Hi Katie, and thanks for bringing your question to planDisney!
MagicBands are one of the things that make Disney World vacations so easy and efficient, from scanning into theme park and
Lightning Lane entrances to opening your hotel room door. As soon as I put on my MagicBand, I know our vacation is about to begin! So let’s chat about getting MagicBands before you arrive… and saving a bit of money. After all, every dollar saved means more funds for all the Mickey-shaped snacks!
There’s no longer a discount for preordering MagicBands on the Disney World website, as part of your
Disney Resort hotel reservation or
Annual Pass. But it’s still nice to secure your MagicBands ahead of your trip, so you’re ready to go as soon as you get there. Usually, when I’ve ordered pre-arrival MagicBands in the past, they came with my name engraved on the back. This makes it an extra special souvenir and easier to avoid mixing up your bands when you’re sharing a room with family or friends.
Another option would be to order MagicBands from the Disney Store website. Some discount codes may apply, so keep an eye out, especially during the upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales! I just tried using a discount code for Disney Visa Cardholders, and it gave me 10% off a MagicBand.
The newer MagicBand+ sprinkles a bit of extra pixie dust throughout your day at Disney World! My nephew and I love looking for the interactive
Fab 50 Character statues around the theme parks. Your band will buzz and light up when you get near one. Another favorite game is playing
Batuu Bounty Hunters in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which is a great way to channel your inner Boba Fett and explore Black Spire Outpost! If you’re planning to use your MagicBand a lot during the day, I recommend bringing the charging cable and a portable battery to give it a midday top-up. That way, the battery will last through the evening. Seeing the MagicBands light up and vibrate along with the nighttime spectaculars makes you feel like you’re a part of the show!
One last thing I wanted to mention before I go. The
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts kicks off on January 16, 2026, just in time for your visit. I love seeing the artwork for sale around the park, and the
Disney on Broadway Concert Series is always a must-do for me! Be sure to check out
Disney Parks Blog for more details closer to the festival.
I hope you have a magical visit to Disney World in January! And if you have any other questions, we’d love to have you back at planDisney.
JoAnna