Heigh ho, heigh ho, Elise, and welcome to planDisney!
Can you believe you're just one sleep away from your Walt Disney World vacation? That last day before a trip is always so full of excitement and anticipation - so I hope you're enjoying every last second! You're probably packing your bags as we speak, so let's get right to your question.
Elise,
MagicBands are one of those magical Disney touches that my family considers a "must." While they do come at an additional cost, we just love the convenience of those pixie-dusted gizmos (and gadgets!). As you may already know, MagicBands are absolutely
not necessary, since you can also use the
Disney MagicMobile Service to access your park tickets, link
Disney PhotoPass photos, check in for
Lightning Lanes, and charge purchases to your room through your smartphone.
Still, as a mom of two small kids, I'm ALL about convenience - and MagicBands are one of the ways I keep our trips simple and stress-free! Honestly, visiting Disney World (or anywhere, really!) with little Mouseketeers often requires some juggling.
Strollers, diaper bags, snacks, sunscreen - the list goes on and on! But with our MagicBands, there's one less thing for me to think about, plan for, or worry over. MagicBands mean no fussing over phones at the park gates or Lightning Lane entrances, and I always have a payment method with me (even when I'm in the pool!).
Now, you can certainly purchase MagicBands for just the kiddos in your group. My kids LOVE their bands for their cute designs (and their ability to open our hotel room door!). But I will say that MagicBands are generally more useful for adults or older kids who can be trusted to make purchases on their own. Since my kids are still pretty young, they primarily use theirs to enter parks, Lightning Lanes, and the hotel room, while my husband and I also use them to buy essentials like food and merchandise (don't judge me, merchandise
is an essential!).
If you decide to buy MagicBands for your kids, yourselves, or for your whole magical crew, you can buy them on-site in Disney World once you arrive. You'll find a wide selection of MagicBands at resort gift shops, Disney Springs, and merchandise locations inside the parks.
One last thing to remember is that you will be able to reuse your MagicBands if (and when!) you return to The Most Magical Place on Earth! So if you foresee more trips to Disney World in your future, you may want to consider investing in MagicBands for all. My family has been using the same bands for years, so I'd say we've gotten our money's worth!
I hope this helps, Elise, and that your Disney World vacation is practically perfect in every way! If you have any other questions during your stay or as you plot your next adventure, you know where to find us right here at planDisney!
Wishing you safe travels and plenty of pixie dust,
Allison