Is Disney World Shifting Away From MagicBands?

With an earlier announcement of the discontinuation of MagicBand+ at Disneyland, a rumored new upgrade may mean a shift from the use of MagicBands at Walt Disney World.

MagicBand+ Phased Out

MagicBands serve as a convenient way to enter the parks, make payments, check in for attractions using Lightning Lane services, and link photos taken by PhotoPass Cast Members.

In April, we shared that it appeared Disneyland Resort is now discontinuing sales of the MagicBand+. MagicBand+ first debuted in 2022 and offered special interactions throughout the Disney Parks.

Thankfully, Disney will continue to sell MagicBand+ at Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and DisneyStore.com.

MagicBand+ at Disney World

Back in 2021, the Disney MagicMobile service was first announced as a convenient, contactless way to access MagicBand features, such as theme park entry, through your smart device.

A recent upgrade has us worried that this may be the push to encourage Guests to use MagicMobile and shift from the use of MagicBand and MagicBand+.

See more about this recent upgrade HERE.

New Disney Park Turnstyles

Rumors are now circulating that Walt Disney World Theme Park entrances will receive the new face recognition gates that have debuted at both Disneyland Paris and Disneyland in California.

The way these new scanners work is: first, to enter each park, you will scan each ticket using the screens that are at individual entry gates.

Second, once each ticket is scanned, every guest in your group will then use the screen to take their own picture by pressing the camera icon on the screen to capture your photo. The cameras will adjust to capture photos of younger guests.

Walt Disney World is rumored to receive face recognition turnstiles.

Finally, once your ticket is scanned and the photo is digitally attached to your ticket, the entry gates will automatically swing open for your party to head into the park together. See tips for using these new entrance scanners HERE.

While these new rumored entrance scanners can still use the MagicBand, it appears to be another step away from the traditional tapstiles that made MagicBands grow in popularity.

What do you think of these new rumored entrance scanners? Do you think this will create longer lines or add to park efficiency? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with your Disney pals.