First onsite trip in 6 years ....

[allaboutaprincess]

We are so excited about staying on property this week! We should arrive around 8 am. Since we have magic bands, will we be able to head directly to the parks, or have to check in our room first? Also do we need to link our bands? Thanks?

 

[Calee]

Bands should be linked already (I assume you mean these are ones they sent you for this reservation).
If you do online check in you shouldn't have to go to your hotel first. (I say shouldn't because there are always the outlying situations where MDE js glitchy)

 

[pixiedustedme]

Have fun!

 

[allaboutaprincess]

Bands should be linked already (I assume you mean these are ones they sent you for this reservation).
If you do online check in you shouldn't have to go to your hotel first. (I say shouldn't because there are always the outlying situations where MDE js glitchy)

Great! Thank you so much

 

[Karlrob]

We always check in first on the chance that the room is available. Makes it easier to get all that done and then head to the parks. The theory is that you will get a text message that the rooms are ready and you can go straight to the rooms, using the magic bands to enter. BUT, and I mean but - that has never worked well for us. Text messages never came, rooms were not ready when they said they were - just easier to be able to speak face to face at the front desk when an issue arises. Worst case was Beach Club Villas, was told unit was ready, went up to soaking wet rugs, having just been cleaned. Took many visits to desk to get that straightened out and I would not want to face that at night after being in the parks.

 

[cwestpvb]

I also like to check in with the front desk first before going to the park when I arrive that early. Each time they try to either give me a room that is available, or try to get the room available quicker. It also seems they have more flexibility with placing you in a room that fits any requests you have. I'd stop by if you have any specific room preferences. Your bands will work since the tickets are linked so you wouldn't have any issues going to the park.

 

[Christine]

Last year, we also arrived around 8AM at the Contemporary. We dropped our bags off with the bellhop services (we also had medications that needed refrigeration). We had done online check in but I did stop at the front desk and let them know we were actually here. Nope rooms, not ready. We headed off to a park for the day. Around 3:30, I got a text saying my room was ready.

 

[mickeynut1]

We are so excited about staying on property this week! We should arrive around 8 am.

Have a great time!

 

[sbd78]

If you upgraded your magic bands, they need to be linked. If they are the standard solid colors, they should already be linked. Have fun, we arrive tomorrow!!

 

[DisneyGirlMI]

If you upgraded your magic bands, they need to be linked. If they are the standard solid colors, they should already be linked. Have fun, we arrive tomorrow!!

Actually is you were able to order the upgraded bands through MDE, they come linked. It’s only if you ordered through ShopDisney that you need to link them after you get them

 

[nkereina]

Only caveat I'll add is that if you're flying and taking DME, the DME bus will only drop you off at your resort. At that point, you can leave your bags with bell services and then head for the bus. Or if you have no carry on bags to store, you can proceed straight to the bus stop after exiting DME if you want.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We are so excited about staying on property this week! We should arrive around 8 am. Since we have magic bands, will we be able to head directly to the parks, or have to check in our room first? Also do we need to link our bands? Thanks?

Yes you can head strait to the parks. If you also do online check in, you should (strong emphasis on should) get a text/email when you're room is ready. We always do online check in so we can bypass the front desk (unless we need something) and open our room with our magic band or phone. Unless you need to drop luggage at the desk, I'd head to the park first.

I usually just check the MDE throughout the day if we're at the parks early and sometimes check out the 'my plans' section will show a room number before I even get the text (or sometimes never do), so I think know our room is ready.

 

[sbd78]

Actually is you were able to order the upgraded bands through MDE, they come linked. It’s only if you ordered through ShopDisney that you need to link them after you get them

Gottcha. Ours were ordered through ShopDisney at the $10 price because of the cluster that the roll out was!