Disney World's 3rd Generation Magic Bands, Hey Disney! and Dining Plans Delayed
What happened to Hay Disney, the Disney Dining Plans, and 3rd Generation Magic Bands?
There are many great experiences returning to Walt Disney World Resort like being able to hug the characters again, daytime parades, and entertainment but there are still a number of projects that were promised in “early 2022” that we don’t talk about anymore.
3rd Generation Magic Bands
At the Destination D23 event in November, Josh D'Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products shared some new things we could look forward to in 2022 during a high-energy presentation, complete with characters and Cast Members joining him on stage. To anyone who was in the room, it was incredibly inspiring.
While more experiences and opportunities are coming back very soon (I’m looking at you Minnie Vans) I can’t help but notice that some “early 2022” items seem to have fallen off the radar.
We are halfway through April so I think it’s fair to say it’s not “early 2021” anymore.
Hey Disney! Amazon Echo Device
Hey Disney!
In November 2021, we learned that Hey Disney! is going to be a unique version of Amazon Echo.
Also Hey Disney! devices were to be installed in 30,000 hotel rooms across Walt Disney World in early 2022 plus they could be purchased for home use.
Hey Disney! would be able to handle requests, such as asking for more towels or requesting Bell Services.
Hey Disney! would answer questions about your Disney World hotel, give you Disney transportation tips and wait times, provide park hours, tell you what time the fireworks would be at Magic Kingdom and more.
I was supposed to receive a complimentary home version of Hey Disney! but it never arrived. Recently I sent an email to Disney asking when it might be sent out. The Cast Member explained that the project is delayed but will be available sometime in 2022.
The Return of the Disney Dining Plans
Last August, Disney World sent an email to travel agents stating that the Disney Dining Plans would be returning “soon.” I don’t know how Disney defines “soon” but I assume 8+ months could be considered soon by some comparisons.
I believe Disney wants to offer this product again but there are a still a number of operational concerns that need to be addressed.
Not all the restaurants at Disney World have reopened and most are still not operating at full capacity due to staffing issues. This is why it has been somewhat difficult to secure dining reservations.
At Epcot alone, we’re still waiting for Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway, Takumi-Tei Restaurant in Japan, Monsieur Paul in France, and Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco to reopen. Hopefully as the Cultural Representatives begin to arrive this summer, these restaurants will reopen…um…soon!
Staff shortages are still a major factor but I’m not so sure Disney is in a hurry to hire more people right now.
Currently the demand for leisure travel is very high. But if the economy makes a downward trend, Disney World could easily be over staffed in 2023.
There are a few more issues that need to be addressed before the Disney Dining Plans can be brought back. But let’s hope they come back “soon.”
3rd Generation Magic Bands
On September 30, 2021 we learned that 3rd generation Magic Band would be arriving at Walt Disney World in early 2022. If you have been paying attention to this article, you know how that went!
Last fall I began advising my clients who booked 2022 travel to hold off on purchasing Magic Bands in anticipation of the 3rd generation bands being released.
Generation 3 Magic Bands are pretty cool, I had a chance to see a test band in action. They come alive at various times as you move about the parks and resorts with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition.
These wristbands will allow you to engage in new interactive experiences resort-wide. There is no official word on when they will be introduced at Walt Disney World. I just know they’re running late.
As always, stay tuned to OrlandoParksGuy.com/blog for more information about Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.
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Disney World Magic Band Update for 2021
Magic Bands Won’t be Free in 2021. So, Now What?
Going to Walt Disney World in 2021? Don’t expect a complimentary Magic Band in the mail. Disney World announced earlier this year that it will no longer include Magic Bands with room reservations. So now what? According to Disney World, new features will be added to the My Disney Experience mobile app that will make the Magic Band practically unnecessary.
UPDATE December 19, 2020: Disney World provided an update regarding Magic Bands: Beginning on January 1, 2021, Guests who do not purchase a Magic Band can use a Key to the World card for hotel room entry, Theme Park entry and charging purchases to their hotel room. Key To The World cards will be provided at the Front Desk at no additional cost.
I have received a number of emails from clients who love Magic Bands and still want to use them on their upcoming trip. Good news! You still have options!
Purchase a Magic Band
Disney World isn’t discontinuing Magic Bands, yet, but they won’t be included for free with your reservation. You can purchase Magic Bands from several places like ShopDisney.com, Walt Disney World Resort retailers, and there’s even an option to purchase them in your My Disney Experience account when you link your hotel reservation. They range in price from about $12 to $35, depending on the design.
Reuse a Magic Band From a Previous Trip
Magic Bands aren’t reservation specific, they simply point to the data you have in your My Disney Experience account. So if you have a new reservation linked to your MDE account, your old Magic Band will now work on that new reservation. Magic Bands have an internal battery that generally lasts for about 15-20 months. Just be sure your Magic Band is still listed as “active” in your MDE account. Unless you manually deactivated it, chances are it’s still ready to go. You can call Disney Internet Help to verify: 407-WDW-HELP
Magic Bands can still be purchased, but they are no longer included in 2021 Resort Packages.
Use a Complimentary Admission Card
If you don’t have an old Magic Band and prefer not to buy one, you can ask for a complimentary key card. Cards work in a similar fashion, but physically resemble a plastic credit card or driver’s license.
Will Magic Band be Necessary in 2021?
According to Disney, starting in 2021 the new mobile app will feature innovative new offerings. We still don’t know what those are but Disney World already has so many helpful features going through the app. For example, you can place a mobile order for food, make dining reservations, view park maps, unlock your hotel room door, and scan and pay for items in a store while you shop, just to name a few. There’s even talk of Disney adding its own version of Uber Eats where you would be able to have food delivered from select Disney World restaurants.
While you might still like the idea of a Magic Band, I think Disney World is headed in a very different direction. It could be that the Magic Band becomes obsolete, and in many ways, it already is.
For over 12 years Darren Wittko has been helping people save money at Walt Disney World as both, a travel writer and a travel advisor with Magical Vacations Travel. He’s featured in the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren resides in Celebration, FL.
Recent Updates
New Magic Band Designs Coming Soon!
New design options coming to Magic Bands at Walt Disney World Resort
Soon, guests of Walt Disney World Resort will have the option of adding new customized Magic Bands. But…for the right price.
Hotel guests and new and renewing Annual Passholders will have the option to upgrade, at a discounted price, from a complimentary solid-color MagicBand to one of more than 30 new MagicBand options featuring favorite Disney characters and designs.
Guest staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel will have more designs to choose from compared to those staying off-site.
These new MagicBand options will be available for pre-arrival purchase at a special price of $14.99 off retail cost through the My Disney Experience website.
No word yet on when these new Magic Bands will become available, but Disney is saying that this will launch in the coming weeks.
Check out special hotel discounts and offers on the Current Offers Page
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin + Swan Reserve Hotel