If you have an upcoming Disney vacation, you might have noticed that instead of loads of choices in the MagicBand selection it's...well...a little lacking the magic. 

So, what should you do? 

Just like everyone else, Disney is struggling with supply issues. It's noticeable in their food, their merchandise in Park, and also the MagicBands. 

Before you sit down in your My Disney Experience and start to panic, let me reassure you. You'll be able to get something. And, changes are really good it's something that you will like! But...there are a few tricks to that, and I'm going to explain them. 

First, let's talk about HOW you get a MagicBand, and what it does, for those of you new to Disney's MagicBands. 

What it is

A MagicBand is like a key and your credit card. If staying at a Disney resort, it acts as your room key. When you make a purchase, with your pin, you can just automagically (no typo there!) have your room or card billed. 

This band used to get you into the Fastpass Lanes, now, it's for the Lightening Lanes. 

How much are they? Are they free? 

MagicBands used to be free when you had a Disney package. They now are not. You are given a pre arrival discount though, and there are a LOT more designs to choose from. A plain band is $10, and they go up from there, generally in incriments of $5. So, $10, $15, $20, etc. 

Now, do you NEED a MagicBand? Nope! You are perfectly fine without one. A lot of stuff can be done on your phone. But I'm going to be honest with you. I was super grateful I had my phone on my when I stepped outside my resort room and the door slammed behind me and I was alone. I opened my app, clicked to open my door and....I turned my phone this way. I jiggled it that way. I adjusted the brightness. I wiggled it, and started to get frustrated. Just as I was about to manifest into a Disney villain, CLICK. It opened. Boy that was frustrating. And it took a long time too! What if I had someone I had to get to quickly?

How do you get one of these magical devices? 

You can get MagicBands one of four places, and each has it's benefits or pitfalls. 

1. Reuse one of your old MagicBands. You can reuse a MagicBand that was assigned to you on a previous trip. 

2. You can buy one on ShopDisney. Their collection is very, very small though. As in, last time I checked, two band styles. 

3. You can buy a band at a Disney Park or Resort. There is going to be a larger selection in person, but there's no discount on the price. 

4. You can purchase before your trip, through My Disney Experience. This can be tricky. Let me explain. 

Purchasing MagicBands Through My Disney Experience

Since there are thousands of people trying to buy MagicBands for their trip the same time as you are, it can be hard to get the style band you want.

At any given time, I found between twenty and forty different MagicBand styles. Huge difference, huh?

See that sparkly rose gold one up there? I really had wanted the silver. Or the solid raspberry. But I waited too long...and couldn't get it. 

As a matter of fact, I had to check every day for two weeks before we were able to get bands that each of us liked. Yikes! Even still, when we got our young's MagicBand in, it was supposed to be an orange-y coral color with Chewbacca on it. That thing is pinkish! Luckily, he didn't care, maybe because I talked up the cool picture, but remember, the color may vary slightly! 

There are a few things to know, and these tips will help you do the trick: Getting the MagicBands you want. 

1. Check the site when the bands restock in the morning! 

The MagicBands restock in the morning! That's your go time! Channel that inner "Gotta get my fastpass or dining reservation" attitude, set your clock, and get ready! 

If you can't do that, then...

2. Check several times throughout the day. 

That's right! It's quite possible that someone had been dithering about their band, a trip got canceled, or some other thing and the band you want reappears. That's actually how I got my sparkly rose gold one! That one was my choice #3, which leads into...

3. Know ahead of time what you might like.

Have a few favorites in mind. It's best if everyone in your party can have two of three band ideas that they like. Then, once you know what's a yes, and you see at least one for each person, you can grab the perfect MagicBand set! 

4. Pounce on it when you see it

Seriously. Don't think ohhh I'll wait...nope. If there's a band everyone in your party will like, snag it while they have it. 

5. Don't give up

If you can't get just what you want the first try, or ten, just keep swimming. You'll find a fun  band you like eventually, I promise! That might mean you wait and get one in person but there are still many MagicBands out there for sale! 

Hopefully these tips helped a little to assist you in getting JUST the perfect MagicBands to make your Disney vacation extra magical! 
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I admit, I'm an absolute sucker for Mickey shaped items, so when ShopDisney got these fantastic foam soap dispensers in...I bought two. I  mean, the kids need one too, right?! 

This little beauty is sitting in out downstairs half bath, ready to delight each user, giving a little puff of Disney magic! 

Of course, it wouldn't be as great if you couldn't refill it, and I have, successfully many times, and it still works beautifully.  This does take the foaming soap refill, and like many of you, I've made my own with liquid soap, but I have not done that with this bottle. I don't want to risk damaging it, so I've only used the foaming soap refill.

There is a little trick though to get the perfect Mickey shape. Do you see the little white bits on the side of the soap pump? Touch your hand to those. If you do, you get a perfect Mickey head each time. Otherwise, it looks a bit off. It's still Mickey, but only Mickey-ish. 
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These are available for $20 from Disney, and if you happen to be going to the Parks this year, maybe you can snag the 50th anniversary themed one too! I know I'm going to try! 

Though $20 is a lot for a bathroom soap dispenser, I have to be honest, the joy it brings with each handwash is priceless! And if you have young kids who might squeeze gobs and gobs on...or skips washing, this is perfect because it gives the right amount, and makes washing up fun!