Disney is adding a feature to MagicBands that guests have long requested. Some table service restaurants at Walt Disney World can now scan a guest’s MagicBand and, if applicable, automatically apply the Annual Pass discount to a guest’s bill.
The guest does not have to show their Annual Pass card or even their ID card to get the Annual Pass discount. In fact, eligible guests don’t even have to request the discount to have it applied to their bill.
When the guest is ready to pay their bill, the server scans the guest’s MagicBand and has the guest enter their PIN. If the guest is eligible for an Annual Pass discount, a yellow ‘AP’ icon appears next to the guest’s name on the server’s scanner. The Annual Pass discount is then automatically deducted from the final bill.
Currently, there some limits to how, when and where this new feature can be used. First, the guest must have an active Annual Pass linked to their MagicBand.
Second, at this time not all Disney points-of-sale that offer Annual Pass discounts can automatically apply it to the guest’s bill. Some sit-down restaurants, such as Kona Cafe and the Geyser Point, offer the discount. But it does not appear that any of the quick service eateries or merchandize stores can automatically apply discounts.
Third, this new feature requires that the MagicBand be used to pay the bill. The guest cannot use cash, credit card, or another method of payment.
And fourth, the automatic application of the Annual Pass discount when paying via MagicBand is limited to guests with a resort reservation. Guests staying off-site in non-Disney hotels cannot take advantage of this feature.
Right now, only discounts derived from the Disney Annual Pass are being automatically applied on some bills. There is no indication if and when MagicBand functionality will be updated to include Disney Vacation Club discounts.
Since the automatic application of Annual Pass discounts is still being phased in across Walt Disney World, it is recommended guests continue to carry their Annual Pass cards and a photo ID to assure that they can take advantage of discounts.
Wil Lovato is a contributor to DVCNews.com and has been a Disney Vacation Club owner since 2009. His DVC Home Resorts include Bay Lake Tower, Animal Kingdom Villas, and Aulani. He can be found posting on many Disney discussion forums under the username of “wdrl.”
