Magic bands, memory maker and split stay :/

[razster]

Hi all,

I would be most grateful for some help,

We are heading to the mouse for a 23 day trip from rainy old London, UK.

We will be staying with friends for 9 nights before we go to out DVC villa at AKL. My questions are around the logistics of magic bands and using our memory maker etc.

As we are UK residents our magic bands are only available to collect when we check in, so will we need to purchase magic bands for the first 9 days?

We are prem annual pass holders will this make any difference? we will be renewing on the day we arrive at the booth with a will call.

We have pre purchased memory maker, how will this be affected by being off site and then on site, having magic bands for the off site and then again more for onsite? Further, and sorry for all these questions will it last for 23 days??

Thanks in advance for any replies your time is much appreciated.

Raz

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Why are you waiting to renew your PAP until you arrive? If you purchase by 4/30 through DVC Member Services, the price will be $484 per person. As long as you activate by the end of the year, you'll be good to go.

 

[razster]

Hi,

Yes, thanks ken, we have pre-purchased the DVC prem pass at the discount and have a will call voucher and we will be 'renewing' when we arrive using this voucher code.

Raz

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

As a PAP holder, you are entitled to a Magic Band (unless it's different because you are from across the pond). Log in to MyDisneyExperince and link your current AP if you haven't already. From there you should be able to request a MB. Once you get the new PAP, you can have that linked to your existing MB.

 

[LifeontheDrupe]

I'm assuming you're visiting Disney World through out your entire trip... Not just DVC stay, correct?

As far as I know... Disney will still not let AP/PAP holders (US, UK, etc) pick up their [owed] MagicBands in the parks/guest relations (whether you're an existing holder, or renewing.) Disney is requiring everything go through MDE: setting up account profiles, linking AP/PAPs, mailing of MagicBands, etc... and states no bands are shipped out of the US. Therefore, international AP/PAP holders, will still use the RFID tickets.

Now... Can you purchase a MagicBand for $12.95 and apply it your PAP/MDE for use? Certainly... That's up to you!

MemoryMaker will last 30 days from the date you redeem. If you do NOT have a MagicBand... An RFID card will be given in its place, similar to how Photopass was... Here's where it gets tricky for me: I'm unsure if you can than apply MM to your MagicBands once you check into to your DVC and receive MagicBands... I'm assuming it's possible but not sure how you would go about doing so and if it will have any effect on the previous days used.

So to sum it up...
You'll be relying on RFID cards for BOTH your PAP and MM until you check in and receive your MagicBands. Your MM will allow up to 30days of pictures. Once checked in, with MagicBands in hands, your PAPs can be "applied" to your bands... And you *should* be able to sync your MM as well... Therefore no longer needing the previously used RFID cards.

Be SURE to have your MyDisenyExperience account and friends and family settings entered correctly prior to arrival!

 

[razster]

Thanks lifeonthedrupe that's a very detailed and helpful post. We have set up MDE and that's all good to go. I think it's unfortunate that they won't send the bands to international PAP holders that's would be a nice thing to have in advance of the trip but hey no worries, we will maybe be given magic bands when we collect our passes? I hear there is a special tag for annual pass holders for the magic bands?

 

[LifeontheDrupe]

I think it's unfortunate that they won't send the bands to international PAP holders that's would be a nice thing to have in advance of the trip but hey no worries, we will maybe be given magic bands when we collect our passes? I hear there is a special tag for annual pass holders for the magic bands?

Unfortunately no... and I think the whole thing is ridiculous! Why Disney can't set up a system where International AP/PAP holders can have their OWED magic bands waiting for them at Guest Relations is beyond me!

Unfortunately MagicBands are only being shipped to within the USA at this time, and no local pickup of MagicBands is available at Walt Disney World for passholders. For international guests with no USA delivery address, the only option is to continue to use the RFID ticket.

Per Disneyworld.com officially:

Q.
As an Annual Passholder, can I pick up my MagicBand the next time I visit Walt Disney World Resort?
A.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide Passholders with their MagicBands when they arrive at Walt Disney World Resort.

If you are an Annual Passholder, please follow these simple steps at least 10 days before you plan to visit Walt Disney World Resort and your MagicBand will be delivered straight to your home.

MagicBand orders cannot be shipped to all countries.

There is an AP specific band slider that has been shown in Magic Band AP box openings... I'll try to search if anyone has had any luck with perhaps picking them up at Guest Relations!