Magic Bands?

[farfaraway]

It's been awhile since we've been to Disney. We were supposed to go 2yrs ago-but Covid. We are going in mid May. I already made park reservations. I just realized I haven't ordered Magic Bands. I have MDE app on my phone and I can use my phone to get into my room at the Swan/Dolphin (I assume). I have an E ticket linked in my MDE. So, would I need magic bands for us to get into the parks?

 

[erionm]

The Swan/Dolphin doesn't use MagicBands, so you will need to get room keys from the front desk when you check in. Not sure if they use digital hotel keys through either the Marriott app or their own app.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

You don't need MB to enter the park. You can use the tickets on your phone or you can get plastic card tickets at Guest Services.

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

We're in a similar situation staying at the Swan/Dolphin, but we're doing magic bands at the park because we're planning on using Genie+ and staying for deluxe hours. I find the magic bands easier to tap in on rides and my kids love them. So we'll likely reuse or buy new ones.

 

[scrappinginontario]

You won't need them but as @TheyCallMeStacey says, we also find them much easier to tap into rides.

 

[loves to dive]

As others have said, you can't use them at Swan/Dolphin, you will get a room card when you check in. When I was there in Sept. the Marriott mobile app did not work there.

You can also get a good old fashioned plastic park ticket to get into the parks and tap into rides if you are using Genie+. I still use them because I don't like digging in my pocket for a ticket even though I have an AP and always have that with me. I don't trust using my phone, MDE is not always reliable.

 

[farfaraway]

Thanks. Can I get the plastic tix (from my E tix) at Swan hotel or will I have to go to guest services?

 

[mjf]

Will any old magic band work? We have several from trips several years ago. If these can be used assuming we would need to go to front desk to get them linked?

 

[CarolynFH]

Will any old magic band work? We have several from trips several years ago. If these can be used assuming we would need to go to front desk to get them linked?

Any old MB will work for tapping into parks and LL, more or less indefinitely. If they’re more than about 2-3 years old they will not work for linking ride photos long distance, such as on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Check your list of MBs and Cards in your MDE profile and make sure the ones you’re bringing are marked as Active. If they’re marked as Inactive, click to reactivate them and they’ll work just fine.