13 must-know Magic Band tips and tricks to have the best possible experience with your Magic Bands.
Magic Bands are one of my favorite parts of a Disney vacation. Having my room key, credit card, and park ticket on my wrist makes life so much easier!
Since I am such a Magic Band lover, I have accumulated lots of tips and tricks for getting the most enjoyment (and least hassle) out of using Magic Bands at Walt Disney World.
If you need the basics, check out my Magic Band 101 post here!
On to the Magic Band tips…
1) Use a BitBelt to Keep Your Band On
I can’t tell you how many times I have accidentally pulled my MagicBand off when I am putting my backpack on or taking it off.
You can purchase a three-pack of BitBelts for cheap on Amazon that will help hold the strap of your MagicBand in place.
No more MagicBand flying off when I’m getting on and off attractions!
2) Order Discounted Magic Bands When You Stay at a Disney Resort
When you have an upcoming reservation at a Disney World resort hotel, you can order discounted Magic Bands for everyone on the reservation.
Just find your stay in your plans in My Disney Experience (on the web or in the app).
From there you can select Magic Bands for your trip. You don’t have to order new bands each time and you don’t have to order for everyone in your party.
Though you’ll get discounted Magic Bands for everyone in your party when you stay at a Disney World resort, that doesn’t mean you have to pay Disney prices for your stay!
You’ll still get MagicBands (and all other Disney benefits) when you:
- Rent DVC points to save up to 70% on Disney Deluxe resorts
- Use Priceline to save up to 40% on Disney World resorts
After you make a reservation through any of these third-party sites you’ll get a Disney confirmation number.
Just link this to your My Disney Experience account and you’ll be able to order your discounted Magic Bands and have them sent to your home about two weeks before your trip.
3) You Don’t Have To Wear Your Bracelet
If you don’t want to wear a MagicBand on your wrist, you can purchase a “MagicKeeper” lanyard clip or carabiner that will hold the puck from your band.
You can buy these in the parks or online before your trip at the Disney Store. Just scan the MagicKeeper as you would your band and you are good to go.
4) Get a Custom Look for Cheap
Purchasing a “skin” or decal for your MagicBand is an easy way to get a custom look without having to cough up $45 for a special band from Disney.
Check out all of these awesome MagicBand decals available for order on Etsy. You can pretty much find ANY design your heart desires, from Dole Whips to Figment, and most are under $8 shipped.
5) Add Some DIY Bling
If you don’t shy away from some DIY, check out my post on how to use tattoos, clear fingernail polish, and nail gems to create a blinged-out MagicBand.
The total cost for customizing three bands for a girls’ trip was $2, and we got countless compliments on our bands!
6) Easily Locate A Missing Band
If you do happen to lose your MagicBand, let a Cast Member know right away. They can likely get in touch with someone who can locate it thanks to the RFID signal it is emitting.
7) Mix & Match For A Unique Look
The removable puck in the MagicBand 2.0 allows you to mix-and-match your MagicBand colors within your travel party.
Just use a tiny screwdriver to loosen the screws on the back of your band, then pop the “puck” out and switch them around. It’s a quick way to get a custom look for your bands.
8) Use a Magic Band for Kid ID
If you are traveling with a little one, consider using a silver Sharpie or paint pen to write your phone number on the inside of their MagicBand.
If your child is ever separated from you, a Cast Member can use it to locate you quickly.
9) Slide A Watch Onto Your Band
You may have noticed that Magic Bands come in one size only. There are no separate adult or child bands.
This is because you can turn any MagicBand into a child-sized band by removing the extra piece of flexible plastic that surrounds the band.
It’s grey on original Magic Bands and the same color as the rest of the band on Magic Band Plus.
This will effectively shorten the band so it will fit better on a child’s wrist.
10) You Can Use Other’s Lightning Lane Passes
Everyone must use the MagicBand connected to their account to enter the parks because of the fingerprint scan. However, you can use someone else’s MagicBand for Lightning Lane reservations.
If a member of your group has a reservation for an attraction that they don’t want to ride, they can lend their MagicBand to someone else to let them ride multiple times!
11) Make Bands Child-Sized With This Simple Trick
You may have noticed that Magic Bands come in one size only. There are no separate adult or child bands.
This is because you can turn any MagicBand into a child-sized band by removing the extra piece of flexible plastic that surrounds the band.
It’s grey on original Magic Bands and the same color as the rest of the band on Magic Band Plus.
This will effectively shorten the band so it will fit better on a child’s wrist.
12) Charge Back To Separate Accounts
Sometimes we stay in the same room with a grandparent or friend who wants to make charges back to their own credit card with their MagicBand.
A Cast Member at your resort’s front desk can link a particular MagicBand to a credit card that’s different from what’s on file for your room charges. We have done this often and it has been successful on all but one trip.
13) One Band Works For All Of Your Stays
As you might know, a Magic Band is a link to your My Disney Experience account. That means that any MagicBand that is active in your account can be used during your trip.
If you are doing a split stay at two resorts, you don’t have to switch MagicBands during your trip – one band will work throughout your stay.
I hope these Magic Band tips help you have a great experience on your next visit to Walt Disney World.
If you have any questions, leave a comment below or join the discussion in The Budget Mouse free private Facebook group!
Michelle
Wednesday 12th of February 2020
Hi Tracey, I have a weird sensitivity to plastics, and I want to make my own bracelet to hold the Icon. Can you tell me the dimensions of the icon? I can't find this info anywhere.
Tracey
Sunday 22nd of October 2017
How or when will I get my magic bands if I booked our Disney Resort rooms through Orbitz? Thanks!
Leah
Monday 23rd of October 2017
Hi Tracey! You will have to a take a few additional steps to get your MagicBands when you book through Orbitz. I walk you through the steps in this post: http://www.thefrugalsouth.com/how-to-use-orbitz-to-book-disney-hotels-save-still-get-disney-benefits/ Hope that helps!