Disney Issuing Refunds For Pre-Ordered MagicBand+ That Will Not Arrive in Time

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

On July 27, The Walt Disney Company launched its highly anticipated MagicBand+ at the Walt Disney World Resort. The new MagicBand+ has all the features of a traditional MagicBand, with some significant changes. The biggest feature that the MagicBand+ feature has is that it is rechargeable. Old MagicBands only have a battery life of about two years, but this new MagicBand will last you for years to come! Guests who had a Walt Disney World vacation booked could go on My Disney Experience to preorder the Bands and have them sent to their house before their vacation.

Unfortunately for some Guests, they will not be receiving their MagicBand+ before their magical vacation. According to theme park insider Scott Gustin, Disney has been sending out emails to some Guests, letting them know that they will not get their band before their trip “due to overwhelming popularity.” Gustin shared a copy of the letter on Twitter.

The letter reads:

We are reaching out about the recent MagicBand+ order that you made through My Disney Experience.

Due to overwhelming popularity, we are unable to fulfill your order in time for your arrival at Walt Disney World Resort. Therefore, your order will be complimentary. 

If you were charged, a refund will be automatically processed back to your original form of payment within 7 business days. Your MagicBand will still ship to the address provided, at no cost to you so you can use it for future visits. 

In addition, if you’d like to purchase other MagicBands to use at the Walt Disney World Resort for this visit, to provide the discount you were offered online, we will be sending you a $50 digital Disney Gift Card that you may use toward the purchase of a MagicBand+ at a Walt Disney World Resort retail location, or you may apply it toward the purchase of other Disney merchandise or experiences (see DisneyGiftCard.com for details and participating locations). A separate email will be sent with your digital Disney gift card. 

Please accept our sincerest apologies. Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you real soon!

In addition to being rechargeable, there are a number of other new features that come with Disney’s new MagicBand+. Guests can visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios and become Bounty Hunters. MagicBand+ will also interact with the Fab 50 statues that can be found at the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT. They will also light up with both Disney Enchantment and Harmonious.

Guests visiting Walt Disney World can also purchase MagicBand+ at select locations throughout the Resort. You can read more about Disney’s MagicBand+ by clicking here.

Popular Disney World attraction finally adds single rider line

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

A popular Walt Disney World attraction has reportedly just added a single rider option to its queue.

Cast Members at the Soarin’ Around the World attraction inside The Land Pavilion at EPCOT have reportedly begun testing the single rider line concept in the queue for the attraction.

Soarin’ Around the World has been a Guest-favorite attraction at Disney World for years, and often, the lines for the ride testify to the popularity of the experience. And who wouldn’t love the feeling of soaring through the clouds high above the Taj Mahal, Magic Kingdom, and other locations around the globe?

Disney invites Guests to “feel the thrill as you’re raised high in the air and swept from one scenic locale to the next. See the world’s wonders—natural and manmade—like you never have before. No mountain is too high. No landscape is too far.

Your journey begins as the clouds part above the majestic Swiss Alps. Next, you’ll visit polar bears in icy Greenland, swoop past sailboats on Australia’s iconic Sydney Harbour and weave between elephants marching toward Mount Kilimanjaro.

Glide above marvels like the Great Wall of China, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, and the Taj Mahal in India. Cruise over Monument Valley, Fiji’s Lau Island, and thundering Iguazu Falls in South America. Look down on the Eiffel Tower as it sparkles like a jewel in the night, surrounded by the lights of Paris.

This must-see attraction will leave your heart soaring!

soarin single rider cast member

Single riders can make their way toward the Lightning Lane entrance to the Soarin’ attraction. A Cast Member will be there with a sign for the single rider entrance. Guests can follow the single rider line throughout the queue until they come to the concourses. At that point, another Cast Member will be on hand to direct them.

The single rider line is a welcome addition to any attraction queue–especially those with long wait times at which it’s common for single riders to enjoy the attraction!

Disney Waiting For Economy to Fail, Experts Say

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Via InsideTheMagic.net

Walt Disney World Resort is actively waiting for the economy to fail, according to reports from experts in the field.

Many Disney Park fans who have visited Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios over the past couple of years have taken notice of changes in operations over that time.

Many have noticed that Disney is not quite as clean as they remember it. Others have reported unsightly damage. Many other fans have talked about price increases and merchandise failures.

However, one thing that continues to be at the top of everyone’s mind is Disney annual passes.

Disney paused its selling of annual passes nearly a year ago and other than a small window where passes appeared to be for sale a couple of months ago (it turned out to be a false alarm), they have remained unavailable for Disney Guests.

While many have wondered when these might become available again, a couple of Disney insiders recently explained that the company has no incentive to bring them back right now and they likely won’t, until an economic collapse occurs according to reports from Florida Politics.

“Disney doesn’t have much of a reason to bring back the full slate of annual passes right now. Disney World is generating record revenue and operating profits with fewer guests than before,” said Rick Munarriz, an analyst for the investment website The Motley Fool who regularly writes about Disney Parks. “Disney’s annual passes will come back when the global economy buckles to the point that visitors can no longer pay the cover charge for a Disney gated attraction.”

magic kingdom monorail with cinderella castle and space mountain

Another Disney expert echoed those same sentiments.

“The thing that might bring back APs sooner rather than later is an economic slowdown. Airfare is pretty expensive right now, so getting here is costly,” said Len Testa who runs Touring Plans. “I could see a situation where, say, kids go back to school in September/October, and fewer people are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on airfare for a long weekend. In that case, Disney would look to locals to make up the difference, especially in things like restaurant revenue.”

Disney Parks are currently running at capacity and it wouldn’t make sense for Disney to attempt to bring in more Guests when it is already operating with such volume.

While fans may be hoping for Disney annual passes– which include the Pixie Dust Pass, Pirate Pass, Sorcerer Pass, and Incredi Pass– it seems they may have to wait until an unfortunate collapse of the economy for them to return.

Rey and Chewbacca at 'Star Wars': Galaxy's Edge

Here’s what Disney says about its annual passes:

Annual Passes allow you to enjoy the magic all year long. Now is the time to answer the call and discover all the possibilities a Walt Disney World Annual Pass can bring.

To enter a theme park, each passholder must have a theme park reservation in addition to a valid pass. Park reservations are limited and are subject to availability and applicable pass blockout dates.

New sales of select Annual Passes are currently paused. Please check disneyworld.com/pass for the latest updates.

New MagicBand+ Now Available in My Disney Experience and at Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

MagicBand+ is here! Walt Disney World Resort guests can now interact with Disney stories in all new ways through the magic of technology, with the launch of Disney’s newest wearable, MagicBand+. The new product will enhance guest visits to Walt Disney World Resort throughout the vacation destination’s 50th-anniversary celebration and beyond. The bands are now available for purchase at Walt Disney World (select locations) and in guests My Disney Experience accounts.

While MagicBands have not been complimentary for some time, Disney Resort guests can still purchase bands ahead of their visit and receive a “pre-arrival” discount. MagicBands are offered for sale up to ten days before arrival to guests residing in the United States and Canada in English only. Customized MagicBands are available for purchase up to six days before arrival for guests residing in the United States and Canada. Currently, customization is only available in English. MagicBands may also be purchased when you arrive.

To order your MagicBands for a resort stay, you need to visit the “My MagicBands and Cards” section of your My Disney Experience account. There you will see upcoming resort stays, and if you’re an annual passholder, an option to purchase a band for your pass. Select a future stay and choose to customize your bands.

Here is a look at the bands that are now available:

Bands are either $34.99 and discounted to a $24.99 pre-arrival price or $44.99 and discounted to a $34.99 pre-arrival price. Annual passholders will be able to use their 20% discount if they choose to purchase the bands in person.

Note that MagicBand+ bands are also available on shopDisney.com.

Here are some shipping details as listed in My Disney Experience:

Shipping Timeline

As soon as you book your Resort stay, you may select your MagicBand and customize your name, up until 10 days prior to your arrival.

For U.S. Guests, your MagicBands will ship to your home, usually within 10 business days of placing your order. Eligible International Guests will receive their MagicBands at their Disney Hotel Front Desk.

10 – 6 Days Before Your Trip – Select your MagicBand and customize your name. MagicBands will ship to your Resort Front Desk.

5-1 Days Before Your Trip  – Pre-Arrival MagicBand selection is no longer available.

Shipping Details

Pre-arrival, online offer available only to Guests who will be staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel or Guests who are new or renewing Walt Disney World Annual Passholders. Premium MagicBands sold by Magic Kingdom, Inc. Credit card will be charged when order is placed. Personalized MagicBands cannot be cancelled, returned, refunded or exchanged, even if the hotel reservation is cancelled. Cancellation of hotel reservations will result in cancellation of MagicBands orders; however, if personalized at the time of hotel cancellation, the MagicBands order cannot be cancelled and the nondiscounted full retail or comparable value of the premium personalized MagicBands will be charged. Shipping to eligible U.S. addresses (including U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) only; shipping not available to PO Boxes, APO, FPO, DPO, or international addresses. Pricing may vary. Selection subject to availability. Other discounts not applicable. Offer subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Finally, do note that guests may continue to use their existing MagicBand and Disney MagicMobile, available on eligible devices, to enjoy other features, such as park entry. The original MagicBand product will continue to be available for purchase as well.

Medals Revealed for 2022 runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

runDisney has released the medal designs for the 2022 runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, and we’re so excited!

From a Disney Cast Member;

Get ready to savor the music, the stories and more found in EPCOT’s World Showcase during the 2022 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend powered by Shokz! In a harmonious celebration of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary and the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, this race weekend will explore the heart of the human spirit found in the international cultures around World Showcase. Between the food and wine, music and magic, runners will have so much to celebrate!

Today we are serving up a reveal of this year’s exciting finisher medals that will be awaiting runners at the finish line. Take a look:

Disney Wine & Dine 5K powered by Shokz

It’s time to seize your moment during the 2022 Disney Wine & Dine 5K, celebrating Disney and Pixar’s “Coco”! The runDisney community is quite a familia and together we will celebrate the inspiration of the Mexico Pavilion all along the 3.1-mile course. Runners will be ready to let out their best grito when they finish this race to remember!

Disney Wine & Dine 10K powered by Shokz

Runners need only to take the first step to find themselves during the 2022 Disney Wine & Dine 10K. Celebrating the valiant story of Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon,” this 6.2-mile course takes inspiration from the vibrant music, stories and magic of Southeast Asia that guests will find throughout the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon powered by Shokz

Life is full of possibilities, especially for runners during the 2022 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon. Taking inspiration from Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” and the “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure” exhibit found in the American Adventure Pavilion, participants will get lost in the rhythm during this 13.1-mile course. From start line to finish, runners will find their spark while celebrating the music and magic of the incredible tapestry that makes up the U.S.A.

Disney Two Course Challenge powered by Shokz

Genie from Disney’s “Aladdin” joins us for the 2022 Disney Two Course Challenge, bringing together the international cultures of the World Showcase in a universal celebration of human spirit. Participants of the challenge will be rewarded with the prestigious challenge medal showcasing a unique locket design with the Genie inside!

We’re still serving up the opportunity to join us virtually and run on a course of your choosing with limited spots remaining for the 2022 Virtual Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend! From 3.1 to 19.3 miles, explore one-of-a-kind race options that will bring the magic of a runDisney event to you!

You also won’t want to miss out on celebrating your race weekend accomplishments during the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Post-Race Party. From access to EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Global Marketplaces and select EPCOT attractions to exclusive entertainment and more, it’s a party you and your friends and family won’t want to miss. Head over to runDisney.com to purchase your tickets today!