Hello Merlyn!
Welcome back to planDisney! I love using my MagicBand when in Walt Disney World. It's so convenient and I love having a few designs to coordinate with my outfits!
A benefit of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel is that you can pre-order a
MagicBand or MagicBand+ at a discounted rate before. You can use these bands to make purchases, enter the parks, and check into any Lightning Lane entrances and they are waterproof! I never take them off and wish I could use them in my regular life outside of Walt Disney World.
Now, I usually prefer pre-ordering my MagicBand or MagicBand+ for the discounted rate but sometimes I don't always find a design that I love or I run out of time. It has to be ordered no less than 11 days before your trip so that you can get it in time. Sometimes up to 6 days in advance you can still preorder a MagicBand but it will be sent to your Walt Disney Resort front desk awaiting your arrival. If you are less than six days out you can purchase on-site in the Parks. MagicBands and the new
MagicBand+ are available at a ton of retail outlets in Walt Disney World. This includes your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel,
Disney Springs, and every Park! You can even buy a MagicBand at the Disney store at Orlando International Airport as soon as you arrive! I have strangely always had good luck at the Disney store at the airport for a variety of merchandise.
Unfortunately, MagicBands are not going to be discounted as they would be if you pre-ordered but you will find that your selection could be even greater than what was offered online. If you wish to use it right away just go to your
My Disney Experience app, click on the three lines on the bottom right to open up more menu options, select "MagicBands and More", and then select "Link your MagicBand or Card." From here you will have a variety of ways to connect your new MagicBand or MagicBand+ to your account or to any guest you manage in your
Family & Friends. If you purchase a MagicBand+ you will need to
fully charge the band to fully access all of the features. But don't worry, if this band gets down to 0% charge it will still function like a regular MagicBand and let you enter the Parks and tap into Lightning Lanes. I recommend having a portable charger that you can use for your phone and your MagicBand+ if you end up going that route. Everyone in my family except for me has a MagicBand+ as I am very picky about the design which is why I know you can find it in so many stores as I have been hunting.
I hope this helps and I hope you find something that you can use for all your upcoming vacations to Walt Disney World! Oh, the new MagicBand+ also works at
Disneyland Resort in California so if you are planning a trip out there sometime this may be a smart purchase!
Have a magical day!
-Nimmy