MagicBands are wearable devices that can function as a guest’s park ticket, hotel room key, contactless payment method, and more.
MagicBands
The MagicBand is integrated with a guest’s My Disney Experience account, which helps consolidate plans and reservations without the need to carry multiple physical tickets, cards, and keys.
Since being introduced in 2013, Disney World hotel guests and Annual Passholders have all received a free, solid color MagicBand; and recently received the option to select an upgraded MagicBand design for a discounted rate. But soon, that practice will be changing.
Disney has announced that beginning in January 2021, Disney World hotel guests and Annual Passholders will no longer receive a free MagicBand with their reservation or pass.
MagicBand Options ©Disney
Instead, Disney plans to launch new offerings as part of the My Disney Experience app that will bring the features of a MagicBand to guests’ smart devices. This will involve expanding upon the app’s Digital Key technology which allows guests to unlock their rooms using their smartphones.
Park Entrance Scanner
Despite the discontinuation of complimentary MagicBands, Disney has stated that they WILL continue to release new colors and designs, and Disney World hotel guests will have the option to purchase MagicBands at a discounted price.
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.
Mulan MagicBand
In other words, MagicBands will still be functional and guests will have the ability to reuse bands they already own, or purchase new ones. Or, they can opt to use a Key to the World card (similar to the process before the introduction of MagicBands) instead.
Figment Slap MagicBand
With this upcoming change in mind, we reached out to our followers on Instagram to ask, “Will you still use MagicBands in 2021 when they’re no longer free?” And of the 485 responses we received, a resounding 407 said YES, they will still continue to use MagicBands. Of the remaining responses, 50 said NO, and 28 said they’d “wait and see,” or “Wait…WHAT? MagicBands Won’t Be Free?”
Pie Chart of Our Readers’ Responses When Asked If They Will Still Use MagicBands in 2021 When They’re No Longer Free
Let’s take a look at the reasons some of our readers gave behind their responses!
“Yes, I’ll Still Use MagicBands in 2021!”
It looks like a lot of our readers are still pretty passionate about their MagicBands — 84% said they will still use them in 2021. Many respondents commented on the convenience they provide. “Absolutely! Makes it so easy compared to using a phone for everything.”
MagicBands at World of Disney
While most of our readers still plan to use MagicBands, there were differing opinions on whether or not they plan to invest in new designs.
Some plan to reuse their old bands: “Yes, but I probably won’t buy new ones.” While others love collecting new options: “Probably because I already buy limited edition ones when I visit the parks. Not much difference.”
EPCOT Forever MagicBand
A number of others also said they feel that MagicBands are part of the experience, and they enjoy keeping them as a souvenir from their trip. “Yes, because they add your own personality and add to the magic of Disney.”
We asked our readers if they chose to cancel their Disney World Annual Pass. Here’s what they said.
“No, I Don’t Plan to Use MagicBands in 2021.”
But not everyone plans to make use of MagicBands moving forward — 10% said they won’t be using them in 2021. Guests have always had the option to use a card (similar in size and shape to a credit card) instead of a MagicBand, and some said they plan to continue down that route. “Nope, don’t use it now.”
Magic Kingdom Tapstiles
Others mentioned that they aren’t happy with Disney’s decision to change the complimentary MagicBand policy. “No, they shouldn’t make guests pay for them! They are near essential to the parks.”
Hopefully, the new smartphone features Disney has said they will roll out will be able to compete with the ease and functionality of MagicBands.
We asked our readers if they think Disney World face characters should be wearing face masks. Here’s what they said.
“I Might Use MagicBands in 2021, But It Depends…”
Making up the remainder of the responses, 6% weren’t able to say for sure whether or not they will use MagicBands in 2021. A few readers mentioned that they’re waiting to see how the new alternative technology will work: “Maybe. It will depend on the new smartphone features they roll out.”
My Disney Experience
And others hadn’t yet heard the news about the upcoming retirement of free MagicBands. “What?!? They’re not going to be free?!?” Sadly it’s true — we feel your pain!
While a few of our respondents said they plan to stop using MagicBands next year — or, in some cases, continue to bypass them — it looks like the majority of our readers are all-in on them. Between the convenience, customization, and collectability, our readers gave some pretty compelling reasons for their answers. And, of course, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments as well!
We asked our readers if they would take their kids to Disney World right now. Here’s what they said.
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So, what do you think?? Will you continue to use MagicBands in 2021 when they’re no longer free for Disney World hotel guests and Annual Passholders? Let us know in the comments!
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I wonder how it will impact other aspects of the magic band system. For instance, the photo pass for a number of in-ride pictures/video or queue/ride effects(mine train, small world, and haunted mansion, etc.) Since that relies on the radio transmitter and NFC technology in phones is only good for touchpoints. There’s also the added frustration of people not knowing how to turn on phone settings and that could lead to delays in lines if people need to pull up the app and turn on settings. Also, what would be contingency plan for someone losing a phone? Guest services issues a card or magic band but would need you to remember your login and then verify your identity?
DFB Guide,
I’m curious. Will you still use magic bands, or will you go to the phone?
What do you think this means for young kids? I have old magic bands I can use for each of them but does this mean I can use my phone for them? Or how would fastpass work if I had one kid and dad had another, do you think you can swap between kids on your phone? It’s so confusing in my head 😆
A day at Disney drains phone battery as it is. I prefer cars or MB personally.
For a December 2019 trip I tried to use my phone to open the door to our room at Coronado Springs but it wouldn’t work. Only my Magic Band would open the door. I also wondered how Photopass would provide the in ride photos and videos.
I will continue to use my MagicBand because I struggle to maintain the battery level on my phone when at Disney World as it is with booking fastpasses, taking hundreds of photos and instagramming.
What if I get back to my hotel room and my phone is out of battery? Will I not be able to get in?
Magic Bands are a lot easier than having to use your phone for everything and are all part of the experience for me!
Danielle, we’re going to have to wait to see it in action before we can say for sure.
I think magic bands are much easier to use then a phone. Hold my arm up against the door lock or take out my phone, open app, click unlock door. It’s a no brainer for me. Stock up on the free ones while you can. I can certainly understand a small charge for them and I’m happy to pay it. But as long as they are a available, I will use them.
We will continue to either buy a set as we have been for each trip or use a favorite that we have. We have an upcoming stay in October and bought some for this purpose despite the freebies. Frankly I enjoy the silliness (you are on vacation after all) and I also like not to carry a wallet in the parks. My wife has a few back credit cards on her phone case and I can just carry my MB and a phone and nothing else since we hook up all to the MB. As close to a cruise experience as I can get. When you are blowing a a few grand for a family for a week whats another 60-80 bucks for the convenience alone.
My daughter likes being able to use the tap stations herself so will probably keep using a MB for her.
I’m one who didn’t know they were not going to be free next year. But I’ve always thought it was wasteful to get a new magic band each visit. We go twice, sometimes three times every year. When they Began to make it an option to just reactivate an old band we did that. But, I’m a sucker for the some of the new designs so I’ll probably buy new ones. I’m really surprised they were free as long as they were!
We will continue to use ours. As AP and DVC Members , we find them very useful. We travel to WDW at least twice a year.
I wish they would offer payment by magic bands for guests not staying at Disney hotels! I stayed at the Swan and you couldn’t link the magic band with payment. Nothing easier then paying with a magic band!
We will absolutely still use our Magic Bands! They are the absolutely the best way to go, using your phone just makes it more complicated. We haven’t accepted the free bands in a long time, we have so many old ones that we were different ones everyday of our vacation. Also with all the designs its fun to get different designs. It is the only Disney item that I collect.
When I booked my vacation for June 2021 I was able to choose a magic band for free. Will I be able to keep this, or will it change and say I now owe money for it once this goes into effect??? Just wondering how that would work.
I’ll still use the MB. It would be very inconvenient to get out the phone all the time. And the phone wouldn’t stay open all the time so you would constantly have to reopen your phone. I’d rather just have the band so you can just touch the sensor and go.
I think it’s rather checky asking you to pay for a magic band when u pay thousands of pounds in the UK to stay on disney. Also not everyone has a smart phone and the cards are easily lost especially by children
Another money grab!
There are still a few of us who do not have smartphones…will be re-using old magic bands from past trips.
It is just another income stream for Disney. As ticket prices fall, and surely they will to attract the crowds needed, selling every guest a MagicBand for $3.99 is a home run. The cost is somewhere in the .50 range so it brings in another $3.49 per guest entering the park. Everything stays the same, for $3.99 I might even buy one…lol
Disney just keeps on giving you reasons to not stay on property. Fewer and fewer perks with more add on costs. Their greed never ceases to disappoint.
Heidi, we expect this will change somehow in the system, but we don’t know how yet (i.e. will there be an added charge? will we get an email that the MagicBands have been cancelled and must be purchased?). We will update as soon as we see how they’re handling it.
I’m in agreement with those who have issues with their phone battery while in the Disney parks. I don’t know why but it doesn’t happen to me at Universal, SeaWorld, or Busch Gardens. Maybe because they are smaller
and not as many people using it . However, even with my MagicBand I still have to have my card to get my discounts at restaurants and shops, etc.. So, will the phone allow you to eliminate both the card AND the MagicBand? Only time will tell I suppose.
I really love my MagicBands so I’ll probably continue to use them. I also just bought the little Minnie head that you can put your MagicBand disc in and hang it on your lanyard. I’ve found that to be pretty convenient as well since that’s where my card is anyway, hanging around my neck so I don’t forget to use it. 🙂
And by the way – I LOVE DFB! Keep up the great work. You are my go to source for all things Disney!!
Magic Bands all the way, they are easy they work and I personally try to limit my phone use when on vacation and take a TECH break so I personally do not want to continually have my phone out, Magic Bands are much easier…Love love love
I’ve never had the opportunity to use one but it would be nice to be able to pay with it even if you aren’t an AP holder or staying in the resorts. I don’t know how it’s “essential” as someone stated because, again, never used it and aside from making it only slightly more convenient to pay and use for FP I think we get around the parks just fine. Certainly not essential and really not a big deal in my opinion.
Not a fan of the Bland Free Color ones that WDW provide. We have purchased MB’s that we like or for the way we are feeling for this years trip. Then alternate back and forth between the ones we have purchased. Just to change up the attire. Like changing your clothes from day to day. Charging going forward. Not a big deal. I do not like the solid color ones they provide, anyway. That’s my 2cnts.
Looks like hoarding all my old magic bands will pay off! It’s unbelievable… a MB should be part of the cost of the room.
Elderly people don’t always have smart phones to use including your phone going dead before noon if you have to use for photopass, dining reservations, room key ect. They should be free as much as you spend on your room. They want to charge you for any extras now. You check in your room on your phone everything on your phone now. That’s why they have less employees. Now they won’t get your luggage at the airport when you leave you can’t do a boarding pass or they don’t take care of your luggage. Hopefully they bring back the ddp. Have a two week vacation planned for next year and if things don’t change we won’t be going. When you travel with elderly parents and luggage it sure helps out DISNEY picking up your luggage for you and boarding passes. Orlando airport is extremely busy I know not right now but it will be again. Disney please rethink the things you are taking away from us but the price is still the same. So sad :’(
I’ve never had the chance to use MagicAnds yet. My last trip was in 2006, before The MBs began production. And I had to cancel my trip scheduled for this December due to the pandemic response by both Disney and Florida., so the free band I chose was cancelled along with the rest of the trip. I have gone on to ShopDisney and bought a couple of bands so I have them ready for whenever my next trip will be
I booked a trip for March 2021 and ordered the Magic Bands when I booked it. Only $5.00 each so worth the price. I believe it will be much more convenient than using my phone. I do have a question though. Since I ordered then and paid at that time, I have received them already. Will they already be programmed by being linked to My Disney Experience when I get there or do I have to get them programmed when I get to Disney? I wasn’t expecting to receive them so soon.
Lynne, since you ordered them through My Disney Experience and your connected trip plans, you should be all set. You may be able to see them in MDE already, too. If so, you can check that they’re activated (or make sure they are when your trip gets closer).
We’ll still be using Magic Bands, even though there will be a charge for them. It’ll be a small price to pay for ease of mind.
And charging to our room account by scanning the Magic Band is part of the fun for us.
I wonder if you can use a smart watch too? I have iPhone and Apple Watch and it would be cool to use the Apple Watch like a magic band.
Cary, that would be fantastic! We haven’t heard of technology of this nature being used, but if it ever happens, we will update!
Weird. I have a reservation in January 2021 and it still shows the option of getting the free solid ban or upgrade from $9-$20.
It is an income generator over and above the price of your ticket…
We just got back from Disney World and my phone app was highly Unreliable! I couldn’t check in, nor order food at all. There will be major problems with using “Smart Phones”. I will stick with using the many magic bands that we already have.
I will definitely continue to use Magic Bands. I have so many! It’s definitely more convenient than having to use your phone.
With no fast passes and we are staying off property so I am struggling to see the point of magic bands?
Should be included in cost of room. Free. Disney tracks your every move. It is to their advantage. But then wearing a shirt advertising a brand name costs people money, when its free advertising for them. It’s a gotcha.
Per a cast member, the battery in “Magic Bands” lasts only about two years, and this is why Disney provided the option of requesting a new Magic Band each year.
I LOVE MagicBands and think of them as a big part of the Disney experience. We visit at least once a year.. I see a large number of issues with forcing guest to rely on their smart phone. My Dad is elderly and doesn’t have a smart phone, so that means he won’t be able to access the resort room with the ease that MagicBands now provide. Small kids also don’t typically have smart phones or watches. My phone can barely make it through a day at the parks as it is, so how will I get in my room or pay for late snack if my phone dies from having to use it for everything all day??? Really now happy with this.
Matthew, MagicBands will continue to be accepted and used, but they won’t be provided for free with a package anymore. Guests who still want to use them will be able to use old MagicBands or purchase new ones.