MagicBands vs MagicMobile vs Key to the World Cards

Technology is a big part of a Disney trip these days. Your admission “ticket” doesn’t just act as a way to get into the park. It also acts as your hotel room key, Lightning Lane access, and much more! The integration of all this technology is called MyMagic+. If you have been to Disney World in recent years, you are probably familiar with MagicBands and Key to the World Cards. The newest option is MagicMobile, which is a way to link your ticket to your Apple Watch or smartphone. If you haven’t been to Disney World, or if it has been a long time since your last trip, this may all sound foreign to you. No worries! This guide is here to help.

During your trip to Disney World, you will have to use a MagicBand, MobileMagic, or a Key to the World Card. They all do virtually the same thing, but they have minor differences. Before explaining the difference between each devise, you’ll need to know what they are actually used for.

What is the purpose of these devices?

The most important thing to know is what these devices are used for. MagicBands, MagicMobile, and Key to the World cards all have the same primary functions.

You will scan your device to do the following:

• Get into a park

• Open your resort room door (if staying on Disney property)

• Get into the Lightning Lane when you are using Genie+ or have an Individual Lightning Lane selection, or if you are using DAS

• Taking photos with a PhotoPass photographer and getting your ride photos

• Charging merchandise, food, etc., back to your resort room if staying at a Disney resort

• Having cast members look up your dining and entertainment reservations

• Random things throughout the park to enhance your experience, such as building your own car at Test Track

• Using your dining plan (if/when the dining plan ever comes back as it is currently unavailable).

Now, let’s move on to the differences between using a MagicBand, MobileMagic, and a Key to the World Card and the pros and cons to each.

MagicBands

Using a MagicBand is my favorite option. In my experience, it is the most convenient, the most functional, and the most reliable. This colorful device is worn around your wrist. There is no need to keep track of a card and get it out every time you need to scan it (this is especially helpful when using lightning lanes). This is really helpful for those that have children, because children can also wear the bands.

The one downside is that MagicBands are no longer free to Disney Resort guests. However, you can get a significant discount if you purchase them in advance through your My Disney Experience account.

Now for the pros and cons of using MagicBands:

PROS:

• Most convenient and easiest to use

• Parents with younger kids won’t have to keep track of multiple cards.

• Everyone can pick a color or design, so it is easy to know who’s is whose

CONS:

• You have to pay extra for them

• May cause tan lines (in case you are self conscious about tan lines on your wrist!)

MagicMobile

MagicMobile makes everything digital. You can link your tickets to a mobile device, such as iPhones, Android phones, and Apple watches (it is not yet integrated with other smart watches). It is a little more complicated to set up (definitely set it up before you leave for you trip!). You may have to adjust some settings on your mobile device to get everything to work properly, but, once you have everything set up properly, it will work very similarly to a MagicBand.

Disney stopped providing free MagicBands to resort guests around the same time MagicMobile was released. In theory, you don’t need a MagicBand with MagicMobile. However, since MagicMobile is still relatively new, it has some growing pains. It doesn’t always work properly, but the issues will (hopefully) continue to get better in time. The other downside is that MagicMobile doesn’t really have the ability to open the door to your hotel room using Express Mode. There is an option to open your door with your phone through the My Disney Experience app, but you have to manually go into the right menu on your app, click on your hotel, click on “unlock door”, hold it against your door lock, and hope it works. It can be a little bit of a pain when you are in a hurry, or you are carrying a lot of things.

Let’s summarize the pros and cons of MagicMobile:

PROS:

• Everything is integrated in one device. You don’t have to wear another thing around your wrist.

• It is almost as convenient as a MagicBand (except for getting into your hotel room).

• It is free to use!

• You can manage your children’s tickets on your device (However, Disney recommends for everyone to have their own device if they are able to).

CONS:

• Technical issues. Whether it is technical issues with your phone/watch, or Disney’s technology, there is a good chance you will experience some kind of issue during your stay.

• People not as tech savvy may have more issues.

• You can’t unlock your Disney Resort room using Express Mode.

• You have to make sure your phone’s/watch’s battery doesn’t die.

Key to the World Cards

Finally, the old fashioned Key to the World Cards. Some people don’t even realize that this is still an option. If you are staying at a Disney Resort, you can request a card (if they don’t give it to you automatically). If you checked in online, just stop at the front desk to ask for one. If you aren’t staying on Disney property, you can have a card mailed to you, or pick up up for will call.

These cards have the same short range RFID technology as the MagicBands. In this way, they work very similarly to MagicBands. You just tap them on the reader. The one limitation with these is that it doesn’t contain the long range signal that MagicBands do. This means, if you have MemoryMaker, your ride photos likely won’t link automatically to your account. This isn’t a problem for the rides that have scanners at the end, but some rides don’t have a place to preview or scan your card. You can still get your photo in other ways, but it requires extra steps.

Pros and cons of using cards:

PROS:

• They are free!

• They are easy to use

• Since you are less likely to have tech issues with the cards, they are a good backup to have if you are using MagicMobile.

CONS:

• No long range signal to automatically pick up your ride photos

• They can be more of a hassle. This is especially true if you are using Lightning Lanes and/or MemoryMaker.

• They are easier to lose, and you won’t know that it’s lost until you needed it!

• They are harder for kids to carry around.

Final Thoughts

Disney relies heavily on technology. Everything is controlled through your My Disney Experience account online or on the app, but the purpose to this post was to talk about the devices that are used to enter the parks, use as your resort key, and everything else that goes along with that. There are pros and cons to each device. MagicBands are the most convenient, and reliable, but you may not find them worth the price if you aren’t staying at a Disney Resort, doing any Lightning Lanes, or doing MemoryMaker. In that instance, you may be just as well off using the plastic cards.

In my opinion, MagicBands are the superior option if Disney World is your main destination, and you plan to stay at a Disney Resort. You may even find them worth the investment if you aren’t staying at a Disney Resort, but you plan to use Lightning Lanes and/or MemoryMaker. They are easy, convenient, and the most reliable between the three options. You don’t have to worry about making sure everything set up correctly in MagicMobile (and hoping it works) or keeping track of a card (or multiple cards) all day long. Unfortunately, they do come with a small price, but it can be well worth it. Considering how much you are already spending on your Disney vacation, it is a small price to pay for the convenience and a smoother vacation, overall.