It’s been about 2.5 years since the release of MagicBand+ in Disney World (we know, it feels like it hasn’t been that long, right?), and it’s been accepted pretty well.
MagicBand+
MagicBands aren’t required for your vacation in the slightest, and neither is a MagicBand+, but they can make things easier and add a little extra magic. The difference between MagicBand and MagicBand+ is that while both will hold your information and allow you to make purchases, tap into Lightning Lanes, and unlock your hotel room, MagicBand+ needs to be charged regularly so it can interact with the golden statues and other aspects of the Disney World parks. However, Disney recently added some new features to MagicBand+ bands that you won’t want to miss out on!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Over in Hollywood Studios, your MagicBand+ will now interact with several of the park’s shows! At the Frozen Sing-Along, your MagicBand+ will now light up blue whenever Elsa uses her ice powers, and it will also vibrate to prompt you to sing along with the music!
Frozen Sing Along
Over at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, our MagicBand+ tended to light up orange or red any time there were explosions or fire and vibrated at the larger explosions!
It’s red!
And over at the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, our MagicBand+ seemed to have more random vibrations and light flashes, and we specifically noticed it appeared to glow purple when Belle was having a strong emotional reaction, but other than that it was a little hard to track.
Beauty and the Beast Sing Along
We’re planning to go back and test it again in a few weeks when it has time to settle in!
Animal Kingdom
In a similar fashion, your MagicBand+ will now interact with lights and vibrations when you go to see Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!
MagicBand+
We’re planning to test out these changes ourselves very soon, but we’re hoping we’ll continue to see more additions made in this park in the near future.
Disney Springs
If you’re visiting the Christmas Tree Stroll (when it is being offered in November and December) and you have a MagicBand+, you may notice “a little more magic” as you approach the trees! Your MagicBand+ will interact with the trees in a NEW way.
Christmas tree in Disney Springs
Even if you don’t have a MagicBand+, we highly recommend going to see this exciting offering!
Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World news!
Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know
Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip
Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe
Do you use MagicBand or MagicBand+ in Disney World? Tell us in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
I still don’t understand how your Magicband doing something during a show is a positive feature? I mean I want my attention on the show, not my wrist. If I’m looking down I’m missing out on details in the show. I like the magicband, I’m old enough to remember the paper tickets, even coupon books. I hate wearing a lanyard around Universal, with my ticket and express pass. But the use of magic bands to highlight things in the park, like hidden mickeys or a vibrate when you get close to your LL time like an alarm when you have something marked in the app would be more useful or fun.
Seems like yet another distraction from actually watching events in the moment. Think we will stick with our basic, functional Magic Bands
I’m staying at the Swan hotel when I come over. Will the magic band + work there too..
Thanks.
Hi Janine! Unfortunately, the MagicBands do not work at the Swan & Dolphin.