In ‘just for fun’ news, Walt Disney World has added 17 new character icons to the My Disney Experience app, giving guests greater variety to represent themselves with a selection of ‘synergistic’ characters based mostly on new additions to the parks & beyond. This takes a look at the full selection (featuring Figment!), plus an update on discount MagicBands while we’re poking around in MDX.
Technically, these new icons are being added to “MyDisney” and not just My Disney Experience, which are two different things with very similar names. MyDisney is the new-ish capability that gives guests a seamless login experience by using just a single email and password across services and experiences from The Walt Disney Company. It launched last April.
The unified login experience is available at my.disney.com. Previously, users could use the same login across different Disney websites, but there was a lot of logging in and out. This streamlining means users see the same MyDisney login prompt everywhere, creating a more seamless login experience. MyDisney includes streaming services like Disney+ and Hulu, news and entertainment apps like ABC and ESPN, and merchandise and experiences like the Disney Store, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and Walt Disney World.
We haven’t really discussed MyDisney here because it’s not an exciting topic that comes up naturally, but it seems like an iterative improvement. Or perhaps we’ve just been lucky? There was a period prior to the launch of MyDisney when I was constantly kicked out of my accounts and sent in a seemingly endless loop of emailed codes to verify my email.
That may not seem frustrating, but it definitely is when you’re trying to book pop-up Lightning Lane availability and instead need to fish a verification code out of your email. I’m not sure if MyDisney is what fixed this, but it hasn’t happened in a while. In general, it seems like Disney IT is improving. (Famous last words before being stuck in a broken multi-hour virtual queue whenever Oogie Boogie Bash tickets go on sale.)
Anyway, here are the new characters that have been added to MyDisney, My Disney Experience, etc. as icons:
- Cruella de Vil
- Dr. Facilier
- Evil Queen
- Figment
- Gaston
- Hades
- Hercules
- Jafar
- Lady Tremaine
- Maleficent
- Queen of Hearts
- Red Panda Meilin
- Scar
- Stitch
- Tigger
- Ursula
- Winnie the Pooh
Here’s a look at all 17 new icons, but mostly Figment:
It seems like many or most of these are synergy plays. The “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” just debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which could explain all of the villains. The live-action “Lilo & Stitch” remake recently opened in theaters and is dominating the global box office. Then there’s the “Hercules” show on the upcoming Disney Destiny Cruise Ship.
So what I’m saying is that this is obviously a cryptic clue that big announcements are coming with all of the other characters. Basically, this offers concrete confirmation of Journey into Imagination 4.0 with Figment and Dreamfinder at EPCOT, as well as Pooh’s Hunny Hunt and new nighttime spectacular featuring “Turning Red” at Magic Kingdom (that last one can also be explained by the character’s presence at Disneyland). Surely there’s no other, more reasonable explanation, right? We can expect all of those announcements at Destination D23 in a couple months?!?
Joking aside, here’s a full rundown of the characters now available as icons, some of which were news to me–so I guess I missed another update or two:
It’s worth noting that these characters aren’t available on all Disney websites. The Disney+ streaming service has exponentially more icons, with entire categories for Bluey, the Simpsons, and more. There’s even a bald fellow (Vincent D’Onofrio?) featured for some reason–not that I’m complaining, representation for dadly-looking dudes is always appreciated.
My favorite icons are actually in the Tokyo Disney Resort app, which includes a ton of deep cuts. Here’s just a partial rundown:
It was already tough to choose between Chandu and Henry, so I guess I’m thankful that Figment hasn’t made his way to Japan. (I take that back. I cannot even fathom Journey into Imagination 4.0 made with an OLC budget. I’d rather have the ride redone there than at EPCOT.)
For reference, Tokyo also now uses the MyDisney login, which has greatly streamlined my experience with the TDR app. Haven’t had nearly as many issues with that app in the last year–not a single payment rejected, either! (A common problem with US-issued credit cards previously.)
Turning back to My Disney Experience, it dawned on my to check the discount MagicBand+ upgrade options while changing my icon to Figment. Here’s a look at what’s currently available:
As of June 2025, there are only 15 pre-arrival options, which is historically low. Last year, we saw 25-40 choices, on average. That was far fewer than the all-time peak of 82 MagicBands. There were 17 designs when we last offered an update in End of an Era for MagicBands at Walt Disney World, which detailed the tragic downfall of the wearable devices.
There once again is not a single regular ole MagicBand 2.0 available via Walt Disney World’s pre-arrival discount program. This is not a new development–it’s what we discussed at length back in February. That confirmed what we’ve long suspected: the OG “dumb” MagicBand is dead.
This is unfortunate. Not only is the MagicBand 2.0 dead, but the higher price points of the “plus” device are only going to accelerate the demise of MagicBands, period, at Walt Disney World. While I’m sure there are some collectors who still purchase them, the same could’ve been said for Vinylmations or any number of now-extinct product lines that once had loyal fan followings.
It’s also worth noting that there’s been very little turnover in discounted pre-arrival MagicBand+ options. About two-thirds of the designs above were also available when we last updated the list 6 months ago! And many of those were there 6 months before that. We’re seeing very little turnover, which is probably because MagicBand+ has flopped. Or because the pre-arrival discount has low uptake. Or a mixture of both.
It’s not really hard to see why…how many families staying on-site looking to take advantage of “discount” MagicBands are really going to bite? It was one thing when they were free, or even $5 to $10 a couple of years ago. Now, the cheapest “discount” option is $25 for a solid color or $35 for a design. At that price, you might as well wait for a sale at the Disney Store or buy upon arrival at Walt Disney World and get a design you actually love.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
What do you think of the new MyDisney app icons? Will you be switching to Figment or another new character? Wish there were even more variety or deep cuts? Have you had fewer issues with Disney IT since the switch to MyDisney last year? Do you still purchase or use OG MagicBands or MagicBand+ at Walt Disney World? What do you think about decline of wearables at WDW? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
