Magic band question

[disneyland fan]

Will our magic bands be active before we check into the hotel? Wondering if we can go to the park first, and then check in.

 

[jimandami]

Yes. The only thing I am unsure of is dining credits if you have the dining plan. Although now with the direct to room check-in, you would think those would be active too.

 

[hiroMYhero]

As long as you list an early arrival time on your online check-in, everything is activated before you arrive: tickets, parking, dining, and room access when the room is ready.

 

[jamnmom]

Magic Bands don't require an on site resort to be usable. All you need is a valid pass linked to the band through My Disney Experience and you're good to go to the parks. As others mentioned, dining plan may require additional info to be able to use it. For my family, we prefer to check in to hotel before we go to parks. This way we can 'dump' our luggage and, at least know where our room is so we don't have that still hanging over our heads while we're in the parks. It allows us to be able to stay in parks longer, too. If we had to still check in to hotel after parks, we would have to leave earlier...at least that's the way my organizational mind sees it...and I don't want this 'chore' on my 'to do list' while trying to enjoy the parks. Anything to make my park enjoyment increase! Have FUN!!!

 

[Robo]

Magic Bands don't require an on site resort to be usable. All you need is a valid pass linked to the band through My Disney Experience and you're good to go to the parks.

Not always true.

If your park tickets were purchased as part of a WDW Resort Package, the package must be "activated"
via a resort check-in (in-person -OR- on-line with an indication or when guests plan on arrival) before the tickets will work for park entry (via the MB.)

Ditto for MB charging access.

 

[jamnmom]

Not always true.

If your park tickets were purchased as part of a WDW Resort Package, the package must be "activated"
via a resort check-in (in-person -OR- on-line with an indication or when guests plan on arrival) before the tickets will work for park entry (via the MB.)

Ditto for MB charging access.

Thank you for that additional information. I'd always been told that, as long as the tickets you'd already purchased (no matter how you purchased them), were linked in MDE, you would be able to enter the parks with MB. Updated info is always appreciated! Now, I'm really glad that we've checked into the hotel before going to the parks...saved me from not being able to get in and would've really been a frustrating start to a wonderful vacation.

 

[Robo]

Thank you for that additional information. I'd always been told that, as long as the tickets you'd already purchased (no matter how you purchased them), were linked in MDE, you would be able to enter the parks with MB. Updated info is always appreciated! Now, I'm really glad that we've checked into the hotel before going to the parks...saved me from not being able to get in and would've really been a frustrating start to a wonderful vacation.

What is BRAND NEW is that you can now do advance WDW resort check-in ON LINE, and give the info that you will be arriving at X time (I'd just say 7AM, to be sure) and at that time (7AM, or so,) your WDW Resort Pkg. tickets will be activated and ready for use (via your MBs,)
even if you have not physically gone to your resort that day.

 

[Richard M Nixon]

Hmm so I've seen conflicting info on needing to go to the resorts or not, specifically regarding parking. Have there been any reports of doing online check in and being able to park without physically going to your resort first, provided a check-in time was selected earlier than the arrival time at a parking kiosk?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Yes, it's been confirmed on quite a few Threads, specifically the Throwaway Room thread as well as in Blogs. That's the whole point of Direct to Room check-in... no reason to ever stop at the Front Desk as the MB readers will read your onsite stay info in MDE and less CMs needed in the resorts for check-in.