Buying Magic Bands at the Parks and Not Activating Them

[AeroKU]

Has anyone purchased Magic Bands at the parks without having them activated at the time of purchase? We are staying offsite in November, but we want the MBs. We have some family members that are there right now and they tried to buy them for us, but were told they had to activate them at time of purchase. I thought I had read on here that people were able to buy them without activating them.

 

[Canuckbiggs]

Has anyone purchased Magic Bands at the parks without having them activated at the time of purchase? We are staying offsite in November, but we want the MBs. We have some family members that are there right now and they tried to buy them for us, but were told they had to activate them at time of purchase. I thought I had read on here that people were able to buy them without activating them.

Can't answer your original question.

But, consider booking a "throw away campsite" at Fort Wilderness for the first night you arrive. The Res will be $60 and get you Magic Bands included as well as parking for the day of check in and check out.

Plus it would have gotten you 180+10 access to ADRs.

And should get you 60 day access to FP+

That is what we did for our group of 9 - staying off site. Good use of $60 IMO.

 

[erionm]

Has anyone purchased Magic Bands at the parks without having them activated at the time of purchase?

You can't purchase a MagicBand retail without it being linked at the time of purchase.

 

[POOHsie]

You can't purchase a MagicBand retail without it being linked at the time of purchase.

All the info I have read also confirms this. You buy the MagicBand and they link it right there at point of purchase. I haven't read about anyone purchasing a MagicBand for later activation.

 

[jco_direwolf]

I haven't read about anyone purchasing a MagicBand for later activation.

I have .. but the person purchasing was a CM. So I think we can put that into the category of it being a special case.

 

[wilkeliza]

I have .. but the person purchasing was a CM. So I think we can put that into the category of it being a special case.

Even CMs have to link it to something. If it was a CM who bought it for you they probably linked it to their comp ticket then unlinked it as soon as they had the MB. That is how I had someone else buy my Yoda MB for me. It is a complicated process and shouldn't be done by just anyone but it works.

 

[AeroKU]

Can't answer your original question.

But, consider booking a "throw away campsite" at Fort Wilderness for the first night you arrive. The Res will be $60 and get you Magic Bands included as well as parking for the day of check in and check out.

Plus it would have gotten you 180+10 access to ADRs.

And should get you 60 day access to FP+

That is what we did for our group of 9 - staying off site. Good use of $60 IMO.

So you book the campsite, pay the deposit, and then just don't show up? They don't charge you for the rest of the amount due?

 

[jco_direwolf]

So you book the campsite, pay the deposit, and then just don't show up? They don't charge you for the rest of the amount due?

o Book a campsite
o Link passes to MDE
o Get MB
o Book FP+ for 2 days (arrival and checkout)
o Show up at WDW Campground
o Check-in
o Get your parking pass (a $30 value, you can use it for 2 days.)

you do pay for your campsite, it's like $60 per night. but you can have 9-10 people on a single reservation, and you get a parking pass, etc..

I know a lot of people do this when staying off site. You can even use DME, if you want to "send the kids ahead to the park" while you grab the rental car and get the bags to the condo.

 

[Canuckbiggs]

So you book the campsite, pay the deposit, and then just don't show up? They don't charge you for the rest of the amount due?

The total cost of one night tent site is only $60. So you pay it all, just don't stay there.

Here is a link to a long thread on the topic of "Throwaway Rooms/Campsites". This is where I started figuring it out, for our trip in November, also staying offsite.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51400261&postcount=932

 

[Canuckbiggs]

o Book a campsite
o Link passes to MDE
o Get MB
o Book FP+ for 2 days (arrival and checkout)
o Show up at WDW Campground
o Check-in
o Get your parking pass (a $30 value, you can use it for 2 days.)

you do pay for your campsite, it's like $60 per night. but you can have 9-10 people on a single reservation, and you get a parking pass, etc..

I know a lot of people do this when staying off site. You can even use DME, if you want to "send the kids ahead to the park" while you grab the rental car and get the bags to the condo.

I hadn't thought about using the DME to get the family from the airport (since we have a car rented). But that would work great.

Unfortuantely Disney doesn't mail the Magic Bands to Canada. We have to collect them at "check in".

 

[jco_direwolf]

I hadn't thought about using the DME to get the family from the airport (since we have a car rented). But that would work great.

Unfortuantely Disney doesn't mail the Magic Bands to Canada. We have to collect them at "check in".

So it just means that someone has to run in and check-in, but someone had to do that anyway.

Have them take DME to the Fort, you take the car to the condo/hotel, they check-in and leave at the desk your MB and the Parking pass. You swing the car by the Fort and grab your stuff when you are ready to meet them.

I've done a variant of that a number of times. I was coming in via MCO/DME, my folks who live in Fla were driving. I leave them their room keys and parking pass at the front desk.

 

[Canuckbiggs]

So it just means that someone has to run in and check-in, but someone had to do that anyway.

Have them take DME to the Fort, you take the car to the condo/hotel, they check-in and leave at the desk your MB and the Parking pass. You swing the car by the Fort and grab your stuff when you are ready to meet them.

I've done a variant of that a number of times. I was coming in via MCO/DME, my folks who live in Fla were driving. I leave them their room keys and parking pass at the front desk.

The plan it to be at Blizzard Beach the afternoon of the day we land.

Was just planning on going to grab the rental car, stop by the Fort and check in for our entire group (9), get all our Magic Bands and then head over to Blizzard Beach.

I figure my wife can get the kids changed into their swim gear while I am checking in.

Maybe the MDE would save some time?

 

[TDC Nala]

I have .. but the person purchasing was a CM. So I think we can put that into the category of it being a special case.

I have seen the same thing...CM purchasing for a family member whose MDX account the CM had access to.

 

[HdnOut2WDW]

I think that is TERRIBLE that you book a "throw away campsite" so you can a magic band. Yes it is only one night, but that one night somebody might need to complete their vacation. Sorry but shame on you and everyone else who thinks that is ok!

 

[dmband]

o Book a campsite
o Link passes to MDE
o Get MB
o Book FP+ for 2 days (arrival and checkout)
o Show up at WDW Campground
o Check-in
o Get your parking pass (a $30 value, you can use it for 2 days.)

you do pay for your campsite, it's like $60 per night. but you can have 9-10 people on a single reservation, and you get a parking pass, etc..

I know a lot of people do this when staying off site. You can even use DME, if you want to "send the kids ahead to the park" while you grab the rental car and get the bags to the condo.

Interesting, never thought of that
On the flip side if you just wanted the mb couldn't you just cancel the reservation once they are in your hand?
Seems like in most cases the $60 would be worth it though for the extra perks. In fact I'm not sure why anyone would just want the band

 

[Canuckbiggs]

I think that is TERRIBLE that you book a "throw away campsite" so you can a magic band. Yes it is only one night, but that one night somebody might need to complete their vacation. Sorry but shame on you and everyone else who thinks that is ok!

You are entitled to your opinion.

I am paying "full price" for the campsite so I do so with zero guilt.

For $60 I get 9 magic bands, access to dining reservations 180+10, 2 days of free parking, and FP+ at 60 days out.

Disney gets the same from us whether we pitch a tent or not.

 

[Bete]

o Book a campsite o Link passes to MDE o Get MB o Book FP+ for 2 days (arrival and checkout) o Show up at WDW Campground o Check-in o Get your parking pass (a $30 value, you can use it for 2 days.) you do pay for your campsite, it's like $60 per night. but you can have 9-10 people on a single reservation, and you get a parking pass, etc.. I know a lot of people do this when staying off site. You can even use DME, if you want to "send the kids ahead to the park" while you grab the rental car and get the bags to the condo.

Thanks for sharing this idea. This is a good strategy for off site guests.

 

[MouseMomx2]

My DS is going to WDW with a friend in August. I would love for him to get one of the Frozen MBs for DD as a Christmas present. Does anyone know if he could do this if he has one of her regular MBs with him? She doesn't currently have a park ticket attached to her account.

 

[AeroKU]

If I book a one night stay, pay the $60 up front, get my MBs in the mail, make my FP+ at 60 days out, then do I even need to show up to check in? Is there an online check in option?

 

[bwang123]

I think that is TERRIBLE that you book a "throw away campsite" so you can a magic band. Yes it is only one night, but that one night somebody might need to complete their vacation. Sorry but shame on you and everyone else who thinks that is ok!

why? they are paying for it. just not using it.