A UK Disney Guide to Magic Bands

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World from the UK, odds on you’ve probably come across someone talking about Magic Bands. From Tik Toks to Instagram to blogs like this one, people are offering up opinions. But here’s the thing, in the UK people new to Disney World haven’t seen a Magic Band. It’s yet another jargon term that sounds oddly appealing. So if you have been left considering what on earth a Magic Band is and whether you really do need a Magic Band for Disney, this is for you.

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In this post you’ll find a good overview of exactly what a Magic Band is as well as my own short review of life with a Magic Band. If you’re looking to find out whether the Magic Band is value for money or if you should buy one when your staying offsite check out these other articles:

• The True Cost and Value of Magic Band for UK Visitors

• Is It Worth Buying A Magic Band When Staying Offsite

• How Can I Buy A Magic Band in the UK?

What Is A Magic Band?

First off, let’s clear up exactly what a Magic Band is. A Disney Magic Band, or newer Magic Band+ is a wrist band that looks like a watch without a clock face. In the place of the watch face is a coloured piece of plastic with an RFID chip in it that you can link to your ticket, or room if you are staying on site.

Magic Bands are pretty bracelets that bring a little extra convenience to your Disney World holiday. Here are the conveniences that Magic Bands give you once linked to your ticket:

• They act as your ticket into the parks. Tap your Magic Band instead of the ticket.

• Use them to enter Lightning Lanes you have booked

• Use them to claim Photo Pass photos taken by photographers around the park and for on-ride photos.

Magic Band+ added perk:

• Magic Band+ will light-up and vibrate during Happily Ever After in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT’s Luminous: Symphony of Us, and Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios.

• Interacts with the gold statues in the 4 Walt Disney World parks causing the statues to respond with a sound.

• Interacts with special features around Battu in Hollywood Studios, (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge).

If you stay on site in a Disney Resort, your Magic Band and Magic Band+ can also be used:

• As your room key.

• To pay for items around the park by tapping and entering your unique pin code.

• It will raise the barriers at your resort car park if you have a hire car.

What’s the difference between a Magic Band and a Magic Band+?

Magic Bands originally came out on 7th January 2013, and the Magic Band has less features than the Magic Band+. The Magic Band+ is the generation of Magic Bands that Disney World released later to offer more interactive features. Both the second and third generation Magic Band+ is the version of Magic Band you will find on sale in most Disney World stores today. The Magic Band has become increasingly tricky to find.

What Are The Alternatives To A Magic Band?

A Magic Band is not an essential purchase. I would call it a stylish add-on that makes every day things at a Disney Resort easier. It’s on your wrist and removes the panicked pat down as you look for your ticket to do things. With that said, the alternatives to a Magic Band are free and part of your ticket price. The alternatives are:

• Use a physical card ticket to do everything the Magic Band can do apart from pay for things, interact with statues and shows.

• Use your phone which has your park e-ticket and any Lightning Lane purchases in the My Disney Experience App. It will do everything a Magic Band does except interact during shows and at features in the park.

• Use an Apple watch if you have one. It will do everything a Magic Band does except interact during shows and at features in the park.

If you want a plastic ticket you can get your card version at guest services in any of the parks. This card is the same size as a credit card and can be worn in a plastic cover on a lanyard around your neck if you want. This is another cheaper way to bring convenience to using your Disney World ticket that is available in the UK at a much lower price, and just as effective.

Where do I buy a Magic Band?

Buying a new Magic Band of any type is not possible in the UK. You need to get your Magic Band in the USA. You can buy a Magic Band second hand from places like Vinted, but you have no guarantee it will work. There are several ways to buy a Magic Band in the US. There are stores where you can buy the Magic Band+ all around Walt Disney World resort, including in the hotels and at the parks.

How Much Do Magic Bands Cost?

Magic Bands were originally free to Walt Disney World guests, but since January 2021 Disney World visitors have had to purchase a Magic Band if they want one. Today, a Magic Band+ will set your back $34.99, plus tax, for the plain version. That works out at around £28-30 depending on the exchange rate when you visit.

The cost of buying Magic Bands can soon add up, especially if you are a family of four. So if you are travelling on a budget, or you just like to get value for your money, this may not be the purchase for you.

My Experience of the Magic Band

As someone who always has a budget in mind, a Magic Band was not a purchase I thought I would ever make. I deemed them an unnecessary and frivolous purchase that could never be worth the cost. But when I came across a Bo-Peep Magic Band in a Disney Outlet for $9.99 (plus Tax) when I was staying in the Toy Story area of All Star Movies my resolution changed immediately. For the price of a Starbucks, and as someone with 15 days in a Disney Resort left I decided to give it a go. In short, that little band changed my perspective.

My £7.50 investment opened my eyes. I was surprised by how much I used it day-to-day and at the difference it made to my stress spikes. As someone who is naturally clumsy, hello randomly falling over and gets stressed when they can’t find things this band helped.

Opening the door to my room with refilled cups was suddenly so much smoother. No more faffing having to put drinks down on the floor as I randomly rummaged in my bumbag looking or the room card thinking it had turned into Mary Poppin’s bag. I just angled my wrist, tapped, and it was unlocked. Much easier.

By far the most stress relieving aspect of the Magic Band was the ability to use it to lift the barrier in the car park. It made coming home so much easier. Simply put the band to the barrier scanner and you’re in. So much easier than looking for the ticket, realising the bag is in the boot, grumbling at everyone in the car, then deciding to join the queue to go through via the security guard instead.

When it came to entering the parks, it didn’t make that much of a difference. It was easier for Photo Pass pictures, but would I place a £30 price tag on that convenience if I was staying off site? No, I wouldn’t. I loved it for staying on site, but if I was staying off site, I wouldn’t bother at full price. For a little over £5, go on then. And kids definitely enjoy the perks of the Magic Band+ and interacting with the statues, although we have found that a bit patchy to get working.

Overall, I love the convenience and I think the outlet price tag is fair for the amount I have used the band. It didn’t rub and it has worked on many visits. I could never justify a $50 price tag for the patterned and limited edition Magic Band+, no matter how much I love the design. The value probably isn’t there is you stay off site and don’t plan to visit the Disney Parks much. For the convenience it provides when you stay on site, I would definitely suggest buying one.

Should You Budget For A Magic Band+?

It’s a personal choice. A Magic Band definitely makes Disney life easier, especially when you stay in an on site hotel. People who could benefit the most from a Magic Band+:

• Families..

• Anyone who gets easily overwhelmed, flummoxed or anxious.

• Want to spend less time on your phone, or will worry about phone battery running out.

• If you often loose your keys or card, perhaps consider a Magic Band.

• People staying on site, especially with a hire car.

• Regular Disney World visitors who stay on site.

Frequently Asked Magic Band Questions

Can off site visitors buy Magic Bands?

Anyone can buy a Magic Band. Off site visitors may not find as much value in a Magic Band as those staying on site. Your Magic Band will link to your ticket and provide easier access to the park, Lightning Lanes, and Photo Pass pictures.

Is Magic Band+ reusable?

Yes, the Magic Band+ is reusable and is fitted with a rechargeable battery.