Hello there, Charlotte!
Like you, I still have my collection of
Disney bands from years past and cherish each one based on the memories my family made on particular
Walt Disney World Resort vacations.
At this time, I’m not aware of any plans to make Disney bands complimentary. However, if you are looking for another mode of entry into the theme parks, you can use the complimentary
Disney MagicMobile service through the
My Disney Experience mobile app or a physical ticket from a ticket window at any of the four theme parks to enter the theme parks with a valid theme park ticket. If you plan on using the Disney MagicMobile service to enter the parks, I suggest setting this up on your mobile device before you arrive by selecting the three horizontal bars in the bottom right corner of the app and selecting “Disney MagicMobile.” Here’s a pro tip: you can customize your Pass style to feature your favorite theme park, attractions, and characters.
Charlotte, if you still have Disney bands from previous trips, I’m happy to share that you’ll still be able to use them as long as they are still associated with your account and the battery is still functional. You can check if the Disney band is linked to your account in the My Disney Experience mobile app by selecting the three horizontal bars in the bottom right corner of the app and “Magic Bands and More” from the menu. Next, select your name to confirm that the Disney band number listed in your account matches the number listed on the back of the Disney band. You’ll also want to make sure that the Disney band you plan on using says “Activated” and “Ready to Use” under it.
I'm not sure if you've seen this already, but the new Disney band has fun features that will make your vacation even more immersive. The latest version of the
Disney band offers customizable light patterns, Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunter experiences in
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, gesture recognition at certain locations, and vibrations that sync up with different experiences. Thanks again for reaching out and sharing this feedback.
May the magic be with you!Melanie