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MagicBand
TypeWearable technology
InventorSynapse Product Development[1]
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
Inception2013
AvailableSold at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and online
Current supplierWalt Disney World, Disneyland Resort
WebsiteOffical Website

A MagicBand is a plastic RFID bracelet that is used by guests at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and on Disney Cruse Ships (Called DisneyBand+ for the Disney Cruse Line). The MagicBands form the central part of the MyMagic+ experience, providing a way for the system to connect data to guests. This includes connecting park tickets, hotel room keys, payments, and PhotoPass information to the MagicBands. The bands were announced on January 7, 2013, by Tom Staggs as a part of MyMagic+.[2]

There are three models of MagicBands: the original and now-discontinued MagicBand; MagicBand 2, which features interchangeable "Icons" (the actual RFID portion of the bracelet) that can be used on different bands and accessories; and MagicBand+, an enhanced version of MagicBand 2 with additional "smart" functions.

Currently, the MagicBand+ and DisneyBand+ are the only types of bands that function at Disneyland parks.[3]

Development

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Main article: MyMagic+ § Development

MagicBands were developed alongside the MyMagic+ program as a way to tie all of the different elements of the program together. The MagicBand idea came at the start of the Next Generation Experience (the code name for what became MyMagic+), when one of the original five members of the project, business development VP John Padgett, was on a flight between Burbank, the Walt Disney Company's headquarters, and Orlando, the location of Walt Disney World. Padgett saw a magnetic therapy, a pseudoscientific alternative medicine practice, wristband in a SkyMall magazine, which claimed to ease sore muscles "while simultaneously improving one's golf swing". He and the project team began considering the design of a wristband encoded with "everything a guest might need—park tickets, photos, coupons, even money". Soon afterward, they created a makeshift xBand (the original code name for the MagicBand) using a velcro strip, a plastic liner, and an RFID tag.[4]

The original MagicBand design was created by Frog Design. The original design consisted of an outer plastic grey bracelet, which can be removed to adjust for a smaller sized wrist, and an inner plastic bracelet. The inner plastic bracelet is one of eight base colors,[5] which can then have a series of different designs printed on them for an extra fee. Sealed inside of the middle of the inner band is the circuitry, consisting of high frequency and ultra-high frequency antennas and a coin cell battery,[6] all embedded on a PCB.[7][8][9][10] Directly outside of the circuitry is an outline of Mickey Mouse's head on the front, while the back includes the Band ID, the FCC ID number, and other information.[4]

On November 19, 2016, Disney unveiled the new MagicBand 2 design. This updated version features a larger Mickey head and an expanded circuitry area. The Icon, which is the removable part of the wristband, can be easily detached using a special screwdriver and transferred to other bands or accessories, such as a keychain.[11][12][13]

Disney introduced the new version of the wearable device called MagicBand+ in September of 2021[14]. Since its debut at Disneyland on October 26, 2022, MagicBand+ has enhanced the park experience by allowing guests to play exclusive games and providing a hands-free way to enter the park. The device is also waterproof and rechargeable. Additionally, a new interactive game in Galaxy's Edge launched alongside MagicBand+, enabling guests to embark on a quest to collect bounties throughout the land.[15]

Implementation

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Until January 1, 2021, MagicBands were free to all Disney Resort guests. Until August 16, 2021, the bands were free to annual passholders.[16] While other guests receive an RFID-enabled Key to the World card, they are able to purchase a MagicBand online or at the parks.[17] In March of the same year, Disney launched the MagicMobile Pass on Apple Wallet for iOS and watchOS devices. The pass allows guests to access the parks by tapping their devices at special NFC touchpoints throughout the resort. The service was later extended to Google Wallet on Android devices in April.[18][19]

Touchpoints, consisting of a ring with an outline of Mickey Mouse's head,[4] are located at park entry points, Lightning Lane (previously Fastpass+) entry points, PhotoPass locations, and point of sales location. When a guest walks up to one, they place their MagicBand's circuitry location against the center of the ring (known as putting "Mickey to Mickey"[4]), in order to engage the system. The ring and outline on the touchpoint will then light up green if access is granted, while it will turn blue if cast member assistance is required.[4] Some special edition MagicBands with graphics printed on them will cause the touchpoints to light up different colors and make different noises instead of the default green when access is granted.[20][21][22] An example of this is the red lightsaber Star Wars-themed MagicBand, which changed the default green to red.[23] In normal settings, the touchpoints will never turn red, due to the negative connotation of the color.[24]

Handheld MagicBand readers are used at sit-down restaurants for point of sales and by PhotoPass photographers to link photos.[25] These handheld readers do not have the light up features of the touchpoints.

The MagicBands are also used to connect guests' on-ride photos to their PhotoPass using the long-range ultra-high frequency radio without guests having to use touchpoints to associate the pictures to their account.[26][27][28] The MagicBands also allow guests to interact, using a system called Storymaker, with screens in rides or queues, such as It's a Small World,[29][30] Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith,[31][32] Haunted Mansion,[33] and Expedition Everest.[34]

On February 13, 2017, it was announced that over 29 million MagicBands had been made.[35]

The MagicBand system has also been used to enforce COVID-19 safety protocols inside the NBA Bubble for the resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex; access to courts and practice facilities requires scanning a MagicBand in order to verify that the wearer has completed mandatory health monitoring protocols.[36][37]

MagicBands+ will light up during or react to select attractions and experiences. Known effects have included or currently include:[1][2][3]

References

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  1. ^ "Development – Disney MagicBand, MyMagic+, and FastPass+ collectables". www.magicbandcollectors.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  2. ^ Staggs, Tom. "Taking the Disney Guest Experience to the Next Level". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  3. ^ "Can I use my Magic Band from Disneyland Resort at Walt Disney World?".
  4. ^ a b c d e "The Messy Business Of Reinventing Happiness". Fast Company. April 15, 2015. Archived from the original on November 23, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  5. ^ "Standard Colors – Disney MagicBand, MyMagic+, and FastPass+ collectables". www.magicbandcollectors.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  6. ^ "OET Exhibits List". Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on November 23, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016. The device is battery powered by a non-replaceable coin cell. The device also contains passive UHF and HF RFID tags, verified to FCC Part 15B.
  7. ^ "OET Exhibits List". Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on November 23, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016. The antenna of the product is embedded in the PCB. The PCB is potted in plastic and overmolded such that the antenna is not accessible, removable or replaceable without permanent damage and disfiguring of the device.
  8. ^ Kraft, Caleb. "Dissecting Disney's MagicBand | EE Times". EETimes. Archived from the original on November 23, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  9. ^ Stern, Becky. "Inside Magic Band | Magic Band Teardown | Adafruit Learning System". learn.adafruit.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  10. ^ "Making the Band – MagicBand Teardown and More". AtDisneyAgain. January 28, 2014. Archived from the original on November 23, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  11. ^ Smith, Thomas. "MagicBand 2 Coming to Walt Disney World Resort". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  12. ^ "PICTURES: Major new redesigned MagicBands available soon! – Disney MagicBand, MyMagic+, and FastPass+ collectables". www.magicbandcollectors.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  13. ^ "Updated information on the new MagicBand 2, including release date details – Disney MagicBand, MyMagic+, and FastPass+ collectables". www.magicbandcollectors.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  14. ^ Alexandra (September 30, 2021). "JUST ANNOUNCED: MagicBand+ Will Debut in 2022 at Walt Disney World Resort as Part of 50th Anniversary Celebration". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  15. ^ "Disneyland announces Magicband+ release date". KTLA. October 12, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  16. ^ Libbey, Dirk (May 18, 2021). "Walt Disney World Just Put Another Nail In The Coffin Of MagicBands". CinemaBlend. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  17. ^ "MagicBand Eligibility | FAQ | Walt Disney World Resort". disneyworld.disney.go.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  18. ^ "Disney MagicMobile Option Launches on Apple Devices – How to Get Started for Contactless Walt Disney World Park Entry". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved April 28, 2021.[dead link]
  19. ^ Francis·April 27, Katie; read, 2021·1 Comment·1 min (April 27, 2021). "Disney MagicMobile Now Available on Android Devices". WDW News Today. Retrieved April 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "FP+ Videos – Disney MagicBand, MyMagic+, and FastPass+ collectables". www.magicbandcollectors.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  21. ^ "Food & Wine Festival – Disney MagicBand, MyMagic+, and FastPass+ collectables". www.magicbandcollectors.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  22. ^ "Limited Releases – Disney MagicBand, MyMagic+, and FastPass+ collectables". www.magicbandcollectors.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  23. ^ "Lights and sounds for all four Limited Edition 2015 Star Wars MagicBands – Disney MagicBand, MyMagic+, and FastPass+ collectables". www.magicbandcollectors.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  24. ^ Kuang, Cliff. "Disney's $1 Billion Bet on a Magical Wristband". WIRED. Archived from the original on November 5, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  25. ^ Santa Domingo, Joel. "Hands On: Disney MagicBands, MyMagic+ Web Service". PCMAG. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  26. ^ Glassburn, Kelly. "Photos, Videos Capture Your Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ride at Walt Disney World Resort". disneyparks.disney.go.com. Disney Parks. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  27. ^ Glassburn, Kelly. "MyMagic+: Video Captures Your Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Drop at Walt Disney World Resort". disneyparks.disney.go.com. Disney Parks. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  28. ^ Wallace, Sandi. "Disney PhotoPass Service Simplifies Access to Walt Disney World Photos, Videos". disneyparks.com. Disney Parks. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  29. ^ Bevil, Dewayne. "Disney: 'small world' says goodbye to you and your MagicBand". OrlandoSentinel.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  30. ^ Kubersky, Seth (March 9, 2016). "Personalized goodbye messages added to It's a Small World". Attractions Magazine. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  31. ^ "StoryMaker being tested at Rock N' Roller Coaster". Blog Mickey. April 14, 2016. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  32. ^ McCabe, Adam (April 19, 2016). "VIDEO: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster introduces personalized rock posters at Walt Disney World". Inside the Magic. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  33. ^ Storey, Ken. "Not everyone is a fan of the new interactive Haunted Mansion ghosts". Orlando Weekly. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  34. ^ "Expedition Everest and Haunted Mansion join StoryMaker testing". Blog Mickey. April 19, 2016. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  35. ^ Smith, Thomas. "New Solid-Color MagicBand 2 & MagicKeepers Allow Guests to Enjoy the Magic at Walt Disney World Resort". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  36. ^ "Inside the NBA's 100-page safety plan: Big questions and key details". ESPN.com. June 17, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  37. ^ Powell, Shaun. "Disney World Diary: MagicBand passports reprogrammed to keep campus safe". NBA.com. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
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