Disney Cruise Line has announced the release of the DisneyBand+ wearable technology in Summer 2023 for DCL’s 25th Anniversary. This post covers everything you need to know about this interactive enhancement.
For starters, this is the MagicBand+ by a different name. That’s really the key thing to know, and DCL isn’t pretending otherwise, with the first line in the press release being that “the popular MagicBand+ technology used at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort will start to make its way to Disney Cruise Line, beginning with a preview opportunity on select Disney Wish sailings before it officially debuts. At Disney Cruise Line, we are calling it DisneyBand+.”
With DisneyBand+, you’ll be able to unlock the hands-free conveniences of wearable technology on the high seas for the first time on a Disney cruise. With three Disney Cruise Line-exclusive designs from which to choose, DisneyBand+ will be a fun accessory for your Disney cruise vacation.
Although unconfirmed, what we’ve heard is that this rebranding is occurring in international markets at the behest of Disney Legal. What’s unclear is whether this is because Disney cannot use the term MagicBand in international markets, or because they cannot protect the mark in international markets.
Although that might sound like a distinction without a difference, they’re definitely not the same. I have no clue one way or the other, and am not inclined to do the research to find out. My suspicion is that it’s the latter, as Disney Legal’s desire to err on the side of caution has resulted in a lot of (unnecessary or downright counterproductive, if you ask me) changes to naming convention. But I digress.
As far as features go, the DisneyBand+ will make unlocking your stateroom door, charging a sweet treat or a souvenir to your payment card on your stateroom folio as easy as tapping your wrist. Your DisneyBand+ is also “adventure-proof,” which means that you can wear it while you cool off at the pool, go snorkeling at Castaway Cay, or take a plunge on AquaMouse!
Even the littlest explorers can experience the magic of DisneyBand+. Children ages 3 and up can also use their bands in lieu of the Oceaneer Club Band to access kids’ clubs including Disney’s Oceaneer Club while onboard and Scuttle’s Cove at Castaway Cay.
Whether you’re meeting a favorite Disney character or striking a pose in front of the iconic Disney Cruise Line red funnel, onboard photographers around the ship are ready to capture your favorite vacation memories. With one tap, you can easily link your photos to your stateroom making it easy to view and purchase photos during your cruise.
Wearing your DisneyBand+ will allow you to discover enchanting surprises throughout your cruise, so keep your eyes peeled for extra moments of magic. Plus, it is rechargeable; this makes a great reusable accessory for your future Disney vacation experiences, including Disney cruises and visits to the parks & resorts.
Not to put a damper on anyone’s excitement about the DisneyBand+ aboard Disney Cruise Line, but you might consider reading our brutally honest MagicBand+ Review: Good, Bad & Ugly. From our perspective, the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge minigame is essentially the selling point of the MagicBand+ right now…and that will not exist aboard DCL. Almost everything else about the “Plus” underwhelms or is inconvenient.
If you’re on the fence about DisneyBand Plus, that review should help you determine whether it’s for you. Conversely, if you’re incredibly excited about the DisneyBand+ coming to DCL and plan on ordering multiple for everyone in your family, you might not want to read that. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. 😉
With that out of the way, let’s turn to frequently asked questions about the DisneyBand Plus, which are a mix of ones provided by Disney Cruise Line and ones that readers have asked us (and we’ve answered) about the MagicBand Plus…
What is DisneyBand+?
DisneyBand+ is a waterproof wristband designed to make certain parts of your vacation easier. From boarding the ship on embarkation day to accessing your stateroom, paying for onboard items with a valid payment card and more, DisneyBand+ brings convenience—and a bit of magic—to your Disney Cruise Line sailing.
Can I use my MagicBand+ on board Disney Cruise Line ships?
Yes.
Your Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort MagicBand+ can be used as a DisneyBand+ during select Disney Cruise Line sailings. Following the preview that is taking place on the Disney Wish, DisneyBand+ will begin to make its way to select sailings aboard other Disney Cruise Line ships.
Can I use my DisneyBand+ at Disney theme parks around the world?
Also yes. DisneyBand+ for Disney Cruise Line can be used at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort.
Again, the DisneyBand+ is the exact same technology and underlying device as the MagicBand+, just with a different name. It’s like The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure versus Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid. Exact same ride on both coasts, but different verbose names for some unknown reason!
What are the base features of DisneyBand+ or MagicBand Plus?
MagicBand+ can do everything a MagicBand can do and more at Walt Disney World:
- Enter theme parks (note: no theme parks at sea)
- Tap into Lightning Lanes (note: no Lightning Lanes at sea…yet!)
- Connect photos
- Unlock your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room door or Disney Cruise Line stateroom door
- Purchasing items at Walt Disney World or aboard Disney Cruise Line with a linked resort reservation and credit card
What are the unique features of DisneyBand+ or MagicBand Plus?
In addition to the above, MagicBand+ also offers:
- Haptic vibrations and light pulses that bring experiences to life
- Customizable light patterns after double tapping the center of the band
- Gesture recognition for interactivity at certain locations
- A rechargeable battery
- Exclusive experiences and mini-games
How much does a DisneyBand+ cost?
Solid bands cost $34.99, and themed designs cost $44.99, plus tax. That’s consistent with current pricing for MagicBand+ designs.
From there, costs could increase even further for limited edition or designer fashion styles. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a MagicBand+ that costs $75 by the end of the year.
How can I purchase a DisneyBand+?
DisneyBand+ will roll out on the Disney Wish and can be purchased in advance of your sailing or on board the ship. Rollout dates have not yet been announced, so check back for more details coming soon about when you can purchase. International guests may purchase at a merchandise shop on board.
Once DisneyBand+ has debuted on the Disney Wish, you can order a DisneyBand+ by visiting My Reservations between 11 and 45 days of your sail date, if your reservation is paid in full. If you would like to customize your DisneyBand+ with your name and an available color before your sailing, you must do so at least 11 days before your voyage, after reserving your stateroom. When you customize your DisneyBand+, the printed name will appear on the inside of the band.
Is there a pre-arrival discount for DisneyBand+ on Disney Cruise Line?
Yes! Order before you embark to save $10 off the onboard price of each band—and harness the power of wearable technology as you make your way aboard the ship.
As with purchases in general, pre-arrival orders currently available to US residents with a valid US address traveling on the Disney Wish, subject to availability. Orders must be placed at least 11 days prior to sail date. You can also purchase on board during your sailing or use your MagicBand+ from Walt Disney World Resort or the Disneyland Resort to unlock the power of DisneyBand+.
Pre-arrival DisneyBand+ discount offer is currently available only to US residents with a fully paid reservation on the Disney Wish. Order must be placed between 45 and 11 days of the sailing. Credit card will be charged when the order is shipped. DisneyBand+ orders cannot be cancelled, returned, refunded or exchanged—even if the Disney cruise reservation is cancelled.
Shipping is available to valid US addresses (including US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) only; shipping is not available to PO Boxes, APO, FPO, DPO, United States ports, or international addresses. Pricing may vary. Designs subject to availability. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Offer is subject to restrictions and change without notice.
Is there a shipping charge if I choose to order DisneyBand+ before I arrive?
No.
Shipping is included in the cost of the DisneyBand+ wearable. However, shipping of DisneyBand+ is only available to US residents with a valid US address.
When should I expect to receive my DisneyBand+ order in the mail?
The expected wait time for your DisneyBand+ is approximately 10 business days from the date of your order, unless otherwise noted. Please note: shipping of DisneyBand+ is only available to US residents with a valid US address. (All of these notes about US shipping are from Disney Cruise Line. I guess they want to make it very clear that international guests are not eligible for shipping!)
Can I purchase multiple DisneyBand+ devices?
Do you really think Disney is going to turn down more merchandise sales?!
Officially, you can have multiple DisneyBands or cards linked to your Disney account, you can continue to use as many as your wrists and pockets can carry. However, getting multiple DisneyBands or cards does not give you multiple entitlements, such as additional park admission. Also, once a DisneyBand+ is linked to a person, it cannot be transferred to another person.
Unofficially, you cannot have an unlimited number of linked bands and also a working My Disney Experience account. I once had over 100 bands, room keys, and tickets attached to my account, and it got so bogged down that trying to do anything would cause the system to time out or crash. I had to have them manually removed from my account (deactivating them wasn’t good enough). Now I “only” have 43 and my account more or less works okay.
How long does the battery on a DisneyBand+ last?
Depending on an individual’s use of the band, the battery can last an estimated 1 to 3 days when fully charged. For optimal usage, it is recommended you charge your DisneyBand+ overnight.
In practice, playing interactive minigames is the biggest drain on the device; doing that for a few hours can alone deplete an entire battery. Most people won’t be doing that from start to finish for hours on end, so the above range is mostly accurate.
With that said, it’s highly recommended that you charge the device each night before use. Upon purchase or receipt of your band, it is recommended to charge it to high battery levels for the most optimal usage.
What is the difference between a Disney Oceaneer Band and a DisneyBand+?
A Disney Oceaneer Band is a bracelet provided for use on board the ship to children ages 12 and under, allowing them access in and out of Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab. An Oceaneer Band does not offer features such as stateroom access, photo linking or magical moments and must be returned at the end of your sailing.
Children who are 12 and under and registered for youth club activities can use their DisneyBand+ to access Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab. It’s a good idea to charge the band beforehand, but we can also issue a Disney Oceaneer Band if the DisneyBand+ battery runs out of power during the fun. Please note: you must return your Disney Oceaneer Band at the end of your cruise to avoid being charged a fee.
Which phones are compatible with DisneyBand+?
DisneyBand+ can pair with most smart devices, including Android and Apple devices.
Can I reuse my DisneyBand+ the next time I sail with Disney Cruise Line?
Yes, but it is currently only available on board the Disney Wish. If you have a DisneyBand+ that you like and it is in working condition, you can continue to use it when you sail with us again on select ships and itineraries.
DisneyBand+ will roll out across the Disney Cruise Line fleet beginning with the Disney Wish. While rollout dates have not yet been announced, we invite you to check back for more details soon.
Can I still use my Key to the World card instead of a DisneyBand+?
Key to the World cards will continue to be issued and can be used as they are today, including to access your stateroom and charging food and merchandise purchases to the payment card on your stateroom folio. Your Key to the World and photo ID (for guests 18 and older), will still be required to debark and embark at Ports of Call.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have any questions about the DisneyBand+ that this FAQ did not answer? Other thoughts or points to address? Excited about the DisneyBand+ debuting aboard Disney Cruise Line? If you’ve already used it, what do you think of the MagicBand/DisneyBand Plus? Will you be purchasing these new interactive wearables when they go on sale for DCL guests? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
