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Amy Fandrei

MagicBands 101


I remember our last trip to Walt Disney World® before MagicBands. We had plastic cards that we used to open our resort door and get into the parks. We also had to carry with us our credit card to pay for food and souvenirs in the parks. I remember telling my husband that I'd heard a rumor about these bands that Walt Disney World® was going to start asking guests to wear that could get you in to the park, open your resort room door, and be your credit card. It sounded magical! A few months later, MagicBands became a reality.

MagicBands have been around for a few years, and the technology behind them keeps getting better. Whether you're new to MagicBands, or it's been a couple of years since you used one, this post is for you! I will tell you everything you need to know about MagicBands for your next Walt Disney World® vacation!

What is a MagicBand?

A MagicBand is a secure, wearable, waterproof wristband that you wear throughout your Walt Disney World® visit.

(Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog)

What does a MagicBand do?

A MagicBand is an all-in-one wearable. It allows you to unlock the door of your Walt Disney World® Resort hotel room, enter theme parks and water parks with valid admission, check-in at FastPass+ entrances, connect PhotoPass images to your My Disney Experience account, and charge food and merchandise to your resort hotel room.

How do I use my MagicBand?

Your MagicBand is imprinted with a Mickey Mouse head at the center of the band. MagicBand touchpoints also have a Mickey Mouse head. With the MagicBand around your wrist, you will touch Mickey-to-Mickey to activate the MagicBand touchpoint. When the Mickey on the touchpoint lights up green, you're good to go - you can enter your room, enter the park, or know that your purchase is complete.

(Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog)

In order to use your MagicBand for purchases, you must have a credit card on file with the Resort hotel you are staying in. Charges made using your MagicBand will appear on your final room statement and can be paid using the credit card on file or another card by visiting the front desk upon checkout.

How do I get a MagicBand?

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, complimentary MagicBands will be shipped to your home as long as you customize it at least 11 days prior to your arrival. If you customize it with only 10 days or less until check-in, you will pick up your MagicBands at your Resort hotel. Complimentary MagicBands are available in gray, red, yellow, orange, green, blue, pink, and purple. You can choose a color and have your name printed inside the band by visiting the My Disney Experience app or logging into your MDE account online, clicking on My Account, and then choosing MagicBands & Cards.

You can also purchase a MagicBand once in the parks or prior to your arrival by using the shopDisney app or website, or the Shop Disney Parks app. Prices vary depending on the type of MagicBand you purchase. There are solid color, character, and limited edition bands available. You can link your purchased MagicBand to your reservation by using the My Disney Experience app or website.

(Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog)

What else do I need to know?

If you are traveling to Walt Disney World by plane, and if you are landing at Orlando International Airport, you'll want to make sure your MagicBands are easily accessible, so please don't pack them in your checked luggage. You will need your MagicBand for entry onto Disney's Magical Express transportation to Walt Disney World Resort.

So now the most important question of all is...what color MagicBand will you choose? This is a hot topic of discussion in my house right now as we begin to plan for our October 2018 trip. We are a "different color for every person" family. We also try not to repeat the same color from trip-to-trip. My kids also like to use MagicBandits to decorate their MagicBands. There are several accessory options that can be purchased at shopDisney.com, the Shop Disney Parks app, or inside Walt Disney World Resort.

Your MousePros agent can answer any additional questions you have about how MagicBands work and help you customize your MagicBands in plenty of time to receive them at home before your trip. If you don't have a trip on your 2018 calendar yet, contact MousePros for a free, no obligation quote!

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