Walt Disney World guests will soon be able to purchase Disney’s newest wearable, MagicBand+, which will be followed later this year by the “Hey Disney!” digital voice assistant. We’re excited to utilize both new technologies, read below for more details!
MagicBand+ Unlocks New Interactive Experiences at Walt Disney World Resort
The next-generation MagicBand+ will retain the popular features of the original MagicBand, but have new features that will come alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition, enhancing the environment’s storytelling. These experiences include the following:
- Guests can embark on the “Disney Fab 50 Quest,” a scavenger hunt throughout the four Walt Disney World theme parks using MagicBand+ to help spread pixie dust and interact with the golden character sculptures. With the Play Disney Parks app, guests can dive deeper into the experience to find hints and unlock digital achievements, including an augmented reality feature.
- In the “Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters” experience, guests can join the Batuu Bounty Hunters’ Guild in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Using their MagicBand+ to find numerous virtual bounties hidden throughout Black Spire Outpost, guests will follow the band’s light patterns and haptics to complete their mission. Then they will return to the local guild master, who will reward them with galactic credits. Guests can also use the Play Disney Parks mobile app to help them receive their virtual bounty using the app’s built-in augmented reality thermal viewer**.
- Guests can experience nighttime spectaculars as they see their bands light up and complement the magic in the skies, including the new “Harmonious” at EPCOT and “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park.
Disney Resort hotel Guests and Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will have the option to purchase for a discount if they are interested in upgrading. However, if you’d like to use your MagicBand and Disney MagicMobile, available on eligible devices for park entry and Lightning Lane, it will still work.
MagicBand+ will be available at Disneyland Resort later this year.
‘Hey Disney!’ on Amazon Alexa and Echo Devices
Announced previously, Disney is creating its own custom voice assistant using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices. Called “Hey Disney!”, this digital voice assistant will work alongside Alexa to respond to vocal prompts, bringing Disney characters and stories to life.
“Hey Disney!” will be available in select Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World later this year as an optional, complementary feature during guest stays. “The device will feature more than 25 popular characters including Mickey Mouse, Olaf, Rocket and Groot, Princess Tiana and many more.
“Hey Disney!” also features an all-new character, the Disney Magical Companion, which boasts more than a thousand magical interactions, such as hearing special greetings and jokes from authentic Disney character voices, asking trivia questions, and exploring audio environments inspired by Disney films and destinations. Guests of Disney Resort hotels can ask questions such as (“Hey Disney! When does the next bus to EPCOT depart?”), order room amenities (“Hey Disney! Can we have some extra towels?”) and more.
“Hey Disney!” will also be available for purchase in the U.S. for supported Amazon Echo devices via the Amazon Alexa Skills Store, for their own home. In the future, MagicBand+ will work with “Hey Disney!” by pairing with supported Amazon Echo devices to enhance some “Hey Disney!” experiences.
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Emily Ann has always loved the theme parks, and is now so happy she gets to create content around them for ThrillGeek! She considers herself a huge theme park foodie, as well as finding unique items across the parks. Would die for HHN.