2023 Complete Guide to MagicBand+ (Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line)

If you’re a big fan of the original MagicBand, then you’re probably going to love MagicBand+.

Disney never stops at just one idea or a single version of a product, do they?

The company is always looking to improve, redesign, and, of course, sell something to its audience that guests in turn will hopefully love (and keep buying).

Enter MagicBand+, the upgrade to the MagicBand. This is basically a fancy new MagicBand that costs more and comes with updated features.

Below we discuss everything there is to know about MagicBand+, including how much it costs, its features, available styles, and how it differs from MagicBands.

Let’s get to it!

What is MagicBand+?

In September 2021, Disney announced MagicBand+, an upgrade to the original MagicBand as part of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration.

MagicBand+ is described as “the next-generation wearable technology.”

This new version includes all of the same features as a regular MagicBand with some interactive additions.

Where can I use MagicBand+?

Unlike the old “regular” MagicBands, the new MagicBand+ can be used across multiple Disney properties, including:

Walt Disney World

• Unlock the door of your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room
• Enter any of the Disney World theme parks and water parks
• Redeem Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections
• Charge items, including food/beverages and merchandise, to your resort room (only if staying onsite
• Link PhotoPass images to your account
• Interact with nighttime shows, statues, and games

Disneyland Resort

• Enter both of the Disneyland Resort theme parks
• Redeem Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections
• Link PhotoPass images to your account
• Interact with nighttime shows, statues, and games

Disney Cruise Line (Called “DisneyBand+ on DCL ships)

Note: The rollout of DisneyBand+ starts summer 2022 on select cruisings of the Disney Wish

• Unlock your stateroom door
• Charge food and drinks not included with your cruise
• Use in lieu of the Oceaneer Club Band
• To link photographs taken by onboard photographers
• Interact in other ways (likely similar to what we see at WDW and DLR with statues, games, etc.)

Is it worth getting a MagicBand+?

The short answer: maybe.

The longer answer: MagicBand+ is a fun concept that allows for a bit more interaction within the parks. But, only a small amount, not a lot.

They function the same as an original MagicBand, with a few tiny upgrades.

However, if you visit both Disney World and Disneyland often, MagicBand+ will come in handy since you can use your band on both coasts.

And now that it also looks as if you’ll be able to use it on Disney Cruise Line, it definitely might make sense for guests who like to explore both the parks and the seas.

How does MagicBand+ work?

You wear MagicBand+ on your wrist just like you do a normal MagicBand. But, it’s more decked out.

MagicBand+ also allows you to engage with different Disney moments after you enter a theme park.

Now, here’s the cool part:

The band reacts to park interactions with color-changing light effects, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition.

• The color-changing lights are customizable
• The haptic vibrations let you feel the magic with light vibrations that bring experiences to life
• Gesture recognition simply means your movement enables magical surprises
• Interactive smart speaker experiences

Plus, this:

• A rechargeable battery and 6-inch USB charging cable to keep the band going (included in purchase; a charging cable can also be purchased separately online or at Disney Parks & Resorts retail locations)
• Smartphone/Bluetooth connectivity allowing you to customize and manage your band

What else can your MagicBand+ do?

Disney loves to add little surprises that will cause your MagicBand+ to interact and light up or buzz.

Here are just a few of what they can do:

Take on the role of a bounty hunter

MagicBand+ lets you become a bounty hunter in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park and find virtual bounties throughout Black Spire Outpost.

You can use your MagicBand+ to find numerous virtual bounties hidden throughout Black Spire Outpost.

MagicBand+ will be your guide, vibrating, and lighting up to show if you’re on the right path. Once a mission is complete, the local guild master will reward you with galactic credits.

As you search for virtual bounties, your band will light up green when you’re on the right track and red when you’re not.

While playing “Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters,” you can use the Play Disney Parks Mobile app to help reveal your virtual bounty using the built-in augmented reality thermal viewer.

Interact with the Disney Fab 50 Character Collection

Called “Disney Fab 50 Quest,” you can embark on a scavenger hunt throughout the 4 Disney World theme parks using MagicBand+ to help spread pixie dust and interact with the special gold anniversary statues.

The Play Disney Parks mobile app allows you to also keep track of the sculptures you find and unlock digital achievements.

As soon as you get close to a Fab 50 statue, your MagicBand+ will start to buzz and light up.

Then, you simply give a big wave to help “spread your pixie dust.” Your band will also light up with 50th anniversary colors and then you’ll hear a sound or message from that particular character.

Watch nighttime spectaculars in a new way

During nighttime shows, like Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom, World of Color at Disney California Adventure, and Fantasmic at Disneyland Park, your MagicBand+ lights up and complements the magic in the skies.

Use it with Alexa

While we still don’t know many details about this, MagicBand+ will work with the new “Hey Disney!” voice assistant that has been slowly making its way into the resorts at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

The two new forms of technology will be paired with supported Amazon Echo devices to enhance some “Hey Disney!” experiences.

In general, guests will be able to ask “Hey Disney!” questions about park hours, dining information, and even make specific guest service requests, like extra towels or room service.

VIDEO: Everything You Need to Know about MagicBand+

What are the differences between a regular MagicBand and MagicBand+?

MagicBand+ has the same functions as Disney World’s MagicBands, including:

• Unlock the door of your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room
• Enter any of the Disney World theme parks and water parks
• Redeem Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections
• Charge items, including food/beverages and merchandise, to your resort room (only if staying onsite
• Redeem Disney Dining Plan credits (only if staying onsite) — this service is temporarily suspended but Disney has confirmed the Disney Dining Plan will return in the future
• Link PhotoPass images to your account

The biggest differences between MagicBand+ and a regular MagicBand are:

• Pricing
• MagicBand+ features park interactions
• You have to charge the battery for MagicBand+ unlike a regular MagicBand

MagicBand+ Frequently Asked Questions

How much does MagicBand+ cost?

All guests can buy MagicBand+ at select stores across Walt Disney World and Disneyland and online at shopDisney, starting at $34.99.

There is also a discounted, pre-arrival price for Disney Resort hotel guests and also renewing Disney World Annual Passholders.

The pre-arrival discount is $10 for both resort guests and Annual Passholders.

• Solid color: $34.99 ($24.99 with pre-arrival discount for Disney resort hotel guests)
• Design: $44.99 ($34.99 with pre-arrival discount for Disney resort hotel guests)

Important: If you purchase directly through shopDisney, Passholders will not receive their discount (this is how it always is when using shopDisney) nor is there a pre-arrival discount (you must do this directly through My Disney Experience – more on this below).

How do I get a MagicBand+?

Walt Disney World

• ShopDisney (no pre-arrival discount applied if purchased through ShopDisney)
• If you have a vacation booked, purchase through your Disney Account (to get the pre-arrival discount
• At many stores across the WDW property (just keep in mind that if you buy when you are there, you’ll need to charge your band before you can use the “plus” features)

Disneyland

• ShopDisney
• At many stores across the DLR property (just keep in mind that if you buy when you are there, you’ll need to charge your band before you can use the “plus” features)

Disney Cruise Line

Note: DisneyBand+ (the name of MagicBand+ on Disney Cruise Line) is only currently available on select sailings of the Wish.

• From the My Reservations section of the Disney Cruise Line website and app between 11-45 days of your sail date (the reservation must be paid in full)

You can also buy them in person at select stores in the parks and hotels. There are more than 30 designs available.

FYI: You can make these smaller, just like original MagicBands, for kids or if you have a smaller wrist.

How do I buy a discounted MagicBand+?

Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests

Go to the Walt Disney World website, hover over “My Disney Experience” and then select “My MagicBands and Cards”

Sign into your Disney account

You’ll be redirected to the “MagicBands and Cards” page

If you have an upcoming Disney Resort hotel stay, find the reservation you want to order MagicBand+ for

Click “Edit Order”

“Select” each guest name to pick a MagicBand+. FYI: If you or another guest on your reservation don’t want a new band, after you click” select” you can “decline” one.

There are plenty of styles to choose from! The solid colors are $10 cheaper compared to the designs.

You can also customize your name, which will be printed on the backside of the band.

Once you’re done with the order, you’ll be prompted to “Proceed to Checkout”.

Here you can review your order, select your payment, check your address, and then hit “Purchase”.

And you’re done! Congratulations!

How do I get a discounted MagicBand+ as an Annual Passholder?

While Annual Passholders can purchase MagicBand+ in person (and receive a discount) or through shopDisney (discount not applied here), they can also take advantage of the pre-arrival discount just like resort guests — even if they don’t have an upcoming resort stay.

Passholders follow the same process as we’ve detailed above, but you’ll want to make sure you scroll down until you see this section:

Then, you’ll click “Get Started” or “Edit Order” and follow the same steps as above to purchase MagicBand+ with a pre-arrival discount.

Can I link a credit card to my MagicBand+?

At Disney World, you’re able to use your MagicBand+ to charge items, including food/beverages and merchandise, to your resort room (only if you’re staying onsite).

Just like with MagicBands, whatever credit card you have linked to your Disney account will automatically be connected to your MagicBand+ when paying for these select items.

At this time, Disneyland does not allow on-site guests to use their MagicBand+ for room charges.

How do I charge MagicBand+?

A rechargeable battery and 6-inch USB charging cable are included in the package. A charging cable can also be purchased separately online or at Disney Parks & Resorts retail locations.

All you have to do is snap the round piece on the back of the MagicBand+.

Then, you plug the other end into your power source.

How long does the MagicBand+ battery last?

According to Disney, “Depending on an individual’s use of the band, the battery can last an estimated 1 to 3 days.”

If you’re constantly using it and don’t turn it off at then of the day, the battery will run out fast.

We noticed turning off your MagicBand+ before bed each night helps extend battery life. You can do this by holding down the small button on the back of the band for about 6 seconds. The band will buzz three times before you see a red light and it powers off.

To turn it on, hold down the same button for about 1 second. The band will vibrate and a solid green light should appear.

What happens if my MagicBand+ batter dies?

You will have to recharge it at some point. But, even if your MagicBand+ battery is depleted, you can still use it for select functions:  

• Park entry 
• Lightning Lane entry 
• Disney Resort room entry (only at Disney World)
• Disney Resort folio charging (only at Disney World)
• Disney PhotoPass photographer interactions and certain photo touch points

Disney recommends charging your MagicBand+ once before your visit and nightly during your stay. Also, make sure you have installed the latest version of the software for optimal usage.

You can check your battery status in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps if you have paired the MagicBand+ to your mobile device.

You’ll see it either say: “Not Connected,” “Low,” “Partial,” or “Full.”

You can also press the button once on the back of the band that will show a color to report the current battery status.

Stay tuned for image!

Is MagicBand+ waterproof?

Yes, just like MagicBands, MagicBand+ is also waterproof.

Can you still use a regular MagicBand?

Current MagicBands are still available at Disney World and will continue to be alongside the launch of MagicBand+. The same can also be said for MagicMobile at Disney World.

How do I add a MagicBand+ to my account?

Walt Disney World

If you purchase MagicBand+, there is a way to set it up and link it to your Disney account in the My Disney Experience app

STEP 1: Open up the My Disney Experience app (make sure you’re logged in), tap the 3 lines in the bottom corner and scroll until you see “MagicBands and More.”

STEP 2: Click on “Link your MagicBand or Card.”

STEP 3: Make sure “Tap” is highlighted and then click “Open Scanner” at the bottom.

Don’t forget to assign the MagicBand+ to the correct guest.

STEP 4: Then, you can scan your MagicBand+.

But, you need to also make sure your band is turned on by pressing the button on the back once (hold down for 3 seconds) — and then you can tap it your phone.

STEP 5: Your MagicBand+ isn’t fully linked until you see “Pairing Complete.”

STEP 6: You can then add another MagicBand+ or update your band, if needed.

If there’s an update, you’ll see a message as follows, which reads: “MagicBand+ requires 60% or more battery power to complete a software update. Please charge your band prior to completing this update.”

You can also manage multiple MagicBands (both regular and +) from one Disney account in the My Disney Experience app

STEP 1: Navigate to “MagicBands and More.” Here you can view your managed guests.

STEP 3: If a Guest’s MagicBand+ is not set up yet, you can do so here by tapping on the 3 dots and clicking “Manage”.

STEP 4: You can adjust your managed guests’ MagicBand+ settings, check battery status, and more! If you want to link to another person’s MagicBand+, just pair it like normal.

Important: Once a MagicBand+, MagicBand or card is linked to your Disney account, it cannot be transferred to another person for use at the Walt Disney World Resort.

You can even customize your MagicBand+ by choosing a custom light up theme and more

STEP 1: Navigate to “MagicBands and More.” Swipe to the band you want to customize. You’ll want to confirm that your MagicBand+ is charged and up to date. Then, click “Change Color.”

STEP 2: Here, you can choose a custom light up theme. The front of the band lights up as you select each color scheme so you can preview the theme before officially deciding.

Here is Blue:

Here is Orange:

Here is Fireworks:

STEP 3: You can also adjust the vibration and motion recognition settings. Click “Change” next to “Settings”.

Then, you can alter the settings however you wish.

Disneyland

If you purchase MagicBand+, there is a way to set it up and link it to your Disney account in the Disneyland app

Stay tuned for step-by-step details.

You can also manage multiple MagicBand+ from one Disney account in the Disneyland app

Stay tuned for step-by-step details.

VIDEO: How to Set Up MagicBand+

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Do you have MagicBand+? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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Heather Thomas

With 15+ years planning Disney World trips, Heather joined WDW Prep in 2014 to help others plan for their own families. As the WDW Prep Editor, she travels monthly to stay current and has helped propel the site to millions of views per year. Email Heather

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