Remember not so long ago when Disney announced Magic Band+, the exciting, updated version of MagicBands? I do, and I couldn’t help but wonder: where are they, and why aren’t they available for purchase?
4/27/2022 UPDATE: Disney sort-of cryptically tweeted “Fortune Awaits. No one can hide. MagicBand+ coming later this year to WaltDisneyWorld” along with the following picture:
Background on MagicBand+: Last September, Disney announced MagicBand+, an innovate update to the MagicBands in celebration of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. The announcement revealed that MagicBand+ will “come alive” throughout the day, featuring color-changing lights, gesture recognition, and haptic vibrations. Disney continued, saying that MagicBand+ will enable new ways for guests to engage with the parks, including:
- Playing like a bounty hunter searching for virtual bounties throughout Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
- Interacting with the golden statues around the four Walt Disney World parks (referred to as “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection”).
- Enjoying nighttime fireworks shows—like Harmonious at EPCOT and Disney Enchantment at the Magic Kingdom—as your MagicBand+ lights up along to the show.
What We Know About the Availability of MagicBand+: Frankly, we don’t know much outside of the September 2021 announcement introducing MagicBand+. Since then, we have no official updates, and no additional information about MagicBand+ capabilities, other than the fact that they are slated to premiere sometime this year. But it is almost May, and guests are eager (and basically forced) to plan months in advance. Which leads me to my next point.
Current MagicBands Are Low in Availability. A quick peruse of My Disney Experience in preparation for my upcoming Walt Disney World trip revealed something surprising: current MagicBand models are low in availability. And I don’t only mean low in options—apparently, the MagicBands supply chain has also been affected by the pandemic. According to Disney:
“Due to ongoing, industry-wide supply chain challenges, MagicBands may have limited availability or be unavailable in some styles. Our teams are working to improve our selection over the coming weeks and recommend Guests continue to check back to see if their preferred style is available. If you are traveling to Walt Disney World Resort soon, we encourage you to use the My Disney Experience mobile app to access a digital room key and the Disney MagicMobile service once you arrive.”
What’s Next for MagicBand+? Well, we have no choice but to wait. And if you are planning a trip (or more) on the horizon, you have the following options:
- Select one of the few available MagicBands for your purchase. I understand that purchasing and wearing a MagicBand is a commemorative experience for many, so if you like the current designs, you can purchase one and use it as usual.
- Save money and (gasp!) use your old MagicBand. It’s so simple, really—but where is the fun in that?
- MagicMobile. Disney appears to be encouraging guests to use its MagicMobile service (at least while they transition to MagicBand+). MagicMobile is free, can be easily accessed on their phone—everyone has their phone at the parks these days, anyway—and it does basically everything MagicBands do. Except appear fashionably on your wrist, of course.
Are you planning on getting a MagicBand+? Or have you transitioned to MagicMobile? Stay tuned for updates!