Walt Disney World has recently sent an email out to its Annual Passholders notifying them they will no longer be receiving complimentary MagicBands.
Disney told their Annual Passholders, “As more Walt Disney World Passholders continue to discover Disney MagicMobile service, we will no longer be offering complimentary MagicBands with annual pass purchases and renewals made August 16, 2021, and beyond. Annual Passholders will continue to receive a special discount on purchased MagicBands—with even more designs to choose from in the future. Walt Disney World Annual passholders may continue to use a variety of options, including:
- Disney MagicMobile service
- Current MagicBands linked to their Disney account
- Newly purchased MagicBands (available at a special discount for Annual Passholders)
- Annual passcards
What is significant about this statement is the part where Disney says “we will no longer be offering complimentary MagicBands with annual pass purchases and renewals made August 16, 2021, and beyond.”
When the Walt Disney World Resort reopened to guests last July after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, they suspended all new sales of Annual Passes. Currently, passholders were permitted to renew their passes, but no new passes were available for purchase. With this statement, it appears that Disney may be restarting the sale of new annual passes starting mid-August just in time for the kickoff of the resort’s 50th anniversary celebration in October. At this time, Disney has not commented whether the sale of new APs will resume at that time.
Earlier this year Disney announced they were no longer sending complimentary to all Walt Disney World guests. If a guest wished to have a new MagicBand, they still could be purchased at ShopDisney.com and at all Walt Disney World Resort locations.
Then in March, Disney announced MagicMobile pass, a new contactless service that provides all the features of the MagicBand, but through the guest’s mobile device or wearable. Accessed through the My Disney Experience app, MagicMobile is now available on all iOS and Android user platforms. At this time, guests who do not want or cannot use the MagicMobile pass service are still able to use a MagicBand or a Key to the World Card. Many believe though it is only a matter of time before Disney completely discontinues the use of the MagicBands.
Feature Image: ChipandCo.
