Yes! There were a couple in the Mine Cart line. I am not sure about the Mario Kart/Bowser’s line but there might be. They aren’t games but they make stuff happen!
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Oh - they are all so different. 
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Such a successful trip!
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Per a request on another thread, an ode to the Power up band.
It’s slightly larger than a Magic band+ (love my new Fantasmic one) and it’s a slap bracelet!
It only works in the Nintendo games at Epic but they are all over the land. Instead of Mickey heads there are Mario “M”s (just like the one on the band) that you can tap to get random things to display. It’s pretty neat. You can also play lots of games.
For example, this game is like a slot machine type of game where the images are revolving and you pound the box to get it to stop and you want 4 of a kind.
There is a cumulative nature to the games. If you win 3 then you can do Bowser’s Challenge game. We didn’t even end up doing this. Next time I’m sure we will.
You can see your progress in the Universal App and each different band character has like a daily tally. So if you had a big group with all Mario bands then maybe you could influence Mario winning for the day.
Bands were $45 I believe. We bought them the day before in CityWalk so that we didn’t waste any time in Epic.
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Oh, I love that design element!
Is that the only place to buy them? It would be nice to prepurchase there, like MBs. I’m not sure if I’ll get one (who am I kidding?)
Thank you for the rundown!
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DD10 and DS7 will want these. Thank you for explaining why Epic is going to cost me an additional $90 
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I struggle with this. $50 per kid is my souvenir budget. I usually don’t count magic bands as souvenirs, but this seems a little different. Trying to decide if I should let them pick a power up band or a wand. Or just keep it as an option for their souvenir.
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I would give them the option. And look at how much time you will actually spend in each land. The bands seem limited to use in 1 specific portal. While very freaking cool, the time spent with the wands could be more plentiful. I think it depends on your plan time in each respective area.
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I think that this is the only place to buy them outside of Epic. The hotel gift shops (at least Cabana Bay and Sapphire Falls) had exactly ZERO Epic merch.
This is what I had originally said… FYI the wands are much more expensive, especially the 2nd gen ones. There are also very few 2nd generation choices, so if you could convince them to wait on the wands (I tried) there might be more choices next year.
Well if you are in Epic, the wands are only useful in 1 specific portal as well.
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Wands are around $70 now..some over $85..
As often as you go they are a good investment though.
IMHO - Wands are optional and Power Bands are needed to enjoy the land.
I got to do SNW at USH this year. I didn’t have enough time to do the mini games only rides. I felt that I was really missing out at SNW.
IMHO - It’s like going to a casino and only watching people play slot machines. WWOHP offers enough to see and do without the spells
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So I will say that you could “punch” the question marks and they react and make noise without a band. So depending on the kid (probably age) you could probably get away without one. They can still mess around, you just don’t get a score.
I know our total for one band was over $90 so that feels accurate with tax.
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LIVE music, scavenger hunts, kiddy rides, talking trash cans or Xmas trees (depending on the season).. Legos…. rude teenagers galore (surprisingly, they aren’t rude at citywalk? ), DVC lounge… it’s prettier.
I do like City Walk and we plan to go over for dinner one night and maybe the Escape room but CW is much smaller than DS too 
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The limited mall-like quick service was what really bummed me out about CityWalk.
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This is what I like about it. 
It feels a part of the theme parks rather than a “dining district” for me. But I’m a weirdo who enjoys chain restaurants more than I should!
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Idk though–sometimes it’s nice to know what you’re going to get to an extent. I’m with you there.
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My DH saw a “Moe’s” sign and thought it was the Simpson’s restaurant! He was really bummed to find out it was the southwest grill
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What thing on the switch is allowing DS to learn wand magic?
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Also works as an amiibo with Nintendo switch
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That is a great question! I will have to ask him this afternoon.
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