MagicBand+ will debut at the Disneyland Resort's theme parks on October 26, Disneyland just announced.
Walt Disney World visitors have had the opportunity to use MagicBands for years, but this will be their first use at Disney's theme parks on the west coast. MagicBand+ will work at Disneyland pretty much the way it works in the parks at Disney World - guests will be able to use the wearable devices as their theme park admission media, including for Lightning Lane access, and as a token for Disney PhotoPass photos and videos.
MagicBand+ devices bought at Walt Disney World will work at Disneyland starting October 26, but previous-generation MagicBand devices will not. The new MagicBand+ includes haptic functionality that Disney has programmed to react to nighttime spectaculars, interactive games, and other "magic moments" in the parks.
Examples include the new Batuu Bounty Hunter interactive game in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, which will debut along with MagicBand+ on October 26. (That game also will require use of the Play Disney Parks app.) In addition, MagicBand+ devices will react to World of Color, Fantasmic!, the returning Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks and the upcoming World of Color – One and Wondrous Journeys shows next year. Also, Disneyland officials tip that MagicBand+ will interact with moments in Avengers Campus and other locations around the parks, including Spider-Man's flight above the WEB building.
Disneyland's Magic Key holders, cast members and Disney Vacation Club members will get an early opportunity to buy (and use) MagicBand+ devices, starting October 19. A special edition Magic Band will be available to Magic Key holders, which will offer a unique light-up design.
While MagicBand+ will be available for use as admission media throughout the parks, the devices will not be required. Guests may continue to use the Disneyland app or their valid ticket cards for admission to the parks and to Lightning Lanes. Also, MagicBand+ will not be activated for use as room keys in the Disneyland Resort hotels at this time.
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TweetIf the darned things would just stay on my wrist, I might be more willing to use them. It was one thing to lose a freebie, but there's no way I am risking a $35+ purchase like that.
I just don't see those MB+ diversions being used by anyone other than AP holders. That's not necessarily a bad thing as it should shorten ride queues a bit for the full paying customers that Chapek desires.
I would rather have Disney implement this on Apple Watches because I’m not paying for another gadget when I go to the park.
I was shocked at how many guests were wearing Magic Band+ devices when we were at EPCOT last week (some also wearing them to UO too). It was one thing when Disney was giving guests the bands for free, but now that you have to pay for the original devices and a bit more for the upgraded versions, I just don't see the point. Magic Bands don't eliminate the need to use a smart phone in the parks, so I don't understand the desire to keep buying these things when the only features that can't be done on a smartphone are the 50th Anniversary figures, which are probably going away at some point, and the Bounty Hunters game.
The one thing that surprised me is that Magic Band+ is only a slight increase in price over a regular Magic Band ($20 for regular and $35 for +). I expected the Magic Band+ to be $50, but perhaps Disney is trying to use the lower price point to drive sales and keep guests buying instead of abandoning the technology altogether. I'm also surprised that Starcruiser guests are not getting Magic Band+ as part of their experience, and are just receiving standard versions (though with an exclusive design).
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Sure, it's $1000 a day, at least, to bring a family of four to Disneyland, but I think we'll spend our time playing the Batuu Bounty Hunter "hotter-colder" game in Galaxy's edge. Much more fun than rides and shows.
Given how well the Disneyland app works COUGH I'm sure this will integrate well with it. I'm just happy to have another device to charge!