This Girl Travels

To Explore, Inform & Inspire!

  • Travel
    • Family Travel
    • Hotels
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Girlfriend Getaways
    • Adventure
    • Theme Parks
  • Destinations
    • USA
    • Disney
    • Caribbean
    • Canada
    • Mexico
    • Europe
    • Asia
  • Cruises
  • Weddings/Honeymoons
    • Destination Weddings
    • Honeymoons
  • Product Reviews
    • Car Reviews
    • Travel Gear
    • Travel Apparel
  • Blog
  • 100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • About Karon
    • Contributing Writers
  • Media Kit

Disney’s Magic Bands: What are they and how do I get one?

By Stephanie McCarty

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World in the near future, you’ve likely heard about Magic Bands, but may be wondering what they are.

Magic Bands

photo credit: disneyworld.disney.go.com

These colorful wristbands are more than just a bracelet with the iconic mouse ears on it. The bands are an all-in-one-device, designed to allow you to connect several aspects of your vacation, and store them in one easy place.

Magic Bands are currently in “testing phase,” available only to those guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Before we talk about all the things the bands can do, we should talk about how to get them. The first step is to set up an account, if you don’t have one already, with MyDisneyExperience.com. Note: if you have ever set up an account with Disney or one of its affiliates (even ESPN or Club Penguin) then you’ll use the same email address to log into your My Disney Experience (MDE) account.

Once your account is set up, you will be able to view any upcoming resort reservations, or use the confirmation number to link one if the reservation does not already appear there. This account will become your Disney home base, and can even be accessed on your smartphone with the MDE app.

MDE mobile devices

photo credit: disneyworld.disney.go.com

You will use this account to set up your very own personalized Disney vacation. You will be able to make dining reservations (180 days prior to the reservation date; Disney resort guests can make reservations for their entire vacation 180 days prior to arrival date) and view them in your account; share your plans with family and friends; and even make reservations for select rides and attractions before you even leave home, with the new Fast Pass Plus (FP+) feature.

Once you are eligible (currently only guests staying at a Disney resort) you may be notified, or you may find out by logging into My Disney Experience. When it’s time, you will be able to customize your MagicBands and choose a different color for each member of your party, if you’d like. Usually this happens around 30-60 days prior to travel, and the bands are shipped directly to you a few weeks before you leave. If you don’t customize the bands, Disney Resort guests will be issued standard gray MagicBands upon arrival at the resort. The bands are made of Croc-like material, which can be accessorized if you so choose. Wraps and accessories, made especially for the bands, are sold throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

Magic Bands Incredibles box

Disney calls MagicBands, “your key to a carefree visit,” and they will definitely allow you to travel lighter. MagicBands are equipped with RFID technology, and can be used as your room key, park ticket, boarding pass for Disney’s Magical Express ground transportation, to access Disney Dining Plan credits, and charge food and merchandise to your room, if you choose.

One of the most popular features of the bands is using them as your ticket to return to rides that are scheduled in advance, with the new FastPass+ system.

So, what is FastPass+ and how does it work? For many years, guests at Disney theme parks have used Disney’s FastPass service, to enjoy popular attractions, without the long waits. Guest visit kiosks throughout the parks, insert their park admission tickets, and then receive a ticket with a scheduled return time. This has been very popular, allowing guests to return to the ride with a shorter wait time, bypassing longer standby lines.

FastPass+ makes it even easier allowing guests to schedule 3 rides per day (at one park) right through their MDE accounts, before they even leave home! Eligible guests (currently those staying at a Disney resort hotel), can log into their account and make selections for rides and attractions, character greetings, entertainment and some parades and firework shows.

If you aren’t sure where to start, you can use the “FastPicks” recommendations to add multiple options, and update your selections at any time, from home, or even in the parks, with the My Disney Experience mobile app. Traveling with another party? You can secure the same FP+ return times for everyone in your group by connecting to them with the Family & Friends feature in My Disney Experience.

Once your selections have been made, they will be displayed in the daily plans in your account. When you’re at the park, and it’s time for your scheduled ride or attraction, you will go to the FP+ entrance during your return window to enter the queue.

Magic Bands FP return

photo credit: disneyworld.disney.go.com

This service is free, and included in park admission.

Over the coming months, this service is being tested with Disney Resort hotel guests only. The same-day FastPass service will still be available for all other guests.

Coming Next Time: My personal experience with MagicBands and FastPass+

Want to plan a Disney vacation, but not sure where to start? Let Stephanie do the work, while you have the fun! As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner with MickeyTravels LLC, Stephanie can help with all aspects of your vacation planning for ANY Disney destination – land or sea! Planning services and no-obligation quotes are always FREE!

MickeyTravelsLogo - Copy

“Making Magic One Vacation at a Time…”

1-888-960-1250 (direct)
stephanie@mickeytravels.com |  www.mickeytravels.com www.facebook.com/MickeyTravelsStephanie

Share this Post!

Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share on Pinterest Feed

Filed Under: Disney, Theme Parks Tagged With: Disney's Magic Bands: What are they and how do I get one?, Disney's Magical Express, Fast Pass Plus, Magic Bands, My Disney Experience, Paula Schmitt, Stephanie McCarty, This Girl Travels, Travel, Walt Disney World

About Stephanie McCarty

Stephanie is a mom, writer, and Disney vacation planner. She is excited to bring her love of writing, and Disney, together in This Girl Dreams, devoted to all things Disney. She currently lives in Ohio with her husband and 2 young daughters, but grew up in Florida, where her enthusiasm for Disney began at a young age.

Stephanie has a passion for planning Disney vacations, and loves helping others make their Disney dreams come true! She can book all Disney destinations, and her planning services are FREE!

Follow This Girl!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Post Archives

Join TGT & Don’t Miss a Thing!

Enter your email address to receive weekly updates from our blog.

We will never spam you or share your email address.

Twitter: thisgrltravels

  • Thankful to @ChereCoen for this fantastic profile of me & “100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains Before Y… https://t.co/FB53W0lsxY 09:30:10 AM March 22, 2023 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • TODAY! Get 30% off “100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains Before You Die” by ordering direct from… https://t.co/Wsl3QbJSM0 01:48:45 PM March 14, 2023 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • RT @karonwarren: Today is #ReadAcrossAmerica Day, making it a great time to order & read “100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains B… 05:08:04 PM March 02, 2023 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • RT @CarnivalPR: Carnival Cruise Line Expands Popular Europe Offerings in 2024: https://t.co/ikvfO0QUOp https://t.co/cWRrSJ4UTF 03:16:20 PM March 02, 2023 from TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • RT @CarnivalPR: Carnival Cruise Line Adding Fourth Ship to Galveston, Offering Longer Cruises With Carnival Miracle: https://t.co/ngVIml5ki… 03:15:20 PM March 02, 2023 from TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite
@thisgrltravels

This Girl Travels Copyright © 2023