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We're answering what it can do, whether it's worth it and how much it costs — plus tips from our behind-the-scenes preview.
Walt Disney World fans have eagerly awaited the release of the new MagicBand+ — a smart wristband that elevates your immersive experience throughout your stay in the resort. That wait is finally over, as Disney recently announced it'll be available on July 27th, 2022.
In an exclusive Good Housekeeping interview with JC Diaz, Product Management Director at Disney, we got to try out the MagicBand+ at Magic Kingdom Park weeks before its release date. Here, we break down everything you need to know about Disney's newest connected product and whether it's worth buying before your next trip.
MagicBand+ is a new evolution of Disney's MagicBand, a hands-free device that has been around for nearly a decade and lets Walt Disney World Resort guests enter the parks (with valid admission), open their hotel rooms and more. The upgrades for MagicBand+ combine these convenient features with new immersive experiences, like LED lights, vibrations and gesture recognition that let you become a part of the magic in the parks.
It also comes with a charging cable so you won't have to worry about it running out of battery (which can potentially happen over time with the original MagicBand). And while the MagicBand face has traditionally only had the Mickey design, MagicBand+ has unique designs on the face to better complement the style of the band.
MagicBand+ combines the ease of having everything you need on a wristband with the enhancements that let you engage in a variety of new experiences. Once you get the MagicBand+, you can link it to your account and pair to your smartphone to customize its settings and match your preferences, like which colors you want it to glow and whether the vibration is on or off. Once it's ready to go, here's how you can use it at the parks:
One of the most exciting elements of MagicBand+ is the ability to participate in adventures by completing virtual quests. There are currently two options available:
Disney Fab 50 Quest: As part of its 50th Anniversary celebration, Walt Disney World has 50 golden character statues situated around all four theme parks — also known as the Fab 50 Character Collection. Wave your hand in front of each statue to help Tinker Bell spread pixie dust; the statues will then greet with you a reaction like a catchphrase or a short musical tune. You can keep track of which characters you collect on the Play Disney Parks app, which has an augmented reality feature that lets you place the characters on any wall — even once you return home.
We tried out this quest during our preview and loved the element of hearing each character come to life. Here are some tips that we learned during our experience:
Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters: Your job is to locate and collect targets hidden behind doors throughout Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios. A job board assigns you bounties, then the MagicBand+ will pulse green as you get closer to them and red if you move further away. When you've located your bounty, it'll glow purple. Once you've located the bounty, you can use the Play Disney Parks app as a thermal scanner and return to the Guild master, a physical show prop of an alien, who will give you your bounty — i.e., galactic credits.
Adding another layer of magic to your visit, MagicBand+ syncs with entertainment and iconic sights to make you a part of the show.
Walt Disney World is known for its stunning fireworks and projections, and MagicBand+ now helps elevate these events. During shows like Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom Park and Harmonious at EPCOT, the wristband will light up in pulses and vibrate during key moments of these performances.
With shimmering decorations to celebrate the 50th Anniversary, each of the four icons (Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, The Hollywood Tower Hotel and Tree of Life) have their own EARidescent glow. As you get close to them, your MagicBand+ will light up in these signature colors and use subtle vibrations to bring the experiences to life.
MagicBand+ includes the technology from the original MagicBand, like tapping your band to enter your Walt Disney World Resort room or Theme Park, charging food or merchandise to your folio, checking in at Lightning Lane entrances and linking pictures to your PhotoPass account.
Wave your hands to spread pixie dust and bring 50 golden character statues to life.
Become a part of the show as your wristband lights up and vibrates during special moments.
The wristband can serve as your park pass and room key so you don't need to carry extra cards.
Save time by quickly paying for food and merchandise on your MagicBand+.
MagicBand+ is officially available for purchase as of July 27th and will come in over 25 different designs. You can purchase it at ShopDisney.com, or guests with upcoming reservations can purchase it through their My Disney Experience account. You can also find it at one of the following stores within Walt Disney World Resort:
MagicBand+ is also expected to launch later this year at Disneyland Resort.
The MagicBand+ price starts at $34.99, with more elaborate designs retailing at $44.99. According to Disney, you may be able to receive a special discount if you already have a Walt Disney World Resort reservation or are an Annual Passholder.
Yes. If you have a MagicBand from an existing trip or want to purchase one without the new connected enhancements, you can still use these to access the convenience features. When you arrive at Walt Disney World, make sure to have a cast member check whether your past MagicBand still has battery and works properly.
We certainly think so! Though the price adds up if you are buying one for each member of an entire family, it's an innovative product that upgrades your experience by adding that "wow" factor. Plus, it's likely to be a favorite souvenir that you can keep after your trip.