Hi Megan,
Thanks for coming to see us here at planDisney, and thanks for your great questions. You're clearly thinking through lots of planning essentials, and this is why we're here for you at planDisney.
I always describe a
MagicBand as a perfect combination of a stylish Disney fashion accessory and a convenient tech tool. A MagicBand is essentially
a smart wristband device that you can use to unlock your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room, charge purchases to your room, and enter theme parks with your valid theme park admission by tapping your MagicBand to a "tapstyle" at the park entrance. MagicBands can also be fun for attraction photos where the MagicBand captures your photos while you're enjoying select attractions. You can
purchase a MagicBand at pre-arrival prices if you'll be a Disney Resort hotel Guest. You can also
purchase MagicBands online and at select retail locations around the Walt Disney World Resort.
It's helpful to know that a MagicBand, while super convenient and stylish, is not required. You have options you can use based on your preference. You could also use the
Disney MagicMobile Service and the
My Disney Experience mobile app on your mobile device for theme park entry. You can also use the standard ticket cards and Resort hotel cards during your stay.
My personal preference, because I like to sport just a Mickey Mouse watch on my wrist, is to wear the Mickey Icon device part of a MagicBand in a
Mickey Mouse MagicKeepers Lanyard Medal that I clip to my belt.
You will want to make your theme park reservations through the
Disney Park Pass system for each day of your theme park visits. If you are purchasing theme park tickets and adding the
Park Hopper Option, you would currently need to make a theme park reservation only for the first theme park you're planning to visit in a day. With a Park Hopper Option (an option I always recommend), you can visit the other theme parks after 2 p.m. (capacity permitting) after entering the first park for which you made a reservation.
Megan, I hope this gives you the info you need to get ready for your Walt Disney World Resort vacation and to get started making your theme park reservations. If you find you'd like some additional help with the Disney Park Pass system, you can reach out to the Walt Disney World Internet Help Desk by phone at (407) 939-4357 or through
online chat.
Here's wishing you lots of Disney magic in your day today!
Jerry