Disney Discontinuing Complimentary MagicBands Starting In 2021

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News•Published June 19, 2020by Ash

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With the perks of staying at a Walt Disney World resort slowly fading away due to changes made thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, another perk will soon be removed. For all check-ins starting January 1st 2021, guests will no longer be given a complimentary Magicband. You will still be able to add one to your booking at a discounted rate, however. If you choose not to buy a Magicband, you'll get given a key card (like the old days) or use the My Disney Experience app.

As you begin planning your upcoming visits, we're also exploring engaging ways for guests to use their mobile tech to experience the magic â€“ particularly now as the use of phones and apps continues to evolve. In 2021, we plan to unveil an innovative new offering as part of the My Disney Experience app that will bring features of a MagicBand to your smart devices, building on the app's existing digital key feature.

With this new offering on the horizon, we will be retiring our complimentary MagicBand distribution to Disney Resort hotel guests for new reservations with arrivals beginning Jan. 1, 2021. Disney Resort hotel guests will continue to have the option to purchase new MagicBands at a discount, and we'll be introducing even more colors and designs featuring favorite Disney characters in the future.

Guests who prefer not to purchase a discounted MagicBand will be able to use the My Disney Experience app or a Key to the World card during their visit. We will still offer MagicBands in retail locations and on shopDisney.com, and guests will be able to continue using the wearables throughout Walt Disney World Resort.

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Ash Hales
Ash

About The Author
Ash Hales is a British Disney Parks writer and the voice behind Mickey From The UK. Based in the South of England, he's been visiting Disney Parks for over three decades and launched Mickey From The UK in 2017 to provide practical, straight-talking advice for British guests - without the American bias.