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Disney World Launches MagicBand for iPhone and Apple Watch With Animations and Express Mode Support

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Disney today announced the launch of MagicBand support for iPhone and Apple Watch in a service called "Disney MagicMobile," which uses the Wallet app.

disney-magic-bands.jpg


Disney's MagicBand is a colorful wristband that guests can wear at Walt Disney World to enter the theme parks, unlock their hotel room, and buy food and merchandise. Disney announced the new MagicMobile service earlier this month, which brings a contactless way to access many MagicBand features using only an iPhone or Apple Watch.

Guests can create a Disney MagicMobile pass through the My Disney Experience app and add it to the Wallet app. The user's iPhone or Apple Watch can then be used at the same contactless access points as with a MagicBand. There is also the option to use a MagicBand alongside a MagicMobile mobile pass, so guests do not need to choose one over the other.

Guests are able to customize their MagicMobile pass by choosing from several Disney-themed designs that animate upon use, and users can also store multiple passes on a single device for families. With support for Express Mode on iPhone and Apple Watch, guests also can use their Disney MagicMobile pass without needing to wake or unlock their Apple device.

Initially, MagicMobile is exclusive to Apple devices only, but the service is expected to come to Android devices at a later date.

Article Link: Disney World Launches MagicBand for iPhone and Apple Watch With Animations and Express Mode Support
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/30/disney-launches-magicband-iphone-and-apple-watch/
Goodeye said:
Well since it adds it to the iPhone wallet it does show up in the Apple Watch wallet.
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I think what he’s saying is that it would’ve been cool to have a Disney x Apple band even without the “magic” functionality since the tech is on the Watch itself.

Would’ve been also cool though in years passed to have an actual Magic Band that could attach to the Apple Watch.
 
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rpat701 said:
Cool. I knew they were doing away with the bands. I guess this is why.
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Not at all, just adding more options. All that hardware installed on every resort room, the ticket entrances, the NFC portals for photos etc. Disney has said Magicbands are not going away they are just providing more options. They still sell and keep coming up with new Magicbands, if they were going away they would stop making them. It's the free side of it they can't justify anymore.

Ya thats what Disney is trying to cut costs on, just like Magical Express, they didn't operate it themselves but partnered with another company. That was a free service if you were flying into MCO and staying at a Disney Resort (sure it's added into room costs/park ticket costs but still). Thanks to the Pandemic the parks have operated at a major loss. Disney may be rich a.f. but they don't like nor want (and neither do their shareholders) anything operating at a loss.

These are all cost cutting moves to get them closer to the black.
 
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newyorksole said:
Would’ve been also cool though in years passed to have an actual Magic Band that could attach to the Apple Watch.
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I had bought a holder for the puck portion of the magicband a couple years back on etsy, held up well for a few trips. Just slight confusion when paying since the cast member thought I was doing apple pay vs band payment.
 
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newyorksole said:
I think what he’s saying is that it would’ve been cool to have a Disney x Apple band even without the “magic” functionality since the tech is on the Watch itself.

Would’ve been also cool though in years passed to have an actual Magic Band that could attach to the Apple Watch.
Click to expand...

Now that this is out, I would not be surprised if we see something like that in the parks or on the Shop Disney store. Especially with the 50th anniversary arriving in October.
 
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That's great -- wife and I are fully vaccinated, but I'm not interested in wearing a mask for 10 hours in the crushing heat and sweltering humidity of Orlando in the summertime.

Floridians know, Disney World has seasons just like theme parks in the north - for us it's "closed" May-mid October due to Florida's weather punching people in the face.
 
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The best part is, the functionality will still work when your iPhone dies! People were real worried about that.IMG_1365.PNG
 
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How will the photo pass work without the Magic Band? I get the room and gate, I used my watch with Apple Pay to cover meals the last couple of years but the Magic Band would notify the ride you are a rider and put the photo in your collection. Assuming you bought the package.
 
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Well considering you NEED your phone in WDW this actually makes a lot of sense. And A LOT of people who use an iPhone also have an Apple Watch so having your Watch essentially be your magic band now it alleviates the need to wear two wristbands. I like it! Can't wait to try it out at the end of April :)
 
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joshwithachance said:
Well considering you NEED your phone in WDW this actually makes a lot of sense. And A LOT of people who use an iPhone also have an Apple Watch so having your Watch essentially be your magic band now it alleviates the need to wear two wristbands. I like it! Can't wait to try it out at the end of April :)
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Not necessarily true. I love my iPhone but prefer my bare bones G-Shock and have no desire for a smart watch. I know lots of people like that.
 
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