• On Jan 30, 2021
    Mandi from CA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I'm staying at a good neighbor hotel (Hilton Buena Vista Palace) for my next trip. Will a magic band be able to be used for anything other than my park ticket at this time being that I'm not staying at a Disney resort?

    Hi Mandi,

    Welcome to planDisney! Hip hip hooray! Planning a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is reason to cheer.

    Yes, you can certainly use a MagicBand for park entry. You can also use it with Disney's PhotoPass Service. When you scan your MagicBand, your photos will link to your My Disney Experience account. Even though we always stop to have our photos taken with Disney PhotoPass photographers, we adore the attraction photos most of all. On our last trip, our photos on Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain were priceless!

    We do know that 2021 will bring some exciting new features to MagicBands but those details have yet to be released. If you have not done so already, follow the Disney Parks Blog for the latest updates. Once you make your decision - To MagicBand or Not - take a look at some of the MagicBand options available for purchase

    As you continue to make your plans, do check the operational updates since experience availability and dining options could change. Familiarize yourself with Mobile Food & Beverage Ordering, Mobile Dine Check-in, and Mobile Dine Walk-up Availability. On our most recent trip in December, we made advanced dining reservations for most meals during our stay and I was so glad that we had those reservations. We checked in for our reservations using the My Disney Experience Mobile App and rarely had to wait for a table. 

    Mandi, I am sending a little extra pixie dust your way as you make your MagicBand decision. The countdown continues as you prepare to return to a world of magic!

    Magic and memories,
    Donyell
thumbnail image for Donyell

Meet the Panelist: Donyell, North Carolina

Hello from North Carolina! I am a mom of twin girls, wife, and university professor who has been inspired by the creativity of Disney for a lifetime. Since my first Disney visit when I was 12-years-old, I have been drawn to the adventures crafted by Disney Imagineers. Planning Disney vacations helps connect me to families who will find in Disney the kind of joy my family has experienced over the years. Allow me to help you map your own Disney journey so that you, too can create the memories of a lifetime! Learn More About Donyell

Related Video

  • thumbnail image for Explore Pandora

Didn't find what you were looking for? Click the Ask a Question button to open the Ask a Question dialogue box. If you are not logged in a dialogue box will appear to signin in order to ask a question.

To submit your question, please sign in now if you have not already done so.

Ask a QuestionOpens the Ask a Question dialog box.
x

Update Browser

For a better experience browsing this website, please download an updated version of Internet Explorer.


Or you can continue browsing without updating.