Well hello there, Yen. Welcome to planDisney!
I love talking MagicBands! Love, love, love it! I still have my original MagicBands and while they don't work at the theme parks anymore, they make great ornaments on my Disney Christmas tree. Yes, I have a Disney Christmas tree and yes, some of the ornaments are old MagicBands. I love it when ornaments are a memory and each one of those bands is tied to a trip full of them! This is also why we purchase a traditional ornament each trip at either
Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in
Magic Kingdom Park or
Disney's Days of Christmas in
Disney Springs. Memories have power, have magic. And on that Christmas tree, they glow. They shine. I hope the memories you create on your upcoming trip shine just as brightly or even more so.
MagicBand+ is the latest version of MagicBand that's out there. And yes, there is usually more of a selection in person at some of the
merchandise locations around the resort than you'll find online, whether through the
Disney Store or
My Disney Experience. Just note that while you typically can get a discount on MagicBands through My Disney Experience if you have a vacation package, you cannot get that discount in person. Also, your MagicBand+ from 2 years ago should still work, assuming you've charged it and it's ready to go! If you get there and for some reason it won't scan, you can always have the
Disney MagicMobile Service all set up as a backup!
One thing I have noticed anecdotally is that if you want a MagicBand 2 (bands without the interactive features that don't need to be charged), there does not seem to be a lot of options in person. Therefore, I would recommend pre-ordering them through My Disney Experience if this is the version you'd like to purchase (subject to availability). And just note that in general, the selection of MagicBands through My Disney Experience can vary from day to day, so you'll want to check back if nothing speaks to you when you first try to order one. Just make sure that anything you pre-order that you want to be sent to your home is selected 11 or more days before your arrival date and anything you want shipped to your
Disney Resorts Collection Hotel is selected between 6-10 days before arrival. Otherwise, you will not be eligible for the vacation package pre-order discount and will have to purchase them when you arrive at the resort or at a Disney Store in the Orlando International Airport.
Yen, I hope you find the perfect MagicBand to sport throughout your upcoming trip. If you have any other questions,
just send them my way!
They can't order you to stop dreaming,
Matt