Welcome to planDisney, Jessica!
You've asked a great question. I'm sure many fellow Guests are wondering the same thing. So let me do my best to give you a helpful answer.
Walt Disney World Resort has a service called
Disney MagicMobile, which allows you to enjoy convenient and contactless access to most
MagicBand+ features, such as theme park entry. Guests can access the Disney MagicMobile Service using their digital services, including Apple iPhone and even Apple Watch. MagicMobile is also free (a truly magical word!), whereas MagicBand+ is something you need to purchase.
There are a couple of advantages to using a MagicBand+ over the MagcMobile service.
- MagicBand+ is simpler to use than an Apple iPhone because you don't have to worry about locating your phone every time you need to enter a park, scan into an attraction, get a Disney PhotoPass, open your hotel room door, pay for souvenirs, etc.
- MagicBand+ is waterproof and can be worn at the Disney Water Parks or on water rides without the concern of it being damaged.
- MagicBand+ comes in a variety of amazing designs. Choosing your favorite one is a fun way to add to the magic of your vacation.
- MagicBand+ can unlock special interactions within the Disney parks. For example, you can use your MagicBand+ to seek virtual bounties throughout Black Spire Outpost by playing Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters! You can also experience really cool features, like haptic vibrations and colorful lights during nighttime spectaculars.
So it all depends on what's important to you, Jessica. Personally, I own an Apple iPhone and an Apple Watch. However, I also own a MagicBand+ so that I can access the advantages I mentioned above. I hope that information is clarifying. Thanks so much for stopping by planDisney.
Mike