Hiya, Kathleen!
Thanks for stopping by planDisney to discuss the
fairest accessory of them all, MagicBands. Functional and fashionable, I like to think they even have Edna Mode's stamp of approval! These magical accessories have undergone quite an evolution since their introduction in 2013, so I'm happy to walk you through the difference between a traditional MagicBand and the newest iteration, MagicBand+.
Because both MagicBands and MagicBand+ offer the same convenient abilities to link Disney PhotoPass photos and scan for access to theme parks, Disney Resort hotel rooms, and Lightning Lane entrances, when MagicBand+ was first introduced I didn't feel that it was necessary to add to my large collection of existing MagicBands. Did you know that Disney Resort hotel Guests were once mailed a new one for each vacation?! It wasn't until I was gifted a MagicBand+ that I realized just how fun it could be to proudly
sport a design featuring a favorite character or attraction and encounter surprising interactions with various locations and experiences throughout Walt Disney World Resort. I recently spent a ridiculous amount of time waving my arm in front of the Chip 'n' Dale
Fab 50 Character Statue in Magic Kingdom Park just to hear their adorable little greetings.
As I mentioned, both types of MagicBand offer many of the same features, so I think you'll find
this chart (near the bottom of the page) comparing the different eras of MagicBands helpful. Aside from fun designs and interactive features, MagicBand+ is also unique from previous versions in that it has a rechargeable battery. Although like the earlier version, a charge is not required to utilize the traditional functions, it will need to be charged for the interactive features to activate. In my experience, as long as I charge my MagicBand+ at the beginning of my vacation, I'm good to go for the whole trip. Of course, if you're worried about losing a charge midday, you could always make it a part of your nightly charging routine.
In short, your current MagicBand should still be active for your upcoming vacation, and if it is a traditional MagicBand rather than a MagicBand+, it doesn't need to be charged. If you're unsure of which type you have, a quick glance at the back of the band will let you know. If you see two gold dots that serve as contact points for a charger, then it's a MagicBand+. If you choose to stick with your current band, I suggest checking your My Disney Experience app to verify that it is still connected to your account. You can easily do this by selecting the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner of the screen and then selecting 'MagicBands & Cards' under 'Account'. If you don't see it, my friend Yael provided a great explanation of how to pair a MagicBand with your account
here.
I hope this helps, Kathleen! If you need any additional assistance with your MagicBand or help choosing another magical accessory for your vacation (I'm partial to the
custom character headbands), feel free to
stop back by. I'm always happy to help!
Thinking Happy Thoughts,
Lizzie