When you choose to stay at a Disney Resort Hotel, you can take advantage of many exclusive benefits that off-site guests cannot receive. Free transportation around Walt Disney World, booking dining reservation for your entire stay 60 days prior to arrival, and early park entry are namely the biggest perks and time savers that Disney resort guests enjoy most. One other offer that is available to resort guests before their arrival is the opportunity to purchase MagicBands and MagicBand+ for their party at a discounted rate.
While MagicBands are not an essential part of your Disney vacation, the added convenience of having your room key, park ticket, lightning lane reservations, and form of payment all on one wearable, lightweight, and comfortable device makes this technology a popular accessory. As a result, many choose to utilize the option to pre-purchase bands before their vacation, so that everything is programmed and ready-to-use upon arrival.
Pre-purchasing MagicBands is very easy. Simply access your future reservation under “My Plans” on the My Disney Experience through a web browser or the app. Click on your reservation and then select “Choose Magic Bands”. From here, you choose the member(s) of your party for which you would like to purchase a band and browse the available selection.
The available bands vary in color, design, festival, and/or upcoming holiday. If you see one that you love, it’s best to choose it well in advance, as availability is not guaranteed and it may or may not be restocked. What’s more is that you can personalize each band, having a name inscribed on the bottom side, which can be helpful in remembering which design belongs to each person. Lastly, the best part of pre-purchasing your MagicBand is that you receive a discounted price! Most MagicBands and MagicBand+ are discounted $10 off of their retail price.
With so many advantages, why would anyone elect to wait until after arrival to purchase a MagicBand? First, while there is variety of designs offered prior to arrival, there are many more available all over Disney property that are not sold online before arriving. In addition to each park offering various places to purchase MagicBands, each resort sells their own selection as well. MagicBands can also be found at Disney Springs at Disney Pin Traders and at the Marketplace Co-op. If you are looking for a specific character or park-inspired design, it may be worth being patient and seeing the designs in person. Since MagicBands are reusable for future trips to Disney Parks and Resorts, shopping around for the perfect one might allow you to make the most of your investment by eliminating the possibility of seeing something else that you like more.
MagicBands are a convenient accessory and souvenir that not only allow you to express your individuality, but when choosing a MagicBand+, you are able to interact with attractions, shows, and more around the Disney Parks. When planning to stay at a Disney Resort, as long as you make your MagicBand selection 11 days before your arrival, it will be sent to your home. If you make your selection within 6-10 days of your arrival, your bands will be waiting for you at the resort for which is your reservation. Which do you prefer – to purchase your MagicBand before your vacation or browsing the latest available selection at shops on Disney property? Let us know in the comments below!
Written by
Shelley Wehler
Contributing Writer
Shelley is a stay-at-home mother of two girls living outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Her love of all things Disney has grown even more as she sees the magic come alive through the lens of her young daughters. She spends her free time keeping up with the latest in Disney news and daydreaming of her next trip to the parks!
