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12 Tips & Tricks For Using MagicBands at Walt Disney World
By Leah Althiser /
August 25, 2017
MagicBands are one of my favorite parts of a Disney World vacation. Having my room key, credit card, park ticket, and FastPasses on my wrist makes life so much easier!
Since I am such a MagicBand lover, I have accumulated lots of tips and tricks for getting the most enjoyment (and least hassle) out of using MagicBands at Walt Disney World. Here are twelve ways to have the best possible experience with your MagicBands.
1) I can’t tell you how many times I have accidentally pulled my MagicBand off when I am putting my backpack on or taking it off. I purchased a two-pack of BitBelts on Amazon for $2.99 that help hold the strap of my MagicBand in place. No more MagicBand flying off when I’m getting on and off attractions!
2) If you do happen to lose your MagicBand, let a Cast Member know right away. They can likely get in touch with someone who can locate it thanks to the RFID signal it is emitting.
3) The removable puck in the new MagicBand 2.0 allows you to mix-and-match your MagicBand colors within your travel party. Just use a tiny screwdriver to loosen the screws on the back of your band, then pop the “puck” out and switch them around. It’s a quick way to get a custom look for your bands.
4) If you don’t want to wear a MagicBand on your wrist, you can purchase a “MagicKeeper” lanyard clip or carabiner that will hold the puck from your band. You can buy these in the parks or online before your trip at the Disney Store. Just scan the MagicKeeper as you would your band and you are good to go.
5) Purchasing a “skin” or decal for your MagicBand is an easy way to get a custom look without having to cough up close to $25 for a special band from Disney. Check out all of these awesome MagicBand decals available on Etsy. You can pretty much find ANY design your heart desires, from Dole Whips to Figment, and most are under $8 shipped.
6) As you might know, a MagicBand is a link to your My Disney Experience account. That means that any MagicBand that is active in your account can be used during your trip. If you are doing a split stay at two resorts, you don’t have to switch MagicBands during your trip – one band will work throughout your stay.
7) If you don’t shy away from some DIY, check out my post on how to use tattoos, clear fingernail polish, and nail gems to create a blinged-out MagicBand. The total cost for customizing three bands for a girls’ trip was $2, and we got countless compliments!
8) If you are traveling with a little one, consider using a silver Sharpie or paint pen to write your phone number on the inside of their MagicBand. If they are ever separated from you, a Cast Member can use it to locate you quickly.
9) If you want to know what time it is to keep up with your FastPass reservations but don’t want to wear a watch AND a MagicBand on your wrist, consider getting a MagicSlider with a built-in watch. You can get them with either a digital or analog clock from Disney Store or in the parks.
10) Everyone must use the MagicBand connected to their account to enter the parks because of the fingerprint scan. However, you can use someone else’s MagicBand for FastPasses. If a member of your group has a FastPass for an attraction that they don’t want to ride, they can lend their MagicBand to someone else to let them ride multiple times!
11) If you have a Disney Dining Plan during your stay (check out this post on how to decide if the Dining Plan makes sense for you), all of the credits for the entire trip are loaded onto the MagicBands of everyone in your party. This means that if you separate anyone can use snack or meal credits on their own. Also, any member of the party can have their band scanned to when it comes time to “pay” with your credits.
12) Sometimes we stay in the same room with a grandparent or friend who wants to make charges back to their own credit card with their MagicBand. A Cast Member at your resort’s front desk can link a particular MagicBand to a credit card that’s different from what’s on file for your room charges. We have done this often and it has been successful on all but one trip.
I hope these tips help you get the most out of your MagicBands on your next visit to Walt Disney World. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message at The Frugal South’s Facebook page!
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