Magic Bands

[TheBigErn]

I'm confused as to whether magic bands are free or need to be purchased. We are arriving at SSR for one night in November before our cruise. We ordered the MBs months ago. I received and email a while back indicating the MBs were on their way. But now I'm reading that MBs are no longer free and must be purchased. Please set me straight. Did I grandfather in before they became no longer free?

 

[jcarwash]

Magic Bands are no longer free. This went into effect earlier this year, for arrivals after January 1, 2021.

 

[Robo]

Keep in mind...
1. If you have any MBs from previous trips for all in your party, they will (automatically) continue to work.
2. You do not actually "need" any MBs to operate at WDW in the parks, resorts and Disney Springs.

 

[FrostyNaples]

I'm confused as to whether magic bands are free or need to be purchased. We are arriving at SSR for one night in November before our cruise. We ordered the MBs months ago. I received and email a while back indicating the MBs were on their way. But now I'm reading that MBs are no longer free and must be purchased. Please set me straight. Did I grandfather in before they became no longer free?

If you processed your order through to completion without a credit card "months ago", then that was the old free resort bands. Did you select it to be shipped to you? Or resort pickup? Your order confirmation of the bands will have your details.

 

[TheBigErn]

If you processed your order through to completion without a credit card "months ago", then that was the old free resort bands. Did you select it to be shipped to you? Or resort pickup? Your order confirmation of the bands will have your details.

Shipped.

 

[FrostyNaples]

Shipped.

You should see some kind of Magic Band status of your order in MDE - A tracking number usually jumps up as a new MDE notification as well so you can follow the progress of the shipping carrier

 

[nickmiller70]

Keep in mind...
1. If you have any MBs from previous trips for all in your party, they will (automatically) continue to work.
2. You do not actually "need" any MBs to operate at WDW in the parks, resorts and Disney Springs.

Say more things about this. I've heard you can load your park tickets through Apple Wallet and use phone/watch. Does this work with all things Magic Band? Like charging to your room, unlocking your room, etc. Last time we were there (2019) we tried to use the app to unlock the door a couple times and it was unreliable at best. We have bands and could use them again, but I'd rather not make the kids wear them if I don't have to.

 

[FrostyNaples]

Say more things about this. I've heard you can load your park tickets through Apple Wallet and use phone/watch. Does this work with all things Magic Band? Like charging to your room, unlocking your room, etc. Last time we were there (2019) we tried to use the app to unlock the door a couple times and it was unreliable at best. We have bands and could use them again, but I'd rather not make the kids wear them if I don't have to.

At this moment, it's for park entry only - those other "magic band" features though, will trickle into the Disney MagicMobile

 

[bffer]

It also depends on when you originally made the trip. Our Magic Bands are free because we booked our original trip in January 2020 and then we rescheduled to this year. It's also the reason why Disney is still handling our air reservations for us even though they no longer do that either.