It’s no secret that Disney World is constantly dreaming up new ideas and innovative ways to bring the latest technologies into the parks.
Cinderella Castle
Remember the days when you had to physically walk to a kiosk, scan your Disney ticket, and it would print out a PAPER FastPass? And now, with the help of Genie+, you can skip the line at the touch of a digital button. Disney introduced another piece of innovative technology — the MagicBand — several years ago, a sort of all-in-one wristband that serves as a hotel room key, park “ticket,” can be used to pay for purchases around the parks, and can connect PhotoPass pictures to your My Disney Experience account. Disney had previously announced that an all-new reimagined MagicBand would be rolling out in the parks, and now that it is live in Disney World, we’re sharing everything we know about the upgraded tech!
MagicBand+ made its debut in Disney World on July 27th (although we got quite the shock when they were accidentally put out on shelves a few months ago!) and features exciting new technology that allows guests to have even more interaction throughout Disney World.
Be Happy
So, what exactly is this exciting new technology, and what holds the MagicBand+ apart from its predecessor? The new MagicBand+ features much of the same technology as the original:
- Pay for purchases around the parks (for Disney World Resort hotel guests);
- Enter attraction Lightning Lanes booked through Disney Genie;
- And connect Disney PhotoPass pictures to your My Disney Experience account;
- Serve as a Digital Key to enter your Disney World Resort hotel room;
- Serve as your park “ticket” (when linked to pre-purchased valid admission).
Scanning In!
But, the MagicBand+ is MUCH more interactive — complete with “color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition” that activate once guests enter a theme park. Have you spotted the golden 50th Anniversary Statues throughout Disney World? Guests wearing MagicBand+ devices are able to interact with them!
MagicBand+ will interact with the Golden 50th Anniversary Statues in the parks
As part of the “Disney Fab 50 Quest,” guests can go on a scavenger hunt throughout the parks using their MagicBand+. Take your hunt to the next level by pairing the Play Disney Parks app and unlocking special achievements along the way. When you wave your band in front of the statue, you’ll notice some special effects, including sounds!
New MagicBand!
MagicBand+ also allows guests to become a bounty hunter in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Test your bounty hunting skills as you look for virtual bounties throughout the land with the new Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters game!
Playing Batuu Bounty Hunters
Disney notes that “vibrations and lights will guide you down the right path” to find your bounty, and when you arrive at the specific location, you can use the Play Disney Parks app’s augmented reality thermal viewer to “reveal who’s hiding in the shadows.”
Click Here to Check Out the Bounty Hunter Game!
Guests can earn galactic credits for their missions through the Play Disney Parks app, as long as they’re logged into that app with the account connected to the MagicBand+.
You tap your band at the bounty board to get started
MagicBand+ features customizable color-changing lights and vibrations that “let you feel the magic with light vibrations that bring experiences to life.” Which experiences, you ask? Well, the MagicBand+ lights up in sync with both Disney Enchantment (Magic Kingdom) and Harmonious (EPCOT) fireworks shows!
Harmonious
It also engages with all four park icons as they transform into Beacons of Magic in the evenings.
Enchantment and MagicBand+
We even saw MagicBand+ interact with several attractions at Disney World.
Spooky Red Lighting exiting Tower of Terror
Disney has said they will continue to release new designs just like the original MagicBands. Unlike the original band, however, the new MagicBand+ is RECHARGEABLE and comes with a power cord.
Click Here to See the MagicBand+ Options Online!
The charger is a USB charger and the MagicBand+ just clicks onto the charger.
Charger
Not only that, but it will apparently also work with Amazon Alexa! Exactly how it will interact, Disney has not announced yet — but we’ll keep an eye out for more announcements.
We didn’t know this!
MagicBand+ is available for prices starting at $34.99. (The plain bands are $34.99 and the special themed bands are $44.99.) Discounts are available for Disney Resort hotel guests who order their bands before their trip, and Annual Passholders can get discounted bands as well. Disney World guests are able to find the bands in the following locations:
- Magic Kingdom Park: Emporium
- EPCOT: Pin Traders — Camera Center
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Celebrity 5 & 10 and Tatooine Traders
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Discovery Trading Company
- Disney Springs: Disney’s Pin Traders
- Select merchandise locations at Disney Resort hotels
Click Here to Get More Details on MagicBand+ in Disney World!
Wondering what to do with all of your old MagicBands now that MagicBand+ is out? Not to worry, as guests are still able to purchase and use the original MagicBands.
The Emporium
For the latest on MagicBand+ and more Disney parks news, don’t forget to stay tuned to DFB!
MagicBand+ in Disney World: The Good, the Bad, and the Glitchy! — Click Here
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On the subject of Disney magicband +…..why oh why did disney choose not to include the “force ” jedi mind powers with the new magicband+ the new band has gesture recognition which could ito of been easily configured so that people could ” use the force ” so to speak.
Much like in the same why guests in Universal use the wands.
Missed opportunity there by disney
There is one thing I can never find adressed anywhere. How do people who have to use ecvs go on rides attractions shopping and all the other good stuff about going to Disney world?
If one of the dfb team bought the magicband+ when it was accidently put out in the store, can you fully charge it and wear it in the park the whole day. I am worried it will lose charge. I totally rely on my magicbands.
Do you know will the magic band plus be an option to order before your trip instead of the old magic band
Hi Madison! Disney hasn’t released that information yet, but we will be sure to let our readers know as soon as we know more!
Hi Rory! It’s pretty easy to get around Disney World on an ECV as I have had to use one myself in the past. All Disney transportation is equipped for ECV loading and unloading and many rides are ECV friendly. There are a few exceptions when you might have to transfer from an ECV to a wheelchair to enter the queue, however, but if you have someone with you that can help you in and out it’s fairly easy still. I’ve also never had a problem taking the ECV into any of the shops. The aisles are wide enough for you to get through even on the bulky ECVs that Disney provides for $50 a day. Disney has a list that tells you if you will be able to enter the ride on your ECV/Wheelchair or if you have to be able to transfer. You can find that by clicking HERE. I hope this helps!
That would have been so much fun, Matthew!
Hi Kendra! We haven’t had a chance to actually try it out yet since it’s not fully functional as of right now, but we will definitely update our readers on how it works, how often it needs to be charged, etc. as soon as we know more! 🙂
I’m curious as to whether or not WDW plans on keeping the golden statues in the parks after the 50th anniversary. We went to WDW earlier this year and we won’t be back until Feb 2023. I’d hate to buy my daughter one of the new magic bands if the statues won’t be there to interact with any longer.
These sound exciting but are they waterproof like the original bands ie can you go swimming in them
Hi Christine! Yes, they are also waterproof just like the old MagicBands. 🙂
I have my Disney experience acct and purchased 6 MagicBand + for upcoming vacation. my daughter also has my Disney experience acct , can I pair her MagicBand + on my phone and have it show up on her my Disney experience
Hi Cindy! All you need to do is link your daughter to your Friends and Family list. She can still pair her MagicBand+ to her account if she wants to do that.