We’ve been wearing MagicBands since 2013, and now they’re about to get a BIG glow-up for Disney World’s 50th anniversary!
The newest generation of Disney’s MagicBand will be known as the MagicBand+, and they’re adding a ton of fun features that will contribute to the whole Disney World experience! We already shared that the new service will be making its way to Disney World, but now let’s look at some of the details.
The current generation of MagicBands are a wearable way to enter your Disney World hotel room, pay for things around the parks, enter the Lightning Lanes at select attractions, and more. The MagicBand+ will be a whole new way to interact with Disney World, with features like haptic vibrations, color-changing lights, and even gesture recognition!
One of the new MagicBand+ features Disney has announced is that guests will be able to pretend to be a bounty hunter in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios), where they can find virtual bounties. Check out how the activity works in this video:
With MagicBand+ there will be fun games included like this Bounty Hunter Assignment activity! 💫
You will be on the hunt for a specific bounty that your MagicBand+ will help you locate and then you will earn Galactic Credits! #mediaevent #DisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/2M0gD7b5r3
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) May 4, 2022
The new MagicBands will also interact with the gold 50th Anniversary statues, which are located throughout all four Disney World parks. The greetings change, so you won’t always hear the same one!
Here is an example of how you can spread your ‘pixie dust’ with the MagicBand+ and receive a message from the big Mouse himself! 🎉
Each character has various sounds or messages so you won’t always hear the same one.#mediaevent #DisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/xCVJLFueNx
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) May 4, 2022
The Anniversary statue interactions also have a quest element, where you can earn special achievements and AR portals!
The interactive character statue feature of MagicBand+ also has a quest element as you can collect the statues you have visited in the Play Disney Parks app and earn special achievements and AR portals!#mediaevent #DisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/zstULHEeK7
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) May 4, 2022
And at night, the MagicBand+ will actually light up in sync with the new fireworks shows, including Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom and Harmonious at EPCOT!
Let’s take a look at more of the designs! We have a princess crown…
…a variety of colors with a simple Mickey in the center…
…and ones that say Disney ‘Mom’ or ‘Dad.’
We’re loving this Lilo & Stitch–themed band!
And you can’t go wrong with classic Walt & Mickey.
When looking at the whole band, you can see Cinderella Castle on the Walt & Mickey one! There’s also a faint castle design on the pink 50th band.
There seems to be a little something for everyone!
Check out this video for a better look at some of the designs:
A look at some of the MagicBand+ designs debuting in 2022 #DisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/rwcqBOifC5
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) September 30, 2021
This is all a part of the Metaverse that Disney is pushing to create. The newest MagicBand generation will launch beginning sometime this summer, with opportunities for discounts and pre-arrival prices for guests staying at Disney World Resort hotels, as well as Annual Passholders.
And if this new technology isn’t your thing, you can still keep your current generation of MagicBand and use it in the same way you have been for the last several years. If you want a full explanation of MagicBands, read our Ultimate Guide here. Keep reading DFB for more Disney World news!
Learn EVERYTHING Plus About MagicBand+ here!
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Will you get a MagicBand+? Tell us in the comments!
Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their 50th anniversary media event. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ
Tink says
We just purchased and activated the new 50th Anniversary Magic Bands at MK on Monday. Why didn’t Disney introduce the new interactive ones at the beginning of the celebration rather than waiting till next year?
Jerald Newkirk says
Yes! I would get the new Magic bands for the kids especially, any way they could be ready for a family trip of 10 1st week in December?
DFB Sarah says
Jerald, Disney is saying sales will start in 2022, but if they’re out early, we will report on it!
DFB Sarah says
Tink, I don’t have an answer for you on that, unfortunately.
Don says
Just a guess, but the way Bob Chapek is driving Disney…expect to pay another $40 to $50 for interactive MagicBands…then pay for Genie+, then pay more for “popular” rides…after you’ve paid for transportation from the airport, and paid higher admission prices…maybe you have a little extra to pay $4000 to stay two nights in a star cruiser hotel and $150+ for dinner in a 220 space restaurant , Wow, this “Magic” stuff is pretty expensive! The only real magic is if they can get you to fall for it.
Melanie Durham says
These are amazing, I cannot wait to purchase one! But….which one to buy????? Ok Disney…here’s all of my money!!!! Haha
Gary says
I thought that they were dumping the Magic Bands in favor of using your smartphone for everything! Have they dumped that idea instead of the Magic Bands?
Bee says
This is awesome. I hope there will be variety such as characters by 2022. Looking forward to these…depending on the price.
Deborah says
I so want one, but our trip is next month.
Oh well……
Cara says
any ideas on what the price point will be? thanks for sharing!
Deborah Pasell says
Another way for Disney to make money. They already took away the free magic band for APs.Glad we can still use the old ones.
Jen says
Any word on the prices for these?
DFB Sarah says
Jen, so far no update on pricing.
DFB Sarah says
Cara, no word from Disney yet on the pricing, but we’ll report as soon as we know!
DFB Sarah says
Gary, Disney is keeping MagicBand capabilities as well as offering MagicMobile on smartphones for those who prefer that. So you’ll see both at use in the Parks and Resorts.
Connie Vahlkamp says
I just bought a retractable Minnie Mouse holder for my magic band fob. I wonder if the new ones will fit in it?
Stacy says
Any idea on the price range for the Magic Band+!
DFB Sarah says
Stacy, Disney hasn’t released this info yet, but we’re watching for it.
Wayne Mitchell says
Do these new bands have to be charged or need batteries to light up?
Mickey’sMagicMike says
I wasn’t planning to buy Magic Bands for our trip in May. But then I learned of all the extra functions that have been added such as the interactive features with the 50th anniversary statues and fireworks shows. The bounty Hunter feature for Batuu was the clincher. Can’t wait to order these for our trip!
Brandy says
Any ideas on prices?
DFB Sarah says
Brandy, I don’t believe Disney’s released official pricing yet.
DFB Sarah says
Wayne, no info on whether they’ll require charging. MagicBands do contain a battery already, so perhaps the new ones will pull from that.
MelissaMOP says
We will definitely be getting these if they are out in time for our spring 2022 trip. I think they will bring a lot of extra fun and excitement to the experience.
Charles says
Do you have to stay on property to purchase the new Magic Band?
DFB Sarah says
Charles, I expect you’ll be able to purchase it even as an off-site guest. You would still be able to add it to your My Disney Experience so it can be used as ticket media and for tapping into Genie+ (if you choose to use it). Plus you’d be able to access the associated effects.
John says
Any new words about magic band + getting close to 2022 and haven’t seen anything about them . Are they still on go for the 1st of the year?
DFB Sarah says
John, I don’t believe Disney has specified a start date, but we’re on the lookout for more info.
Patrick Johnson says
Week long Disney vacation booked for February, still no release date announced on the new magic band+’s. Hoping we will have time to order them and get them before we leave in… four *panics* four weeks!!
Debra Ahern says
Yes…bring ’em on !!!!
Julie says
Any update on when these will become available and what the price point will be?
Sherry says
We have an upcoming trip. Are these available? It would be nice to know so that we know whether to wait or go ahead and order older version?
DFB Gigi says
Hi Sherry,
Thanks so much for reaching out! As of right now, Disney has not released that information, but we’ll update as soon as they do!
Sophia Russell says
Hello,
I keep hearing from a variety of you tube videos (including DFB) saying that magic bands start at about $12 +… I am planning a trip for April 2022 and everywhere I’ve looked online they are no less than $30. Can you point me in the direction of buying the less expensive bands please?
DFB Gigi says
Hi Sophia! Generally the solid color MagicBands are the ones that you can get for around $12 and it will be through your MyDisneyExperience app. According to Disney’s website, they are available for purchase up to 10 days before your arrival. You can read more about that by clicking here.
Dawn says
Hi! Have they released a date yet on availability yet? It’s March of 2022 and still no sight of them?
Thank you💙
DFB Gigi says
Hi Dawn! Thanks for your comment. Disney has not yet announced a release date for the new MagicBands, unfortunately, but we are keeping an eye on it and will update our readers as soon as they do!
Dj says
THIS IS AMAZING!!! I can’t wait to buy one!!!!! Disney you’ve done it again!!
Lori Holdorf says
We bought 9 of the regular bands last year, as it was presented as a Disney trip in November 22. Is there a way we can exchange and pay the difference in cost? We don’t have the receipt anymore, but they’ve never been out of the package.
DFB Gigi says
Hi Lori! There are no refunds, exchanges or returns on MagicBands, unfortunately, even if they have never been opened. 🙁
Maddie says
Hi there! I know they said that the new MagicBand+ will also be able to work in Disneyland. Any new info on that? I’ve never had to use MagicBands since I go to the West Coast but I definitely want to get ahead if they’re coming to Disneyland.
Donna Alexander says
Yes I plan on getting the magic band +
katrina pernini says
Where and when can we get one and how much?
DFB Gigi says
Hi Katrina! Disney has not released a date on when the new MagicBands will be available, but we are keeping a close eye on it and will update as soon as we know more.
DFB Gigi says
Hi Maddie! You will be able to use MagicBand+ in Disneyland as well. Disney has not released when they will be available for purchase.
Caroline St-Pierre says
I hope that they will be available before my trip in august. You think this is possible? I know you don’t have a clue, but I am searching for a release date since I would lobe to get one…
Jim says
We can’t wait ! I just hope they are out before we take our grandkids ( for the first time) in August!
Jane says
Unless they improve the method of securing the strap I won’t be spending even more money to have one. My husband’s came off three times (lost one band) in one visit. Mine came off a few times but at least I felt it and managed to not lose it.
Dennis says
I have only one concern about the Magicband+ and that is battery life. Unless the new Bands allow for battery replacement, I think they will be just collectible wrist decorations after the batteries die requiring the purchase of new replacements. Of course, Disney would welcome that since it will boost sales and increase their profit margin. Here’s hoping that the batteries will be more efficient in the new Magicbands+ They should be fun in action!
Carol Rowe says
I keep reading about the new Magic Bands+, but nowhere does it explain how these interact with the statues. I’d love to know what they do. Do they make the statues talk? or maybe move in some way, like up and down?
Can you please fill me in on that?