Yesterday, Disney shared a few reopening details including the fact that they would be canceling Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Magic Kingdom
They also announced that the Epcot Food and Wine Festival would kick off on July 15th this year. And just this morning, Disney shared a full list of tours and special events that will not take place during the initial phase of reopening.
Now, they have just released a BIG update regarding MagicBands. Disney will be discontinuing FREE MagicBands in January 2021. Previously, Disney World Hotel guests would receive a complimentary solid colored MagicBand. This will no longer be the case beginning next year.
MagicBand Options ©Disney
Instead, Disney plans to launch new offerings as part of the My Disney Experience app that will bring features of a MagicBand to your smart devices. While expanding upon the app’s Digital Key Feature (which allows guests to unlock their rooms using their smartphones), Disney will be “retiring complimentary MagicBand distribution” for all Disney Resort hotel guests starting January 1st, 2021.
MagicBand reader in Walt Disney World
Disney Resort hotel guests will still be able to purchase new MagicBands at a discounted price, and Disney says they will continue releasing new MagicBand colors and designs. These will continue to be sold at retail locations as well as online.
New MagicBand display at World of Disney
Guests who prefer not to purchase a discounted MagicBand will be able to use the My Disney Experience app or a Key to the World card during their visit. We’ll continue to provide you further details as soon as they’re released!
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What do you think about Disney’s decision to discontinue distributing free MagicBands to resort guests? Let us know in the comments below!
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I love Disney. I have been going to one or the other park since I was probably 10. I am 69 now. My husband and I have gone every year or every other year since 2006 and buying vacation packages. It is our only escape from the real world. The first trip in 2006 cost $3000+ and included 11-12 days in the resort plus 10 day tickets and park hopper and dining plan and since MBs were not out yet the plastic card and refillable mugs. Over the years changes came about and we accepted all of them and paid increases in costs without complaining. But the changes they have implemented along with skyrocketing costs and fewer benefits the last few years are about to make us stop going which literally breaks my heart. Last Christmas (2019) it cost us well over $7000 for three of us and then on top of it we paid extra for MVMCP (our choice). I get that prices go up and their costs go up but it is becoming ridiculous what we are losing on top of having to pay way more for the package.They have taken away part of magic hours that were a perk to the package deal and if you want to do what they have or have a good place to watch fireworks you have to pay all the more.
Next year is our 50th wedding anniversary and we are hoping to be able to celebrate that and MK’s 50th but I am almost afraid to see what it will cost and what else will be removed from the experience. If we get to go, I will probably have to force myself to buy a MB because I don’t want to use my phone. I like to have my hands free and I do not like having to scan my phone giving access to everybody.
I know that all the recent changes were not their fault but come on, how much more do we have to accept? Thanks for letting me vent!
Smartphone is not waterproof, battery will go flat and overheats during a hot day at WDW. Also far easier to use magicband for fastpass photos etc. Kids won’t be taking their smartphone to WDW either!
What about those that don’t have phones? Will they be forced to buy bands?
Ah man…..really ? Just one more out of many decisions they make to tic off their “guests”. Drip Drip Drip. This money grab just never ends! The Disney Creative revenue and profit group are at it again. They are driven to come up with one of these directives each month. Next on the agenda is to charge for internal transportation ? Those cute little kiosks selling Micky bus and Monorail tokens are being considered?
I love this idea!! It makes sense, especially when you think about the manufacturing and shipping process involved. It sounds like these not-so-supportive comments are being made by people who know how convenient MagicBands are. If so, they most likely have one, or two, or fifty laying around at home. These can all be used on future trips! Much better to do that than to accumulate them (or have to carry them all back to WDW for proper recycling). As for having to purchase the previously free styles, most first time visitors will make that part of their planning budget, and return visitors will wish they hadn’t misplaced or disposed of theirs. A day at Disney with an old magic band, is better than no day at Disney for me! Hope you all can enjoy your 2021 trips despite these not so magical comments!
I have a bunch sitting at home so I am not worried about it. I wonder if The future is virtual fast passes . I also know Disney is taking a huge hit with all of the closings so cuts need to be made. Just my thoughts
I don’t like this at all. Magic bands – no need for a wallet, no need for a phone, no need for a key card, wear’em in the pool…worked great for me and my family. Now we have to keep looking at phones on vacation? Or pay for the magic bands – because the old ones do expire. Let’s see here… no Illuminations, no fireworks, no Fantasmic, no dining plan, no extra magic hours, no fastpasses, no special events, charge for hotel parking, increase those room rates, food and snacks – bump up those prices every few months…what else can we charge for…. oh yeah, magicbands! It’s time to Remember the Magic, because that is what it has become – a memory.
I don’t mind using my phone while in the park when it comes to FastPasses, checking wait times, mobile ordering, etc. However, it’s extremely convenient to be able to pay for things and get into the resort room with a flick of the wrist. This is especially true after a long day in the parks when I’m holding my toddler’s stuff (or my toddler!). I also don’t usually bring my phone to the pool, so the MagicBand is indispensable when it comes to heading to the poolside bar for a snack and getting back into my room later.
As long as Disney doesn’t decide at some point to eliminate the MagicBand altogether, I’m okay with paying for it, especially if I’m in the minority of people wanting it. Looking at the other comments, though, makes me think there are still quite a few people who also still see its benefits. I guess MagicBands can now be put in the category of “upgrades.” If that’s the case, at least it sounds like it won’t be a very expensive upgrade.
Hey folks don’t worry so much. If your cell phone dies while in the parks, Disney is happy to sell you a power pack for another $30.00. I come to Disney to get away from all this techno crap! SPOILER ALERT – “I’M ON VACATION!! I am not here specifically to “line Mickey’s pocket” GREED GREED GREED So much for the magical experience
SHAME ON YOU MICKEY and all your little money grubbing friends
Makes me glad I never declined our free magic bands! So we have a stockpile until the batteries start to die. We also splurged and took advantage of the upgrade discount on a couple of the limited edition ones that were offered. It stinks that this is one more in a long line of discontinued perks and price hikes. Having said that, I am sure that we will purchase new ones when ours are no longer functioning just to maintain the convenience they provide, which l’m sure is what Disney is counting on.
Thunder, Disney has said guests can still use MagicBands, they just won’t get a free one with a Resort stay.
Nathan, they could use a Key to the World card instead.
Lourie, thanks for sharing! I hope it works out for you to celebrate your anniversary next year. Fifty years — a beautiful thing to celebrate.
Diane, I do not know exactly how that would work. The cards, as far as I know, only have short-range RFID (the MagicBands have long-range, which is how they communicate with on-ride PhotoPass). Possibly you’ll be able to scan to attach your photo after the ride (as they do on Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin). If I hear more about this, I’ll update.
Tracy, I would expect the new feature will take into consideration that not every guest in every party will have a phone. We’ll have to wait and see the feature roll out in order to know for sure, though.
Tiffany, thanks! Yeah, I think the Key to the World will be a good solution for folks. Time to brush up on what features are included! 😉
Thanks for reading, Sarah!
Thanks, HP! I’m doing my best. 🙂
Mike, when Disney offers upgrades from the current complimentary colors, I believe the discounts are usually $5-$10. The solid colors are currently showing as $15 on ShopDisney. Of course, that could change between now and 2021, and Disney has not released specifics about the discount they mentioned. We will update when more information emerges.
Brandon, this is what Disney said in the DisneyParksBlog post with the announcement: they’re “exploring engaging ways for guests to use their mobile tech to experience the magic”, including “an innovative new offering as part of the My Disney Experience app.” So no, not really. 😉
Vicki, Disney highlighted the Key to the World card as an alternative in their announcement here.
Vikki, I expect they’ll still have the “tapstiles” at the entrance and FP entrances. Folks will scan their MagicBands (purchased or reused old ones), their Key to the World, or (maybe) their smartphone.
Steve, our understanding is that DVC also will not receive complimentary MagicBands.
S. Figueroa, Disney highlighted that guests could also use the Key to the World card.
Amanda, we’ll be checking into how the features work when they’re released.
Erika, MagicBands are still going to be available and accepted. They just won’t be free with a Resort stay anymore.
Joanne, that’s right. Old MagicBands can be activated and connected to your account, in which all of your current information resides.
Paul, I have not seen this specifically, but since our understanding is that DVC aren’t getting a MagicBand anymore, I would expect that to be the new approach for APs, too. We will try to confirm.
Kevin, you’ll still be able to use MagicBand, just won’t get them free anymore.
Rory, the battery should last well past that date, and you can attach it to your account to use it in March. This should be fine.
Sarah, you will be able to use MagicBands if you want. They just won’t be complimentary with a Resort reservation anymore.
Thanks DFB Sarah, any info you have is much appreciated
Diane, I posed this to our on-site reporters. Most/all of the attractions with on-ride photos likely won’t work from long-distance with the Key to the World card (the old incarnation of the card was a short-range RFID only). BUT we will be on the lookout for anything on-site that might help clarify more.
You are paying large amounts of money for your vacation. The magic bands were NEVER free, they were just part of the package tou paid for. More penny pinching from Disney, and another step towards sucking the joy out of your visit and the cash out of your pocket. Despicable.
What about magic bands from previous visits. We actually were part of the test for magic bands when they first came out. We may visit in the next 9 months. Are those no good?
Paul, you can attach old MagicBands to your current reservations using the serial number of the MB. The only hesitation I have with suggesting that is that the batteries in the MagicBands are only said to be good for about two years. I’m not sure if you can tell whether the battery works or not before trying them on-site, but that would be my only concern with using an old one.
I feel like this is such a bad idea on Disney’s part, there are so many different type of people who frequent the parks and not all of them are going to have a smart phone. I’m lucky that I have a smart phone but I’m always using my data since the wifi in the parks sucks, not everyone is going to have that luxury. What happens to the people who don’t have a smart phone, they need to shell out more money on top of an already expensive Disney trip, or what happens when your phone does, suddenly you can’t get back into your room if you don’t have a portable charger with you, especially since the Disney experience app drains your battery.
I am sad that they are discontinuing them. They were easy to carry around and you didn’t have to worry about your cellphone dying or not having service. Also, how will this work with fast passes? And parties that have older kids but no cellphone that may separate from their parents? Also, how will this effect child swap? Not to mention there are some rides you don’t want to take your cellphone on but now you will need to scan if that is how they will be doing fast pass. So many questions.
I am truly saddened by this news! What about the guests who had 2020 trips planned but due to covid were pushed backed to 2021. We spent a day picking out our bands… geared up for the trip. So we get zero discount for less hours, no fireworks or parades, less available restaurants and rides… and now we have to pay for magic bands that were originally included in our May 2020 trip? Really?
With 2021 being only 3 weeks away… can we get an answer as to what the discounted rate will be for resort guests?
Less magic and less magic is the way I see it ! Parking at the hotels and now this slap in the face!
Danielle, just to clarify: you can still use a MagicBand, they just won’t be free with a Disney Resort stay.
Thanks Sarah. I know you can still use the old ones or buy new ones. But the bands are only good for a year or two before you have to replace them. I just woke her how Disney will handle my other questions.
Will annual pass holder still get magic band?
Mark, our understanding is that Annual Passholders also will not receive complimentary MagicBands.
Danielle, you’re right that there are many unanswered questions. Hopefully Disney will iron out all the details before making the shift to more app-based functions. We will report on all that we can when the shift occurs. Thank you for reading!
I am committed to Disney via DVC to 2055. Now I am beginning to wonder if my descendants will be able to afford it with all of the nickel and dime-ing that we loyal guests are experiencing. Not good
What does “ICYMI” stand for?
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will you still be able to use old magic bands from previous wdw trips
Joe, as long as the battery is still operational in your old MB, you can use it again.