Remember when Disney announced the next generation of MagicBands, called MagicBand+, would be coming to Walt Disney World? That original announcement was in September 2021 and we haven’t heard much about the project since.
Well, Disney has finally provided an update. Sort of. Disney has announced that MagicBand+ is still coming to Walt Disney World later in 2022.
Fortune awaits. None can hide.
MagicBand+ coming later this year to @WaltDisneyWorld. pic.twitter.com/yiusQBddBg— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) April 27, 2022
The image teases what will likely be a “bounty hunter” interactive element in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. MagicBand+ is supposed to take the current interactivity found in MagicBands and crank it up a notch.
The new MagicBand+ bands will have the ability to light up and vibrate. Disney previously said they’ll light up during fireworks shows and be able to interact with the golden sculptures placed for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary. The bands will also be rechargeable, which is an outstanding change.
This update is welcome, but we’re still left with lots of questions. Disney had said the tech would come to Disneyland too. Is that still the plan? Disney also promoted MagicBand+ as a component of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, but it sounds like it may just make it before the celebration wraps. Why the delay? Is it an issue of budgets or supply chains?
Disney has said current MagicBands will continue to be sold even after MagicBand+ rolls out. However, inventory of regular MagicBands has been extremely limited of late. Will Disney use limited supply as a reason to phase out non-MagicBand+ bands?
Stay tuned.
