Hey Howdy Hey Christine and welcome to planDisney!
Even though
MagicBands are not required any longer for navigating your way around Walt Disney World Resort, they still are my preferred way of doing so. Nothing says "vacation mode" like putting on your MagicBand and getting ready for a trip full of Magical experiences in Walt Disney World. The one potential issue for MagicBands is the lifespan!
I have heard from Cast Members that MagicBands last about 2 years until the battery dies. At that time, unfortunately, we are not able to change the battery so they would essentially become cool souvenirs!
Considering the relatively small size of the MagicBands, you can take them with you on your next trip and have the Cast Members at the check-in desk check them to see if they are operational or not. But either way, you have several options from there.
If you wanted to still have a MagicBand for your vacation, you can purchase them at many locations throughout the resort. The first place to look would be at your resort hotel gift shop. There are also options in
Disney Springs at
World of Disney. This is the largest store onsite and I am sure you will find what you are looking for as well as things you never knew you needed! There are also so many locations in the parks that sell them as well you might want to check out too.
Your other option when it comes to navigating the parks is with
Disney MagicMobile Service. This option is just like your MagicBands however you can set this up on your smart device through your
My Disney Experience app. This option works just like a MagicBand in that you are able to access your tickets, unlock your resort room door and set up charging privileges. The best part is, that this is free to set up!
I hope this information was helpful in planning out your next holiday to the Most Magical Place on Earth. If you have any further questions please let us know, we would be happy to help!
Have a Magical Day,
Nick