Magic band and parking at parks

[connorlevismom]

We just returned from a trip where we got our magic bands and bought annual passes. We had the passes added to our magic bands which meant, no cards. Then we got to thinking (of course after we got home), how do you park for free with no actual cards for passes? What If your staying offsite and go to the parks? Do they scan your band at the parking kiosk?

Anyone know?

 

[SunshineTK]

My family was given plastic cards to use for parking and discounts in the shops for our AP's in addition to them being on our MBs.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

My family was given plastic cards to use for parking and discounts in the shops for our AP's in addition to them being on our MBs.

When we picked up our renewals this past week, we were told that these are no longer provided and that attendants now scan MBs at the gates so we were not provided the cards we got with our MBs last season. The CM seemed very competent so I didn't press further.

I didn't really care since we always stay on property so it was really a moot point to me but I did ask for card tickets for AP discounts just in case. I didn't explain why I wanted them.

 

[racinghank]

We activated our APs in February and we were sent some cards to present for AP discounts when we ordered the AP magic bands a couple of months later on the MDE website.

 

[connorlevismom]

Yes, we were there last week as well and were told we could do one or the other. We chose the bands because they are easier. We almost always stay onsite but I was just curious what happens if you don't.

 

[rlovew]

When we activated ours they were put on the bands we had for staying onsite but the cm said that we would need to order the ap bands and in the bottom of the box would be our cards for parking and discounts.

 

[MouseMomx2]

When we activated ours they were put on the bands we had for staying onsite but the cm said that we would need to order the ap bands and in the bottom of the box would be our cards for parking and discounts.

Nothing is put on the bands. Each MB simply has a chip that reads your MDEx profile. Your APs are linked to your profile and your bands read that information (along with resort reservations, FP+ selections, etc.). Any bands that you receive, including the AP bands, will all read the same information so you can use them interchangeably. The main reason to order the AP bands is to get the discount card that comes with it.

 

[OKW Lover]

Nothing is put on the bands. Each MB simply has a chip that reads your MDEx profile. Your APs are linked to your profile and your bands read that information (along with resort reservations, FP+ selections, etc.). Any bands that you receive, including the AP bands, will all read the same information so you can use them interchangeably. The main reason to order the AP bands is to get the discount card that comes with it.

Umm, actually there is no reason to have that "discount card" if you have your plastic AP with you. So, the only reason to order the AP band is just to have the little slider.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Umm, actually there is no reason to have that "discount card" if you have your plastic AP with you. So, the only reason to order the AP band is just to have the little slider.

Actually, some guests do not receive the plastic AP. The AP discount card is necessary for those people to get their discounts.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Actually, some guests do not receive the plastic AP. The AP discount card is necessary for those people to get their discounts.

Interesting you'd bring that up. To further extend what I said above, the very reason I wanted "card tickets" too was because of the discounts. As sure as the world, a CM at the WOD asked us to see our AP on Saturday as we were leaving in order to give us our discount. I asked about the MB and she said she had to see the card. Good thing I pressed the issue and got them despite the insistence of the ticket window CM that we didn't need them for anything anymore.

MBs are still a work in progress. Very much so.

 

[connorlevismom]

This is very interesting to me. We do not need the card for discounts as we just carry our DVC member card. But how do you order a AP band? I want to have something to show the parking people that I have an annual pass in case we are offsite for something.

 

[erionm]

This is very interesting to me. We do not need the card for discounts as we just carry our DVC member card. But how do you order a AP band? I want to have something to show the parking people that I have an annual pass in case we are offsite for something.

If you have your AP linked to MDE, go to the 'MagicBands and Cards' page and there should be an open MagicBand order for the Passholder Affiliation.

 

[Eddie]

I would try to get the cards too. We just got ours in the mail for a trip in a couple of weeks and plastic AP cards were included it said something about being used for the discount. What can I say my wife was telling me about them and I was only partially paying attention.

 

[Msmithmd]

This is very interesting to me. We do not need the card for discounts as we just carry our DVC member card. But how do you order a AP band? I want to have something to show the parking people that I have an annual pass in case we are offsite for something.

While you can order an extra AP set of bands (and we have), be aware that every band you have from every stay you've ever been on will pull up the same information.

In other words, there's nothing the AP band does that another band doesn't do. All of them simply identify your MDE profile to the scanner. So you can use any band to show a scanner you have an AP, as long as the pass is linked to MDE properly and you haven't deactivated that specific band.

Simply said, go ahead and get an AP band set if you want them. Functionally they are identical to any other band you might have. The one benefit to ordering an AP set if you don't have a wallet AP card, is that the bands come with a wallet discount card to show at the stores. Like a PP said, bands versus discounts is a work in progress at best.

 

[TagsMissy]

We received the plastic cards with our AP MB's in March or April, thereabouts. One more thing to carry LOL I wish the MB's could be coded to indicate you are a DVC member or AP holder just to lessen the amount of stuff you need to carry around.

 

[rlovew]

Umm, actually there is no reason to have that "discount card" if you have your plastic AP with you. So, the only reason to order the AP band is just to have the little slider.

When we activated our APs they would not give us cards they said we would have to order the AP magic bands in order to get discounts as an AP holder.

 

[OKW Lover]

When we activated our APs they would not give us cards they said we would have to order the AP magic bands in order to get discounts as an AP holder.

Very strange since every time we've used the AP discount in the gift shops we've had to show our AP and photo ID. There really isn't any such thing as an "AP magic band". The only thing unique is the AP slider you get with it.

 

[erionm]

When we activated our APs they would not give us cards they said we would have to order the AP magic bands in order to get discounts as an AP holder.

Very strange since every time we've used the AP discount in the gift shops we've had to show our AP and photo ID. There really isn't any such thing as an "AP magic band". The only thing unique is the AP slider you get with it.

I believe that rlovew is referring to using the Passholder Discount Card that's included in the Passholder MagicBand box.

They will have to make an exception and issue AP Cards to international guests since MagicBands are only shipped to US addresses.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Considering the "Wonderful":roll eyesisney IT department, I always brought my AP. And unfortunately I had to show it several times to get into parks, as my MB didn't work.