If you have been to Disney World or any of the Disney parks, you have heard of the Magic Bands. However, they have not been updated since the original release. However, now we have the new Disney Magic Band Plus coming! On top of the standard features, it has interactive capabilities in honor of the park’s 50th anniversary. But we will jump into all of that in a minute! We will break down when you can get them, how much they will cost and what you can do with them!
History of the Magic Band
In the past, guests would use paper tickets to get fast passes or get into the parks. I know this sounds like a “back in my day” idea, but it was. It was a simple process even to get fastpasses where you would press a button. It would print a ticket with a return time and that was it. But Disney wanted to do better and be more innovative. Walt Disney World ended up releasing the initial MagicBand in 2013. The goal was to improve the visitor experience in the theme parks and resorts. So they enabled hands-free park and guest room admission, fast passes, and dining/shopping. Even Disney’s PhotoPass service is now linked to the magic bands. These well-liked elements will remain in MagicBand+, and it will also have additional functionality that gives visitors access to magical experiences.
When are the new Magic Bands coming out?
Walt Disney World hadn’t provided an official update on MagicBand Plus in a while, but the product was still expected to go on sale in the summer of 2022. Previously, we believed the MagicBand+ would go on sale around the beginning of june ago, based on reliable rumors. That, however, did not take place. Now we know that this will be released on July 27, 2022! This will be online and likely in the parks on the same day.
What is the Magic Band Plus?
This is the next iteration of the older magic band system, with some upgrades. All of the prior functions are still there but with some new tricks. Such as before, you can scan MagicBand+ to access the parks or Lightning Lanes. Unlike the old system, the MagicBand+ will now glow in a spectrum of colors when it is turned on. But what else can they do? Im glad you asked!
Statues
Next, and most importantly, the 50th Anniversary sculptures located around Walt Disney World will respond to the MagicBand+. We had known that the 50th Anniversary Statues at Walt Disney World would be interactive. However, we were not sure how this would occur. Now we know that the Disney Magic Band Plus is the key.
This is done by waving at the statue while sporting a MagicBand+, the characters—those with voices—will converse with you or play a message or other effect. By the sounds, the statues will respond with a variety of pleasantries.
The Disney Parks App
You may “collect” interactions with the characters by discovering them all in each park using this integration with the Play Disney Parks app on your phone. The “Disney Fab 50 Quest” is the name of the app portion of this. This becomes a sort of a scavenger hunt around the 4 parks at Walt Disney World. Although you have to pay for the Disney Magic Band Plus, this becomes a partially free experience. More so if you were going to buy them anyways.
How much does the Magic band plus cost?
We now know a few more details around the Disney Magic Band Plus. It has been reported by Disney Tourist Blog that “the MagicBand+’s retail pricing for its basic hues will be $29.99. (On-site resort visitors often receive a pre-arrival discount, so whenever it becomes available in that system, which might not happen straight away, expect this style to cost $19.99 or $24.99 for hotel guests.)” We have been seeing on average around $35 and upward for the special models.
The Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary MagicBand+ models, for example, are a limited release and will cost more. It is expected that the initial designs will start at $39.99 or $49.99 and rise in price from there, just like ordinary MagicBands.
How to Purchase for Resort Guests and Annual Passholders
You could be eligible for a special price on a personalized MagicBand+ if you have a hotel reservation at a Walt Disney World Resort or an Annual Pass. This is typically for Resort Visitors who make their hotel reservations at least six days in advance are eligible for the discount. Holders of Annual Passes may use the discount just once throughout the calendar year of their Annual Pass if they are eligible at least six days prior to their theme park reservation. As this has been the typical discount in the past.
This is done in a few steps:
- Create a Disney account or sign in.
- Connect your Annual Pass or reservation to your Disney account.
- Navigate to the My MagicBands and Cards section.
If you do not have a discount, you can usually purchase this through the ShopDisney website and have them shipped. After they arrive, you can link them through the My Disney Experience app on your phone.
Quick synopsis
Your MagicBand+ will occasionally come to life with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition once you enter a Walt Disney World theme park.
You may interact with your favorite Disney experiences in new ways thanks to the wearable, including:
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney‘s Hollywood Studios lets you explore Black Spire Outpost like a virtual bounty hunter in a galaxy far, far away.
Interact with the golden statues scattered across Walt Disney World’s theme parks, the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection.”
Experience evening shows, such as the brand-new “Harmonious” at EPCOT and “Disney Enchantment” at the Wonder Kingdom, in a brand-new way as you see your band light up and compliment the magic in the skies. Here is a comparison Disney has put out for the bands vs the app.
Are you excited for the release of the new Disney Magic Band Plus? Do you have any questions for the new band? Let us know in the comments below!