Magical Express, Magic Bands, etc.

[SuzGM84]

I've been perusing the DVC forums trying to gather as much information on a possible DVC purchase eventually and a few questions popped up that I haven't been able to find the answer to. So if these are out there and I missed them, sorry!

1. Magical Express - DH and I strongly dislike renting a car while on vacation and we love the ease of Magical Express. Can DVC members use this service too? Do you just provide your flight info to Disney same as you would with a regular reservation?

2. Magic Bands - if you buy tickets directly through Disney, do you get your magic bands sent to you for free? Or do you have to purchase the magic bands along with the tickets? Are they still sent to you before your trip (since you'd need them to get on Magical Express)?

3. Tickets - I can get a decent discount on theme park tickets through work (never used it yet b/c we've always done the full Disney package). However, if I bought tickets through a third party and linked to My Disney Experience account, would I then need to pre-purchase magic bands (again in order to have for the Magical Express)?

Thanks in advance everyone!

Suz

 

[_auroraborealis_]

1. Yes.

2. Magic Bands do not come with tickets. They come with on-site stay. DVC get MBs because they are the default room key.

They are not required for Magical Express. They cannot be sent internationally, so that would mean no Canuck or Brit could ride.

3. Tickets have nothing to.do with MB or ME.

 

[SuzGM84]

1. Yes.

2. Magic Bands do not come with tickets. They come with on-site stay. DVC get MBs because they are the default room key.

They are not required for Magical Express. They cannot be sent internationally, so that would mean no Canuck or Brit could ride.

3. Tickets have nothing to.do with MB or ME.

Thank you! That all makes sense and what I was leaning towards (that Disney would still send us MB prior to our trip).

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Yes. You will get magic bands for every stay. So many magic bands. I'm up to my mouse ears in magic bands. Tickets purchased from a third party can easily be linked to my Disney experience. The magical express is still available for free and we use it often.

 

[bumbershoot]

You will get magic bands for every stay. So many magic bands. I'm up to my mouse ears in magic bands.

You can decline them...

 

[Best Aunt]

When I checked in at Boardwalk Inn & Villas, the cast member offered to recycle them. I declined because I had one in a Magic Keeper on a lanyard, and had brought another still in wristband form in case the lanyard started to annoy me. (I liked the Magic Keeper on the lanyard. I found it easier than bending my wrist at the appropriate angle.)

 

[DisneyRegulars]

You can decline them...

I decline most of them, but somehow they keep coming!!!! Last trip they sent me bands for a trip I had cancelled.

 

[bumbershoot]

I decline most of them, but somehow they keep coming!!!! Last trip they sent me bands for a trip I had cancelled.

You're actually clicking to decline but they are being sent? I takenit they are grey with no customization?

If they were shipped before the trip was cancelled that makes sense but it otherwise. Anyone else have access to your account (naughty spouse?) that's overriding what you're doing? Odd!

 

[RipperSB]

1. Yes.

2. Magic Bands do not come with tickets. They come with on-site stay. DVC get MBs because they are the default room key.

They are not required for Magical Express. They cannot be sent internationally, so that would mean no Canuck or Brit could ride.

3. Tickets have nothing to.do with MB or ME.

MBs also come with Annual Pass purchase

 

[_auroraborealis_]

MBs also come with Annual Pass purchase

True. But generally, MB isn't a ticket thing but a resort stay thing. People get confused about that.

 

[SuzGM84]

True. But generally, MB isn't a ticket thing but a resort stay thing. People get confused about that.

Agreed! I have always thought of the MB as being associated with tickets. If you normally do the whole package through Disney, you wouldn't have to break it down piece by piece. Thinking of MBs as part of your resort stay (a/k/a your room key) alleviates the confusion (at least on my part)!

 

[CraigInPA]

Note that if you pick your magic bands before your stay, and they are shipped to you, that you can use them at the Magical Express boarding queue to avoid having to stop at the desk.