Magic Band, Or No Magic Band?

I love my Magic Band so when Disney discontinued the complimentary Magic Bands in 2021 I wondered do I really still need one? Our trip in April was a test of "do we really need a Magic Band anymore?” Spoiler Alert the answer was a resounding YES!

Why am I on Team Magic Band!?

I USED IT THE MINUTE I LANDED IN ORLANDO. 

• From the very beginning of the trip I scanned my Magic Band to hop on the Magical Express.

IT WAS A MAJOR TIMESAVER.

• I loved not having to dig for my ID and confirmation number at the Disney's Magical Express check-in desk. 
• Upon arrival at our resort, we were able to save more time and bypassed the front desk and unlocked our room using our Magic Bands. After a day of travel you just want access to your hotel room! 
• I scanned into Disney's theme parks using my Magic Band too. Quick. Easy. Efficient! And NO DIGGING for cards or rushing to get the My Disney Experience app pulled up to scan my ticket. 
• As we walked up Main Street USA we made sure to stop for that coveted first photo in front of Cinderella's castle with a PhotoPass Photographer. The photographer was able to quickly scan my Magic Band to connect our pictures to our account. And we were quickly on our way!
• One distinct perk of Magic Bands is the feature to charge purchases back to a credit card on file at your on-site Disney resort. It makes buying a Mickey Bar or water so easy without having to pull out a wallet. This is one of the features I miss especially when I am home and the grocery store does not accept Magic Bands. Reentry to the real world is definitely hard!

I was really surprised just how much I relied on my Magic Band and how much I used it throughout the day. It was a lot. 

KEEPS IT SIMPLE. LESS TECHNOLOGY TO FAIL. 

• I witnessed multiple times guests struggling with finding a phone or digging around for their Photo pass card. With a Magic Band everything was always right at my wrist and let me be hands free in the parks. This made me truly appreciate the Magic Band and totally justified the price. 
• Magic Bands don’t require charging so I was not worried about having to charge them every night or if they would lose charge during the day. It was a nice break from the phone screen and I could preserve my phone battery for other tasks. 

THERE ARE SO MANY FUN MAGIC BAND OPTIONS.

• I love how many different colors and options Disney has for Magic Bands now. Our family has a range of Magic Band themes from Classic Minnie Ears to Star Wars on our wrists. Whatever ride you love or character you fancy there is probably a Magic Band that is perfect for you. 

Can you have a wonderful trip without Magic Bands? Of course, and we can help navigate that for you if that’s your choice. I found myself being so thankful for my Magic Band and it made my vacation extra magical.

Amy Shinlever, Enchanted Planner

As a little girl Amy developed a lifelong love for Disney Parks! As a mother of two the entire family has become addicted to Walt Disney World—and may be known to do family Disney costumes from time-to-time. Amy has been helping friend and family plan trips to Disney Parks for years and is now taking that passion to Whitney World Travel. Amy lives in Dublin, Ohio with her husband and two children and is a proud graduate of the University of Tennessee. Go Vols!