Magicbands if staying off site

[Jimmie]

We bought our tickets from a military base Travel store. They gave us the Credit card type tickets rather than the Magicbands. We are staying off site. Will we be able to trade our credit-card type tickets in for Magic bands on our first day (Hollywood Studios)? If so, where would we go to do that and what are the benefits in doing so?

 

[HopperFan]

You can go into most stores and buy them. They will then link your tickets to them. No benefit to you other than not having to pull out your ticket for FP+ machines or park entry.

 

[purvislets]

We bought our tickets from a military base Travel store. They gave us the Credit card type tickets rather than the Magicbands. We are staying off site. Will we be able to trade our credit-card type tickets in for Magic bands on our first day (Hollywood Studios)? If so, where would we go to do that and what are the benefits in doing so?

You can't trade them, but you can purchase your own Magic Bands in the park and they will link them to your tickets for you. I believe the cheapest bands are $12.95 for the basic colors. The only benefits of having the MB's is that they keep track of your ticket and any FP's you have. If you are staying on property they also double as your room key. Plus, you will be able to use them for future trips.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Now available at disneystore.com also. If staying off site like you, I wouldn't bother. There's no benefit to having it really.

 

[wilkeliza]

We bought our tickets from a military base Travel store. They gave us the Credit card type tickets rather than the Magicbands. We are staying off site. Will we be able to trade our credit-card type tickets in for Magic bands on our first day (Hollywood Studios)? If so, where would we go to do that and what are the benefits in doing so?

Unless you have memory maker there is no benefit to having the magic band over the regular plastic card. Think carefully if 12.99+ tax is worth it to have a band versus a card. If you are buying memory maker it may be worth it for the simple fact it auto loads ride photos and videos but besides that the bands currently do nothing extra to the cards. Since you are staying off site you can't use the charging privileges or need it for room entry.

 

[snayak]

I stayed offsite (Swan) but still bought Magic Bands for the 2 of us. It made life very easy not having to dig around for the plastic RFID tickets or worry about losing/misplacing them. The bands were comfortable and didn't budge all day, plus it was great for Memory Maker (our friends added us to their package at the last minute).

Overall, if you can afford them, I say buy them - I was unsure prior to the trip but am all for it now.

 

[Kai Rose]

If we already have bands from a previous trip, how do we link new tickets to those bands?

 

[Luvchefmic]

If we already have bands from a previous trip, how do we link new tickets to those bands?

The bands are already in your MDX account and once you link your tickets they are active again.

 

[nanceliz]

I also purchased military tickets and plan to purchase magic bands since we are going to have the memory maker. So much better than to have to stop after rides to view and decide on photos there.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You'd need to purchase Magic Bands, which you can do when you arrive if you want them. They will not give them to you at no extra charge unless you stay onsite or have an annual pass.

 

[Raenstoirm]

If you have memory maker, you "need" MBs. The auto load feature of ride photos is really a valuable reason to buy them. There really isn't any other reason to have them unless you like the convenience of not having to juggle cards (which we really do btw).

 

[nancy drew]

Now available at disneystore.com also. If staying off site like you, I wouldn't bother. There's no benefit to having it really.

How do you activate a Magic Band that is purchased online through Disney Store? We have purchased tickets and made our FP+, but we are staying at the Dolphin. If we buy the bands now, how do we link them to our tickets?

 

[Itinkso]

How do you activate a Magic Band that is purchased online through Disney Store? We have purchased tickets and made our FP+, but we are staying at the Dolphin. If we buy the bands now, how do we link them to our tickets?

The MB has an ID #. It can be found on the underside of the band. Link it to MDE and now you can use it for entry and FP lines.

 

[Luvchefmic]

The MB has an ID #. It can be found on the underside of the band. Link it to MDE and now you can use it for entry and FP lines.

my goodness I had to pull out the reading glasses to see it but yes there it is right where you said

 

[kcount]

We are in the same situation. I have called Disney and asked previous guests who have purchased Military discounted tickets the same question.

The only variation is when it comes to special events and you purchase those tickets from a Military discounted site. You "should" be able to link those special events (Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party & Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party) to a purchased Magic Band as well as your regular park tickets and your Memory Maker and your Fast Pass reservations. Some have reported issues with only the special event tickets not properly showing up on Magic Bands.

I have been told that purchasing a Magic Band is almost a necessity as most of Disney's systems are all gearing towards the Magic Band. It is an added nominal cost ($12.95), but one that is going to save time and aggravation if dealing with Memory Maker, Fast Passes. You cannot link a credit card to it (yet), like those who are staying at a Disney resort, and just charge items on the band.

I am also told that Magic Bands can be purchased at Shades of Green, but need to be properly linked at the ticket sales or Down Town Disney. (I will confirm next week when we check in!)

 

[nancy drew]

The MB has an ID #. It can be found on the underside of the band. Link it to MDE and now you can use it for entry and FP lines.

Thanks!

 

[Robo]

I have been told that purchasing a Magic Band is almost a necessity as most of Disney's systems are all gearing towards the Magic Band.

Don't believe everything you hear.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I have been told that purchasing a Magic Band is almost a necessity as most of Disney's systems are all gearing towards the Magic Band.

Not true at the moment. The only difference between the magic band and the RFID card (other than the shape) is the longer distance sensor in the band. Right now it works for sending ride photos to your account, but at some point they will use it for other things, or so they said. But to get into a park or redeem fastpasses it doesn't really mattter which you use.