ANAHEIM, Calif. — The highly anticipated MagicBand+ will debut at Disneyland Resort this month.
Disney announced Wednesday that the wearable technology similar to a smartwatch for Disney theme park-goers will be available for the first time at its Anaheim theme parks starting Oct. 26.
"This marks a huge milestone in resort history, as you'll soon discover for the very first time how this wearable technology will enhance your experience and unlock a new dimension of Disney storytelling at the Happiest Place on Earth," said Jessica Pineda, public relations manager at Disneyland Resort on the company's official news site.
Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Josh D'Amaro announced that the upgraded version of the company's MagicBand technology would come to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure for the first time last year.
Disney's original MagicBand technology debuted in 2013 and was only available for visitors at Walt Disney World and some Disney cruise lines.
The wearable technology and the MyMagic+ program allowed visitors to sync their hotel room key, theme park ticket, fast pass, photo pass and other features into an RFID chip worn on the wearer's wrist. The bands would come in different Disney-styled designs.
The band provided wearers hands-free convenience — no more fumbling for park tickets or hotel room keys stuck in a wallet or purse. Most of the critical information a guest would need was on the wrist.
In recent years, the company enhanced its technology to add more features. Walt Disney World visitors experienced the upgraded version in the summer.
The new MagicBand+ does everything the original does and more.
The new technology allows guests to enter Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, check in at Lightning Lane entrances and link their photo pass directly into their Disney account.
The MagicBand+ also enhances the visitor's theme park experience. The new generation band with LED lights could change colors and give off haptic vibrations during a fireworks show, a show at Avengers Campus or other types of experiences and entertainment.
Disney officials said the band would illuminate and pulse in sync in certain intervals during shows such as World of Color, Fantasmic and the two new shows debuting next year as part of the company's 100th anniversary.
Disney officials said the MagicBand+ really comes alive inside Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland.
Visitors with the wearable technology could seek hidden virtual bounties and, using the Play Disney Parks augmented reality app on their mobile phones, reveal certain characters hiding throughout the Star Wars-themed land.
The MagicBand+ costs $35 and can be purchased online and at select locations throughout Disneyland Resort.
Disney officials said MagicBand+ could be used across Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. However, certain features and experiences vary between the two.
The original MagicBand is not compatible at Disneyland Resort.