They call it “the happiest place on earth.”
Even though I have only been to Disneyland a few times, I remember how hectic it was. Before setting foot in the park, my group would devise a strategy for which rides to go on most, which rides to grab FastPasses for, when to grab them and which other rides to cram into the day.
It was kind of like chess. Each move was calculated and devised to earn a victory at the end, which for us was a wonderful and magical time at Disneyland.
I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who finds this stressful process an ugly and inevitable part of the Disney experience. Considering the soaring prices from Mickey Mouse-shaped lollipops and the cost of admission itself, going to Disneyland or WalT Disney World can be more of an annoying chore than a vacation.
So what’s the solution? MagicBands.
MagicBands, a new high-tech wristband, will launch in a few months at Walt Disney World. It’s part of Disney’s new program, MyMagic+, which hopes to enhance visitors’ experience, making their trip easier, more convenient and more satisfying.
And it sure seems pretty magical.
MyMagic+, which includes MagicBands, FastPass+ and My Disney Experience, includes a whole world of perks. For starters, the FastPass+ is a totally evolved and improved system that eliminates the mad scrambling for paper FastPasses. You can reserve a spot online for a ride, event, character, attraction or restaurant.
And when you get to your chosen destination — Space Mountain, for example — all you have to do to is to tap your MagicBand against a post with a Mickey head on it and _voila_! You get your pre-assigned admittance.
In addition to these perks, the MagicBand can also be used as a room key (if you are staying at a Disney resort), credit card, park ticket and PhotoPass. And since it’s a rubber band, it can be used multiple times.
And dig this. You can enter your personal information into the MagicBand, and characters such as Snow White may tell you “Happy Birthday, Joyce!” without ever having met you before.
Okay, so maybe the last perk is a little creepy, but it doesn’t undermine the wonderful innovation in technology Disney has created. MyMagic+, along with the versatile (and fashionable) MagicBand, will really transform the way we vacation at Disney. No more running for FastPasses. No more neck-craning to see the parade floats just because there’s this huge pack of basketball players right in front of you. And thankfully, waiting in those horrible, why-did-I-ever-come-here-in-the-first-place lines will be less of a drag.
The MagicBand system certainly seems like a dream to many Disney fans, but while you chit-chat with a seemingly psychic Snow White, just know that Big Brother will be watching you.
Even though guests can refuse to use the new system or limit the personal information they input, Disney, at the very least, will still use MagicBand to track guests throughout the park.
Okay, so Disney won’t try to brainwash the guests into becoming their minions to help take over the world. Understandably, Disney just wants to maximize profits by learning about and tailoring to customer needs. But this is one feature I’ll find uncomfortable under the new system, since Disney’s basically stalking me around the park.
Overall, the upcoming MyMagic+ system, with the exciting and multi-purpose MagicBand, will be a huge improvement at Disney World. It allows perfectionist, stressed visitors (like me) to chillax without forcing the more carefree visitors from being bogged down by a schedule. I have a feeling it will make Disney World even more magical.
