. If it’s not, link it first by following the steps online with your confirmation number or contact Disney.
Step 2: Find your Disney World hotel reservation and click “Please make your selection.”
If you don’t see this on your “My Plans” page, you can also go to “My MagicBands and Cards” from the dropdown menu on the top right of the website.
Note that Disney’s website currently states “Due to ongoing, industry-wide supply chain challenges, MagicBands may have limited availability or be unavailable. Please make your selection today or continue to check back as we improve our selection.” This just means that all of the MagicBand and MagicBand+ designs may not be available when you purchase. If you have a specific design in mind and don’t see it as an option, check back as your trip approaches!
Step 3: Select the person you’d like to assign a MagicBand.
Go in whatever order you’d like — the process will take you through all of the people on your reservation.
Step 4: Select your MagicBand!
You can sort the filters by MagicBand+, theme, or color to narrow down your options. You may see some pre-arrival exclusive MagicBands to select from as well — these bands tend to be much harder to find in stores at Disney World (or aren’t sold in stores at all) so you’re getting exclusive access to them!
This is also where you can decline a new MagicBand if you’re only buying a band for a few people in your party.
Step 5: Personalize your MagicBand
Once you’ve selected your MagicBand, you’ll be able to personalize it with a name. Just note that you are limited to 9 characters.
Step 6: After selecting a MagicBand for everyone in your party, enter your payment information and confirm your order.
Note that purchases made 11 days or more before your check-in date will be shipped directly to your home address. If you select your MagicBands closer to your trip, you’ll be able to pick them up at the front desk when you check in to your Disney World hotel.
Ordering Timeline + Shipping Details
When it comes to scoring a discount on MagicBands for your Disney vacation, it all boils down to timing. If you order too close to your trip, you take the risk of totally missing the savings. And, if you do end up ordering on time, how do you know where it’s shipping to? We’ve got the details.
As soon as you click confirm on your hotel reservation, you’re able to purchase and customize your MagicBands online as long as you’re booking 11 or more days prior to your reservation. Once you’ve made your selections, the MagicBands will be shipped directly to your home ASAP. So, you can store them in a safe spot to pack away for your trip.
If you’re going on a last-minute Disney World trip (or if you forget to make your selections earlier), you can still secure your discounted MagicBands online 6-10 days before your trip. AND, you can still even customize them! The only difference here is that you’ll the MagicBands will be shipped to your Disney World hotel instead of your home. So, you won’t have to worry about forgetting them at home — you’ll pick them up at the front desk when you check in.
Unfortunately, once you’ve passed that 6-day mark and you’re on the final countdown to your vacation, you won’t be able to purchase your MagicBands online and will instead have to wait to buy them at a store in Disney World. Note that the Disney hotel guest discount will no longer be available and you will need to pay full price for any MagicBands you purchase in-store.
A Note On Shipping
Currently, Disney only ships MagicBands to US addresses. If you live outside of the US, you can order your discounted MagicBands prior to your trip online and will pick them up at your Disney hotel upon check-in.
FAQ
Aren’t MagicBands free for Disney World Hotel guests?
No. Disney discontinued offering complimentary MagicBands for hotel guests in 2021. Disney World Resort guests can now purchase a MagicBand or MagicBand+ at a discount ahead of their trip online.
How far in advance do I need to order my MagicBands?
Disney World Resort hotel guests must purchase their MagicBands at least 6 days before their check-in date. MagicBand and MagicBand+ selections are no longer available in My Disney Experience 1-5 days before arrival and must be purchased at Disney World merchandise stores (note that discounted pricing is not available in-person).
What if I forget to order my MagicBands before my trip?
You can still purchase your MagicBand or MagicBand+ at Disney World! Nearly all of the Disney World merchandise stores sell MagicBands. Just note that the Disney World hotel guest discount will no longer be available.
Can Disney World Annual Passholders get discounted MagicBands?
Yes! The process is the same for Disney World Annual Passholders who are purchasing discounted MagicBands online through My Disney Experience. Once your order is placed, Disney will ship your MagicBand or MagicBand+ to the address on file if there is not a resort reservation associated with the account.
What if I don’t want to buy a MagicBand? How do I get into the parks?
You don’t need to purchase a MagicBand to have a successful and fun Disney trip! You can instead opt to use the MagicMobile feature in the My Disney Experience app (which turns your phone into your park ticket and hotel room key).
And, if you want to go totally tech-free, you can pick up a Key To The World Card at the front desk of your hotel when you check in and use it to get into the parks and your room throughout your stay.
Can I purchase discounted MagicBands on shopDisney?
No. MagicBands are only discounted for guests ordering through the My Disney Experience account that has a linked Disney hotel reservation.
Well, that’s a wrap on everything you need to know about purchasing discounted MagicBands as a Disney World hotel guest! Be sure to stay tuned to The VacationEAR for more of the latest Disney hotel tips, tricks, and updates!