Disneyland Phases Out MagicBand+
Disneyland is winding down its interactive MagicBand+ product, as it seems that the convenience of smartphones is leading to a decline in their popularity.
According to park officials, while the MagicBand+ will still provide an engaging experience for visitors, it will soon only be available online at disneystore.com. After that, its availability will shift to Walt Disney World Resort.
This development was highlighted in a tweet by Scott Gustin of Nexstar, who noted that retail shops at the park and nearby attractions in Anaheim are running low on supplies.
“It looks like MagicBand+ products are being phased out at Disneyland,” he shared in his post.
He further commented that these bands are now only sold at three locations and that the resort plans to exhaust the remaining stock, with no new shipments on the horizon.
Disney’s site touts the MagicBand+ as allowing guests to “be part of the show!” It adds color and tactile feedback during popular nighttime events like World of Color and Fantasmic!
“This band brings a unique touch of magic to experiences at Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park,” the website states.
The bands start at $34.99, but Disneyland warns that styles can vary and prices may change without notice.
Initially launched at Walt Disney World in 2013, the MagicBand+ didn’t make its way to Disneyland until 2022. Early iterations of the band lacked rechargeable capabilities and LEDs.
The MagicBand+ is designed to enhance the park experience by serving as an entry ticket and providing access to Lightning Lane, and it can also be linked to a smartphone for personalization.
In contrast, at Disney World, the band functions as a means to charge hotel rooms and purchases, heightening its appeal.
Some cast members indicated that an initial update led to a scarcity of the bands, and they were brought back in limited quantities based on demand for specific designs.
“We were able to bring back the Wanda, Jasmine, and Jafar models, as they were the only designs we had available for retail,” noted a report.
However, there’s still uncertainty surrounding the future of MagicBand+ at Disneyland, according to cast members.
Gustin’s findings come amid growing conversation online as visitors have noticed the shelves at retail stores becoming emptier.
The rise of smartphones is seen as one reason for the fading interest in the bands. The Disney Magic mobile app allows park-goers to manage tickets, reserve Lightning Lane access, order food, and more. This app’s convenience makes it easier for people to use their phones, which are typically charged and readily available.
For those who already own a MagicBand+, Gustin mentioned that they can still be utilized in the park, suggesting that while the product may be fading, the underlying technology will persist.
“This doesn’t immediately impact MagicBand+ interactives around the resort,” he concluded, indicating that users can still check their purchase location through the Disneyland app.
