One of the coolest pieces of technology that Disney guests can utilize is the MagicBand, which can be used for tons of essential Disney World functions.
MagicBands
MagicBands can pay for your purchases, open your hotel room, get you into the parks, and act as your FastPasses. Since they were first released, guests staying at Disney World Resort hotels each received a free, solid color MagicBand. However, back in June, Disney World announced it would discontinue offering MagicBands to hotel guests for free in 2021.
And with the new year quickly approaching, Disney World has now started sending emails to guests with upcoming stays with a reminder that MagicBands will no longer be available for free. The email reads: “MagicBands will no longer be provided complimentary to Disney Resort hotel Guests with arrivals beginning January 1, 2021.”
Disney World Email About MagicBands ©Disney
The email also explains that guests can use a free Key to the World card in place of a MagicBand. These cards can be obtained at the front desk of the resort. Another option is to use a MagicBand from a previous stay.
Soul MagicBand
The My Disney Experience app was also recently upgraded to handle some of the features of a MagicBand, including acting as your room key. MagicBands are still available for purchase at Disney World and online, and Disney releases new designs regularly!
Festival of the Holidays MagicBand
Disney Resort guests will still have the option to purchase select MagicBands at discounted prices through the Disney World website.
Toy Story 25th Anniversary MagicBand
The email from Disney also recommends that resort guests use Online Check-In/Direct-to-Room service on the My Disney Experience app. This is done by checking in to the resort early via the app — the app will then notify you when your room is ready and specify your room number, allowing you to bypass the front desk.
We’ll continue to keep an eye out for any further MagicBand changes, so stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all the latest info!
Passholders and Disney World Hotel Guests Can Now PREORDER Two New MagicBands!
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If you’re using a previous Magic Band, how long will they work? I presume the battery dies eventually?
This is a Bad Show for Disney and is a cheap way of cutting costs at the expense of lowering the guest experience. Most rooms, at least at the premium resorts, are at premium prices. The few dollars saved will hurt the experience for sure especially when you are spending thousands for a weeks stay. I have plenty of magic bands, and I have no issue with using the card, but it will hurt Disney in the long run by nickel and dime-ing the guest to death. If you check in prior to your arrival, thus bypassing the front desk, how do you get your key to the world card…? You will still have to go to the front desk… Bad Show…
Charlene, I think they’re expected to last 1-2 years, but I have seen self-reporting online from folks who say theirs lasted much longer. Unfortunately I don’t think it’s possible to tell until you try to use it.
If the removal of complimentary magic bands for hotel guests staying from Jan 2021 announcement was in June 2020 but your 2021 holiday was already booked prior to the date of the announcement then the original package booked which us inclusive of complimentary magic bands should by rights be honoured, yet… this one piece of information cannot be found wherever I search. Do we know if Disney are honoring all original packages already booked prior to any announcements because if not, that would be both irresponsible and unfair on guests having their holiday downgraded.
Sarah, this impacts all guests with stays that start January 1, 2021, regardless of when the trip was booked.