MagicBand+ Ultimate Guide at Disney World 2027 | Info & FAQs 

Disney launched MagicBand+ in 2022, and it remains the current interactive MagicBand model at Walt Disney World. It keeps the convenient tap-based functions of earlier MagicBands while adding rechargeable lights, haptic vibrations, gesture recognition, and interactive experiences throughout the parks.

In this guide, we’ll explain what MagicBand+ does, how much it costs, how to use it, and how it differs from older MagicBands and free alternatives such as Disney MagicMobile. Think of this as your MagicBand+ 101 class.

MagicBand+ is optional, but it can make a Walt Disney World trip more convenient—especially for Disney Resort hotel guests and anyone who enjoys its interactive park features.

The Walt Disney Company is always trying to push the bar with new and exciting technologies. As Walt Disney once said, “We’ll always be introducing and testing and demonstrating new materials and new systems.”  MagicBand+ is now the next one in that line of advancements.

These new MagicBands offer guests more ways to connect to the stories being told in theme parks, interacting with them in ways they never could before.  If used correctly, this will make the Disney park experience even more immersive than before, and it is just scratching the surface of its potential.

Once you are done with this post, if you are looking for more info, you can read our article How to Set Up MagicBand+ where we have a list of all the current band styles and discounts as well as how to set up, charge, and customize them.

Before we get started, don’t forget to sign up for our FREE Weekly E-Mail Newsletter. We will update you as soon as we know more info about the new MagicBand+, and share the latest vacation planning tips. You can sign up here: Join our E-Mail Newsletter!

MagicBand+ at Disney World

Disney released MagicBand+ at Walt Disney World on July 27, 2022, and it remains the current interactive MagicBand model.

Dozens of styles have been released, including solid colors, character designs, park designs, and limited-release editions. Availability changes frequently at Walt Disney World merchandise locations and the Disney Store online.

Disney retail prices generally start at $34.99 for solid-color MagicBand+ models, while many themed designs cost $44.99. Limited-release designs can cost more, with current examples often around $54.99. Prices and availability vary by design and can change at any time.

Disney Resort hotel guests and Annual Passholders can still order eligible MagicBand+ designs through My Disney Experience before arrival. Disney currently highlights benefits such as free shipping, free personalization, a custom shipping box, and automatic linking to the guest’s Disney account, but a discounted price is not guaranteed.

MagicBand+ adds color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition to the familiar MagicBand functions. We have to admit, those interactive touches make it feel like a definite upgrade over the old models.

Let’s take a look at its most notable features…

Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters Experience

When Disney first opened Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, they promised interactivity, missions, and consequences from your actions. Finally, with the new MagicBand+, that is starting to actually happen.

The “Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters” experience is one of the new features of MagicBand Plus where guests can pretend to be a bounty hunter in Galaxy’s Edge and collect virtual bounties during their visit. In fact, you will see some of the markings up when visiting Hollywood Studios.

When searching for your virtual bounty, the MagicBand+ will be your guide and it lights up and vibrates to indicate if you are getting closer or further away from the goal.

Once you get near your bounty, use the augmented reality thermal viewer in the Play Disney Parks app to reveal what’s behind the locked doors throughout Galaxy’s Edge, and then collect your bounty.

When your mission is complete, the guild master Raga Bua will reward you with galactic credits also through the app.

This is one of the most fun features of MagicBand+ and reminds us a lot of the missions you previously had to complete onboard the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser prior to its closure in September, 2023. It’s easy to see Disney is really pushing all the interactivity, and if they continue to do it like this we could see other engaging experiences brought to the parks.

The missions also have some replayability. While Disney said that it’s possible to collect all the bounties in one day, it’s really hard to do so and it’s more likely that it will take you a few visits to complete all your missions.

Nighttime Spectaculars

The fireworks are always a great way to end your day at Disney World and the MagicBand+ lets you experience the shows in a whole new way. During the show, your MagicBand+ will light up and vibrate with visual effects, complementing what’s currently happening in the sky.

MagicBand+ can interact with Happily Ever After and Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away at Magic Kingdom, Luminous The Symphony of Us at EPCOT, and Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Even though the idea is cool, we’ve found this to be one of the least-useful features. It does light up a bit, but honestly, when a nighttime spectacular is going on, I want to watch that and not my wrist. To us the MagicBand+ is more of a distraction during the fireworks than anything else.

Animations at Touchpoints

We are all used to touchpoints lighting up when we tap a MagicBand while entering a theme park or attraction. With MagicBand+, the band can light up and vibrate too, creating a more colorful confirmation that the tap worked.

Current Availability

MagicBand+ is available in solid colors and a rotating selection of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars designs. New styles and limited releases appear regularly, so the exact selection differs between the Disney Store, the theme parks, Disney Springs, and Disney Resort hotel merchandise locations.

Each new MagicBand+ includes its charging cable. Keep reading for more details about pricing, setup, battery life, and everyday use.

What is MagicBand Plus?

So what is MagicBand+?  First, we need to understand what MagicBands are in general before we get to the latest generation.

MagicBands were introduced at Walt Disney World in 2013 and have been an integral part of the theme park experience ever since.  They are adjustable wristbands that have a small radio frequency (RF) chip inside the head of the band.

This sensor communicates with touchpoints and other compatible systems around Walt Disney World, allowing guests to access linked park admission, open eligible Disney Resort hotel doors, connect PhotoPass images, and use other supported functions.

The band connects to each guest’s Disney account, where plans, tickets, photos, and eligible Resort privileges are managed. The MagicBand acts as a convenient key to that information; it is not itself a park ticket or credit card.

A MagicBand makes the guest experience much more convenient and less stressful.  They are easy to wear and since they have a variety of features, you can go to the parks hands-free.  Instead of digging around in your pockets or backpack, what you need is right on your wrist.

MagicBands are not just blank wristbands either.  They come in many styles, and colors and often feature your favorite Disney characters on them.  This makes them an attractive Disney accessory and fun to wear.

They have also become sort of a symbol of your Disney World vacation.  Getting MagicBands at home in the mail lets you know that your trip to Walt Disney World is almost here and they get you excited for your trip.  I don’t know about you, but we immediately tear open that box and start trying them out of joy!

MagicBand+ is the next generation of MagicBands.  It offers all the same features as the previous version and introduces a whole bunch of new ones too.

Are MagicBands Going Away?

When Disney introduced Disney MagicMobile and stopped providing complimentary MagicBands to Disney Resort hotel guests, many people assumed MagicBands would disappear. That has not happened. MagicBands remain supported at Walt Disney World, and MagicBand+ is still widely sold as an optional convenience and interactive accessory.

The biggest change is that guests now pay for the band instead of receiving a basic one automatically with a Disney Resort stay.

What Does MagicBand+ Do?

So they look really cool, but what exactly do MagicBands and MagicBand+ do? MagicBand+ performs the familiar functions of older MagicBands and adds interactive features guests can enjoy.

MagicBand+ uses rechargeable technology and Bluetooth connectivity to support lights, haptics, gesture recognition, and interactive experiences beyond the capabilities of MagicBand 2.0.

Let’s look at all the features of MagicBand+ one by one:

Park Tickets

Once your MagicBand is connected to your My Disney Experience, you can use it as a theme park entrance ticket.  Just touch the sensor to the tapstiles at the entrance to the park, and you are in.

Room Keys

MagicBands can be used as a room key and will open the door to your Disney World Resort hotel room.  No more hotel room keys to keep track of on vacation.  Just tap the sensor above the door handle and you are in.

Pay for Food and Merchandise

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you may be able to use your MagicBand or MagicBand+ to charge eligible food and merchandise purchases to your Resort room account. The band is not a credit card itself, and a PIN is required for purchases.

Lightning Lanes & Virtual Queues

If you are using the Lightning Lane system, your selections are linked to your Disney account. When you arrive at an eligible attraction during your return window, tap your MagicBand at the touchpoint to confirm access.

The same general process applies when Disney instructs you to tap in for an eligible Virtual Queue. The band is a convenient way to access the entitlement connected to your account; the reservation is not stored directly on the band.

PhotoPass

MagicBands can be used to link PhotoPass pictures taken at various points throughout the theme parks to your My Disney Experience account.  Once your photo is taken, the photographer will scan your MagicBand and the photos will automatically be uploaded to your account.

This also works with eligible attraction photos and videos. Depending on the attraction, media may link automatically through the band’s long-range functionality or through a designated touchpoint. Linking photos does not by itself include paid downloads or Memory Maker.

Open Locked Areas of Resort Hotels

There are some areas of the resort hotels that are locked and only guests of that resort have access. Areas like the pool or outside doors that enter directly into hallways near guest rooms will often be locked and will only open if you scan your MagicBand.

Guest ID

Sometimes Cast Members will ask to scan your MagicBand in order to identify you.  The best example of this is if you are driving into a theme park parking lot, or into one of the resort hotels.

If you have Advance Dining Reservations at a Resort restaurant or are checking into your Disney Resort hotel, a Cast Member may scan your MagicBand to confirm the plans linked to your account. However, having a MagicBand or placing a mobile food order does not guarantee vehicle access or Resort parking during periods when Disney is controlling entry.

Newest Features of MagicBand+

In addition to the usual features of the old MagicBands, MagicBand+ has additional functions that have been created to further enhance the theme park experience. 

The wearable allows you to engage with favorite Disney moments in new ways, including:

• Gesture Recognition – MagicBand+ can come alive at select moments with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture-based interactions.
• Role-Playing – 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.
• Disney Fab 50 – Interact with the golden character sculptures throughout the four Walt Disney World theme parks, with additional achievements available through the Play Disney Parks app.
• Nighttime and Live Entertainment – See the band light up and vibrate during select experiences including Happily Ever After, Disney Starlight, Luminous, Fantasmic!, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, Festival of the Lion King, and the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.

Interaction with Disney World Rides

Besides the features listed above, MagicBand+ can react with lights and vibrations at select attractions and entertainment experiences. Current examples include:

• Magic Kingdom – Haunted Mansion and TRON Lightcycle / Run
• EPCOT – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Turtle Talk with Crush
• Hollywood Studios – Tower of Terror, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, and select live shows.
• Animal Kingdom – Avatar Flight of Passage, Festival of the Lion King, and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond.

These interactions can change, so think of this as a list of current examples rather than a permanent complete list.

How to Use MagicBands?

Using Touchpoints in the Parks

When you want to use your MagicBand, you tap the Mickey Head sensor on one of the touchpoints located throughout the parks.  These are located at the theme park entrance, at the queue entrance to rides, or after rides to connect your on-ride photos.

When you touch the Mickey Head to the sensor on the tap point, the light turns green and it makes a sound letting you know that it worked.

Purchasing Goods

When using a MagicBand to purchase goods, there is a scanner at the cash register.  Touch the RF sensor on your MagicBand to the tap point device at the register and then type in your 4-Digit PIN code to complete the purchase.

Sometimes, Cast Members will be walking around with a tablet and will need to scan your MagicBand.  For example, this happens sometimes when returning to a ride for the Virtual Queue.  Waiters will bring a scanner to your table if you are using your MagicBand to pay for your meal or redeem your Disney Dining Plan credits.

If using your MagicBand to unlock your resort room door, just touch the head of the band where the sensor is located to the tap point above the door handle.  Once the light on the door flashes green, you will hear the door unlock and that is your cue to enter.

Who Can Use MagicBand+?

Anyone visiting Walt Disney World can use MagicBand or MagicBand+, though the features available depend on what type of guest you are.  Walt Disney World Resort guests have the most MagicBand features available to them, but day guests and annual passholders also can still use them.

Let’s take a look at the difference between each group:

Walt Disney World Resort Guests

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can order your MagicBand through the My Disney Experience website or the app.

Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests get the most benefits from using MagicBands including charging privileges on top of the usual park entry, Lightning Lanes, and PhotoPass features.

You can order eligible designs ahead of time through My Disney Experience under your hotel reservation, shop through the Disney Store online, or buy one at merchandise locations around Walt Disney World. Keep reading below for more details about ordering MagicBands.

Theme Park Ticket Guests

Even if you are not staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, you can still use MagicBands and MagicBand+. Day guests can buy MagicBand+ through the Disney Store before the trip or at merchandise locations around Walt Disney World, then assign the band to the appropriate guest in their Disney account.

You can even bring one of your old MagicBand or MagicBand+ devices from the last time you were at Walt Disney World on a previous trip and reuse it.

Standard theme park guests can use MagicBands as their park ticket, for PhotoPass, and in Lightning Lanes, but obviously, you can’t make any charges or purchases with it.

Annual Passholders

Annual Passholders can also use MagicBands while visiting the parks, even if they are not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.  Again, you won’t be able to use it for purchases, but you can use it as your park ticket and on Lightning Lane or Virtual Queue attractions.

Annual Passholders can also order one eligible MagicBand+ per Annual Pass through My Disney Experience. Current pre-arrival benefits may include free shipping, personalization, a custom box, and automatic account linking, but a discounted price is not guaranteed.

Disneyland Guests

Even though it arrived first at Walt Disney World, as it was announced on the Disney Parks Blog, the MagicBand+ has also arrived at the Disneyland Resort.

Most features are the same, with some small differences between the two resorts.

However, one thing we do know is that you can use the same MagicBand+ devices at both resorts and you don’t have to buy a specific one for each location.

We also know there are Disneyland-exclusive MagicBand+ styles like the Sleeping Beauty-inspired band which can only be bought at Disneyland, however, it will also work at Disney World.

This is the first time that the Disneyland Resort has offered anything related to the MagicBand system for guests to use.  After years of only being about to use our MagicBand at Disney World, we are really excited about this addition.

How Much Does the MagicBand+ Cost? (FREE?)

MagicBand+ pricing varies by design and collection. Current Disney retail pricing generally looks like this:

• Solid-color MagicBand+ models generally start at $34.99, plus tax.
• Many themed designs cost $44.99, plus tax.
• Limited-release designs cost more, with current Disney Store examples commonly priced around $54.99.

The exact selection and price can change frequently. Third-party sellers may charge considerably more than Disney retail, especially for discontinued or collectible designs, so compare the listing carefully before buying.

I Thought MagicBands Were Free?

For many years and through 2020, MagicBands were free and were provided to all guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel without any additional cost.  Unfortunately, in 2021, Disney changed this policy and started charging guests for MagicBands.

The new MagicBand+ models are not free and you need to pay for them even if you are staying in a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

Can I Get a Discount MagicBand or MagicBand+?

Disney Resort hotel guests and Annual Passholders can order eligible MagicBand+ designs through My Disney Experience before arrival. However, Disney does not currently promise the former $10 pre-arrival discount as a standard benefit.

Instead, Disney highlights free shipping, free personalization, a custom shipping box, and the convenience of having the MagicBand+ automatically linked to the guest’s Disney account. Available styles and prices can change, so check My MagicBands and Cards for the current selection connected to your reservation or Annual Pass.

The Disney Store may also discount individual designs from time to time, but those sales should not be treated as a guaranteed Resort guest or Passholder benefit.

When Can I Buy MagicBand Plus?

MagicBand+ is available now and has been sold at Walt Disney World since July 27, 2022. It arrived at Disneyland on October 26, 2022. Disney continues to add compatible interactions and new band designs, but MagicBand+ remains the current interactive generation.

Where Can I Buy the New MagicBands?

Like MagicBand 2.0, the new MagicBand+ is available for purchase from Disney online and at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

Purchasing MagicBand through Resort Reservation – When you make a Walt Disney World Resort hotel reservation, you have the option of adding MagicBands to your reservation.  This is the most common way guests get a MagicBand.  They are then shipped to your home before your departure date.

Ordering MagicBands from the Disney Store – If you aren’t staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, or just want another MagicBand+, the Disney Store website carries a rotating selection of styles, colors, characters, and limited releases.

At Walt Disney World – MagicBands can be found at almost every gift shop in Walt Disney World in the theme parks, in your resort hotel, or at Disney Springs.  Most stores will all carry the basic styles, and they might have specialty or limited edition MagicBands depending on where the store is located.

Major Walt Disney World locations that commonly carry MagicBand+ include:

• Magic Kingdom Park: Emporium
• EPCOT: Creations Shop and Pin Traders – Camera Center
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Celebrity 5 & 10 and Tatooine Traders
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: Discovery Trading Company
• Disney Springs: World of Disney and Disney’s Pin Traders
• Select merchandise locations at Disney Resort hotels

Inventory varies, and this is not a guarantee that every design will be available at every location.

Outside Disney – Third-party sellers may carry MagicBands, but they are not always cheaper than Disney and collectible designs may be marked up considerably. If you buy elsewhere, make sure the band is new and has never been assigned to another guest, since an assigned MagicBand generally cannot be transferred to a different person.

How Do I Get My MagicBand Plus?

For guests living in the United States – Eligible Disney Resort guests should generally place their order at least 11 days before arrival for home delivery. Orders placed 6–10 days before check-in may be sent to the Disney Resort hotel for pickup. Disney says Resort guests must order no later than 6 days before arrival to receive the listed pre-arrival benefits.

Shipping availability and international-order procedures can change, so guests outside the United States should review the current instructions shown in My Disney Experience for their reservation.

Differences Between MagicBand+ and MagicBand 2.0?

MagicBand+ works similarly to the original MagicBand introduced in 2013 and retains the familiar features guests have used for years.

The Same Features – You still wear it on your wrist and can use supported functions such as park and guest-room entry, eligible Resort room charging, Lightning Lane access, and Disney PhotoPass linking.

Interactive Features – MagicBand+ adds rechargeable lights, haptics, gesture recognition, phone pairing, and select interactive park experiences.

Overall, MagicBand+ is more interactive than MagicBand 2.0. Its show effects and Batuu Bounty Hunters experience are the clearest differences, while the everyday tap-based functions remain familiar.

Plus the MagicBand+ lights up and the old version does not. After seeing it in action, we have to admit when the band lights up it’s a whole lot cooler than not.

Rechargeable – One of the biggest differences is that MagicBand+ is rechargeable, whereas the old MagicBands are not. The batteries in the old ones lasted for years, but since the MagicBand+ has so many bells and whistles, not to mention lights, you can imagine that its battery will drain pretty quickly.

The charger uses a USB connection and has a small dock with charging pins that snap onto the MagicBand. It is very easy to use.

Size Comparison

In the photos, the MagicBand+ looks a lot bigger than the old MagicBand 2.0, but when you actually compared them side-to-side, they are actually really close.

The MagicBand+ is slightly bigger, but when you actually have it on your wrist you can’t tell that much. The weight is also comparable.

MagicBand Plus Customization

One of the most fun things about MagicBands is how much you can customize them. With so many different styles and designs, having the opportunity to customize them gives you additional options to make your MagicBand+ uniquely YOURS.

Styles

When you order a MagicBand through My Disney Experience, you can choose from a wide variety of styles, colors, and even Disney characters. In fact, there are dozens of different MagicBand+ styles available, with new ones getting released regularly.

You can filter them by theme (Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel) or by color so it’s easy to find the ones you would be most interested in.

There are many exclusive MagicBands that feature Disney World Resort hotels, festivals (Food & Wine, Flower & Garden, etc), or celebrations.

MagicBand+ also offers a vast number of styles and colors and will continue to feature all the Disney characters and a variety of designs just like the original.  In fact, with all the special effects it has, we expect even more customization choices for this newest generation.

New styles are released regularly, and the exact selection changes often. If you want a closer look at current designs, check out our post: MagicBand+ Pre-Order Styles & Designs.

Personalization

When you are placing your order on My Disney Experience, you can also customize the MagicBand with your name printed on the inside of the band.  That makes for a nice gift and it’s also easier for two people in the same family who have the same MagicBand to not get them mixed up.

There are other locations in Disney World that offer even more customization options for MagicBands.  For example, over in Disney Springs, you can visit the D-Tech boutique at the Marketplace Co-Op with more color options and graphics to choose from that you won’t find on My Disney Experience.

You can also have your name printed on the outside of the band right there on the spot.  It only takes a few minutes and the UV ink that is used in the process requires no cooling time, so you are good to go.  Once your MagicBand is ready you can connect it to your My Disney Experience account just like you would with one ordered online.

If you are looking for an affordable option, you can get custom skins on Etsy that go right over the top of your MagicBand.  These full vinyl wraps are easy to apply and are about $3-$4 each.  This is an awesome solution and instead of getting a totally new band each time you want to change styles, you just put a new vinyl decal on it, and you are done.

MagicBand+ also has a large market of third-party skins, holders, and accessories, giving guests plenty of ways to personalize how the band looks and how they wear it.

Different Ways to Wear MagicBands

Some guests don’t like to wear things on their wrists or already are using an Apple Watch and don’t want to wear a second device.  If that is your case, don’t worry, you are not limited to only wearing a MagicBand on your wrist.

In fact, just like the MagicBand 2.0, the puck that holds the RF reader in the MagicBand+ is actually removable.  You can unscrew the puck from the band with a tiny screwdriver and carry it in a variety of ways.

Waist Clip – This is the most comfortable way to carry the MagicBand puck.  You can just slide the puck into one of these easy-to-use clips and then attach it to the belt loop on your pants.  You can find some cute styles online like Minnie Mouse or Stitch.

The ones from shopDisney have a string that pulls out so no need to actually detach it from your belt loop when you need to use it.

Slap Bracelet – If you still want to wear the MagicBand reader on your wrist but don’t like the feel of the band itself, you can get one of the slap bracelets for sale on shopDisney.com. They are way more comfortable than a MagicBand and easy to put on and remove.

Necklace – Prefer wearing the MagicBand puck around your neck?  You can get one of these flexible MagicBand puck holders and then attach it to any necklace.

On Your Apple Watch – You can also put the puck in a small holder that can be attached to the band of your Apple Watch, or many traditional watch bands.  Here is one we like, or this one, and they are easy to use.

Is the Puck in MagicBand Plus Removable?

We can confirm that you can still take the puck out of a MagicBand Plus device and put it in another holder.  It is built in a similar fashion to MagicBand 2.0 and the puck can be removed from the band if desired.

We think this is a great feature as we find wearing the MagicBand on our wrists can be uncomfortable, especially in the summer months when the heat is unbearable.

This can be a helpful option for guests who find the standard wristband uncomfortable, especially during hot weather.

MagicBand+ Rechargeable Battery

One of the biggest changes from previous MagicBand models is that the MagicBand+ now includes a rechargeable battery in order to support all its new lights and features.

It’s extremely small and not replaceable as far as we know, or at least not very easily.

Out of the box, the MagicBand+ comes with a 6-inch USB cable and cradle that is easy to use. The charger uses a USB connection and has a small dock with charging pins that snap onto the MagicBand.

To charge the MagicBand+, just snap the head of the band with the Mickey icon into the center of the cradle.  Line it up correctly on the back and snap it on.

Then plug the USB connector into a compatible wall outlet, portable power bank, or another device.

You can check the battery level in the My Disney Experience mobile app or on the band itself. A flashing red light indicates no battery, yellow indicates a low battery, and green indicates a higher charge.

Charging time varies depending on the remaining battery level and the power source, so it is best to charge the band before leaving for the parks.

An FCC filing before the launch gave a sneak peek at Disney’s MagicBand Plus device with its charging cradle and rechargeable battery.

How Long Does the Battery Last?

Since the MagicBand+ is rechargeable, it’s important to know how long the battery lasts before it needs a recharge.

Disney says the MagicBand+ battery can last between 1–3 days on a full charge. However, frequent use of interactive games, lights, and haptics can drain it much more quickly, especially during an extended Batuu Bounty Hunters session.

The good news is that even if your battery runs out on the MagicBand+, you can still use the legacy features like theme park entry, lightning lane entry, resort hotel room key access, etc. You just won’t be able to use the new gesture recognition features or anything that makes it light up.

Our recommendation is to charge your MagicBand+ at the end of every day in the parks. That way it will be at 100% for the next day and you shouldn’t run into any problems if you want to use the interactive features.

If you want to know more about the battery and how charging works, read our Guide to Unboxing MagicBand+ and Styles.

How Does MagicBand+ Work with My Disney Experience?

Once you purchase your MagicBand or MagicBand+, it’s time to connect it to My Disney Experience so you can start using it.  While both models connect with MDE, they are done in slightly different ways.

• MagicBand+ can only be connected to your account via the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device.
• MagicBand 2.0 can be connected to your My Disney Experience account via the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device, or from the Disney World website.

I’m going to give you a brief overview here, but for a more detailed walkthrough, read my How to Setup MagicBand+ Guide.

MagicBand+ Setup

STEP 1: Open My Disney Experience and navigate to the section for MagicBands & Cards. Disney occasionally changes the exact menu layout, so use the app’s account or linking menu if the label appears differently.

STEP 2: Select the option to link a MagicBand or card. You may be able to tap the band to a compatible phone or enter the ID code printed on the back.

STEP 3: Assign the MagicBand+ to the correct guest. Double-check this choice because a band generally cannot be reassigned to someone else after it is linked.

STEP 4: Follow the prompts to pair MagicBand+ with your phone through Bluetooth. This pairing powers the interactive features and allows the app to show battery and software information.

STEP 5: Check for any available software update and make sure the band is charged before visiting the parks.

Once linking, assignment, pairing, and any update are complete, your MagicBand+ is ready to use.

MagicBand 2.0 Setup

This can be done either on the mobile app or on the Disney World website.

STEP 1: Log into your My Disney Experience account or create a new account if you don’t already have one.

STEP 2: Go to the “My MagicBands and Cards” option from the menu.

STEP 3: Scroll down to the section “Link a MagicBand” and click on the Link button.  Follow the instructions and fill in the 12-digit ID number from the band and you are all set.

STEP 4: If you need to make any changes to an existing MagicBand such as to deactivate it or report one lost, this is where you do it.

Once you connect it to your My Disney Experience account, you can start using your MagicBand as your theme park ticket or to access the Lightning Lanes.

These are the standard procedures for both MagicBand 2.0 and MagicBand+.  You will still have access to managing your bands from inside My Disney Experience.

Using Multiple MagicBands

If you are like us, you don’t want to wear the same MagicBand every single day of your vacation.  You like to mix it up depending on what you are wearing or your mood.  Thankfully, using multiple MagicBands is not an issue at Disney World and is very easy to do.

Every time you assign a MagicBand or MagicBand+ to a guest, it remains attached to that person’s account and generally cannot be reassigned to someone else. That means the MagicBand you used on your last trip can be used again on this trip if you want.

We actually have a collection of MagicBands with all sorts of colors, designs, and our favorite Disney characters on them.

Guests can manage their active MagicBands by using the My Disney Experience app or the website online.  From here you can link a new MagicBand, activate them, or deactivate them.

TIP:  At times guests have complained that there can be issues when using multiple MagicBands, such as some tapstiles not recognizing the bands or the Resort room door not opening. 

To make sure this is not an issue, we recommend deactivating whichever MagicBands you are not going to use anymore.  Having 5 generic gray MagicBands is never useful to anyone anyway!

Using MagicBand+ to Charge Purchases at Disney World

One of our favorite features of MagicBands is their ability to charge merchandise and food to your Disney World Resort hotel room.  This comes in extremely handy since it means you don’t need to carry your big wallet or a purse to the theme parks and worry about losing it or getting it wet.

To set up purchasing capabilities on your MagicBand you have two options: 

1. In-person when you arrive at your Walt Disney World Resort hotel, or 
2. Online

Is it Safe to Use?

Some people get worried when they find out you can charge things on your MagicBand like you would a credit card.  That is understandable but in our experience, it’s very safe to use.

When you activate your MagicBand with charging privileges, you set up a four-digit PIN code.  This PIN is needed every time you want to change something to your room with your MagicBand.  This protects you because if someone doesn’t know the PIN number, they can’t make a purchase with your MagicBand.

How Purchases are Charged

Eligible purchases made with a MagicBand are charged to the Disney Resort room account rather than directly to the band. A payment method must be associated with the room, and the guest enters a PIN at the point of sale.

You can review room charges in the My Disney Experience app or ask the Front Desk for help. Payment timing and account procedures can change, so guests planning to use Disney gift cards or another payment method should confirm the current process with the Front Desk before the Resort settles the account.

Keep a Budget

I’ll be honest, it’s really easy to spend more money than you originally wanted when visiting Disney World.  The snacks and all the merchandise are so attractive it’s definitely hard to say no.  This is especially true if you have kids since you better believe they will want to bring some gifts home at the end of the trip.

This becomes even harder when you use a MagicBand to pay for things.  At times it almost feels like if you pay for something with a MagicBand, you aren’t actually using real money or something.  Obviously, that couldn’t be further from the truth and it’s really easy to lose track of what you are buying if you use one.

One thing we recommend people do is to keep a budget for all their purchases while at Disney World.  Set yourself a daily limit and try to stick to it.  If you go over it one day, spend less the next day to compensate.

If you do that, you can take advantage of the ease of paying for things with a MagicBand, but at the same time not faint when the bill arrives at the end of the trip.

READ: How to Do Disney World on a Budget

Sizing Your MagicBand

There is nothing more annoying than if your MagicBand is too loose and moves around all the time.  At times, small children or guests with small wrists can at times have trouble keeping their MagicBand tight enough on their wrists.

The solution?  If the standard holes are still too big, just flip over the MagicBand, you will see that it can be trimmed to fit properly.  This makes a world of difference.

This feature is still included with MagicBand Plus as guests with small wrists still run into the same issue.

Can You Still Use an Older MagicBand in 2027?

Yes. An older MagicBand or MagicBand 2 that is still linked to your account can continue to perform supported tap-based functions at Walt Disney World, including park entry, room entry, and Lightning Lane access.

The non-rechargeable long-range battery inside an older band can weaken after several years, which may affect automatic attraction-photo linking and other long-range functions. MagicBand+ is the current interactive model and is required for the newer lights, haptics, gesture-based experiences, and supported use at Disneyland or on Disney Cruise Line.

Do You Need a MagicBand for Disney World?

Even though they are cool and we enjoy using them, guests are not forced to use MagicBands while visiting Disney World and there are still many options without using one.  

The same goes for MagicBand+.  While they do enhance the Disney theme park experience, Disney understands that not everyone likes them or wants to shell out the extra money to get one, especially since they are more expensive than the old MagicBands.

What are your options if you don’t want to use a MagicBand at Disney World?

The easiest solution is to use Disney MagicMobile.  This is a free service that allows you to use your mobile device and still have most of the same features as a MagicBand.  

You can use Disney MagicMobile for theme park entry, virtual queue, and Lightning Lane reservation redemption, charging merchandise or food to your resort hotel room, or connecting PhotoPass photos to your account.  

You can even hold MagicMobile for everyone in your group right on one device which makes things easy if you have small kids.

Another option is to use an RF card which can hold your theme park admission and can open your hotel room door.

Use Apple Watch Instead

Many of our friends and family members use an Apple Watch and naturally don’t feel like wearing a MagicBand too.  That’s no problem.  You can get many of the features MagicBands have right on your Apple Watch instead by using the aforementioned Disney MagicMobile.

Apple Watch features in the Disney theme parks include:

• Theme park admission
• PhotoPass photos
• Access to the Virtual Queue and Lightning Lanes

The Apple Watch may not include all the new features that MagicBand+ has, but it definitely can still handle all the basic stuff.

To use it, It works just like a MagicBand does.  Just tap your Apple Watch to one of the tap points when entering a theme park or an attraction queue.  

If you have Express Mode activated, you don’t even need to unlock your Apple Watch to access these features, use My Disney Experience or access your Apple Wallet to use your Disney MagicMobile Pass.  

Read our Guide to Disney MagicMobile for step-by-step instructions on how to link your tickets to a Disney MagicMobile Pass and then an Apple Watch. 

MagicBands and Privacy

Obviously, in this day and age, people are concerned about their privacy when it comes to anything online or about their personal data.

MagicBands use RF technology to send and receive information, which Disney says was built with extensive privacy controls and with guest safety in mind.  You can read more about Disney’s Privacy and Data collection policies for MagicBands online on the Disney World website.

If you are worried about privacy and do not want to use a MagicBand, you can use a plastic RF card instead for your ticket admission and room entry.  These RF cards cannot be detected by long-range readers like MagicBands, but only short-range ones like the tapstiles at park entrances.

RF cards can be requested at your Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

MagicBand+ at Disneyland

MagicBand+ has been available at Disneyland since October 26, 2022. It was the first MagicBand model supported there, although its available functions differ from those at Walt Disney World.

This is the first time Disneyland guests have been able to use a MagicBand device, and they work almost the same to the ones at Walt Disney World, though there are also some differences.

Disneyland Resort MagicBand+ Features:

• Theme Park Entry with park ticket or Magic Key pass.
• Interact with Disneyland Nighttime entertainment (“World of Color” and “Fantasmic!” as well as other shows at Disneyland Park).
• Rechargeable battery and charging cable included.
• Check-in at Lightning Lane entrances.
• Seek virtual bounties with Star Wars: Bounty Hunters experience.
• Adjustable LED lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition.
• Pairable with a smartphone using the Disneyland app.
• Capture memories with a Disney PhotoPass photographer.
• Size adjustable and waterproof.

They come in a variety of designs and colors (including your favorite characters), allowing each guest to show off their own personal style!

One big difference with the Disneyland version is that it does NOT unlock your Disneyland Resort hotel room.

Disney also announced that older MagicBand and MagicBand 2.0 devices will NOT be supported at the Disneyland Resort, only the new MagicBand+.

There are many colors and designs available, including Disney characters and destination-specific releases. Magic Key holders may also find exclusive designs with unique light-up sequences, subject to availability.

Guests can buy MagicBand+ styles at the following locations in Disneyland:

• Downtown Disney District: World of Disney, Disney’s Pin Traders
• Disneyland park: Emporium, Pioneer Mercantile, Tomorrow Landing
• Disney California Adventure park: Elias & Co., Trolley Treats, Oswald’s, Seaside Souvenirs
• Hotels of the Disneyland Resort: Disney’s Fantasia Shop, Mickey in Paradise, Acorns Gifts & Goods

At Disneyland Resort, MagicBand+ prices generally start at $34.99, while specialty and limited-release designs can cost more. Current examples reach at least $54.99, and prices vary by design. New bands include a charging cable.

It’s also important to note that any MagicBand+ device will work at either the Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, as long as it is connected to the proper ticket media.

Disney also recently announced DisneyBand+, which is a waterproof wristband that is specifically designed for guests going on a Disney Cruise. You’ll be able to do things such as boarding the ship, accessing your stateroom, and charging food and merchandise to your room with your DisneyBand+.

The best news is that if you have a Disney World or Disneyland MagicBand+, you can use it during your Disney Cruise!

FAQs

Are MagicBands Still Free?

For many years MagicBands were free and included with your Walt Disney World Resort stay.  That has since changed and MagicBands are no longer free and are an extra charge.

The MagicBand+ is also not free.  Prices for them start at $34.99 for the base models and $44.99 for the fancier ones with premium designs.

Can MagicBand+ Be Reused?

The nice part about MagicBands is that they can be reused on multiple visits. Older MagicBands use a non-replaceable long-range battery that may weaken after a few years, but their tap-based functions can continue working much longer.

As for MagicBand+, its interactive battery is rechargeable. Disney says it can last 1–3 days depending on use, but lights, haptics, and interactive games can drain it more quickly. Even when that rechargeable battery is empty, the band’s supported tap-based functions continue working.

Are MagicBands Waterproof? Pool?

Yes, MagicBands and MagicBand+ are waterproof and you don’t have to worry about ruining them if they get wet.

You can wear them in the pool, on attractions where you get wet such as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Kali River Rapids, and on the waterslides at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. You can even wear a MagicBand in the shower if you want.

Are there Differences Between the Disney World and Disneyland MagicBand+?

The MagicBand+ at the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort are both very similar to each other.  Most of the features are available in both places, but Disney has said there will also be a few differences.

It has been made clear however that the same MagicBand+ device will work at both the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. That means you don’t need a new one just because you move to the other coast.

One major difference is that MagicBand+ does not open Disneyland Resort hotel-room doors. Available interactive features can also differ between the two destinations and may change over time.

What Do I Do If I Lose My MagicBand?

What if you lose your MagicBand?  What then?  Don’t worry, it’s not a huge deal and it happens to many guests.

If you ever lose your MagicBand, just deactivate it using the My Disney Experience app or online on the Walt Disney World website.  Once you deactivate it, no one else can use it so you don’t have to worry about people charging things to your account.

Even if you don’t deactivate it, other people cannot charge anything on your MagicBand without knowing your 4-Digit PIN code.

If you are at Walt Disney World when it happens, contact the Front Desk at your Disney Resort hotel or Guest Relations for help. A complimentary replacement MagicBand is not guaranteed, but Cast Members can explain the current options and can usually provide or direct you to a physical card that accesses the admission linked to your Disney account.

Conclusion

MagicBand+ is not required for a Walt Disney World vacation, but it remains one of the most convenient ways to enter the parks, use Lightning Lane entrances, open a Disney Resort hotel room, link PhotoPass photos, and access eligible room-charging privileges without constantly reaching for a phone or card.

Its interactive lights, haptics, and park experiences add another layer of fun, though budget-focused guests can still handle many basic functions with Disney MagicMobile or a physical card.

If you are going to Disney World soon, make sure to read our Disney World Planning Guide for all the tips and info you will need to cover everything! Also, check out our Disney World Crowd Calendar so you know when the best time to visit is!

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about MagicBand+ at Walt Disney World…

• Are you happy about this newest version of the MagicBand?
• What other features would you like to see it have?

Let us know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂