MagicBand+ at Disneyland: Full Guide and Review 2024

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Looking into getting a MagicBand+ at Disneyland?

Or maybe you have one from a Walt Disney World vacation but also want to use it at Disneyland Resort.

Or perhaps you’re even wondering if it’s worth the money and holds up to the hype.

Well, as a Disney-obsessed Magic Key season pass holder, I finally gave in and bought the MagicBand+ for Disneyland, and it definitely has some growing pains in California. 

BUT it has also been very exciting and overall easy to use (and the recent updates have helped fix a lot of glitches).

I have loved using my MagicBand+, but it may not be the best fit for you depending on how often you go, who you are going with, and your budget.

You can get a MagicBand+ online at ShopDisney, but it’s more fun to choose your design in person.

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MagicBand+ Features

Before we get into what MagicBand+ is and how to use it, let’s take a look at what you can use it for. 

When I’m deciding if something is worth my time and money, I want to know if it’s worth buying.

Don’t worry, MagicBand+ has a lot it can do and Disney keeps adding more features over time.

NEW: Disney100 MagicBand+ Interactive Statues

Disney100 platinum medallions and statues throughout Downtown Disney District and the Disneyland Resort will come to life with a wave of your band.

You’ll feel a vibration when you walk by a medallion or statue that is interactive. A sign with a QR code nearby will confirm your band is right!

Hold your MagicBand+ arm out, and make a circle. Then enjoy the lights and music that follow!

Disneyland Magic Band Plus Interactive Medallion Locations

• Disneyland Hotel by the Disneyland Hotel Pool Entrance (Platinum Medallion)
• Disney California Adventure Park on Buena Vista Street (Platinum Medallion)
• Downtown Disney District by the Earl of Sandwich (Platinum Medallion)
• Downtown Disney District by the Naples Ristorante e Bar (Platinum Medallion)
• Downtown Disney District by the Downtown Disney District LIVE! Stage (Platinum Mickey Statue)

NEW: Disney100 MagicBand+ Enhanced Experiences

In Walt Disney World, select attractions will cause the magic band to glow and vibrate.

I was pretty disappointed Magic Bands in Disneyland California did not have anything on this yet.

Then we went on WEB Slingers…and my Disney magic band spazzed out!

It glowed red and blue (the colors of Spider-Man) and continued to buzz when getting on and off the ride.

Sure enough, I went to Disney’s website, and “select experiences at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park” was listed in their Magic Band Plus descriptions. 

Then it got even better as Disney added more rides to this list in both California theme parks.

Disneyland Rides that Interact with Magic Band Plus

• Haunted Mansion 
• Pirates of the Caribbean 
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Astro Blasters

California Adventure Rides that Interact with Magic Band Plus

• WEB Slingers
• Toy Story Midway Mania

Galaxy’s Edge Bounty Hunting MagicBand+ Game

If you’ve never used the Play Disney App, it’s a fun and interactive game on your phone. You scan items in line, answer trivia, and play games.

Even without a Disney band, there’s a lot you can scan and play in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.

The MagicBand+ takes this to the next level with the bounty hunters interactive game. Your Band will buzz as you pass by locations with clues and bounty hunting info.

We finally got to try this out and it is amazing! Even my daughters who are ages 6 and 4 were able to enjoy using my band to find the right door.

How to Play Bounty Hunting with MagicBand+

• Open the Play Disney App & Select Bounty Hunting* 
• Scan your band at the Bounty Hunter Guild (down the stairs from the market area)
• Walk around Batuu
• Green = you’re going in the right direction 
• Red = you’re going in the wrong direction
• Purple = you found the right door
• When your band turns purple, open your Play Disney App & click through the prompts
• Go back to the Bounty Hunter’s Guild & scan your Disney Band at the door to collect your bounty
• Re-scan your band to the left of the door to receive a new target & repeat

*There’s a direct link from the Disneyland App under the MagicBand tab if you can’t find it in Play Disney 

Hint: Your Band also buzzes faster when you’re getting closer, so you don’t need to have your eyes glued to the MagicBand+ as you walk around. Just glance at it occasionally.

Hint 2: Try every door panel whether you see a door or not.

It is a battery drainer, so make sure you recharge your phone and your MagicBand+ after your off-world excursion in Batuu.

Nighttime Spectaculars with MagicBand+ 

During the nighttime spectacular shows, your Magic Band Plus will glow and buzz in time with the entertainment.

For World of Color, Fantasmic, and the Fireworks this plus feature draws you into the experience for a unique and fun way to watch.

The light’s color pattern and buzzing strength can be adjusted in the Disneyland App.

I thought it would be distracting and not really worth it, but it was actually really fun. It makes you feel like a part of the magic.

Scan MagicBand+ for Your Ticket

Ok, I thought scanning the Magic Band instead of your phone wouldn’t be a big difference.

I was wrong.

There’s no waiting for your phone to load, no opening the Disneyland App, and navigating to your ticket tab.

It’s so quick and easy.

The only problem is everyone needs their own. Each Disneyland Magic Band only syncs up to one ticket.

Once you open your phone it’s easy to swipe to each theme park ticket on your account. If you have the budget for everyone to just scan their wrist, it definitely saves some time and hassle.

Keep in mind the Magic Band is not ideal for your little toddlers and young kids who might easily lose it.

NOTE: Take a screenshot of your Disney Park entrance tickets and your photo pass QR code. save it to your favorites and you will have quick access if the app isn’t loading or your Magic Band glitches.

Scan MagicBand+ for PhotoPass

With the same ease as your entry ticket, MagicBand Plus can be used to quickly scan for your PhotoPass. Some PhotoPass opportunities will be a cool Disney backdrop and others will be a character interaction.

When it works it is so easy. No more fumbling with the phone.

This is where I ran into issues. The cast member PhotoPass scanners were not all working.

The quick Magic Band Plus scan only worked 2 out of 5 times total between 2 separate days. One time was because my MagicBand + ran out of battery. 

Other photographers said the rain was affecting their scanners. At times when it did work, the cast photographer said it was probably the other cast members not lining up the scanner correctly. The rain shouldn’t have affected anything.

A little glitchy, but cool when it works.

Scan MagicBand+ for Genie+ Lightning Lane

MagicBand+ scans your Lightning Lane fast pass and Disability Access Service (DAS) pass at participating attractions.

I still haven’t decided if this feature is worth it unless everyone in your party has a Magic Band.

If you have Magic Band, but you’re still unlocking your phone and opening the app to scan everyone else’s Lightning Lanes, you’re not really saving time.

I think half the time I used my Disneyland MagicBand and the other half just let my husband scroll on his phone since he was scanning for himself and our daughters anyway.

It is quicker and easier to scan than the app, and fun to use.

Just like the entry ticket, it’s worth getting a MagicBand for the Lightning Lane feature if everyone in your group has one. Or if you just want to use it (like me!).

UPDATE: My husband and girls got their own MagicBands and it really makes a difference if your whole group has one. It’s more efficient and way faster than scanning your phone.

Walt Disney World MagicBand+ Features

MagicBand+, Magic Band, and Magic Band 2 can all be used at Walt Disney World.

The features at Walt Disney World for MagicBand+ are the same as at Disneyland but with an added bonus.

If you’re staying at a Disney World Resort, you can use your MagicBand+ as your hotel room key. You can also make purchases in the parks if you have a credit card on file at the hotel.

This feature is supposedly coming to us over in California, but for now, we have to wait…although it might be a bit dangerous to buy Disney food so easily.

Another difference between Disney Parks is the Genie Plus options at Walt Disney World include some character meet & greets!

Walt Disney World MagicBand+ Features:

• Scan for Walt Disney World Park Entry
• Scan for Lightning Lane
• Scan for PhotoPass/Memory Maker
• 50th Anniversary Statues Interactions
• Batuu Bounty Hunters
• Nighttime Spectaculars Interactions
• Attraction Interactions
• Disney World Resort Room Key
• Food & Merchandise purchases for Disney World Resort Guests

Walt Disney World Attractions that interact with MagicBand+:

• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Muppet Vision 3D
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

MagicBand+ Information

Disneyland Magic Bands in 2023 cost between $30-50 depending on the type of magic band you get.

There are several designs to choose from and they sync up directly with the app.

MagicBand+ Cost

Disney Bands for parks usually cost around $34.99 or $44.99.

The more unique or intricate the design is, the more expensive it will be.

Magic Key holders do get a discount on their MagicBand purchase. I took full advantage of this and bought an “Up” themed Magic Band Plus.

The box does come with a charger, but you can buy additional chargers separately.

At Walt Disney World, you can get a discount on your MagicBand+ if you are a magic key holder or if you are a hotel guest.

Walt Disney World hotel guests must buy the MagciBand+ online before their trip to get the discount.

MagicBand+ Designs

Magic Bands have a mix of seasonal, special events, and classic designs.

The Disney100 and the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary magic band designs are some more recent special event bands.

Go to Shop Disney magic bands for online options, or check out the stores inside the parks.

The Disneyland California Magic Band designs are located in the store on Main Street, 

My favorite place to look at designs is in the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney. They seem to have the most options and the bands are not locked to the wall unlike on Main Street.

If you don’t see one you like, hold off for a little bit and Disney is sure to release new options.

How to Set Up MagicBand+

Disney Park Bands are easy to sync to the app. You just open the app and click on the MagicBand tab.

Turn on the band by pressing and holding the button until it lights up.

Follow the prompts and voila! You’re all synced up.

Press and hold the button for 10 seconds to turn off your Magic Band.

How to Use MagicBand+

To use the MagicBand+ open the Disneyland or Walt Disney World App and click on the Magic Band tab on the main menu.

Choose which Magic Band you are checking if you have more than one person’s Band on your app.

Double check the Bluetooth is connected, and make sure your battery is good to go.

You should be able to keep scanning the Band all day, but if you do have issues then re-sync the Bluetooth.

As for using the Band in the theme parks, just literally hold it up to the scanner. If it’s a cast member scanning your MagicBand, then all you have to do is hold your arm out for them to scan it.

MagicBand+ Tips

After using a MagicBand+ dozens of times, I’ve run into some handy details to make using your MagicBand Plus easier.

Magic Band Tips

• Use a band clip as a secondary security for your Band to not fall off
• Bring a solar portable charger
• Charge your MagicBand the night before your visit
• Make sure the Bluetooth in the app is connected before starting your Disney day
• Open the Disneyland App throughout the day to make sure you are synced up to your MagicBand+
• Charge your MagicBand+ after Bounty Hunting

Ever since the last update, it hasn’t been necessary for me to open the Disneyland App to make sure my Bluetooth was still synced up to my MagicBand+. Still, keep this in mind if you seem to have trouble scanning your MagicBand for anything.

The band clips are a lifesaver!

I didn’t think it would be necessary, because the clasp on the Magicband+ is pretty good. As soon as my MagicBand fell off when it got snagged on my little girl’s arm when I picked her up, I changed my mind.

Charging your MagicBand+ 

The battery should last for 1-3 days depending on usage.

Apparently, you should still be able to use the MagicBand+ for things like scanning your ticket, Lightning Lane, and Photo Pass even if it has no battery.

This was not the case for me. 

I tried to sync up to Disney Play to try out the Bounty Hunter game, and it drained my battery.

We tried to scan my MagicBand+ for a PhotoPass picture, but it didn’t work.

I had to charge my battery and then open the app to make sure it synced up the Bluetooth to my account.

Magic Band vs Magic Band 2 vs Magic Band Plus

What are MagicBand+, Magic Band, and Magic Band 2? They are all RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) bands that let you scan for different features at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

In general, all of the Disney Bands let you scan your ticket, your Genie+ Fast Pass, and your PhotoPass from the watch-like band on your wrist.

MagicBand+ at Disneyland started on October 26, 2022.

Since then the California Magic Band Plus has already received extra features!

All of them are a more hands-free, less-hassle way to scan your ticket, lightning lane passes, and PhotoPass.

The regular Magic Bands and Magic Band 2 will only function at Walt Disney World, but MagicBand+ works at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. 

Magic Band and Magic Band 2 work similarly to Magic Band Plus, but do not have the extra interactive features such as lights and buzzing.

You also have to have MagicBand+ to use the Play Disney Parks app for a bounty hunter experience in Batuu.

What is the difference between MagicBand and MagicBand 2? Other than the style, Magic Band 2 is lighter and the center puck can be removed.

Some people have created keychains that fit this Magic Band 2 puck so you don’t have to wear the band.

The Disney Band is the newest type of Magic Band Disney created for use on their cruise ships and will have a similar function to the MagicBand+ in Walt Disney World.

You’ll be able to scan the Disney Band to get on and off the ship at Ports of Call, scan into your stateroom, charge extras onto your account, etc.

MagicBand+ and Alexa

Walt Disney World hotels are getting a “Hey, Disney” version of Alexa. Disneyland Resort hotels will also get this feature sometime after it rolls out in Walt Disney World Resort.

You can ask “Hey, Disney” for different park advice while you are planning out your day in your Disney Resort hotel room.

You’ll be able to ask for additional room amenities like extra towels. We would definitely use this for extra hot tea and coffee.

Other features would be park times and schedules, the weather, dining recommendations, and even a wake-up alarm.

Choose a character to voice the features and receive messages from them for fun. Play games like trivia, read a story, or tell a joke.

Your MagicBand+ will be able to interact with “Hey, Disney” for extra magical fun features.

The best part? Once it’s rolled out to the Disney Resort Hotels, it will also be able to buy a “Hey, Disney” from the Alexa store for use at home.

When can you expect “Hey, Disney” on your Disney vacation?

“Hey, Disney” rolled out to certain Walt Disney World hotel rooms in November 2022 at the Polynesian Village Resort.

Once this testing phase is complete, expect it to be in more Walt Disney World hotels and then make its way over to the Disneyland Resort hotels in California.

Is MagicBand+ Worth it at Disneyland & California Adventure?

Unfortunately, that answer is not straightforward.

I think in the future, yes. It will be totally worth it. If you ask me if Magic Band Plus is worth it right now, the answer is maybe.

Mine is worth it because I think it’s fun to try out, and as the glitches improved I did buy them for my family too.

Here are some guidelines that might help you decide if MagicBand+ is right for you:

When to Get MagicBand+

• If you don’t have a big group (everyone would need their own)
• OR if you do have a large group with older kids who can easily scan their own bands
• If you’re a big Disney fan (the interactions are an extra dose of Disney Magic)
• If you don’t like using your phone to load your ticket or PhotoPass or Lightning Lane
• If you go to Disneyland often
• If you’re also going to Walt Disney World in the future (it can be used at both parks)
• If you love wearing extra Disney-themed flair (My MagicBand+ is “Up” themed!)
• It’s a Disney themed gift for someone
• If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel

When NOT to Get MagicBand+

• If you’re keeping to a lower budget (don’t break the bank!)
• If you have little kids who would lose it (It’s better to just swipe everyone’s passes on the phone than to give a 3-year-old a Magicband+)
• If you don’t want to deal with growing pain glitches (there are some times mine hasn’t worked with the PhotoPass scanners)
• If you don’t have a portable charger (you’ll need one, especially if you use the Play Disney Bounty Hunter experience with your MagicBand+)
• If you don’t go to Disneyland often (you only go once every few years)
• If you’re staying at a Good Neighbor Hotel

Right now, it’s cool, but not worth your money for the occasional Disney vacation. 

For it to not always work, it’s not worth the investment for just a few days.

However, if you’re going to Disneyland multiple times in a year or also have a Walt Disney World vacation coming up, then definitely get the MagicBand+.

It theoretically works better at Walt Disney World Resort, and it really is less hassle to scan your ticket and PhotoPass and Lightning Lane. Also, the Disneyland interactive features are very exciting to any big Disney fan.

As of summer 2023, there are fewer glitches than at the beginning of the year. My MagicBand+ has been working every time I use it and the battery has held up pretty well.

We even got MagicBands for my husband and our daughters since we have been going to Disneyland every month with our Magic Keys. Definitely a great decision for our family.

So what do you think?

Will you get MagicBand+ for your next Disneyland vacation? Maybe check out how useful Genie Plus would be for you and then decide.

FAQ