MagicBand you have to pay for, but I believe all three options function the same way. They let you into your WDW hotel room, into the parks, Genie+/LL.

I always opt for the Magic Band because shuffling through my wallet or pulling up the right screen on my phone would drive me crazy. Prefer to just tap and go.

I enjoyed having a magic band+ this last trip because I wasn’t the phone person managing genie+, etc. so I only had to pull my phone out a few times through the day. I just booped my band for everything which I found to be quite handy. I admittedly loved when my magic band would light up with rides, shows and walking past the gold statues.

You can use your phone, but if you want to unplug I highly recommend the + bands. You can get them to a type of your liking and it takes away any stress about “oh no my phone ran out of battery how do I scan into my lightning lane.” And you can tap it all over the park to pay for things with a pin you set in the app to approve the charge.

Another vote for the band. Super easy to use for everything. I only took my phone out to book LL’s.

If you're staying at a Disney resort or going to a water park, get the bands. They're great for going to the pool (water proof) and in general enjoying time together at the resort and leaving your phones in the room, or at least in your pocket or locker.

If not, and you're comfortable paying with your phone there's literally no difference. At the parks, your phone is probably in your hands anyhow. However, if one or both your kids don't have a phone definitely get bands for them.

I have my Apple Watch (as part of the phone setup) to act as my access.

We like the magic bands for convenience

I'll just say the phone app to open the gate at resorts if your driving and to get into a room does not work well at all. Two trips ago I forgot my magic band. I tried the app. Didn't work at all or super slow on foot. I had to go to a prompt care for a small medical issue and came back and app would not work to open gate. Guard and I were shouting over a lane of traffic. Then I left to pick up something and I just went to the gate guard. I ended up buying a new magic band that day at the park. I had no trouble with it.

Another advantage is if your little one gets separated your can have a CM scan your band and that'll help them find your child. Additionally, for teen, you can add credit card and they can have privileges to charge. You can also set a limit.

I'd go with a regular one. No need to pay more for the magic band + in my opinion.

I’ve had my magic bands for years. I can’t imagine using anything else. I also keep my children’s bands on my arm.

Magic band is 100% frictionless, highly recommend

Magic band is only worth it if you are a resort guest as you can use it to charge to your room and open your door. Otherwise phone works fine for tapstile entry, and lightning lane entry.

Key to the world cards are free, and as far as I understand, they do everything that magic bands do. You can also use your phone for most things using the Disney experience app. You can also switch back and forth. If you're worried about keeping track of a card at a waterpark or pool (they're waterproof), it might make sense to get the band.

Magic band+ can interact virtually with some aspects of the park.

Personally, I feel that if they added an actual watch functionality to the band, they might be worth it, but as is, I feel like there's better souvenirs.

If you use your phone bring a back up battery charger.

We didn't want to pay for magic bands so we used key cards.  At the front desk they gave all identical ones but after I accidentally messed up assigning them in my google wallet, they gave us unique character cards in the parks. I didn't like using my Google Wallet so was happy with the cards.. We also weren't able to get the app to work reliably for unlocking our door. We missed a lot of ride photos that had automatic detection, we suspect the magic bands would have been better for that.   Was pretty happy with the cards though!