3. Am I being tracked based on my MagicBand?

Image: Disney

Yes and no. You personally are not being tracked in the sense that there is no Disney cast member sitting backstage somewhere giggling at how many times you rode Space Mountain last week. Some guests are under the impression that Disney is using this technology to track their every move, though this is simply not the case. MagicBands are helpful in collecting data like how many people used a FastPass for Space Mountain, or how many people made purchases with a MagicBand instead of another form of payment. Disney is not however interested in tracking you as an individual.

If the potential of Disney tracking you has you considering skipping out on getting a MagicBand, remember that you would be tracked in the same way regardless. Even if you pay cash for a park ticket, stay off-site, and never sign up for any kind of Disney account, your park ticket has your name on it, and hypothetically that cast member would “know” that you went on Space Mountain numerous times (if you use a FastPass). Guests are not tracked for any reason other than seeing how certain attractions are doing, how many guests use certain forms of payment or PhotoPass, and it is not worth skipping the Bands over.

4. How can I make purchases with my MagicBand? Can anyone make purchases?

Image: Disney

Only Disney resort guests can make purchases using MagicBands. The system essentially uses the RF technology to charge purchases to a room reservation. It is also worth pointing out that your credit card information is not stored on the Band itself, it is stored as part of your room reservation. Your MagicBand would charge the purchase to the room, not the credit card. So while you may have a credit card on file, you’ll still need to reconcile a bill when you check out if you used the Band to make purchases.

Upon check-in at your Disney resort, you will also be asked to set up a four-digit pin for making purchases using your MagicBand. Once you have this pin set up, making a purchase is simple. Just touch the Mickey on your band to the reader at the register and enter your pin the same way you would in a debit card transaction. And because you need to use a pin to check out, and your credit card information is NOT stored directly on the card, you won’t run into major security issues if your card is lost.

5. What should I do if I lose my MagicBand?

Image: Disney

Should you lose your MagicBand, there are a couple of options for deactivating it. You can visit DisneyWorld.com or use the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone to deactivate the Band. If you have more than one band, or you have a regular ticket in addition to the Band, you can activate those through the site or the app so you have something to use while the Band is lost. If you do not have a replacement readily available, visit Guest Relations or the front desk of your Disney resort.

You may or may not need to purchase a new MagicBand. Disney cast members are only able to replace Bands on a case by case basis, so it is difficult to predict whether or not you’ll need to purchase a new one. Taking a photo of the ID number on the back of your band, or on the back of your park ticket may come in handy in case either of the are ever lost.