Hi Jessica!
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! How exciting that you will be returning to the Walt Disney World Resort this summer. There are so many new and exciting things happening, that you’ll have a lot to look forward to! The hottest ticket in town right now is
Star Wars; Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and scheduled to open this spring will be
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railroad, also at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Since you’ll be staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, you will be able to customize a
MagicBand for each member of your party. The fun thing about this second version of the MagicBands is the ability to remove the center portion of the band, known as the Icon or puck, and use it in other types of accessories. It is that Icon part of the band that has the chip needed to relate everything to your
My Disney Experience Account.
The MagicKeeper is a separately sold accessory. You will still need the original MagicBand that is included with your resort stay. You’ll need to remove the puck from your mom’s MagicBand and add it to the MagicKeeper if you decide to purchase one. Currently, only MagicBands, with that all-important center Icon, are available for pre-order as an included part of your resort stay. If you wish to purchase accessories such as a MagicKeeper, you can purchase one after arrival, or
order one in advance via Shop Disney or an outside site.
Do know that your mom is not to required to wear the MagicBand if it is troublesome for her. You can request an Admission Card at the front desk of your resort, the MagicBand can be carried in a bag or attached to a bag or belt loop and brought out to use only when needed.
I hope this helps with your planning. Please let us know what additional questions you have as you plan your visit, Jessica!
-Kate