Magic Bands

[DizkneeDad]

Sorry if this has been covered. I wasn't able to find the answer.

Do you need to be staying at a Disney Resort to make use of the magic bands? My family is staying off site and not sure if we can, or even should, get the magic bands.

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[Combos]

You can convert a physical ticket into an eTicket and then associate it with a band. You would be able to enter the park and track day-of fast passes, but you will not be able to use any of the touch-to-pay functionality (requires Resort Reservation and band associated to that day's ticket)

 

[DizkneeDad]

I was on disney's website looking to buy park tickets and ended up getting on a chat session. They told me magic bands are only available to those staying at a disney resort.

Same applies for fast pass+.

Is that accurate? I would hope it is since they are working for disney lol

 

[taymaesmom]

We just got back yesterday and you cannot have a magicband when staying offsite but you can get a RFID card (your tickets may have them already) and use FP+. In fact Animal Kingdom doesnt not have any regular fastpass machines anymore, you have to use FP+. Just go to one of the kiosks in the park early as the lines at AK got super long super fast for FP+ times. We loved the new system!

 

[annacali]

Head over to the Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies forum. Lots of info there. As an offsite guest you do not, as of now, have access to magic bands and you can only use FP+ in Animal Kingdom---where you can only book them at a kiosk in the park the day of your visit. There is no access to advance booking, and you cannot book them using the MDE app or website.
You may still have some access to regular FP in the other 3 parks but speaking from recent experience---they disappear way faster than they used to so don't count on them being available. The info on FP+ changes daily so head to the other forum to keep up. My best advice---go at rope drop and do what you can before you need a FP at all.