No matter how you feel about the MyMagic+ system as a whole, it’s undeniable that the advent of MagicBands and FastPass+ has fundamentally changed the way that guests spend their vacation time at Walt Disney World.
Even though this system had a somewhat troubled rollout back in 2013, Disney has been steadily making some really interesting changes to MyMagic+ over the past few months, including the discontinuation of an app, the expansion of MagicBand benefits for annual passholders and resort guests, plus new information about special perks inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
1. Shop Disney Parks app being retired on May 31
Image: Disney
When the Shop Disney Parks app was introduced in 2016, it was a much-needed addition that allowed guests to check inventory at Disney Parks and shop for select Disney Parks items from home.
However, with the expansion of the My Disney Experience app (which allows guests to search for items using the product availability map and ship select merchandise to home), the Shop Disney Parks app became a little bit superfluous, duplicating much of what was already included in the larger, My Disney Experience app. As a result, Disney has decided to retire the Shop Disney Parks app, effective May 31st.
Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members will continue receiving eligible discounts when shopping from My Disney Experience.
2. New discounted MagicBand upgrade designs now available
Image: Disney
Announced earlier this month, the new MagicBand upgrade options for Disney hotel guests and annual passholders are now live. In addition to the free solid-color MagicBands, guests now have over 30 different choices to upgrade from the regular free-of-charge solid MagicBand to a number of character and parks styles at a reduced price, which is $14.99 off retail cost (which makes most of the bands around $10).
3. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Play Disney Parks app functionality detailed
Image: Disney
A few weeks ago Disney confirmed that the Play Disney Parks app would have some extended functionality inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and now mere days before the opening of this new land at Disneyland, we now know exactly what guests will be able to do inside this upcoming land with this app.
Use the “hacking” feature inside this app guests will be able to interact with certain door panels or droids to see their memories. Alternatively, guests can use a “scanning” function to see inside of cargo crates scattered around the land.
Guests who don’t already understand the Star Wars Aurebesh language can use a handy “translation” tool that will automatically transform signs throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge into any language you want from our galaxy! In addition, guests can use this feature to decrypt signals from antennas or communications devices and listen to secret messages with the “tuning” feature.
In addition to using the Disney Play Parks app to discover the hidden secrets inside the Black Spire Outpost, guests can also play the “Outpost Control,” game, supporting either the First Order or the Resistance to gain control of the land. Winners can even earn galactic credits for their efforts, though we don’t know what these credits might do for players (other than give them some bragging rights).
Image: Disney
Guests who visit the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction can also play another mini-game exclusive to the attraction queue where they can take on a job for Hondo Ohnaka, the pirate turned “legitimate” businessman operating Ohnaka Transport Solutions out of Black Spire Outpost. In this game, guests can reroute misplaced cargo, learn how to keep cover under pressure and prep the Falcon for your flight.
Guests will of course be able to check out these new functions at the world debut of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in just under two weeks at Disneyland park, and then again just a few months later at Disney’s Hollywood Studios when this new land opens on August 29th!
