Episode Details

The Tech Transformation of Your Disney Vacation

It's Official: MagicBand+ Launching this Summer and ‘Hey Disney!’ Later this Year at Walt Disney World Resort

What can you do with all this new tech?

Use MagicBand+ to Bring Sculptures to Life

You can use MagicBand+ to bring the 50th Anniversary golden sculptures to life and interact with them on the “Disney Fab 50 Quest.” You can also get a deeper experience by using the Play Disney Parks app to keep track of which sculptures you’ve found. The more you find, the more features you can unlock with digital achievements and an augmented reality feature that will give you a glimpse into your favorite characters’ worlds.

Join the “Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters” Experience with MagicBand+

In Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, MagicBand+ will allow you to join the “Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters” experience, where you’ll use your band to find virtual bounties hidden throughout Black Spire Outpost. MagicBand+ will be your guide, vibrating and lighting up to show if you’re on the right path. Then, the augmented reality thermal viewer in the Play Disney Parks app will reveal what’s behind locked doors in Black Spire Outpost so you can uncover your virtual bounty**. Once your mission is complete, the local guild master will reward you with galactic credits. What do these credits do? We'll find out.

Experience Nighttime Spectaculars in a New Way with MagicBand+

MagicBand+ will also have a glow-with-the-show feature so you can experience nighttime shows in a new way on your wrist.

All of these experiences will be available when MagicBand+ goes on sale this summer. Disney World Resort hotel guests and Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will have the option to purchase bands at a discounted, pre-arrival price. 

Existing MagicBands will still be available for purchase and will continue to work as it does currently.

MagicBand+ will be available at Disneyland Resort later this year. Some of the features will vary between Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. More on that as the news comes in.

“Hey Disney!” is Coming to Walt Disney World

We now know that “Hey Disney!” is coming to Walt Disney World, but we still don't know exactly when. 

According to Disney: "Hey Disney uses Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices where you’ll be able to ask all the useful questions – weather forecasts, set timers and alarms, etc. – and get answers from more than 25 popular characters including Mickey Mouse, Olaf, Rocket and Groot, Princess Tiana and many more." 

When you stay at select Disney Resort hotels, you can use “Hey Disney!” to learn helpful information about your vacation, order room amenities and more. Wondering when the next bus to EPCOT leaves or need to request more towels for your room? Just ask the Disney Magical Companion, a new character who will interact with you via “Hey Disney!”

‘Hey Disney!’ will begin rolling out the Mickey ears devices in select Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World at some point in 2022 as part of the 50th anniversary celebration. Access will be offered as an optional, complimentary feature during your stay. 

Yes, You Can Have Hey Disney at Home!

“Hey Disney!” will also be available for purchase for supported Amazon Echo devices via the Amazon Alexa Skills store, so you can bring the magic of Disney home with you. In the future, MagicBand+ will work with “Hey Disney!” by pairing with supported Amazon Echo devices to enhance some “Hey Disney!” experiences. More details will be released soon.

Note: To use the Play Disney Parks mobile app to enhance the MagicBand+ experience, guests must be logged into the Play Disney Park