Hi Suzanne,
I see that your vacation is coming up in just a few short weeks! I hope that you're getting SO excited and are counting down the days until you're here. You're going to have the most AMAZING vacation!
While it's quite convenient to enter the theme parks with your tickets, return for your FastPass+ selections, charge purchases back to your Disney Resort hotel room, and scan for Disney PhotoPass photos right on your wrist with a stylish MagicBand,
MagicBands are certainly not required. You'll be able to do many of the same things with a physical card instead if you prefer. If you're staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you'll receive a complimentary MagicBand with your stay, and if you're staying elsewhere, you'll receive a card when you purchase your admission tickets.
Anyone is able to purchase MagicBands, though, at either one of many retail locations all around the Walt Disney World Resort or
online, and if you do decide to purchase one, you'll simply want to make sure that you
link it to your account. MagicBands and cards may actually be used interchangeably, and you may manage any of them
within your My Disney Experience account. Since MagicBands and cards are both designed to make your vacation simple, regardless of whichever one you prefer to use, just enjoy
every moment of the magic and fun!
Thanks so much for visiting us at the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Suzanne, and please let us know if you have any other questions as you're planning your trip. I hope that you have a truly magical vacation!
Missy