Do you need a MagicBand for Disney World?

I just spent the last five days at the most Magical Place on earth, and I left with one regret.

I really should have gotten a MagicBand.

If you’re researching whether or not you need a MagicBand+ for your trip to Disney World, let me tell you why you need it.

A few months ago, I wrote an article breaking down what a MagicBand is and why you might want to buy one. Back then, I said you only really need it if you were staying at a Disney property, but I was totally wrong about that.

Now that I’ve traveled without one (after previously using one in June 2024), I can tell you exactly why it is a need, not a want. I just spent the last five days in Disney World for Jersey Week and I missed my MagicBand so much.

What is a MagicBand+?

Disney’s MagicBand (which is actually called MagicBand+) is your ticket to everything. Most people think you really only need a MagicBand+ if you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, but honestly, anyone who is traveling to Disney World would benefit from getting a MagicBand+. It eliminates the need to take your phone out to check in for anything.

What I failed to mention in my last article (or forgot about entirely when writing), if you bought Lightning Lane Passes, you need a MagicBand.

It’s not actually a requirement, but it will make your life so much easier. You need to scan in for every Lightning Lane, whether you bought a multi-pass or an individual pass. And some rides require you to scan in twice.

For example, if you’re riding Peter Pan’s Flight or “it’s a small world,” you’re going to scan in at the Lightning Lane entry. Then you’ll get into a short line for a few minutes, and you’ll need to scan in again at a second checkpoint before boarding the ride. If you’re like me, when I buy a Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, I tend to book five to eight attractions in a day. That means I might need to scan anywhere from nine to 17 times (because you need to scan in at least once to just enter the park, then you’re going to scan in for every attraction).

If you don’t feel like constantly pulling your phone or wallet out at every ride, a MagicBand is essential.

If yon’t really book Lightning Lanes, but like to take photos… well, you’re going to want a MagicBand for the same exact reason! Every Photo Pass location requires you to scan your MagicBand+/theme park ticket. And some ride attractions will prompt you to scan your band to load your ride attraction photo to your account.

I have a Stitch MagicBand, and I regret not bringing it. I wasn’t staying at a Disney World resort property on this trip, so I could not use it to enter my room, and I thought I didn’t really need to use my band much otherwise. Now, having done an entire trip without one vs. previously using a MagicBand, I will never, ever go to Disney World without one.

If you are staying at a Disney World resort, it’s a no-brainer, but honestly, I think everyone needs them, resort guest or not.

These are all the benefits of MagicBand+:

• You can use the MagicBand+ to enter theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort
• Check in at Lightning Lane entrances
• Link Disney PhotoPass photos to your MyDisney account
• At Walt Disney World Resort hotels, you can also unlock your Disney Resort hotel room with a single tap
• Yoy can use your MagicBand+ to charge food and merchandise purchases to the payment card on file at your Disney Resort hotel room during your stay
• Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters interactive quest, which lets you be a bounty hunter at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge 
• Enchanting interactions with the Disney Fab 50 Characters — golden character sculptures spread throughout the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks

And don’t forget, Disney World resort guests get a discount on their bands ahead of their trip!

MagicBand Protector

$7 $5

This pack of protectors is perfect for protecting your Disney MagicBand from loss. It also works for the Fitbit Charge, Garmin Vivofit and Fitbit Force.

Buy Now on Amazon

Pro Tip: Get a pack of MagicBand protectors from Amazon before your trip. The MagicBand design can sometimes unhook. Everyone on social media recommends slipping this protector over their MagicBand to secure it in place.