A magic band is a wristband that you can wear that links your tickets up to the wristband and links up to Genie+ and DAS. You can easily scan the wristband to get into the park at the entrance and can use it to tap into your next Genie+ ride. They come in child and adult sizes. They have lots of different colors and themes. You must use the Disney World app to link your magic band to an individual on your account. Once it is linked to a person, it cannot be linked to anyone else. This means there is no reselling magic bands. There are the Magic Band 2 and the Magic Band +. The Magic Band 2s are pretty hard to find now. Mostly you will see the Magic Band +.
Magic Bands used to be given out for free if you stayed at a Disney Resort. Now, if you stay at a Disney Resort, you can get the Magic Band at a discount. This can be done through the website or app. The Magic Band 2 costs around $20 ($10 if you are staying at a Disney Resort, not including Swan and Dolphin Resorts or good neighbor resorts). The Magic Band+ costs $35+ ($25+ for those staying at a Disney Resort, not including Swan and Dolphin Resorts or good neighbor resorts). This is a pretty hefty price tag for each person in your party. What’s the difference between the Magic Band 2 and the Magic Band + besides the price? The Magic Band + has some neat new features where you can interact with the statues around the parks and it will light up during the fireworks and Fantasmic. My husband has one, and it is pretty cool. It will likely be our investment for our children on our next trip.
Do you need a Magic Band? No, you can use your phone to enter the park through the app or your mobile wallet. You can also print your tickets and bring them. If you are staying at a Disney Resort, you can request a key to the world card for each member of your party upon check in. You can use this like the Magic Band. If you want to go this route, I suggest getting each person in your party a lanyard and having them wear their key to the world card. If you are using Genie+ or DAS you can use your phone or key to the world card when you check in for your attraction.
Is a Magic Band nice to have? Yes. We all have them in my family. Using your phone sounds easy, but if your battery runs out, you are in a pickle. Key to the World cards on a lanyard sounds easy, but I have a 5 and 10 year old who lose everything. The Magic Band is the easiest thing we have found to allow the kids to enter the parks easily and easily check in to our Genie+ rides.