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Hands-free fun: Disney Cruise Line introducing wearable DisneyBand+ this summer
Summer Hull
Senior director of content
Summer Hull has been covering (and using) travel tips, rewards credit cards and loyalty programs for over a decade. She has flown close to a million miles, often on points and miles and with her family in tow.
April 07, 2023
•
4 min read
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It's been 10 years since Disney changed the game in its theme parks by introducing MagicBands, which are roughly the size of an Apple Watch and allow you to tap into the park using your ticket, access a Lightning Lane, open your Disney resort room door and even charge a Mickey ice cream bar instead of digging out your credit card.
And just last year, the MagicBand got some new tricks with the introduction of a more interactive MagicBand+. However, while MagicBands have been at Disney World for a decade, they haven't been used on board the Disney Cruise Line ships.
On Disney's ships, the way to pay for purchases and open your cabin door has been with a "Key to the World" card that many keep worn around their necks in a not-so-attractive plastic lanyard.
But things are about to get more magical at sea.
Wearable technology coming to Disney Cruise Line
Disney has shared that for the first time, DisneyBand+ is coming to Disney Cruise Line, as first announced on the Disney Parks Blog.
From what we can tell, these are MagicBands by another name and will debut first as a preview on Disney Wish this summer and later make their way on additional ships and sailings. This wearable DisneyBand+ can be used when getting on the ship, unlocking your cabin door, charging purchases, tapping to get your photos synced to your account by the ship photographers and more.
These DisneyBands+ will also work for the kiddos while they are in the kids clubs, which had previously utilized a special band that looked like a MagicBand but only tracked the location of the kids while they were within the Oceaneer Club and Lab and served as a way for them to scan in and out.
Related: 26 tips for sailing with Disney Cruise Line
How much will DisneyBands+ cost?
Once they go on sale, DisneyBands+ will be available for $34.99 for solid-color designs and $44.99 for themed designs, with a $10 discount if you order at least 11 days before embarkation if you are a U.S. resident. There will be exclusive designs available only to Disney Cruise Line guests.
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Can you use a MagicBand+ on a Disney cruise instead of a DisneyBand+?
What we are potentially most excited about with this announcement is that you don't have to spend more to buy a cruise-specific DisneyBand+.
The MagicBand+ you already use at Disney World or Disneyland will work on the ship, too. And conversely, if you want some of the cruise-specific looks, then your DisneyBand+ will work in the parks. This is great news, given that the cost of the bands does add up when you start buying for the whole family.
Related: How to save money on a Disney Cruise
Bottom line
There's no question that MagicBand+ (and now, DisneyBand+) makes vacation easier, with virtually everything you need available with the tap of a wrist. Having them make their debut this summer on select Disney ships is welcome news -- and we certainly won't miss the omnipresent plastic lanyards that have appeared in countless family cruise photos.
This is just one small piece of the announcements from Disney Cruise Line this year, including:
Featured image by Matt Stroshane, photographer
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.