MagicBand+ has been a popular topic recently as we all figure out how to best use these new bands and if they are even worth it. Since the launch, I have noticed a drastic change. On the release date, I bought three bands and held each band to see the design up close. The in-park experience of buying one of these bands has changed.

At Magic Kingdom and Epcot, I noticed that there are now locks at the start of each row of bands. I asked a Cast Member, “If I wanted to purchase a band, I would have to ask you, and you’d hand me the band,” and the Cast Member responded, “Yes,” while showing me the device that opens the lock. Above the locks, I saw the signage that says “Limit 2 per guest,” which I had not seen previously.

I visited Disney Springs to check at Disney’s Pin Trading to see if it was the same. It was not. Here you could grab the bands and look at them freely before purchasing. No locks and no signage.

Seeing these locks and signs in the parks got me thinking, “why?”. The only two possible reasons I could think of are guests were either buying in bulk to sell online, or there had been a stealing situation. The first option seems to be the more likely option.

Could you imagine someone running out of the Emporium with two handfuls of MangBand+ bands trying to flee from security? The mental image does make me laugh. The mental image that makes more sense is a person with two Disney Parks bags filled with MagicBand+ bands that will later make an appearance on eBay.

These are my speculations. What do you guys think? Why would they add these locks and the two per person limit on these bands? I want to know what you all think about this.