Using Magic Bands and Parking Before Checking In to Room??

[DancinMama]

Hi all-
We're getting super excited because we leave in 4 days for our drive from MN to Disney! I have a couple of questions first about going to a park before we've gotten our rooms.

In the past we've never done a park on the day we arrive, just Disney Springs, swimming, exploring, stuff like that. This time we're planning to stay at a hotel nearby the night before and then arrive at Disney hopefully before 10am and go to Animal Kingdom.

1) If we do the online check-in will our magic bands/food plan/photo pass all be active when we get to the park.
2) Should we park at the hotel and then take the buses to AK? Would we have to take the time to go in and wait in line at the front desk then?
3) Should we go straight to AK and park there?

Just wondering what the best option would be? We want to be able to spend as much time in the park as possible.

Thanks so much!

 

[Undavolt]

Hi all-
We're getting super excited because we leave in 4 days for our drive from MN to Disney! I have a couple of questions first about going to a park before we've gotten our rooms.

In the past we've never done a park on the day we arrive, just Disney Springs, swimming, exploring, stuff like that. This time we're planning to stay at a hotel nearby the night before and then arrive at Disney hopefully before 10am and go to Animal Kingdom.

1) If we do the online check-in will our magic bands/food plan/photo pass all be active when we get to the park.
2) Should we park at the hotel and then take the buses to AK? Would we have to take the time to go in and wait in line at the front desk then?
3) Should we go straight to AK and park there?

Just wondering what the best option would be? We want to be able to spend as much time in the park as possible.

Thanks so much!

If you have purchased your theme park tickets and your magic bands and tickets are linked to your MDE account then you should be good to go.

We always use online check-in. We use the Magical Express and always arrive mid-morning of the day of check-in. Sometimes our room is ready and sometimes not. If it is not we leave our carry on from the flight at Bell Services and head to the park. Have never had any problems at the park.

As far as parking, I would go to the resort and park to just get it over with. You may want to leave your luggage with Bell Services but I do not think you need to go to the front desk but I could be wrong. I would check with Bell Services when you get there.