Are Magic Bands Worth it?
I get this question all the time! So, let’s get into it.
First, what are Magic Bands?
They are similar to a watch. You wear them around your wrist, and you can connect them to your myDisney Experience app. Once connected, all you have to do is touch the Magic Bands to Disney scanners in order to do any of the following:
Use your tickets to enter the park.
Check in for lightning lanes.
Unlock your room door.
Pay for things in the park using the saved credit card in your Disney account
Magic Band Scanning into A Disney World park
Should I get a Magic Band?
Gone are the days of free personalized magic bands getting delivered to your home after booking a stay at Disney World. Now magic bands must be purchased and prices start at $35 which can really add up when purchasing for a whole family. So .. are they worth it?
Magic Bands are not a necessity. Part of why they are no longer included in your stay is because there are now alternatives to using them. You can do everything a magic band can do with either your phone or a key card that you can pick up from your resort front desk. I find Magic Bands to be 100% worth it when compared to using your phone, especially when traveling with kids who do not have phones of their own. The phone is much slower, not as easy to use, and annoying for switching back and forth between adults and kids. PS - children under 3 will not need one as they do not require tickets to enter the park. However, I don't see much of a difference between a Magic Band and putting the key card in a lanyard around your neck.
There is still an extra convenience to just having it comfortably strapped to your wrist. Plus the new models are rechargeable, so you can use them for future WDW trips as well as DCL, and if you order them through your app with a reservation attached, you get a discount. The newest models also interact with a bunch of the statues and the fireworks at the parks! They will light up and vibrate as you walk near. I absolutely love having a Magic Band! However, I also recognize that you won't be missing out on a ton without it. Ultimately, it's your decision and I think you'll be happy either way!
Enjoy your trip!
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