Disney World Adds New Character Icons & Discount MagicBand+ Update
In ‘just for fun’ news, Walt Disney World has added 17 new character icons to the My Disney Experience app, giving guests greater variety to represent themselves with a selection of ‘synergistic’ characters based mostly on new additions to the parks & beyond. This takes a look at the full selection (featuring Figment!), plus an update on discount MagicBands while we’re poking around in MDX.
Technically, these new icons are being added to “MyDisney” and not just My Disney Experience, which are two different things with very similar names. MyDisney is the new-ish capability that gives guests a seamless login experience by using just a single email and password across services and experiences from The Walt Disney Company. It launched last April.
The unified login experience is available at my.disney.com. Previously, users could use the same login across different Disney websites, but there was a lot of logging in and out. This streamlining means users see the same MyDisney login prompt everywhere, creating a more seamless login experience. MyDisney includes streaming services like Disney+ and Hulu, news and entertainment apps like ABC and ESPN, and merchandise and experiences like the Disney Store, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and Walt Disney World.
We haven’t really discussed MyDisney here because it’s not an exciting topic that comes up naturally, but it seems like an iterative improvement. Or perhaps we’ve just been lucky? There was a period prior to the launch of MyDisney when I was constantly kicked out of my accounts and sent in a seemingly endless loop of emailed codes to verify my email.
That may not seem frustrating, but it definitely is when you’re trying to book pop-up Lightning Lane availability and instead need to fish a verification code out of your email. I’m not sure if MyDisney is what fixed this, but it hasn’t happened in a while. In general, it seems like Disney IT is improving. (Famous last words before being stuck in a broken multi-hour virtual queue whenever Oogie Boogie Bash tickets go on sale.)
Anyway, here are the new characters that have been added to MyDisney, My Disney Experience, etc. as icons:
- Cruella de Vil
- Dr. Facilier
- Evil Queen
- Figment
- Gaston
- Hades
- Hercules
- Jafar
- Lady Tremaine
- Maleficent
- Queen of Hearts
- Red Panda Meilin
- Scar
- Stitch
- Tigger
- Ursula
- Winnie the Pooh
Here’s a look at all 17 new icons, but mostly Figment:
It seems like many or most of these are synergy plays. The “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” just debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which could explain all of the villains. The live-action “Lilo & Stitch” remake recently opened in theaters and is dominating the global box office. Then there’s the “Hercules” show on the upcoming Disney Destiny Cruise Ship.
So what I’m saying is that this is obviously a cryptic clue that big announcements are coming with all of the other characters. Basically, this offers concrete confirmation of Journey into Imagination 4.0 with Figment and Dreamfinder at EPCOT, as well as Pooh’s Hunny Hunt and new nighttime spectacular featuring “Turning Red” at Magic Kingdom (that last one can also be explained by the character’s presence at Disneyland). Surely there’s no other, more reasonable explanation, right? We can expect all of those announcements at Destination D23 in a couple months?!?
Joking aside, here’s a full rundown of the characters now available as icons, some of which were news to me–so I guess I missed another update or two:
It’s worth noting that these characters aren’t available on all Disney websites. The Disney+ streaming service has exponentially more icons, with entire categories for Bluey, the Simpsons, and more. There’s even a bald fellow (Vincent D’Onofrio?) featured for some reason–not that I’m complaining, representation for dadly-looking dudes is always appreciated.
My favorite icons are actually in the Tokyo Disney Resort app, which includes a ton of deep cuts. Here’s just a partial rundown:
It was already tough to choose between Chandu and Henry, so I guess I’m thankful that Figment hasn’t made his way to Japan. (I take that back. I cannot even fathom Journey into Imagination 4.0 made with an OLC budget. I’d rather have the ride redone there than at EPCOT.)
For reference, Tokyo also now uses the MyDisney login, which has greatly streamlined my experience with the TDR app. Haven’t had nearly as many issues with that app in the last year–not a single payment rejected, either! (A common problem with US-issued credit cards previously.)
Turning back to My Disney Experience, it dawned on my to check the discount MagicBand+ upgrade options while changing my icon to Figment. Here’s a look at what’s currently available:
As of June 2025, there are only 15 pre-arrival options, which is historically low. Last year, we saw 25-40 choices, on average. That was far fewer than the all-time peak of 82 MagicBands. There were 17 designs when we last offered an update in End of an Era for MagicBands at Walt Disney World, which detailed the tragic downfall of the wearable devices.
There once again is not a single regular ole MagicBand 2.0 available via Walt Disney World’s pre-arrival discount program. This is not a new development–it’s what we discussed at length back in February. That confirmed what we’ve long suspected: the OG “dumb” MagicBand is dead.
This is unfortunate. Not only is the MagicBand 2.0 dead, but the higher price points of the “plus” device are only going to accelerate the demise of MagicBands, period, at Walt Disney World. While I’m sure there are some collectors who still purchase them, the same could’ve been said for Vinylmations or any number of now-extinct product lines that once had loyal fan followings.
It’s also worth noting that there’s been very little turnover in discounted pre-arrival MagicBand+ options. About two-thirds of the designs above were also available when we last updated the list 6 months ago! And many of those were there 6 months before that. We’re seeing very little turnover, which is probably because MagicBand+ has flopped. Or because the pre-arrival discount has low uptake. Or a mixture of both.
It’s not really hard to see why…how many families staying on-site looking to take advantage of “discount” MagicBands are really going to bite? It was one thing when they were free, or even $5 to $10 a couple of years ago. Now, the cheapest “discount” option is $25 for a solid color or $35 for a design. At that price, you might as well wait for a sale at the Disney Store or buy upon arrival at Walt Disney World and get a design you actually love.
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of the new MyDisney app icons? Will you be switching to Figment or another new character? Wish there were even more variety or deep cuts? Have you had fewer issues with Disney IT since the switch to MyDisney last year? Do you still purchase or use OG MagicBands or MagicBand+ at Walt Disney World? What do you think about decline of wearables at WDW? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I will only be truly pleased when I see The Orange Bird added here. Oh, and gimme my Caballeros.
I NEED TO SEE THE MANAGER!
I buy magic band+ for my kids but I am holding on to my 2.0 as long as possible for me… the underside of the + has 2 gold plates that touch your skin and I am allergic to gold contact (diagnosed). :*( I wish they would change the design
I still wished they allowed Canadians to pre-order and pick them up at our resorts — never minded doing this but I liked being able to get a new one.
Stitch > Lilo is my main takeaway. Lots of us have daughters, but none of us have a pet alien.
Can WDW develop a Stitch attraction that people actually like? That’s a question coming off last weekend’s box office profit bonanza. Another attempt at a Stitch attraction now seems a lot more likely than something for “Wish”, to give one example. I’m also now wishing that Splash Mountain had been rethemed to Lilo & Stitch’s fun Hawaii setting (which has mountains) instead of The Princess & The Frog’s Louisiana sinking bayou (which is flat).
LOVED the release of new icons. I’m very torn (as I am in everyday life) between the villainous Evil Queen and joyful Figment. Guess I’ll switch depending on my mood. I’m curious if they track things like this and if there’s a real uptick in use of villains, thus reaffirming their idea that people love them and the land will be a hit. I’ve oddly seen so many posts on other medias against it.
I just got another MB+ and think I’m set unless they release something new prior to my September stay.
I asked Disney for an Iago icon but they didn’t listen, & put up Jafar instead. In my collection of Iago merchandise, like pins, I avoid designs that also feature Jafar. I’m proud of Iago in the sequel movie for joining the good guys & leaving Jafar behind (and then utterly destroying him in the climax!). In other words, I’d rather Iago be associated with being his own “free bird”.
I’ve never seen an Iago magic band design, but the first custom one I got featured Mickey as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, not that I love that Fantasia segment (I don’t) but because I loved Fantasmic. (Note past tense. Fantasmic is dead to me now since they got rid of John Smith from both the Pocahontas segment & the steamboat full of characters.) At that gift shop near Space Mountain in the Magic Kingdom, I replaced that with an awesome Tiki Room band, since I love the Tiki Room. When I’m not repping Iago, I’m repping the Tiki Room birds!
i haven’t been able to figure out ho and where disney decides to use your chosen avatars. all of my family is in my MDE account and i’ve chosen each an avatar there. I have the same ones chosen on the dcl website, but yet in the dcl app, only half of them have any avatar associated with their name, the others are the generic mickey head like i’ve never chosen anything for them. and yet, there’s no way in the dcl app to make edits. shrug, lol.
Vincent D’Onofrio most likely would be Kingpin (from Daredevil).
We enjoy the MagicBands. Sure, they’re a little expensive, but we found ourselves buying more before our June trip even though we bought MBs before our April trip. I got the dad one and my son got red, his favorite color. But with so few options, we are not likely to buy more, and I don’t think the plain bands are worth as much as the character bands or other more specialized bands. I’d pay full price if I could get the last DVC band I missed out on earlier in the year or late last year, whenever I saw it and decided to wait, since we hadn’t joined *yet* (now we have two contracts and, snap, the band is no longer available).
Of course! He was also in Hawkeye! Can’t believe I forgot that (haven’t seen Daredevil, but really enjoyed Hawkeye).
I can’t reply to you, but in the event you see this follow-up, he was also in Echo. Hawkeye was a fun one.
I hope the magic band or something similar survives. I don’t want my kids to have cell phones before they turn 27 at a minimum. Nor do I want to fumble through my phone to scan in 3 or more people, especially on a lightning lane day. Even though the band does almost nothing, anything that reduces phone time at the parks is a plus to me.
Also, as someone who doesn’t wear disney clothing, it’s nice to have a small accessory to get into the spirit of things.
The investment in MagicBand+ interactive features at Disneyland for the 70th Anniversary is definitely reassuring to the wearable’s survival, especially at Disneyland.
At the same time, I can’t help but look at stuff like that and think, “no wonder the MB+ costs $40+ when it’s funding stuff like this.” I just wish there were a cheaper option. Adoption rates would be higher if people could buy ‘dumb’ devices for $10-$20.
I would LOVE a new MB but I’m not paying $$$ for one, especially when we only go once every other year. If they would sell them for under $15 I bet more people would buy a new one every trip! I will continue to use my FREE MB from my 2016 trip.
This is a hill I am willing to die on.
Everyone in my family loves magic bands and their functionality and their emotional connection to our visits. Even the tech savvy younger ones like to put on their bands and use them and the second piece of that is how much easier it is to flip your wrist out instead of digging in your pocket every time you need to use your phone.
But, our most recent visit in March with a multigenerational family, we opted to use our original bands, being too cheap to buy the other ones with the concern that they might be phasing them out. This came from me reading your article about bands possibly becoming defunct prior to our visit.
We were invited to be a” test, family” way back I think in 2013 and we thought we were all that!
We were so new into it that when we went on our vacation, it had launched, and there were no limits on the number of passes you could book with it. That was of course for a very short time. When they realized that was a bad idea.
I always used MagicBand 2.0 at WDW. Then I went to Disneyland without a MagicBand…and I didn’t miss it! Next time I go to WDW, I’ll probably do the same. I can’t imagine spending $25-35 on a MagicBand+ now.
MagicBand 2.0 was good for my tech-averse relatives. MagicBand+…not so much.
Still no Pinocchio! He only helped build the studio, ferchrisssake.
there is a Pinocchio in one of the phone pics above, but you’re right I don’t see it in the icon list.