After almost a full decade, MagicBand (since its 2013 launch in Florida) is finally coming to Disneyland. The new wearable tech known as MagicBand+ will be supported at Disneyland Resort parks beginning this fall. For the first time ever, Disneyland-themed MagicBands will be available. The new technology promises to make things easier and more fun for resort guests enjoying their park visits. Here is everything there is to know so far about Disneyland MagicBand+.
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The Practical Side of Disneyland MagicBand+
Theme Park Entry
With the arrival of the Disneyland MagicBand+ system, linked accounts will make touchless entry possible. Cast members can scan your bracelet with a handheld device and process your ticket at the gate. Make sure you link all your Magicbands to the guests on your account to make sure everybody is connected. A quick set-up guide is down below.
Lightning Lane
Just like park entry, the Disneyland MagicBand+ system is designed to read your Lightning Lane reservations when you tap your band at attraction entrances. These stations are prominently displayed at the front of all Lightning Lane queues.
This is what the scanning stations at Lightning Lane entrances currently look like.
Link Photopass Photos
An additional practical benefit of MagicBand+ is that you can easily link your Photopass photos using the bracelet. This helps make gathering your most memorable moments as seamless as possible.
Waterproof
Here is another big feature that I think is very practical, but not a given. I’m really happy that Disney made sure this high tech device can handle water considering the potential for getting these things wet. I would be nervous about it if they did not offer this reassurance.
Rechargeable
One thing that many others have brought up as a down side for these new model MagicBands is that you have to recharge them or even that they don’t come fully charged when you buy them. I can understand the frustration, but it’s also really nice to know that you can easily recharge these MagicBands when you need to. The frequency you need to charge them depends on how much you use them for battery-draining activities like Batuu Bounty Hunter described below. Other than that, just know it will require a little bit of setup beforehand. Give them time to charge fully after you have linked your band to your account.
The Fun Side of Disneyland MagicBand+
Customizable and Collectible
One really cool thing for Disneyland fans is that finally there will be custom Disneyland decorated bands. In addition, there are also the wide assortment of customizable and collectible MagicBand+ options that are currently on the market. It’s really fun to choose the right MagicBand+ for each member of your party and to accessorize using whatever style you fancy, especially if you are a MagicKey holder who visits the parks regularly.
Bounty Hunter Game
The first interactive experience to use the MagicBand+ technology is Batuu Bounty Hunter, a new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge experience that puts you on an always-changing scavenger hunt in and around the Blackspire Outpost. This hot-and-cold style seek-and-find game uses vibrations in the MagicBand to send you clues about where to find your fugitive.
Fireworks Enhancement
Another way the new Disneyland MagicBand+ will enhance your theme park experience is by syncing to various nighttime spectaculars that feature fireworks. The bands light up with the show.
How to Set Up Your Disneyland MagicBand+
Setting up your MagicBand+ is simple. Once you take it out of the box, press the button on the back one time. Then tap the MagicBand to your phone. The MagicBand itself will light up and tell you to open your Disneyland app. If you don’t have the app, you will need to download it. Once the app is open, simply follow the prompts to link your band, assign passes and pair it with your smartphone. It’s as simple as that. Once you have completed the setup, you can start making reservations and updates right away!
Now, chances are, you will have a few of these MagicBands that you will need to manage with one account. This is also really easy to do and not at all complicated. It does require a few steps, though. First, look for the MagicBand+ icon in your Disneyland app and tap it. This will allow you to view all of your bands. This is also where you can assign tickets to specific bands if you have not done that yet. You can also go into each MagicBand to adjust the settings (vibration, light, motion detection), check the battery, and make updates to park admissions.
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Sounds good to me.