Bambi Topiary at Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
  • On Feb 26, 2023
    Joanne from ON Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We will be coming to the Disney Parks, it looks like our old Magic Bands are obsolete. Do I need to purchase new bands for our upcoming trip? We will not be staying at any of the Disney Resorts or hotels.

    Hi Joanne! Thanks for reaching out to planDisney with your question.

    Your magical vacation is almost here! I love it when the countdown gets closer and closer to zero. You are coming to the resort at such a great time. You will be able to learn a lot from the flowers at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. The park looks absolutely beautiful at this time of year with all of the flower and topiary displays. I'm most excited to see the topiaries inspired by Encanto, which will be brand new this year. And the menus for the Outdoor Kitchens that were recently released for this festival look delicious!

    Regarding your old Disney bands, they actually may not be obsolete. Depending on how old they are, they may still work. If you are going to try to use them, just ensure they are still listed in your My Disney Experience account. Since you don't have a guarantee that they will work, let me answer your question directly: you do not need a Disney band to enter the parks. While I love my Disney bands and use them every time I go to the parks, they have always been an optional purchase. 

    If you choose not to purchase a Disney band, you have a few options for entering the parks. My second favorite option, behind Disney bands, is to use the Disney MagicMobile Service. This service is offered through the My Disney Experience mobile app and allows you to enter the park using your phone. You can also use this option to redeem any Lightning Lane reservations you may make or Virtual Queues you register for, as well as connect any Disney PhotoPass Service photos to your account. It's very easy to set up. Just follow the instructions on the Disney MagicMobile Service page and you'll be all set to go!

    Another option is to go to Guest Relations outside of the park gates on your first park day to get a physical card to use throughout your visit. I know a lot of people like these cards as they can be a fun souvenir for when you get back from your trip.

    Joanne, no matter how you access the parks, you are bound to have a wonderful time! Be sure to check out the nighttime spectaculars in EPCOT and Magic Kingdom Park while you are there because they are retiring in April!

    Remember you're the one who can fill the world with sunshine,
    Matt
thumbnail image for Matt

Meet the Panelist: Matt, New Jersey

Well hello there! I'm Matt and I'm a Disney-loving husband, teacher, and uncle from New Jersey. You can often find me tasting my way around an EPCOT festival, rope-dropping Magic Kingdom Park, or conquering all of the Disney Mountains. I can't wait to help you reach out and find your happily ever after on your next Walt Disney World Resort vacation! Learn More About Matt

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