Do magic bands need to be "activated"?

[TheLadyTremain]

Our trip is scheduled for February. Our current plan is to fly into Orlando the night before and stay offsite somewhere cheap. The next day, I would like to hit MK and get an ADR for an early breakfast. So I would like to leave straight from our off site hotel and head to the MK parking lot. However, it dawned on me that perhaps our magic bands won't be ready to go. Do I need to check into my resort first so our bands are activated?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Your Magic Bands will be fine, but if you have a dining plan you'll want to check in to have that live.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Magic bands don't do anything but read your MDX account. If you have tickets linked to your account, you will be able to enter the park with your magic band (if it is working properly). As noted, if you are using a dining plan that first day, you will need to have checked in online or visit the resort to check in before you can use any of your dining credits.