Update: MagicBand+ coming this summer, ‘Hey Disney’ digital assistant this fall
Two of Disney’s newest tech devices for guests will be launching this summer and fall, Disney announced today.
The long-awaiting MagicBand+, which accidentally showed up on shop shelves, earlier this week will debut this summer. The new digital voice assistant “Hey Disney!” will be available this fall.
The MagicBand technology already allows you when visiting Walt Disney World to just tap your band to when entering parks and guest rooms, making retail and dining purchases, and for using it with the Disney PhotoPass service.
Disney Resort hotel guests and Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will have the option to purchase at a discounted, pre-arrival price. You can still use existing MagicBands and Disney MagicMobile, available on eligible devices, to enjoy other features, such as park entry. The original MagicBand wearable will continue to be available for purchase as well.
MagicBand+ will be available at Disneyland Resort later this year. Some of the features will vary between Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. We’ll have more to share on that soon.
The new band, which will be even more interactive will allow you to do the following:
Bring Sculptures to Life
Soon, you’ll be able to use MagicBand+ to bring the golden characters sculptures around Walt Disney World to life and interact with them on the “Disney Fab 50 Quest.” You can also dive deeper into the experience using the Play Disney Parks mobile 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.
“Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters” Experience
Inn Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, MagicBand+ invites you to join the “Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters” experience, where you’ll use your band to find numerous 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. You can then use the augmented reality thermal viewer in the Play Disney Parks app – which reveals what’s behind locked doors in Black Spire Outpost – to uncover your virtual bounty . Once your mission is complete, the local guild master will reward you with galactic credits.
Experience Nighttime Spectaculars in a New Way
You can also experience nighttime spectaculars in a new way as you’ll see your MagicBand+ light up and complement the magic in the skies, similar to those Mickey Ear headbands from a few years ago.
New Digital Voice Assistant – “Hey Disney!”
Using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices, the “Hey Disney” assistant will let youl 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. Plus, 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 in select Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration. Access will be offered as an optional, complimentary feature during guest stays.
“Hey Disney!” will also be available for purchase for supported Amazon Echo devices via the Amazon Alexa Skills store.
In the future, MagicBand+ will work with “Hey Disney!” by pairing with supported Amazon Echo devices to enhance some “Hey Disney!” experiences. Disney will be releasing more details of that soon.
