Hi Mary! Welcome to planDisney.
I just returned from a fantastic Walt Disney World Resort vacation and got so many compliments on my "Disney snacks" MagicBand. Bonus: I think I ate EVERY snack pictured on my MagicBand during my visit. Yum! I just love choosing a MagicBand that reflects my Disney favorites and style, and this magical and handy accessory is a must-have for me.
MagicBands are no longer complimentary for Guests staying at
Disney Resorts Collection hotels, regardless of whether you have a room-only or vacation package reservation. However, as a Guest of a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you will be able to purchase MagicBands at special pre-arrival prices. Once you link your resort hotel reservation to your
My Disney Experience account, you'll see the option under "Resort Hotel" to select and customize your MagicBands. Solid colored bands with no design start as low as $5 (price subject to change), and prices for Premium MagicBands go up from there depending on the design.
If you prefer not to purchase MagicBands, you have some other options, Mary. You may request Admission Cards from your resort hotel upon arrival; these cards will unlock your resort hotel room door and allow you to access the theme parks just as a MagicBand would. I watched a Guest pick these up from the concierge at Disney's Wilderness Lodge at the start of my vacation, and they are very cute with fun Disney designs. If you're going to use these, I recommend
purchasing lanyards so they're close at hand during your vacation.
The newest alternative to MagicBands is Disney MagicMobile Service, which brings the convenience of a MagicBand to your smartphone or Apple watch. If you're interested in learning more about this exciting new option, please take a look at the
Disney MagicMobile Service webpage or explore the
My Disney Experience mobile app.
One more note, Mary: if you have MagicBands from a previous visit to the Walt Disney World Resort, you may be able to re-use them. Check to see if they are still active in your My Disney Experience account under "My Profile" and then "MagicBands & Cards." Note that bands from more than a few years ago may not have all their functionality; they should work for opening your room door, making charges to your room, and park admission, but the long-range capability for things like on-ride photos becomes ineffective over time.
Whew! Thanks for stepping into Belle's library with me and learning all about MagicBands. I hope this was helpful, and please know we are here to help if you have any more questions as you plan your Walt Disney World adventure.
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn