Another MagicBand Question

[AgentP]

I am a DVC member and I usually buy an AP every year, I renewed my AP earlier this year(January) as I typically do and I got an AP voucher number. Due to circumstances beyond my control(way beyond) I have only been able to get to WDW for one day so far this year and I didn't go to any of the parks(I spent one night there earlier in the year prior to a DCL cruise, arrived pretty late in the evening the night before cruise departure and I didn't have a chance to visit the parks). Long story short, I have an AP voucher number for an AP that I haven't used at all, I know its a huge waste but it was unavoidable. I have a trip to WDW planned for this weekend(finally) and I got an email from Disney saying that my MagicBand will be waiting for me at my resort. A few weeks ago I logged on to MDE and made all my plans(linked my AP voucher number, made my FastPass+ choices, made a couple ADR's, etc...). My question is this... will my MagicBand be ready to use once I pick it up at the resort or do I need to visit Guest Services or somewhere else to get it "activated"? I'm thinking the fact that I am using an AP voucher number rather than a "fully activated" AP may complicate things. If anyone has a similar experience that they can share "mucho appreciado" in advance.

- AgentP

 

[Chuck S]

I am a DVC member and I usually buy an AP every year, I renewed my AP earlier this year(January) as I typically do and I got an AP voucher number. Due to circumstances beyond my control(way beyond) I have only been able to get to WDW for one day so far this year and I didn't go to any of the parks(I spent one night there earlier in the year prior to a DCL cruise, arrived pretty late in the evening the night before cruise departure and I didn't have a chance to visit the parks). Long story short, I have an AP voucher number for an AP that I haven't used at all, I know its a huge waste but it was unavoidable. I have a trip to WDW planned for this weekend(finally) and I got an email from Disney saying that my MagicBand will be waiting for me at my resort. A few weeks ago I logged on to MDE and made all my plans(linked my AP voucher number, made my FastPass+ choices, made a couple ADR's, etc...). My question is this... will my MagicBand be ready to use once I pick it up at the resort or do I need to visit Guest Services or somewhere else to get it "activated"? I'm thinking the fact that I am using an AP voucher number rather than a "fully activated" AP may complicate things. If anyone has a similar experience that they can share "mucho appreciado" in advance.

- AgentP

You must exchange the voucher for an active AP before the MB can be used for park admission. A Magic Band reader simply accesses your customer profile and reads whatever park admission media is on file in that profile. Just as you can not enter a park with a voucher, you can not enter a park with a Magic Band showing a voucher in your profile.

 

[Msmithmd]

Just did this last week. You don't have to go to guest services. Simply go to any standard ticket window near the park entrance, give them your voucher and band and they will set you straight within a couple minutes. Easy.

And remember if it's a DVC annual pass voucher to bring along your dvc card, or they cannot activate the voucher for a pass...

 

[mkleinbe]

I have a piggy back question. If I have my AP voucher number, then I can link that to my MDE account and set up my fastpass+ stuff, right? Then, I'll activate my AP when I get to the World and my fastpasses will be there waiting on me. I don't have to use an activated AP to link in order to set up my fastpasses do I?

 

[Chuck S]

I have a piggy back question. If I have my AP voucher number, then I can link that to my MDE account and set up my fastpass+ stuff, right? Then, I'll activate my AP when I get to the World and my fastpasses will be there waiting on me. I don't have to use an activated AP to link in order to set up my fastpasses do I?

As far as I know, that is correct.

 

[MrShiny]

We did this on Thanksgiving night at DTD Guest Relations and they gave us AP cards. i had already added the AP voucher to my Magic Bands and they seemed to indicate that was OK. They said they had some problems with AP's on the band not working, but we never had any issues.

One reason you'll want the card regardless is the AP discounts. The band won't show you are an AP at merchandise or dining locations (which makes sense, as they would have to scan it anyway).

 

[Chuck S]

We did this on Thanksgiving night at DTD Guest Relations and they gave us AP cards. i had already added the AP voucher to my Magic Bands and they seemed to indicate that was OK. They said they had some problems with AP's on the band not working, but we never had any issues.

One reason you'll want the card regardless is the AP discounts. The band won't show you are an AP at merchandise or dining locations (which makes sense, as they would have to scan it anyway).

I hope there is a program update in the future that will allow you scan your MagicBand earlier in the sales transaction, and would allow the registers to locate any applicable discounts. Once the sale is rung up, then you could enter your 4 digit PIN to complete the sale, or present a different type of payment. The same could work for Dining and TiW discounts, scan your MB upon check-in at the restaurant, then just enter your PIN to bill it to the room.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

How long did it take to get the wristbands? I wasn't going to buy my annual passes until we got to WDW but I may have to buy them before so I can do the wristbands/fast passes....I already have 4 passes for the rest of party (grown children & spouses) but I need 2 annual passes for hubby & myself. Does anyone know if I wait to buy my passes until we get to WDW can I do the fast passes at that time?

Thanks for your help!

 

[MrShiny]

You can do the Fastpasses right on site - they have iPad's by Guest Relations and kiosks in the park just for that.

 

[bruhl1j]

I have a similar situation. I have a PAP and purchased one the stay, play, and dine packages (DW and anniversary). After pending about 30 minutes on the phone with WDW, this is what they told me. I understand this because so much with the new MB is new to everyone.

At check in at the resort, the CM at the desk can link the PAP to the MB if the PAP is on MDE/WDW link system. I will then use the tickets from the Jan trip to purchase next years PAP (renewal). Note that the tickets do not have the same value as tickets purchased outside of a package. And as long as we do not enter the park with the tickets in the package, they can be used at another date.

Just bring the AP with you to link when you check in. Be sure to add it to your MDE before you arrive.

JB