The big Disney change we’re not happy about

One of the best things about Walt Disney World is the magic bands. But it looks like Disney has plans to end them, along with the Magical Express.

Walt Disney MagicBands make a theme park holiday so easy.

Disney introduced the RFID chip on a wrist strap about a decade ago. When you book your Walt Disney World holiday you get to choose your MagicBand colours and characters and the wrist strap will be waiting for you when you check in to your Disney hotel. 

Walt Disney World MagicBands store your park ticket and your FastPass+ access. They open your hotel door and they link to a credit or debit card so you can use them to pay for food and souvenirs.

With a MagicBand, you don’t need to carry a wallet or lug around a bag.

The less stuff you have in your hands, the easier it is to ride the thrilling roller coasters.

This is why the news that Disney is considering phasing out Magic Bands is so upsetting.

MagicBands are no longer free

During the pandemic, Disney announced that MagicBands would no longer be free. 

Guests will have to pay for them.

You can use an old MagicBand again if you have been to Walt Disney World before. But you can’t transfer them to someone else.

It seems like Disney is phasing out MagicBands in favour of a device that we all have – mobile phones.

Disney MagicMobile

In March, Disney announced that the first phase of MagicMobile had begun. Disney is planning to give your mobile phone the same abilities as a MagicBand.

So far Disney has enabled iPhones and Apple watches.

Guests can set up a MagicMobile Pass in their Apple Wallet which will give them the ability to enter the park with a valid ticket, unlock their hotel door, connect their PhotoPass and join the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance.

The system is similar to Apple Pay so you won’t even have to unlock your phone.

What’s the problem?

If you’re taking photos, accessing the Disney app, checking wait times and joining the virtual queue with your mobile phone, you’re going to run out of battery.

Kids often have old hand-me-down mobiles from their parents, with even less battery power.

Potentially, your mobile phone battery could run out before you get back to your hotel. Then you can’t open the door. You may need to carry a charger with you – adding another thing to carry around.

That wouldn’t happen with a Disney MagicBand.

If you have a smartwatch, you’ll be less annoyed by this change. However, it will still be sad to see the colourful character bands go. The kids loved picking one out for their trip to Walt Disney World and it made a unique souvenir of their time in Orlando.

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And another change…

Disney’s Magical Express is the best way to get from Orlando Airport to your Disney hotel.

The Magical Express bus made life so easy because it would deliver your luggage to your room. After nearly 24 hours of flying time from Sydney – that was a HUGE perk.

As of March 2021, that feature is no longer available.

And it gets worse. Disney’s Magical Express will cease service on the first day of 2022. 

Here’s hoping that Disney will have some other magical transportation ready for when Australians can finally travel to Walt Disney World again.

This article on Walt Disney World MagicBands is a Holidays with Kids digital exclusive. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter here.