Well, we thought TOMORROW would be the day, but turn’s out, today’s the day! There’s been a BIG change to the way you’ll prep for your Disney vacation.

Last June, Disney announced that complimentary MagicBands would be discontinued in January 2021 in favor of expanded smart device capabilities. But we are STILL in December of 2020 and free MagicBands are now a thing of the past — at least if your trip starts in 2021!

Themed MagicBands can be purchased throughout Disney World, but hotel guests could always opt instead to receive a complimentary solid color MagicBand. January 1st was supposed to be the first official day that resort guests will not receive a free solid color MagicBand prior to their Disney trip. Instead, a Disney trip will rely on the My Disney Experience app and Keys to the World cards. (Or guests can purchase their own MagicBands online or in Disney World, or use old MagicBands.)

But we noticed TODAY, December 31st, that the new prices have gone live online!  Guests with 2021 Disney World vacations can now purchase solid colored MagicBands at a Special Pre-Order Price of $5 each. The solid color MagicBands normally retail for $14.99.

The solid colors guests are familiar with are now incorporated in the lineup for MagicBands available for purchase, including Pink, Red, Green, and more. Guests can filter by color to select the MagicBand they wish to purchase.

If you prefer a MagicBand with a design for your upcoming vacation, some are also available for purchase as a “Pre-Arrival Exclusive,” also at a special pre-order price. For example, we spotted this Character Autographs MagicBand available for $15, normally retailing for $24.99. Keep in mind that MagicBands with designs have been available for purchase at a pre-arrival price for hotel guests prior to today.

Prices depend on the design. We also found a Mickey Rainbow MagicBand currently available for a Special Pre-Order Price of $7.

Also available as the “Pre-Arrival Exclusive” MagicBand is a Happily Ever After design for $20, which normally retails for $29.99.

As a reminder, any MagicBand that you purchase will still be fully functional as a vacation tool while in Disney World. We can also still expect to see new MagicBand designs released and available in retail locations, like we noticed today with the new Pink Glittery MagicBand.

Annual Passholder MagicBands

Another interesting update: Annual Passholders — who always received a free MagicBand as well — now only have access to one free MagicBand: the traditional gray option.

Annual Passholders can purchase other themed MagicBands at a discount before their Disney trip, but they no longer have access to any solid color MagicBands other than the gray version.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for more expanded capabilities in the My Disney Experience app, so stay tuned for the latest updates from Disney World!

Click here to learn more about the discontinuation of complimentary MagicBands!

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Will you still be using your MagicBand? Tell us in the comments! 

The post News: Free Disney World MagicBands Are Officially Gone For Good For Hotel Guests first appeared on the disney food blog.