Question about checking in and picking up magicbands

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I'm planing to go to WDW for the first time in 10 years and am wondering if I should do online check in if I have to pick up my magic band at the resort? Does it speed things up or does it not really matter if I do or not?

 

[FishyMom]

I've always done online check in prior to arrival. I find that it does speed up the check-in process once you get there, as everything is ready and waiting for you. They'll confirm that you have/want a credit card linked to MDE in order to use the magic band for purchases and give you your bands and room number, if it's ready. That's it!

 

[marchingstar]

sometimes we do online check in and sometimes we don't. The experience is honestly pretty similar, whether or not you've done the online check in.

Either way, as Canadians you have to stop at the front desk for your magic bands and room number (people from the US visiting can opt to have the room number texted when it's ready, avoiding the front desk altogether).

 

[minnie56]

Here now, we did the online check in first time in years ...it was very easy and they texted me our room number around noon. Of course as Canadians ...we still had to swing by the front desk to get in the room for our magic bands.

 

[Blackadder337]

Online checkin does speed things up but its not like it saves a huge amount of time. If you don't do it, its not like you'll be in line for hours or anything. And when you physically check in, they will give you the magic bands at that time . Depending where you check in and the cast member, sometimes we get asked if we want to keep the box, sometimes they don't bring out the box, sometimes they remove them from the box while we're there. I know some people like the box for "collector's sake" but honestly it just takes up space! For me at least!

 

[Tinkershelly]

If you already have a magicband and opt in for the text message room notification, then if you do online check in you can just bypass the front desk like the US visitors do. If you need to pick up magicbands or if you want to link the magicbands of each one staying in the room to a different credit card then you do need to stop at the front desk. Also the magicbands don't come in boxes anymore, the are on cardboard sleeves, not collectible at all!