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MagicBands have launched at Disneyland! MagicBand+ is the newest technology to launch at Disneyland Resort but do you really need them? And what can they actually do?
The highlights:
- MagicBand+ is an RFID wristband
- MagicBand+ is completely optional
- MagicBand+ offers a tap to access for Lightning Lane, Photopass, and park entry
- MagicBand+ offers a unique game in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge
- Unlike Walt Disney World, you cannot use MagicBand as a room key or charge to room option
- MagicBand+ works at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World
- MagicBand+ is active at Disneyland and available to purchase in-park or online at shopDisney.com
MAGICBAND+ debuted for all guests at Disneyland October 26, 2022.
Disneyland guests can now utilize MagicBand+ at the resort. What are the bands used for at Disneyland? Are MagicBands required? How much do MagicBands at Disneyland cost?
A big “thank you” to my partners at Get Away Today for supplying me with MagicBands to aid in visuals for this article. As a note, some of the photos in this article depict MagicBand2 which is not supported at Disneyland Resort.
You can book your discount Disneyland vacations with them using my link and code ThisCrazy10 (code available for hotel stays of 2 nights or more). Get Away Today offers discount Disneyland tickets, free hotel nights, and more!
MagicBands Are At Disneyland! Here is Everything You Need to Know!
MagicBand+ debuted at Disneyland on October 26, 2022
With new technology, comes a new learning curve, so read on to get all of your questions answered, and of course, we will have updated tutorials as they are released.
Planning to visit Disneyland in 2024?
Disneyland has released its calendar for celebrations and seasons.
What Are MagicBands?
MagicBands are a device that includes an NFC chip. This chip contains data linked to your Disneyland App Account (or the My Disney Experience app for Walt Disney World).
You might compare them to using Apple or Google Pay on your smartwatch. It can store the information in your Disneyland App, including your electronic room key, ticket information, etc. Not all of these functions work at Disneyland yet, but we hope they will soon.
What are MagicBands+?
MagicBands+ are the next generation (generation 3.0) of MagicBands. MagicBands+ will interact with the park in new ways. This includes lighting up or vibrating when you are in a certain area, during shows, etc.
Does Disneyland Use MagicBands?
Disneyland has now begun using MagicBand+ in the parks. While the rollout began in October 2022, the technology has been in place at Disneyland with the new Lightning Lane scanners that came with MaxPass (now Genie+).
Where Can I Get MagicBand+ Bands For My Disneyland Vacation
You are able to purchase MagicBand+ Bands at multiple locations including:
- Downtown Disney District: World of Disney, Disney’s Pin Traders
- Disneyland park: Emporium, Pioneer Mercantile, Tomorrow Landing (reopening Oct. 26)
- Disney California Adventure park: Elias & Co., Trolley Treats, Oswald’s, Seaside Souvenirs
- Hotels of the Disneyland Resort: Disney’s Fantasia Shop, Mickey in Paradise, Acorns Gifts & Goods
- Online at ShopDisney
Planning to visit Disneyland in 2024?
Disneyland has released its calendar for celebrations and seasons.
How To Set Up MagicBand+ For Your Disneyland Vacation
It is fairly easy to set up your MagicBand+.
Once your MagicBand+ is in hand, follow these three simple steps to set it up:
Step 1: Power on MagicBand+ by pressing on the button on the back once and tap the band to the back of your phone.
Step 2: You’ll be directed to open or download the Disneyland app.*
Step 3: Follow the instructions in the Disneyland app to link the MagicBand+ to your Disney account, assign it to your ticket or pass and pair it to your smartphon
What Do MagicBands+ Do At Disneyland?
While we do not have all of the details yet, here is what we expect MagicBands+ to be capable of doing at Disneyland. If it has been confirmed, I have noted this.
- Unlocking your Disneyland Resort Hotel door – (CONFIRMED…eventually, not yet available)
- Allow you to scan into Lightning Lanes during your return time (CONFIRMED)
- Allow you to scan into the park using the MagicBand in place of your paper ticket or the Disneyland App (CONFIRMED)
- Allow you to redeem a return time with the Disability Access Service (CONFIRMED)
- Tap to add photopass photos to your Disneyland account (CONFIRMED)
- Unlock magical experiences like the Play Disney Parks App currently does (CONFIRMED) – See the two images below for information on Batuu Bounty Hunters
Here are other things we hope MagicBands will be able to do at Disneyland in the future
- Auto-detection of MagicBands to automatically add ride photos to your Disneyland App
- Tap to access your Mobile order at the pickup window
- Vibrate to notify you of a Disneyland App notification (return times, mobile order ready, etc)
Are MagicBands Required at Disneyland?
MagicBands+ will not be required at Disneyland. They are not required at Walt Disney World either.
The Disneyland App on your phone will continue to be a free option for guests to use in place of MagicBands+ to unlock most of these same benefits.
The benefit of MagicBands is that it *may* save your phone battery, and be easier to scan than pulling out your phone.
MagicBands+ at Disneyland will be completely optional.
Do MagicBands cost Extra Money at Disneyland?
Yes.
MagicBands will cost extra. Walt Disney World no longer includes free MagicBands for guests (and hasn’t for several years). At Disneyland, they will be an additional charge from the beginning.
MagicBand+ tends to start around $35 for plain-colored ones. Themed ones run around $40-55. When I went to purchase, the top price was $54.99
Will my Walt Disney World MagicBand Work At Disneyland?
MagicBand+ will work on both coasts. Original MagicBand and MagicBand2 will not work at Disneyland.
Are there Different Sizes of MagicBands?
The MagicBands are purchased in one size, but have a part that can be removed to fit smaller wrists. Think of it as when you buy shoe insoles that fit a wide variety of sizes, and you trim them down.
How Long Does The MagicBand+ Battery Last? How Long Do They Take To Charge?
The battery life should last you 1-3 days depending on how often you use it, and for what actions.
If you spend the entire day bounty hunting in Batuu, your battery will get used up by the end of the day.
However, if you are simply using it to scan into Lightning Lanes and the parks, and to access Photopass Photos, it should last you at least 2 days.
The good thing is the charger is included with each MagicBand+ purchase and they can easily charge overnight. I recently charged one at home and it only took a few hours.
Are you excited for MagicBands+ at Disneyland? Let me know in the comments.
Yes staying in resort property…beginning of October. Hope they’ll be available
I will keep my fingers crossed for you!
If I have all my families tickets linked to my app will I be able to activate each magicband to their respective ticket holders through just my app? Like for kids etc.
YES! You can see in the flow chart from Disney where you choose which ticket to link.
Any word on pre-arrival pricing for those staying at Disneyland property? We have a late November check-in. I do not want a resort pickup – was a mess the one time we did that at WDW. Want them sent to our home in advance for programming. Thanks!
No discounts for onsite guests. You can order MagicBand+ now via ShopDisney to have them arrive and link them before your trip.
When will magicband+ work properly with Disneyland app on my android phone? It says not connected, so I cannot adjust any settings or check battery. It is linked to my account & paired to my Bluetooth.
I have an Android and was able to hook my MagicBand+ up no problem. Do you already have it linked to a ticket, etc for WDW?
Other than that, I would reach out to Disney for help.
Do I need a Magic Key for a Magic Band to work?
Nope! You attach it to a regular park ticket, or a Magic Key.
What’s the alternative to MagicBands at Disneyland? At WDW we had to use the MagicMobile Pass in the WDW app to be able to get our tickets and Genie+ reservations processed by the contactless readers. But I don’t see that in the Disneyland app. Do they not only on the contactless readers at Disneyland? Do they just scan the ticket barcodes “the old fashioned way” in the app to enter the parks and enter lightning lanes? T ahsnk!
The alternative is using the Disneyland App and/or your paper ticket.