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MagicBand+ has officially debuted on Disney Cruise Line and is now accessible on all ships in the fleet. I decided to take one for the team and purchase my first MagicBand+ to try out on the Disney Magic. That's right, I have still been using the MagicBand 2.0 at the parks, and it finally took exclusive cruise-themed bands to pique my interest and fork over the moolah. So, was it worth it?
What is MagicBand+?
MagicBand+ is a wearable device designed to enhance your Disney experience. Initially, it was implemented in the Disney Parks as a wristband that uses RFID technology that allows Guests to easily access their hotel key, park ticket, attraction reservations, and credit card, among other things. The wearable acts as a centralized gate for connecting data to a specific Guest. For example, on-ride photos automatically show up on a Guest's Photo Gallery in the app by using a long-range ultra-high frequency radio without the Guest ever needing to lift a finger. Creepy, but convenient. The latest version, the MagicBand+, has all those features plus some extra technology to elevate your "immersive experience". Simply speaking, it lights up in pretty colors and vibrates.
Since the release of this newest version, MagicBands are no longer free with a resort stay and the MagicBand 2.0 is being phased out. With a starting price point of $34.99, it never made financial sense for me to invest in a MagicBand+ when my current MagicBands were free and still function the same as a MagicBand+ minus the interactive elements.
Why did I purchase a MagicBand+ then? Here is the kicker, for Disney Cruise Line, only the MagicBand+ is compatible. In addition, they released three new designs only available when you pre-order for your voyage. Even though Disney Cruise Line provides you with a complimentary keycard to act as a room key, your passport on/off the ship, and a way to charge things to the room, I decided to try out the MagicBand+ and let you guys know if it is worth it!
What Can It Do?
Boarding during the Port of Arrival Experience (U.S. ports only)
Access to your stateroom and the kids' clubs
Tap to pay at merchandise and specialty food locations
Easy capture to link photos to your account
Enjoy interactive moments in the dining rooms, during the fireworks, and more
Debarking and embarking at all ports of call*
*Since the release of this review, Disney Cruise Line has announced that MagicBand+ can be used to disembark and embark at all ports of call. (9/10/2024)
Now, Disney Cruise Line is not clear in terms of the capabilities of MagicBand+ on the official website, using broad terminology and imagery such as "boarding made easier" or "special enhancements". Therefore, this list is not exhaustive, and I found it difficult to distinguish what I could or could not use my band for. For example, from my research it appeared I would be able to use the band to scan onto the ship during embarkation, rather than using the QR code, but that was not the case. I am not sure if this was because the Disney Magic was not set-up for this yet, or whether Puerto Rico is considered a U.S. port or not. I am also hearing reports Guests can now use their MagicBand+ to scan on and off the ship at Lookout Cay, Disney's newest island destination, which is contrary to the norm stating to get on/off of the ship you will always need your Key to the World card. Overall, there seems to be a lack of consistency and clarity on MagicBand+ use across the fleet.
You want thingamabobs? I got a MagicBand+!
For me the MagicBand+ was just that, another gadget or gizmo. As an extra add-on, I always expect it to add value to my experience and offer something more than the baseline. For the MagicBand+, the baseline is your Key to the World card which is a complimentary keycard each Guest receives where you can unlock your stateroom, charge to the room, connect your photos to your account, and scan on/off the ship. Sound oddly familiar? The MagicBand+ has pretty much the same capabilities except is a wearable and lights up.
Unlike your keycard, you have access to your MagicBand+ before your room is ready. Everyone's keycard is located in an envelope on their stateroom door; however, these cannot be accessed until after 1:30pm on Embarkation Day. The MagicBand+ is sent directly to your house before cruising, and you can activate it in the My Disney Experience App beforehand. There are three exclusive Disney Cruise Line designs as well as a selection of colors and designs you can find at the parks.
Note: After purchasing your band, you are all set! No set-up required, unless you want to link it to your My Disney Experience account to use in the theme parks. The video above walks you through how to do that.
As I mentioned before, my research led me to believe that once synced up at port, you could use your MagicBand+ to board instead of the QR code you receive when completing the Port of Arrival form. As we checked in, the crew member handled our passports, confirmed our reservation, and activated my MagicBand+ so it linked to the reservation. Once it was time to board, we walked up the gangway, approached the crew member at the podium and as I eagerly outstretched my arm for her to scan my band, I was met with the head shake of disapproval. She still needed one of our QR codes. This was a little disappointing because I felt like the "boarding made easier" marketing point was one of the defining features of the MagicBand+ that distinguished it from the keycard. Again, not sure if this was due to the ship or port, but aside from activating the band, it was virtually useless in the port of arrival experience.
I cannot speak to the access to the kid's clubs, although they still currently offer simplified loaner bands that are returned at the end of the voyage strictly for checking kids in and out of the clubs, but I can imagine a MagicBand+ might be a better option for kids than trying to keep track of keycard or lanyard. Plus, they are waterproof so they can keep them on while in the pool.
Throughout my sailing, the two main uses for the MagicBand+ ended up being to unlock my stateroom or to tap in with photographers so my photos would show up on the account. Most of the time, I still wore my lanyard and used the keycard instead. I am a Platinum cruiser and always bring my "vintage" black lanyard to wear to signify my status. My lack of band use could have been in part because of the habit of using the lanyard for 20+ years now and wanting to make my coveted cruising status visible to others. New cruisers might lean towards the band option, especially since first timers are not given a lanyard until reaching Silver status. This was also a port-heavy itinerary, so we needed our keycards and licenses almost every day to get on and off the ship. Likewise, another determining factor might have been the fashionista in me as I could easily take off my lanyard and slip into my pocket/bag for aesthetic photos. Reflecting back, all of these made me realize I was not the target market for this product and hopefully gives you a good indication of whether a MagicBand+ would work well for you and your sailing party.
I will say, the times I did use the MagicBand+, I enjoyed the hands-free convenience it offered. When taking photos with characters, it streamlined the scanning process for me. Normally, I take my lanyard off for photos, however they need to scan the card first, so it is a mad dash of getting them to tap the card and then quickly stowing it away all while Mickey Mouse is coming at me for a hug. However, with the band, it was quick tap and go situation, similar to what occurs in the parks with PhotoPass.
As I mentioned before, the bands are waterproof, so a major pro was having the ability to get back into my room without having to leave my lanyard on the deck chairs while in the water. Although theft is very uncommon on the ships, you should always be diligent with your items so even though we have historically left the lanyards with our shoes and towels, we always have an eye on them. With the room key essentially on my wrist, it was one less thing I had to worry about. It was nice to have another option besides a lanyard, especially during quick trips in and out of the room. Sometimes the lanyard is cumbersome, flopping around in the wind on the open decks, so having a wearable option was beneficial, but as expressed before with the price point, I see it more as if you already have one great, but don't go out of your way to purchase.
Shining, Shimmering...."hey my band is lighting up"
The distinguishing feature of the MagicBand+ is the added LED lights and haptic vibrations that sync up with some of the entertainment on board. To access these features, your MagicBand+ needs to be charged using the cord it came with. Don't worry though, even if the battery dies, everything tied to the RFID chip like unlocking the door or charging to the room still functions. With limited space and multiple devices, lugging around another cord and remembering to charge the band seems a bit of a hassle just to watch it twinkle. Finding an outlet is always a struggle, so imagine a family of five in their stateroom trying to plug everything in at the end of the night!
Also, if I am being entirely honest, I barely noticed the band lighting up because I was so captivated by the entertainment. For example, the bands synced up during Pirate Night and the fireworks at sea, but I was looking up at the sky, not at my wrist. Who is going to be looking down at their band when there are FIREWORKS! at SEA! I find myself continuing to do this ever since I have been using the band. Something cool will be happening, I'll glance down to get my camera or adjust my bag and then be like "oh hey my band is lighting up" before bringing my attention back to whatever is going on. I also don't know if this was me, but it also seemed like the LEDs were just randomly flashing colors rather than matching the beat of the music or colors on the screens. Other than Pirate Night, the band's LED lights were used during the dinner show at Animator's Palate and the See Ya Real Soon event in the atrium. Marketing the band as interactive is slightly stretching it, perhaps there were more interactive elements in the kid's clubs where that technology already exists? Overall, I was left scratching my head as to why this is another major selling point for the MagicBand+, especially over its previous counterpart, the MagicBand 2.0 that can do everything besides light up.
Is it Worth It?
Honestly, no, I was underwhelmed with what the band could do, and it boils down to a) being accustomed to lanyards and b) the outfitting of the ships to DisneyBand+ technology being limited by the infrastructure that is already present on the ships.
Now that I do have a Disney Cruise Line band I will continue to bring it with me on cruises, but more than likely won't be wearing it all the time. If you already have a MagicBand+, it wouldn't hurt to bring it, but otherwise, I don't see much value in upgrading any older bands you already use at the parks or buying one strictly for a cruise. Instead, put that money towards other souvenirs, excursions, or special add-ons.
UPDATE: Since the release of this review, Disney Cruise Line has announced that MagicBand+ can now be used to disembark and embark at all ports of call. I recently was able to try out this capability on my Alaskan cruise and it definitely added to the value of the band. For quick trips off the ship, it was convenient to have something on my wrist rather than keep track of a keycard. With the Alaskan weather, I was constantly taking layers on and off, so it was a nice change of pace of not having to worry about where my lanyard was as well as having the lanyard aggressively flapping in the wind as it does on most of the piers. This new addition not only expands what the MagicBand+ can do but also resolves some of the downsides I initially reported on.
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