Do you need a Magic Band at Walt Disney World?
Do you need a magic band? Welp, it is really up to you. If you are asking for my opinion, I say YES! But, it is your decision, so let me give you ALL the info to make the best choice for your family.
Magic Bands
What are Magic Bands, Key to the World Cards, and Magic Mobile?
Magic Bands are adjustable, waterproof wristbands with a small (RF) chip inside. They come in multiple designs, from solid colors to specialty patterns.
Key to the World Cards are plastic hotel style cards that are free at the front desk. Since the introduction of Magic Bands, these are not used as frequently. However, now that Magic Bands are no longer free, I see these making a comeback.
Magic Mobile is a contactless way to access MagicBand features from your phone (or Apple Watch.)
What do these do?
Access your Lightning Lane reservations
Add Disney PhotoPass pictures to your account
Charge purchases and dining back to your resort hotel
Enter theme parks (as long as you’ve purchased a ticket, of course, AND made park reservations.)
Redeem Disney Dining Plan credits (when they return, hopefully, one day…I miss them!)
Unlock your resort hotel room
The only time we use Magic Mobile is when we head to the water parks. Our magic bands are waterproof, but we stick together with so many little kids. We do not have to worry about anyone losing their band in the water this way.
ProTip: Our daughter has TINY fingers, and it can be frustrating for the scanner to pick up her print. My husband uses his fingerprint for her entry into the park.
Key to the World Card
Magic Mobile Room Key
FYI: Make sure your magic band is linked to your photo pass. Not only does your magic band get picked up on rides for photos, but sometimes it gets picked up, and you will spot your name located in rides such as It’s a Small World! This happened to me in our January 2022 trip!
How do I access each of these?
Magic Bands: They are no longer free. The old ones are said to have an average life span of two years, but we can use some as old as 2018. However on our last trip in January 2022, it seemed the battery was starting to die. Ask the front desk to help you check to see if the battery is still working.
Back to how you get the bands…
Resort Guests: You can purchase them on your My Disney Experience app. I recommend doing it early as they tend to sell out of the single color bands that only sell for $10 (as of March 2022, this is true.) When you order magic bands from the MDE app or Mydisneyexperience.com, they come in a nondescript white box and you have the option to personalize them.
You can also purchase them on ShopDisney.com and at the resort. They are significantly more expensive, but they have so many cute designs! These bands will arrive in a blue Shop Disney bag.
Off-site Guests: Your only option is to purchase online at Shopdisney.com, the Parks, or Disney Springs at World of Disney. People sell magic bands on eBay, but I get nervous about buying them from eBay. However, eBay does have a guarantee, so you should be fine. Link them immediately to your park tickets to ensure they work.
Key to the World Cards: These cards are received once you check into your Disney resort. Head to the front desk and request one for each person in your party. If you plan to use these free cards, bring a black sharpie with you in case some people get the same cards. This way, you can label the name on the back of each of the cards. You will thank me when it comes to scanning into the parks' tapstiles.
Magic Mobile: Is located in your MDE app on your phone and you can like your Apple IWatch to become you magicband.
what other options do I have?
Slap Bracelets - Our family favorite for the kiddos! They are perfect for tiny wrists. The online selection is pretty limited, but the resorts and World of Disney at Disney Springs have an excellent selection.
Magic Keepers - no longer available online at Shop Disney, but I did see these are the park & resort stores. You can also find these on eBay.
Magic Puck Keepers - My husband attempted to use Magic Mobile through his apple watch. The tech is not there, yet. He could not get into our room, but he could get into the parks. He used a magic puck keeper to still have access to his magic band fob.
Gizmo Smart Watch - My older kids now wear Gizmo smartwatches to the parks, they take the Magic Keeper from the slap bracelets and put it on their watches, and it works out great!
How to make a traditional magic band fit a child’s wrist
ProTip: Order Magic Band Protectors, it extra security to keep those magic bands on littler wrists.
First, pick the magic band assigned to your child or that you want your child to use.
The gray portion of the band will peel off to make it a smaller band for the children.
Apply pressure to separate the gray piece from the magic band.
Gently continue to pull the gray rubber piece off the band.
Pull the rest of the gray piece off, and the Magic Band for the child with only be the graphic.
You can see the size difference between the child and adult bands.Ordering Magic Bands from MDE
My Disney Experience will also have Magic Bands that are not available on Shop Disney. When you order for MDE the bands will come assigned to each person, you can even add personalization with each persons name on the interior of the band on the magic puck.
Radio Frequent Cards (RF CARDS)
Not staying at a Disney Resort? But still want an economical option. You can head to Disney Springs Ticket Center the day before your first park day ad pick up a Radio Frequency Card aka RF Card. The Ticket Center is located near welcome center is close to D-Luxe Burger and Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza. Its in between the lime and orange garage.
Next Steps
Now it is up to decide which option is best for your family. Are you leaning toward the free Key to the World Cards, or are you ready to splurge on custom design magic bands for each person in your party.
My one piece of advice is whichever option you go with, just make sure it's an option that allows everyone to have individual access to their park ticket if you plan on using Lightning Lanes. Most attractions require TWO tap-ins to the tapstiles, one at the entire attraction and one at the entrance to the action ride. If you are using magic mobile and all the kids are only on one device, you will have to take that device with you to ride the ride. We learned this the hard way when my daughter was only logged onto my husband's phone, during a Rider Switch situation, I had to take his phone with me to tap into the ride.
Read our full review of the new MagicBand+ plus here.
Let us know in the comments which option you decided to pick for your family, we want to know!
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