Resort check-in before park?

[shadowmender]

We plan on going straight to Animal Kingdom from MCO (renting a car). Will our magic bands be active before checking into our onsite resort, so that we can use DDP and Fastpasses? Thanks!

 

[siskaren]

You would have to check in before you would be able to use the DDP.

 

[POOHsie]

There was a testing period last month for non-lobby check-in at certain WDW resorts. Guests were selected to take part. It involved having your info set up in Online Check-in, plus a few questions like, approx what time were you arriving. Those guests chosen could be checked-in without visiting the lobby as usual, and they would be emailed/texted later that day with their room number.

If you did not participate in a program described above, your DDP will not be available, and maybe your theme parks parking privilege won't work, either. You would have to stop at Guest Relations outside the theme park gate for getting your tickets to work. FP+ would work.

Why don't you stop by your resort first? Even if it's too early to get into your room, you could drop off your luggage with Bell Services and they'll keep it until you call for delivery later. The check-in CM will get you your DDP credits and activate your tickets. You'll get a text/email with your room number, and your MagicBand will unlock the door without going back to the lobby. Lately, I've read that the Security Gate Guard has been handing out the parking pass that you place on your driver's side dashboard.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

You will need to check-in to be able to use your park benefits. Plus, you will want to have your parking placard as well. I've checked into resorts as early as 7am so you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[siskaren]

You will need to check-in to be able to use your park benefits.

Actually, I've read that with the Magic Bands, you can get into the parks before checking in.

 

[ghtx]

Actually, I've read that with the Magic Bands, you can get into the parks before checking in.

If you have already bought the tickets and they are linked to your account in MDE, then you should be able to use the tickets and the FP+s using the MBs without checking in. Not sure about the dining plan though.

 

[disnut8]

We plan on going straight to Animal Kingdom from MCO (renting a car). Will our magic bands be active before checking into our onsite resort, so that we can use DDP and Fastpasses? Thanks!

I guess my question would be why you don't want to stop at the resort to check in. You could get all that accomplished and then go on to the park and you would be called or texted your room number when it's ready. At the end of the day, just return to the resort, go to your room and crash. Your day of touring would be free of thinking about checking into the resort. But that's just an opinion.

 

[siskaren]

I agree with disnut8. I get wanting to get to a park as soon as possible, but I would much rather check in and drop off my luggage first.

 

[shadowmender]

Thank-you all for your responses. Since we will be staying at CSR, we will just stop by the resort first and play it safe.

 

[MSSANDRA]

One trip we check into the CSR right at 7:00AM. They were wonderful!!! They even had a room ready and upgraded us to a preferred and then gave us a voucher for a taxi ride to the MK so we would not miss rope drop for EMH. OMG it was so nice. We were the only people checking in, and we did have a cute little dinsey fan (whom that gave a donald duck toy to), but it was magical to the max!!!! Early check in are great.

 

[shadowmender]

I appreciate the encouraging report from CSR. It is our first visit to that resort and will trust the great service we have had in the past at other Disney resorts will be found there as well.

 

[trekker93]

When you check in first you get time to unpack, check out the room in case it is a problem (or neighbors) and as we do, change into park gear. But if it really hot, we get on our bathing suits and head to the Pop pool to cool off and rest. We then go over at night.

 

[nkereina]

Actually, I've read that with the Magic Bands, you can get into the parks before checking in.

If you have already bought the tickets and they are linked to your account in MDE, then you should be able to use the tickets and the FP+s using the MBs without checking in. Not sure about the dining plan though.

The only instance under which you could use MBs BEFORE checking into your resort is if you have a room only reservation booked and have tickets that you purchased separately linked to your MB. If you have a package booked that includes tickets and a dining plan, you'd need to check in at your resort before your tickets and dining are "activated" on your MB.

The testing period for bypassing the check-in desk for package guests is over now and so far, there hasn't been an announcement of any continuation of it.

 

[disnut8]

Thank-you all for your responses. Since we will be staying at CSR, we will just stop by the resort first and play it safe.

I would encourage you to do online check in. You can then plug in your approximate time of arrival (I usually will advance an hour) and who knows. All the bells and whistles will be in place and after that, you will just get a text or a call with your room number. The rest of the day will be yours!

FYI - even with online check-in, you will physically speak with a Cast Member.