Welcome back to planDisney, Kristen!
Your question had me laughing out loud. Maybe you should pack some duct tape or super glue in your luggage to keep Mr. Kristen’s
MagicBand more secure? In all seriousness, I can absolutely relate – my son lost his Magic Band in Magic Kingdom Park on a recent visit, and a kind Ghost Host at The Haunted Mansion shared that I could get a new band at the front desk of my resort hotel.
As you note, complimentary Magic Bands are no longer being offered to Walt Disney World Resort hotel Guests. Should you bring along a Magic Band you already have, or purchase a new one (Guests can purchase discounted bands through
My Disney Experience in advance of arrival), you’ll find it is still a great tool for park entry, entering your resort hotel room, charging purchases, and PhotoPass functionality.
If your husband finds himself with a bare wrist during your vacation, I recommend checking with a Cast Member at your resort hotel’s front desk. They may have some of the solid bands on hand, and could charge those to your room. They can also help ensure the old one is deactivated and link the band to your husband’s My Disney Experience account so he can continue on with the vacation seamlessly. (Note that he can also deactivate a lost Magic Band in his My Disney Experience mobile app by visiting “My Profile” and then “Magic Bands & Cards.”)
If you’d like to save that replacement Magic Band money and spend it on a refreshing DOLE Whip instead, I totally hear you. Your husband will absolutely be able to get through the rest of your visit without a Magic Band, especially if he’s going to be with you or other members of your party who DO have linked Magic Bands. He will be able to
unlock your room door using his My Disney Experience mobile app and he can enter the theme parks using a ticket card. For PhotoPass photos, a member of your party with a MagicBand can scan their band, or he can scan his
Memory Maker card.
One last suggestion, Kristen. Could your husband try wearing his MagicBand on the other wrist? I find I have to wear mine on my non-dominant hand, because it’s less busy and less likely to catch on things. I sometimes have my son hook his to his belt loop instead of his wrist, or I wear it for him. Another option might be to keep it in a backpack or his wallet and just pull it out when needed.
Sending some virtual pixie dust that your hubby’s MagicBand stays put this time around!
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn