Hi there, Gary, and welcome to planDisney! I suspect you might be at
Walt Disney World Resort soon, so here's to a most magical visit! Let's jump right in and talk about MagicBands and how they can help you make the most of your vacation.
There are several models of MagicBands, so let's look at the most current ones. The MagicBand 2 is the older version that doesn't recharge. This band does not turn off or on, and the internal battery eventually dies after a few years. If you have this type of band, you simply snap it around your wrist and use it to
scan into the theme parks, your Disney Resort Hotel room, and more.
If you have the newer
MagicBand+, you do have the option to turn off some of its features. To turn it off, press the power button on the back of the band for about six seconds until it vibrates and turns red. This will deactivate the haptics and light-up features of the band, but it will still act as your room key, theme park ticket, and more. Also, if you forget to recharge this band, it only impacts those haptics and lights; it will still work like the MagicBand 2 without a charge. Just so you know, if your MagicBand+ is off, it may not link to attraction photos.
I'll admit that the haptics were startling when I first wore my MagicBand+. You can
adjust those features in the My Disney Experience mobile app by tapping "MagicBands and More" and selecting "Settings" for your band. But now that I've gotten used to the band, I love the little nudge that something magical is nearby, and the light-up feature during parades and shows is delightful.
Gary, I hope your visit is full of pixie dust and memories. Please
stop by planDisney anytime!
Magic awaits,
Elaine