Enter park w/ MagicBand before going to resort?

[Ronald Duck]

Has anybody succeeded in using their MagicBands to enter a park BEFORE going to their resort?

I've done all my online "homework" (linking reservations and tickets to MagicBands, online resort check-in) so I would think it SHOULD work. However, two phone calls have gotten two opposite responses from CMs ...one said we needed to go to our resort 1st, the other said the Band will be active on the first day of the reservation without going to the resort.

 

[Ronald Duck]

I can now definitively (I hope) answer my own question, after spending well over 90 minutes on the phone with varying CMs, all with differing OPINIONS

After a number of transfers and holds, a higher-up MDE internet CM took a look at my account, and decided that the only way I could get into a park with a MagicBand before checking in at our longer-stay resort was to order ANOTHER set of MagicBands associated with our first (one-night) reservation (which I hadn't bothered to do because on that first day we aren't doing any parks). Apparently, that set of bands will be "live" and still work for theme park entry on our second morning. OY!

So, be advised that a resort check-in is required before using your MagicBand, even when it is already linked to the reservation. I'm tired

 

[yp65]

I have the same question as you do. I bought tickets from UT. But our first day is check in date. We are planning to go to park first. I was able to make all the FP+ reservations already.

Do you know if I can enter the park with my UT ticket and still be able to use my FP+ for the day?

 

[Ronald Duck]

I have the same question as you do. I bought tickets from UT. But our first day is check in date. We are planning to go to park first. I was able to make all the FP+ reservations already.

Do you know if I can enter the park with my UT ticket and still be able to use my FP+ for the day?

yp65- Well, based on my TOO many conversations with TOO many CMs over the past two days, I would say no, you can't get into a park until you check in at your resort. The internet-savvy CM who SEEMED most knowledgeable about MDE implied that checking in at your resort (even if your room isn't ready) is what activates the MagicBands. That still seems clunky and wrong to me, but that's what he told me (after MUCH discussion).

BTW, my tickets were from UT also, and I was surprised and pleased that they were the new plastic ones that linked to my reservation just fine on MDE. If you have linked your UT tickets online already also, then you are in the exact same position as we are. Now I wonder whether it would have been better NOT to link the UT tickets and just take them to Guest Relations at the first park you go to

In any case, we will be trying out the system on Monday 11/18, so if your trip is later than that, I'll be happy to report my experiences. Good luck!

 

[yp65]

Thank you.