Technological innovation will enhance theme parks with digital experiences at Walt Disney World Resort
“Many of the things that seem impossible now will become realities tomorrow. … We’ll always be introducing and testing and demonstrating new materials and new systems.” – Walt Disney
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (July 21, 2022) – Starting July 27, Walt Disney World Resort guests will interact with Disney stories in all new ways through the magic of technology, with the launch of Disney’s newest wearable, MagicBand+. The new product will enhance guest visits to Walt Disney World Resort throughout the vacation destination’s 50th anniversary celebration and beyond.
MagicBand+ Unlocks New Interactive Experiences at Walt Disney World Resort
In 2013, Walt Disney World Resort introduced the MagicBand, a revolutionary way to make the guest experience in its theme parks and resorts more convenient, including park and guest room entry*, retail and dining*, Disney PhotoPass service and more. The next-generation MagicBand+ will retain those popular features and add new functionality to unlock experiential moments of magic throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts.
After a guest enters a theme park, MagicBand+ will come alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition, enhancing the environment’s storytelling. The wearable will allow guests to engage with favorite Disney moments in new ways and discover new interactive experiences, including:
- Guests can embark on the “Disney Fab 50 Quest,” a scavenger hunt throughout the four Walt Disney World theme parks using MagicBand+ to help spread pixie dust and interact with the golden character sculptures. With the Play Disney Parks app, guests can dive deeper into the experience to find hints and keep track of sculptures which will unlock digital achievements, including an augmented reality feature.
- In the “Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters” experience, guests can join the Batuu Bounty Hunters’ Guild in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Using their MagicBand+ to find numerous virtual bounties hidden throughout Black Spire Outpost, guests will follow the band’s light patterns and haptics to complete their mission. Then they will return to the local guild master, who will reward them with galactic credits. Guests can also use the Play Disney Parks mobile app to help them reveal their virtual bounty using the app’s built-in augmented reality thermal viewer**.
- Guests can experience nighttime spectaculars in a new way as they see their bands light up and complement the magic in the skies, including “Harmonious” at EPCOT and “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park. MagicBand+ will also engage as all four theme park icons transform into Beacons of Magic!
These experiences will be available with MagicBand+ when it goes on sale on July 27. Disney Resort hotel guests and Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will have the option to purchase at a discounted, pre-arrival price. All guests can buy MagicBand+ at select stores across Walt Disney World and online at shopDisney, starting at $34.99. Guests may continue to use their existing MagicBand and Disney MagicMobile, available on eligible devices, to enjoy other features, such as park entry*. The original MagicBand product will continue to be available for purchase as well.
MagicBand+ will be available at Disneyland Resort later this year. Some of the features will vary between Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. More details will be shared soon.
For more on the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration, visit WDWNews.com.
###
*Guests can use MagicBand and MagicBand+ to enter Walt Disney World theme parks with valid admission and theme park reservations, enter their Disney Resort hotel room, and charge food and merchandise purchases to the payment card on file at their Disney Resort hotel room during their stay.
**To use the Play Disney Parks mobile app to enhance the MagicBand+ experience, guests must be logged into the Play Disney Parks app with the Disney account linked with their MagicBand+.