Discounted MagicBand designs can be found for pre-arrival Walt Disney World lodge company and Annual Passholders. This shopping for information covers the improve buy course of, stock shortages, worldwide points & errors, Magic Band+ kinds, and new choices. (Up to date February 22, 2024.)
To improve your Magic Band, use the My Disney Expertise app or DisneyWorld.com, which lets you select from quite a lot of colours and designs impressed by characters, resorts, points of interest, nighttime spectaculars, and extra. The kinds rotate with regularity, and there are dozens of MagicBand selections at discounted costs.
Walt Disney World usually presents dozens of MagicBand improve choices, with new seems added as others promote out. As mentioned beneath, the “new seems added” a part of that has not been occurring as a lot currently. Pricing varies, with choices beginning at $9.99 (supposedly) and costing as a lot as $34.99. We replace this frequently with screenshots of the brand new MagicBands, plus information, and troubleshooting ideas for what has confirmed to be a irritating course of.
Let’s begin with all the updates, as a lot has modified since this program launched. Final yr, Walt Disney World eradicated the complimentary solid-color MagicBands that had been despatched to company pre-arrival. Disney additionally stopped providing free MagicBands to Annual Passholders.
Which means all MagicBands now value cash–you don’t get free ones with resort reservations or for being an Annual Passholder. Upgrading to those designs, shopping for MagicBands within the parks, or through shopDisney.com is your solely possibility.
As at all times, MagicBands are not required at Walt Disney World. For room entry, park admission, Lightning Lanes, and charging privileges to the lodge room, Walt Disney World presents plastic Key To The World playing cards. This may be supplied on the lodge entrance desk, and is how issues labored previous to the debut of MagicBands a number of years in the past. Alternatively, company can obtain normal ticket media and use that for park entry or utilizing Lightning Lanes.
Moreover, MagicMobile service is offered at Walt Disney World through the My Disney Expertise app. This may be added to your Android, iPhone, or Apple Watch digital pockets as soon as enabled. This works similar to a MagicBand with most options working by merely holding up your good machine close to an entry level. It may be used to enter theme parks, join Disney PhotoPass pictures to your account, enter Lightning Lanes, and extra. Right here’s how MagicMobile compares to MagicBands.
MagicMobile and Key to the World playing cards are two of 4 methods to entry these options. The opposite choices are the MagicBand+ and the common ole MagicBand 2.0, as we’ll focus on beneath. MagicBand+ is the newer of the 2, having debuted final yr.
Our brutally trustworthy MagicBand+ Evaluate: Good, Unhealthy & Ugly ought to enable you to decide whether or not it’s for you. If you happen to’re actually excited in regards to the MagicBand+ and have already ordered one for every member of your loved ones, you would possibly not wish to learn that. Typically ignorance is bliss.
For these questioning how MagicBand+ and MagicMobile evaluate to the unique MagicBand, above is a helpful chart. We’d advocate consulting that, attempting out MagicMobile, and studying the above assets to find out whether or not upgrading to the MagicBand+ is price it for you.
Sadly, worldwide company can now not order MagicBand or MagicBand+ through the pre-arrival system except they’ve a United States mailing deal with. There are doable workarounds for this, which ought to let you order and pick-up on the resort–but it surely requires somewhat additional legwork.
Formally, we’re not recommending you try this. However we did simply let you know what the requirement is for qualifying for a pre-arrival MagicBand buy, so do with that info what you’ll and act accordingly. (If you happen to want additional help, learn the feedback and/or ask others for recommendation there.)
As for the why of this, it’s most likely not as a result of Walt Disney World hates worldwide company. Though it would appear that manner on this one specific subject, Walt Disney World truly loves company from exterior the USA. They’re extra of a captive viewers, have larger per visitor spending metrics, and usually do longer stays. For this reason we routinely seek advice from British company as Walt Disney World’s “whales” (non-derogatory).
Whereas Walt Disney World has not supplied an official clarification (and doubtless by no means will), our greatest guess is that it’s a matter of mental property regulation. As talked about in our Information to DisneyBand+ on Disney Cruise Line, the identify change was made there for that motive. We’ve since heard extra in regards to the subject, and it sounds prefer it’s extra important than beforehand reported–that Disney can not use the MagicBand identify in any respect in sure worldwide markets.
That’s most likely an unsatisfying clarification, but it surely’s possible the explanation why. This implies there most likely gained’t be decision to this downside except it’s considered internally as sufficient of a difficulty that the corporate opts to vary the identify of MagicBands to DisneyBands. (And actually, it might make sense to try this together with a delicate relaunch of the product as DisneyBands.)
Disney Authorized could be very conservative when it comes authorized legal responsibility, they usually’ve most likely suggested Walt Disney World to not market or promote MagicBands internationally in any capability to keep away from litigation publicity. Once more, all of that is unconfirmed however we’ve heard sufficient to imagine that this clarification is extremely credible. The upshot is that Disney doesn’t care if you happen to soar by way of a couple of additional hoops and handle to make a pre-arrival order even whereas residing in Canada or the UK or wherever.
In any case, right here’s a present have a look at MagicBand 2.0 and MagicBand+ stock for the pre-arrival program as of February 22, 2024:
There are at present 36 pre-arrival choices. That is far fewer than final yr on the identical time, and down from a excessive of 82 on the peak of final yr. On a semi-positive word, the present availability as of February 2024 is definitely higher than late final month and earlier this month, when there have been underneath two-dozen selections at instances.
As for the motive force of the lower, we’re probably not certain. One contributing issue is unquestionably the near-elimination of normal MagicBand kinds. For many of final yr, there have been double-digit numbers of normal ole MagicBands (formally often known as MagicBand 2.0). Now, the one ones remaining are primarily based on “A Information to the Magic Kingdom” that characteristic retro art work from unique Seventies park maps. We predict these are a number of the coolest MagicBands, however apparently most company disagree, as they’ve been accessible for over a yr and nonetheless haven’t bought out.
Our massive concern is seemingly being realized–that Disney has ended manufacturing of the MagicBand 2 in favor of the MagicBand Plus. There haven’t been any brand-new common MagicBand designs in a very long time, suggesting that the misfire ‘plus’ model is now the one factor being produced.
Personally, I nonetheless hope that Walt Disney World reverses course and makes extra common MagicBand kinds. From my perspective, MagicBand+ is essentially a flop–I’d slightly pay much less and persist with tried and true MagicBand 2. Right here’s hoping that lower-than-anticipated gross sales of the MagicBand+ trigger Disney to rethink its strategy. Common MagicBands are cheaper to make, which additionally means they wouldn’t have to be bought at such astronomical value factors.
On the subject of MagicBand Plus, there are a handful of comparatively new designs. Some latest highlights embrace attraction particular MagicBand+ designs for curler coasters, Jungle Cruise, Tower of Terror, plus retro-inspired Disney Parks ‘Play within the Park’ designs for each Walt Disney World and Disneyland (for some motive).
My favourite designs are a brand new resort-specific MB+ for Outdated Key West and a not-so-new Orange Fowl design. If you happen to’re searching for park characters, Figment additionally pops up sometimes. Different character choices embrace Sew, Oswald the Fortunate Rabbit, Mickey & Mates, Star Wars characters, and extra. Stock does fluctuate, so it doesn’t harm to test each morning to see what’s modified if you happen to’re not glad with present selections and have loads of time earlier than your journey.
There’s additionally no hurt in ready till you arrive at Walt Disney World to buy your MagicBand. The one draw back is that you just gained’t have the ability to instantly use your MagicBand to open your lodge room door, enter the parks, and so on–however the precise course of of shopping for a MagicBand and linking it to your My Disney Expertise account is easy and straightforward. You may as well purchase from DisneyStore.com, the place there’s a perpetual number of MagicBand+ designs on sale.
Talking of which, you could possibly stroll right into a Walt Disney World present store proper now and discover cabinets and cabinets of MagicBands. There may be ample availability within the parks & resorts…however these usually are not the identical product strains and the logistics of delivering to the parks is totally different than the success middle for these MagicBand improve choices. (A extra resourceful firm would possibly work out a solution to reallocate provide, however Disney is not any Amazon!)
These choosing a pre-arrival buy ought to know that the system works the identical as earlier than, and as described within the the rest of this text. The one distinction is that the MagicBands upgrades now begin at $10 every, versus free.
Not less than, they begin at $10 every in principle. Truly, that’s solely the case if you happen to handle to discover a strong colour common MagicBand. It’s been some time since we’ve seen these, and the beginning value for the MagicBand+ is $24.99. That’s fairly a bit greater than the marketed $10 beginning value!
Whether or not you must pay to buy a MagicBand pre-arrival is a private choice, however there’s one massive upside in that it makes the holiday expertise seamless and streamlined. You may bypass your lodge’s entrance desk, don’t must problem with separate funds, keys, and so on. So there’s undoubtedly a component of comfort for on-site company.
Notice that you’ve till 10 days earlier than your arrival at Walt Disney World to customise and order your MagicBand if you wish to have the MagicBand shipped to your own home. If you happen to order in underneath 10 days, you’re eliminating two of the largest benefits in shopping for MagicBands.
Attributable to postal service delays, we advocate putting your order at the least 14 days upfront to play it protected. Anecdotally, we’re additionally listening to of extra company having their orders delayed or cancelled fully, so even ordering far upfront doesn’t assure that your MagicBands will arrive on time–or in any respect.
With that mentioned, listed below are our troubleshooting ideas and the step-by-step course of for ordering. (Simply understand that this was written when provide chain disruptions weren’t a factor–so that you’re going to see much more stock n the screenshots beneath that’s NOT at present accessible!)
TROUBLESHOOTING
It’s onerous to imagine, however the MagicBand improve possibility went dwell a couple of years in the past. A part of the explanation that it’s onerous to imagine is as a result of MagicBand stock stays hit and miss. The system can be frustratingly glitchy, with issues requiring non-public or antiquated browsers, plus errors all through the method–even after submitting cost.
We assumed the kinks would’ve been ironed out by now, however sadly, that’s not the case. (How naive of us given the fixed points with My Disney Expertise years after its launch.) Sadly, past this troubleshooting recommendation beneath coupled with persistence, there’s no good decision. If reader studies are any indication, contacting Disney is unlikely to yield favorable outcomes. (We’d love to listen to your experiences within the feedback!)
We can not stress sufficient that this technique remains to be having an incredible quantity of issues. If you happen to’re having hassle finishing the choice course of, or getting this to work, we’d advocate utilizing the desktop website as a substitute of the My Disney Expertise app or cell website.
Moreover, if the desktop model of DisneyWorld.com gained’t give you the results you want, attempt non-public searching, incognito mode, or a distinct browser totally. Normally, we first attempt non-public searching on Chrome, and that resolves the difficulty. Nonetheless, a few instances we’ve obtained a message that we don’t have entry to a sure web page, or that our cost couldn’t be processed–each of these points might be resolved by time-traveling again to Y2K and utilizing Web Explorer. (Don’t fear, you gained’t have to make use of AOL or dial-up, too.)
We’ve discovered that this course of will get hung up on a number of totally different pages, together with on the choice and checkout course of. Having a ‘clear’ browser will usually resolve these points. It’s not foolproof, however if you happen to’re discovering that issues turn into unavailable proper after you choose them, that’s one clarification as to why.
If you happen to’re having points with stock…there’s no nice resolution to that. We’d advocate watching the positioning, checking every morning at round 8 am for the day’s restocks, and ordering your MagicBands while you see a ‘adequate’ number of MagicBands that enchantment to you. Moreover, persons are reporting points with their orders truly transport, however this appears to be a sporadic downside.
In case your Walt Disney World trip will not be within the close to future, we’d advocate being affected person and ready for a design you truly need. Now that Disney has a extra correct understanding of demand, they’re (hopefully) extra more likely to enhance the stock to an satisfactory degree to fulfill the unimaginable demand.
Whereas we aren’t enormous into Magic Bands, it will undoubtedly have collectors and character followers excited, because it means buying a brand new design for what quantities to $10 to fifteen off. If you happen to preferred distinctive designs and have already got a drawer filled with the ‘normal’ colours from previous Walt Disney World journeys, leaping on the up-charge actually is smart.
Personally, I’ll most likely simply keep on with the one, strong blue MagicBand that I’ve been utilizing for the previous a number of years…which itself changed a distinct blue one which needed to be “retired” as a result of it was too soiled.
Not that you just care about that. Anyway, right here’s how the method works…
After clicking the “My MagicBands and Playing cards” hyperlink beneath the My Disney Expertise drop-down on DisneyWorld.com or the “Select MagicBands” button in your resort reservation, you’ll see the above display.
As you possibly can see, there’s a message on the display indicating that the brand new improve choices might be shipped to company’ houses (U.S. addresses solely) if ordered 11 or extra days forward of arrival. They are often customized if executed so at the least 6 or extra days forward of arrival.
That is what seems subsequent, and when you hit “Choose” the display scrolls down on the identical web page, revealing all of this:
Via the magic of Photoshop, I mixed each single web page right into a single view, so you could possibly see every character and attraction-themed MagicBand.
No Nation Bear Jamboree, however ya can’t win ’em all. Hopefully, over time new designs can be added as a part of particular promotions, seasonal occasions, and that form of factor. (I presume the ‘finest’ designs that Walt Disney World believes will promote to collectors and fans will stay unique to shops, the place they are often bought at full value.)
As soon as chosen, you arrive at this whole buy display the place you possibly can change your identify. From there, you’ll enter cost information, a transport deal with, and end the checkout. Assuming the system works. Good luck!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney World Motels Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot it’s good to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the brand new MagicBand improve choices? Will you be paying the premium for certainly one of these colours or themed designs? Any particular design catch your eye? Do you cynically assume that is only a lame cash-grab? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
