As was announced earlier this year, MagicBands will no longer be provided complimentary to Disney Resort hotel guests with arrivals beginning January 1, 2021. Walt Disney World is now sending out reminders to guests regarding this change, with the following message:
Your Walt Disney World vacation is right around the corner and we can’t wait to welcome you here! But before you go, we wanted to send you this helpful reminder.
MagicBands will no longer be provided complimentary to Disney Resort hotel Guests with arrivals beginning January 1, 2021. For Disney Resort hotel room entry, Theme Park entry and charging purchases to your hotel room with a valid credit card, you may use a Key To The World card (provided at the Front Desk). Or, you may use a MagicBand from a past visit (view potential limitations) or purchase a MagicBand prearrival. For more about these options click here.
In addition, we highly recommend using our Online Check-In/Direct-to-Room service, which allows you to get to the fun faster with real-time, room-ready updates. Sign up for room ready notifications and use the MyDisneyExperience app as a digital room key to enter your Disney Resort hotel room. The app is also a great tool to help you plan before and during your visit.
Disney has stated plans to unveil an innovative new offering in 2021 as part of the My Disney Experience app that will bring the features of a MagicBand to smart devices, building on the app’s existing digital key feature.
I would like my Apple Watch to be my Magicband. Two gizmos on my wrist is a pain.
🙄
Didnt pass holders get complimentary bands does that mean APs don’t get them or just regular resort guests
So, what used to be free magic bands (the plain colored ones) are now $15 each? Seriously? Wow. Fine I’ll pay it, but wow.
What else is new… pay more to go and get less and less…🙄😣
Sounds interesting. Perhaps another way for Disney to cut costs and eliminate a memorable little keepsake kids enjoy. My kids still have theirs and wear them from our last trip. Sadly, we won’t return until Disney relaxes or eliminates their draconian rules and attitudes regarding masks and Covid.
Draconian rules??? You mean keeping people safe and alive? Good for Disney! You. Mike, can stay well away if you’re okay with getting people sick.
Because they’re not a required item, it was merely a matter of time as they grew to do more. What is annoying is relying on the My Disney Experience app. First, it drains your battery while in use and second, having been there yesterday, you have people myself included watching their phone trying to walk and check what needed checked. And I may add, don’t even go as a day guest without a dining reservation. Living in Tampa I did just that and tried to get one and kept getting kicked off the app and then finally waiting literally until near closing to get a seat to eat more than a fast food dinner. A few spots should be left for day visits because that was ridiculous. I paid for my ticket too.
So does this mean that they’re not sending the magic bands to customers prior to their trips? DW is rapidly turning into a PITA.
With all their add on feeee
So Disney is encouraging online check in and encouraging “direct to room” …but is not giving out complimentary Magic Bands PRIOR to check in??? So they now want the GUEST to pay for their enhanced safety measures???Sooo…how do you get into your room without a stop at the desk to get a room keycard if you decline to purchase a Magic Band??? You would think, if Disney’s ultimate number one concern is “safety”, as they claim repeatedly at their OWN Disney Institute. They would CONTINUE to err on the side of caution during this pandemic and send magic bands AHEAD of your trip!!!
Not a very smart move if “guest safety” is so coveted!! This is a consequential, at best, way to “enhance” safety!!!
Well, of course, unless your Disney, who is more concerned about profit than pandemic!!!