MagicBand+ Styles on ShopDisney

Select MagicBand+ styles are on being sold on shopDisney.com for anyone to buy, whether they’re staying on-site or off-site at Walt Disney World, or even those who want one with no plans to ever visit the parks. This post offers a quick look at the interactive Magic Band Plus designs for those who don’t want to wait in the virtual queue.

For those who are unfamiliar with it, the MagicBand+ is the enhanced upgrade to the iconic MagicBand 2.0 style, and can do everything the first two generations that the wearable can do and more at Walt Disney World. You can scan it to enter the parks or Lightning Lanes. Additionally, you can connecting your PhotoPass memories, unlock your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room door, and more.

The MagicBand+ also has a number of interactive features. When activated, it lights up in rainbow colors and responds to the Harmonious and Enchantment nighttime spectaculars. MagicBand+ has haptic vibrations, gesture recognition, and pairs to your smartphone using the My Disney Experience app. There are also MagicBand+ minigames revolving around Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary statues and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Suffice to say, there’s a lot you can do with MagicBand+ at WDW. For everything you need to know about the interactive bands, see our FAQ for MagicBand+ at Walt Disney World! That includes a thorough rundown of how this is similar to and differs from the MagicBand 2.0, and the pros & cons of the interactive wearable.

Suffice to say, the MagicBand+ is not for everyone–and potentially not even everyday use. With the enhancements come tradeoffs, so you might want to know what those are before purchasing. You should have a few minutes to brush up on the differences while in the shopDisney waiting room. 😉

The progress bar actually moved pretty quickly for me–I was able to start shopping within only about 10 minutes of entering the waiting room/virtual queue on shopDisney.com.

From there, you’ll navigate about one-third of the way down the page to this banner:

Another thing you should know is that Annual Passholders and Walt Disney World on-site resort guests should not buy from shopDisney.com. There are no exclusive styles or expanded inventory, so there’s no advantage to buying here. Instead, check out the Discount Pre-Arrival MagicBand+ Designs & Troubleshooting Tips.

To take advantage of the MagicBand+ pre-arrival discount offer, use the My Disney Experience app or DisneyWorld.com, and select “My MagicBands and Cards.” This gives you the option of buying discounted styles with a variety of colors and designs inspired by characters, resorts, attractions, nighttime spectaculars, and more. The styles rotate with regularity, and there are dozens of MagicBand choices at discounted prices.

Anyway, here’s a look at the MagicBand+ inventory on shopDisney.com:

In total, shopDisney only has 17 MagicBand+ options as of July 27, 2022 at 10 am EST.

All of these MagicBand+ styles are full price, meaning that the solid colors are $34.99 and the premium designs are $44.99 plus tax. (Note that the last three designs are normal MagicBand 2.0 styles. I got excited when I first saw that yellow Mickey & Friends 50th Anniversary design at the bottom, but alas.)

Contrast this with what’s available via the discount MagicBand+ pre-arrival program for resort guests and APs:

Above is a look at all 48 MagicBand+ and regular ole MagicBand designs as of early morning on launch day. This is a total of 48 styles–33 MagicBand+ options and 15 MagicBands.

Currently, there are only two price points for the MagicBand+ styles: $25 for solid colors and $35 for premium designs, both of which offer a savings of $10 off what you’d pay in stores at Walt Disney World or on shopDisney.com. There’s tax on MagicBand+ upgrade orders, so the total price comes out to $26.92 for the standard colors and $37.70 for the premium patterns.

Whether you should pay to purchase a MagicBand+ to use at Walt Disney World is a personal decision. The one big upside in that it makes the vacation experience seamless and streamlined. If you’re staying on-site, you can bypass your hotel’s front desk, don’t have to hassle with separate payments, keys, etc. So there’s definitely an element of convenience.

However, the MagicBand (and by extension, MagicBand+) is not strictly necessary. There are alternatives for all of this, and while fun, the MagicBand+ minigames are not essential activities. If you’re on a tight budget, consider buying just one MagicBand+ and sharing it for the sake of the minigames.

Or, don’t buy a MagicBand+ at all.

Personally, if it came down to splurging on MagicBand+ or buying Genie+ at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I would choose bypassing the standby lines via Lightning Lanes every single time. (And I’m not even that big of a Genie+ fan–we try to work around it whenever possible.)

Speaking of alternatives, Walt Disney World still offers on-site guests plastic Key to the World cards for room entry, park admission, Lightning Lanes, and charging privileges to the hotel room. This can be provided at the hotel front desk, and is how things worked prior to the debut of MagicBands several years ago.

Off-site guests can receive standard ticket media and use that for park entry or using Lightning Lanes.

Finally, MagicMobile service is available at Walt Disney World via the My Disney Experience app, and can be added to your Android, iPhone, or Apple Watch digital wallet once enabled. This works just like a MagicBand with most features working by simply holding up your smart device near an access point. It can be used to enter theme parks, connect Disney PhotoPass images to your account, and more.

We’ve been using MagicMobile a lot as of Summer 2022 and really like the service. It’s now incredibly smooth and requires zero screen time or battery, and works great in Express Mode. I haven’t used a MagicBand in months, as it’s easier to simply use MagicMobile and not something else on my wrist in addition to an Apple Watch.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you think of the new MagicBand+ styles on shopDisney? Disappointed that the full lineup isn’t available on the store? Will you be paying the $35 to $45 premium for one of these colors or themed designs? Any specific design catch your eye? 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!

4 Responses to “MagicBand+ Styles on ShopDisney”
  1. Carol Ross July 31, 2022
  2. Mickey1928 July 27, 2022
    • Tom Bricker July 27, 2022
  3. Annette B. July 27, 2022

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