Is Disneyland MagicBand+ Worth It? Prices, Tips, What You Need to Know

MagicBand+ has officially launched at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. In this guide you'll find all the details on this interactive wristband that can hold your ticket and provide other interactive elements in the parks and most importantly will try to decide if MagicBand+ is worth it at Disneyland.

This guide includes base MagicBand+ pricing, a review of the interactive MagicBand+ elements, and how the bands work in the parks. The MagicBand+ product connects to your Disneyland tickets or Magic Key Annual Pass to grant you access to the theme parks or redeem your Genie Plus Lightning Lanes. The pass can also be used to redeem Disneyland PhotoPass photos.

The interactive aspect of the band also includes light up sensors and color changing elements that shift based on sensors in the parks.

What is included with MagicBand+ at Disneyland?

There are two key elements of MagicBand+ at Disneyland. The band can connect to your theme park tickets or Magic Key pass to allow you to be more hands free at the parks and the band can interact with entertainment and specific areas of the parks with light up functionality.

After you've connected your park tickets or Magic Key, then you can access all of the convenient options MagicBand+ offers. Guests can use their MagicBands to enter the theme parks, redeem your Lightning Lanes from Genie+, and to link PhotoPass photos to their Disneyland account.

The interactive aspect of the MagicBand+ consists of a light up circular ring around the “face” of the band that changes colors, vibrating sensors, and gesture recognition. Here's a look at how the band will light up for different activities.

The above photo is from the Batuu Bounty Hunters game in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The band conducts a game of “hot and cold” leading players to clues using their interactions with the bands. The bands also interact with the various nighttime spectaculars. See photo from interaction with World of Color here.

The bands light up and vibrate throughout the various shows in tune with the music and theme. The bands were not a distraction during the show and only enhanced what was being seen in the show. There are only a couple short segments where the band vibrates during the show, and it was placed very well with the audio. The beautiful lights that danced around on the band as the show was on really brought the show to life in a unique way.

The bands interact with the nighttime entertainment in the parks. Disney has specifically announced that the bands will interact with the new Disneyland fireworks show and special World of Color show for the Disney100 Celebration.

Is Disneyland MagicBand+ worth it?

After a number of days in the parks testing out MagicBand+ at Disneyland, we have a pretty good thought of what the band is useful for. For us the highlight of MagicBand+ is having your Disneyland ticket on our wrist instead of having to get out the Disneyland App on your phone or paper tickets constantly in order to scan into the parks or redeem a Genie Plus Lightning Lane. This convenience is a nice to have at Disneyland, but is not by any means required. The interactive elements of MagicBand+ were cute (flashing along to the show) at best and annoying (continuously buzzing on my wrist while I was eating lunch near the Wakanda Forever Garden where there is an interactive sensor) at worst. At no point was I really blown away by the MagicBand+ technology and interactive pieces.

We like the MagicBand+ for the reason that guests first liked the MagicBands in Florida at Walt Disney World – having the ticket on your wrist. As the original MagicBands never made it to Disneyland, these MagicBand+ bands are the first opportunity we have had on the west coast to put a ticket on our wrist.

The two key questions you have to ask yourself to determine if MagicBand+ is worth it at Disneyland for you and your family – do you care about ease of access to your Disneyland tickets throughout the day or are you comfortable with your Disneyland app on your phone? And, do you see a fun Disneyland MagicBand+ band style that you would be excited to wear throughout your trip? Get the band if you want the convenience but it is not for everyone. The biggest complaint about the new MagicBand+ bands is that the bands run out of power so quickly, but the bands do not actually need to be fully charged in order to use them for your ticket because once your ticket is linked it is stored on the band.

In Walt Disney World, the MagicBand program has evolved so much that the technology is actually now in place to save your Disney ticket to your smart watch and then just be able to tap in from your watch to enter the parks. This is not yet an option at Disneyland but is something that I hope is rolled out now that the sensors are being put in place for MagicBand+.

That's a nice segue to share a look at the new MagicBand+ styles at Disneyland.

Disney100 Interactive Statues With MagicBand Plus

In honor of the Disney100 celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company, there are decorations everywhere at the Disneyland Resort. Some of these platinum decorations now interact with the Magic Band Plus bands.

When you wave your Disneyland MagicBand+ in front of these special interactive decorations, special sounds will play. This is similar functionality that was in place for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary statues.

Currently, there are not any interactive decorations inside Disneyland Park but there are decorations throughout the hotels, Downtown Disney, and Disney California Adventure.

Disneyland Hotel

• Disney100 medallion at the Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Topiary near the Disneyland Hotel Pool Entrance

Disney California Adventure

• Disney100 Medallion on Buena Vista Street, near the Storyteller's Statue

Downtown Disney

• Disney100 Medallion across from Earl of Sandwich
• Disney100 Medallion near Naples Ristorante e Bar
• Disney100 Medallion at Downtown Disney District LIVE! Stage
• Platinum Mickey Statue near the Downtown Disney District LIVE! Stage

Disneyland MagicBand+ Designs

The MagicBand+ bands have the next layer of tech built on top of the classic MagicBands that have been in use at Walt Disney World in Florida for years. This next generation of Magic Bands has updated technology and can do things such as recognize hand gestures (this feature is not available in Disneyland, yet!) The new MagicBand Plus also has unique faces and designs instead of just the standard Mickey head silhouette.

Buy before you arrive – View all MagicBand+ styles currently on sale on the ShopDisney website.

Here's a closer look at the designs that will be available for Disneyland. There are five exclusive Disneyland specific designs.

How much does MagicBand+ cost at Disneyland? Price

Disneyland MagicBand+ bands range in price from $34.99-$44.99 and come with a charger. The band is customizable through the Disneyland app. You'll have the option to change the color it lights, whether it vibrates, and brightness. All the bands are a one-size-fits-all, suitable for both adults and children.

Bands can be purchased in retail locations across the Disneyland Resort including the Main Street Emporium, Frontier Mercantile, Elias & Co, World of Disney in Downtown Disney, and more.

Batuu Bounty Hunters MagicBand+ Disneyland

The Batuu Bounty hunters is a game of “hot and cold,” similar to what you may have played as a child that requires a Disneyland MagicBand+ and the Play Disney app. When you’re ready, you’ll tap into the station located inside Batuu where you’ll be given your assignment.

Once assigned, you’ll begin searching around Batuu and your MagicBand+ will guide you, turning green and vibrating faster a you get closer, or turning red as you move further away. Your band will then turn purple and you’ll hear sounds coming from the area alerting you that you’ve found your bounty. You’ll then use Play Disney app to scan the door where you found your bounty to see them hiding inside. Finally, head back to station where you’ll share your finding and you’ll receive your galactic credits! This game is perfect for adults and kids alike, and you don’t need to be a hard core Star Wars fan in order to enjoy it.

What is MagicBand Plus at Disneyland?

MagicBand+ is the newest edition of the MagicBand that debuted in July at Walt Disney World. The MagicBand+ has all the features of the original MagicBand but with new technology that allows guests to interact with areas in the park. Plus this band features a rechargeable battery (includes recharging cord) giving it a longer lasting lifespan than regular MagicBands. The band is also waterproof.

The immersive elements you can use your MagicBand+ to access at Disneyland will include Batuu Bounty Hunters Interactive Quests which has already begun construction in Batuu. Numerous virtual bounties will be hidden around Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and guests can use their Magicband's light patterns and haptics to complete missions.

Disneyland MagicBand+ will also enhance the entertainment offerings.

World of Color and Fantasmic! will also trigger lights and vibrations on the MagicBand+ which reminds me of the Glow with the Show Mickey Ears that used RFID technology that would glow along with the nighttime spectaculars.

Initially tap to pay and hotel entry access for Disneyland hotel guests won't be available but will be added at a later date. This is just the first look at what we have to expect with MagicBand+ at Disneyland. Be sure to join our FREE Mickey Visit newsletter so that you don't miss out on more coverage and our full review of Disneyland MagicBand+ when we get to test it out.

Will MagicBands Be Required?

No, MagicBands have never been required at Walt Disney World and are not required at Disneyland. Even for Disneyland hotel guests, you will still have the option of a hotel key card or using the mobile app.

Are MagicBands Free?

MagicBands were included in your hotel stay at Walt Disney World in the past but this practice was discontinued a few years ago. Hotel guests at Walt Disney World do receive discounts on MagicBands and free shipping before their hotel stay. It is possible that Disneyland hotel guests will receive the same perks when the service fully launches.

If I already have an older edition of MagicBand will I be able to use it at Disneyland?

Older editions of MagicBands won't be compatible at Disneyland so you will need to purchase the newest MagicBand+ to use at Disneyland. This newest edition of the MagicBand is the only one you can use with the immersive storytelling elements that are built into the parks.