Getting ready for your Disney vacation, but don’t know the first thing about Disney MagicBands? Don’t worry, we have everything you need to know about Disney MagicBands in one place!
The Essential Guide to Disney MagicBands
First thing you need to know is that your Disney MagicBands will serve as everything from your room keys to payment method in the park.
There is no longer a need for park tickets or paper Fastpass because your MagicBands will hold all the information you will need for your Disney vacation in one place!
If you are staying at a Disney World resort, each guest in your party will receive one MagicBand.
A few weeks before your vacation, you can go to My Disney Experience online and choose your Disney MagicBand colors.
Disney MagicBand Colors
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Blue
- Gray
- Pink
- Green
- Purple
Once the colors are set, the MagicBands are typically are sent quickly (ours were sent overnight via Fed Ex).
Be sure you like the color that you choose, because once the colors are set, the MagicBands are mailed out, you are set with what you get.
Your name will be printed inside the MagicBand so you will know which one belongs to each member of your party.
What if I forget to Choose a Disney Magicband Color?
If you forget to choose your Disney MagicBand colors prior to your visit, your party will all get the same color bands and they will be given to you when you check in at your Disney Resort.
Connecting Your Disney MagicBand to My Disney Experience
Even before receiving your MagicBands, you will be able to start your online planning.
While online choosing your MagicBands, you will also be able to start planning out your Disney vacation in terms of dining reservations and choosing your Disney Fastpasses.
Simply go online or download the My Disney Experience App for Walt Disney World and you can book dining reservations and fast passes using the FastPass+ System.
Disney MagicBand Facts
Disney MagicBands replace Room Keys
When you check in to your Disney Resort, each of you will swipe your MagicBands.
The MagicBands will serve as your room key!
Simply place your wrist near the door pad and va-voom, you are in your room! No more key cards to keep up with!
Disney MagicBands replace Park Tickets
Not only will your MagicBands serve as your park entrance ticket when you link it through the My Experience app, you will also be able to use it to keep track of your photos through Disney PhotoPass.
Each time you have a picture taken by a photographer on Disney property, you will swipe your band.
This will send that picture to your My Disney Experience account for you to view later.
Disney MagicBands hold your Fastpass Reservations
Through My Disney Experience, you can book your FastPasses ahead of your trip.
You will be allowed three per day (after you use all three, you can get additional FastPasses one at a time at a FastPass + kiosk or through the My Disney Experience App).
When you arrive at the FastPass location, you just scan your MagicBand and are let in.
Disney MagicBands are your Way to Pay for Food & Gear
Need to pay for something on resort or at the parks?
Simply swipe your band! No need to carry cash or credit cards anymore. You will however, need to remember a four digit code that you will set when you arrive at your Disney resort.
Make sure you pick something you will easily remember!
Disney MagicBands are Sizable
Smaller children may have trouble keeping their Disney MagicBands on their wrists unless you size them.
If you flip the MagicBand over, you will find a guide to trim the band to fit properly.
Disney MagicBands are Waterproof
MagicBands are waterproof and can be worn on rides where you get wet and in the pool without any worries about having your MagicBand break!
You can use Disney MagicBands on Future Trips
If you travel to Disney multiple times, you will be able to reuse your Disney Magic Bands. The battery inside the band has a life cycle of around 3 years.
Purchasing Disney MagicBands
Even if you are not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you can take advantage of MagicBands.
You can purchase them online at ShopDisney and in stores on Disney property.
The come in more than just solid colors! There are limited edition designs that feature everything from Disney characters to Disney World rides!
Once you’ve purchased your bands, simply link your tickets online and you can begin using them just like you would if you were staying on Disney property.
Want to buy a personalized Disney MagicBand that features your favorite Disney character or attraction? There are plenty to choose from at ShopDisney! These are our favorites.Disney MagicBands You Can Buy Online
It's a small world MagicBand 2
Moana MagicBand 2
Toy Story Land MagicBand 2
Joy and Sadness MagicBand
Yoda MagicBand 2
Disney Princess MagicBand 2 |
Dory MagicBand 2 - Finding Nemo
Mike and Sulley MagicBand 2 - Monsters, Inc.
We have painted our MagicBand with nail polish & also used temporary tattoos to get a custom design!
What If I Lose my MagicBand?
Yes, I have had this happen.
When I lost my MagicBand at a park (it happened to be Typhoon Lagoon) I went up to Guest Relations and gave them my name.
Since MagicBands are attached to your My Disney Experience account, they are able to issue a card to serve as your ticket.
They will contact you if your MagicBand is located.
Remember, the MagicBand is only good for the person whose name is attached to it, so you really don’t have to worry about it being stolen.
And, no one else can use your MagicBand to make a purchase because they won’t know your four-digit code.
We’ve really grown to love MagicBands as they make your Disney trip so seamless. It is nice not having to pull a card out every time you want to use a Fastpass or order something to eat!
Have you used Disney MagicBands? What did you think?
Lisa says
If you purchase park tickets at somewhere other than Disney such as Undercover Tourist how do you load the tickets to your MagicBand?
Andrea says
I have the same question…I am hoping to purchase through Undercover Tourist and already have our room at a Disney Resort so i am not sure how to coordinate with the magic band? Thanks for your help …so insightful!
Kristi says
Once you have your Disney Resort reservation, you should be able to go to My Disney Experience and link your reservation & tickets. You also should be able to add Magic Bands as long as your vacation is after January 30th (when they are set to roll out in all DW resorts).
Hannah says
To adjust the bands for smaller arms, the bands are made to separate from the outer gray part. Just peel out the part that is the color you picked and discard the outer gray part and it should fit perfectly.
Suzann says
Do they cost extra?
Kristi says
They are free when you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort.
Lisa R. says
Thanks for this post! We are going to Disney in March and have been working to personalize our Magic Bands. This is helpful!
Kristi says
Thanks! Hope you have a magical trip!
Andre says
Sorry, again- if we choose our 3 fasts passes per day via My Disney Experience, can we get more fast passes that day at the kiosks with our bands?
Hilary says
No with Fast Pass+ you are only allowed three fast passes a day. Sometimes they may throw in an extra fast pass for the Magic Kingdom park. While we were visiting we went to Magic Kingdom twice and they threw in a fourth fast pass for Haunted Mansion one day and one for the Little Mermaid ride the next day.
Bruce says
Actually you are allowed only 3 Fast Pass+ passessment per day but once those are used you can use as many regular Fast Passes as are available.
Hilary says
We took off the outer gray part of our 3-year-old daughter’s Magic Band and it fit perfectly. All you have to do is peel off the outer part and it will fit a younger child
Amanda says
Do you think the magic bands will be available to those staying offsite soon, We are coming in December and staying offsite.
Lindsey says
Yes! They just released info today, that it is available for people staying offsite!
Kristi says
It’s wonderful news! We are so excited that now everyone can enjoy it!
Jennifer says
Are the magic bands available to those staying at Shades of Green?