Not checking in before Extra Magic Hours

[estherhead]

We want to go to Animal Kingdom extra magic hours BEFORE checking into our resort.

Will we have a problem with this? I know we'll have to pay for parking that morning and won't be able to use our charging privileges. But will they let us enter EMH without checking in first?

 

[anonymousegirl]

I don't know about how it will work with the Magic Bands, but previously, you had to show your room key to attend EMHs. So, maybe no? Someone who has experience with MBs and EMH may have better insight.

 

[kmc]

Do you have a confirmation letter with your reservation on it? I think they would let you in with somthing like that.

 

[delmar411]

My cousins did this at the MK and they were refused entry at the monorail. Like extremely unDisney type behavior from the CMs there. I would not risk being denied entry. Check in can happen as early as 6am. Just go to the hotel, drop your things with bell services, check in and grab the first bus at 6:30 to AK.

 

[iheartjuppy]

Wouldn't your magic bands be activated if you do online check-in? I would hope that would work for parking and park gate entry before you physically visit your resort. If that's not the case, that seems to defeat some of the "magic" of having your bands in advance!

 

[kmc]

My cousins did this at the MK and they were refused entry at the monorail. Like extremely unDisney type behavior from the CMs there. I would not risk being denied entry. Check in can happen as early as 6am. Just go to the hotel, drop your things with bell services, check in and grab the first bus at 6:30 to AK.

Wow I wouldn't expect that. Isn't everyone aloud to ride the monorail regardless of where they are staying. I thought even off site guests had access to it to get in between MK and EPCOT. Unless things have changed since I was there last, I have never been asked for anything to get on the monorail

 

[mesaboy2]

Wow I wouldn't expect that. Isn't everyone aloud to ride the monorail regardless of where they are staying. I thought even off site guests had access to it to get in between MK and EPCOT. Unless things have changed since I was there last, I have never been asked for anything to get on the monorail

Everyone can ride the monorails. In MK's case, offsite guests are staged at the TTC and typically not allowed to cross the lagoon without proof of resort-stay privileges. This prevents a large unmoving crowd mass from blocking the MK gates directly during EMH.

 

[FLchick415]

I think they meant just during EMH, which is strictly for resort guests only. Everyone else is free to use it during normal hours.

 

[kmc]

Yeah I thought I misunderstood that and was just about to reply.

 

[wilma-bride]

To be perfectly honest, I don't even know how they are going to effectively 'police' EMH now since people who have previously had onsite stays but aren't necessarily currently onsite could have MagicBands. What other proof will you have that you are staying onsite now

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

interesting question

here's what I know

- we've never been stopped or checked at TTC - we stay onsite but drive - not sure why we've never run into this problem.

- when we were down in November (bear with me here) the ipad people would scan our bands (to make FP changes - kiosks didn't work for us then) - they could see that we had another reservation in January - the resort, dates etc. I would think that the little hand held devises they have would also be able to see that information even if you hadn't checked into your resort. But I don't *know* that from personal experience.

When we've been there for EMH with MB they prescanned (with the handheld devises) folks in the area (presumably to weed out off site folks) - I don't know if those devises only register you after you've checked in or if they're smart like the ipads and have all of your info. It might work if the handheld devise doesn't register you then you could ask for an ipad person / explain the situation. I don't know if I'd want to 'risk' that - it might be worth it to just (as a PP suggested) go to your resort - check in quick like a bunny and then get to AK.

 

[BrianL]

To be perfectly honest, I don't even know how they are going to effectively 'police' EMH now since people who have previously had onsite stays but aren't necessarily currently onsite could have MagicBands. What other proof will you have that you are staying onsite now

They just scan at the attractions I thought. Looking for green Mickeys.

 

[wilma-bride]

They just scan at the attractions I thought. Looking for green Mickeys.

But if you are using the SB line, how are they going to know then?

 

[FLchick415]

I *think* they have a CM standing outside the attraction w/ an iPad and they scan your band that way to find out if you're an onsite guest or not.

 

[wilma-bride]

I *think* they have a CM standing outside the attraction w/ an iPad and they scan your band that way to find out if you're an onsite guest or not.

Makes sense, I suppose. In which case the OP should be OK

 

[ellie05]

You need to check in first. Even if the room is not ready

 

[FLchick415]

Makes sense, I suppose. In which case the OP should be OK

Well, that's for evening EMH. For morning EMH, I think they just scan your band as you're entering the park. I'm not 100% sure as I have yet to do an EMH with MBs yet. Perhaps someone with more knowledge could help. lol

 

[delmar411]

Well, that's for evening EMH. For morning EMH, I think they just scan your band as you're entering the park. I'm not 100% sure as I have yet to do an EMH with MBs yet. Perhaps someone with more knowledge could help. lol

Correct. They scan your bands before allowing you to get up to the tap points. So like where they sell tickets is where you have to get your band scanned and it has to show a current resort stay.

 

[brixx33]

Does anyone have first hand knowledge if they will or will not let you in for EMH prior to checking in? Really all that info should be linked through your magic band I would hope. I have the exact same situation next month. I do not want to drag my wife, a five year old and 2 year old to AK at 8 AM and hit a roadblock. Also do not want to have to waste time going to check in if I do not have to.

Thanks for your help.

Marc

 

[estherhead]

We risked it yesterday and went to AK without checking in. It was no problem. They let us right in.