Question about Retail MagicBands and Resort MagicBands

[AshleyPureHeart]

Hello! In a few weeks, I will be going to Disney. I was originally going to stay the whole time at Hilton Bonnet Creek, but today, my uncle was able to give us 2 nights at Old Key West, so I will actually be staying three nights at Hilton Bonnet Creek. Now here comes my question:

I know that if you stay at a Disney hotel, you get a MagicBand. However, because we were originally were not staying at a Disney hotel and weren't going to stay offsite, me and my sister brought MagicBands from the Disney Store website and got our tickets from a AAA office. However, the MagicBands we got online are non-refundable! Now, due to this, me and my sister will have two MagicBands if we decide to personalize them. How will we be able to move the park tickets from the Disney Store MagicBands to our customized ones? My mom is afraid the tickets (and maybe the Fastpass Plus reservations) will become void if we transfer them to our Old Key West MagicBands.

 

[sxeensweet]

They are not on a particular band. The tickets work with all bands in your MDE account etc. No need to worry.

 

[AshleyPureHeart]

Thanks! So I would just move the tickets to the Old Key West MagicBands? How would I do that? This is my first time using MDE. I haven't been to Disney World in five years.

 

[sxeensweet]

Thanks! So I would just move the tickets to the Old Key West MagicBands? How would I do that? This is my first time using MDE. I haven't been to Disney World in five years.

You don't have to move anything all the active bands interchangabely work with your current and future tickets etc. You can use any of your bands you want at anytime without doing anything. The ones you purchased just add them to your account by their serial number on the back of the band. It's very easy to do. Once all are in your MDE account you just use them all as you wish whenever you want.

 

[AshleyPureHeart]

I already synched up the retail bands before my uncle gave the hotel rooms to us. That's the problem. I have not ordered the Old Key West Bands yet.

 

[englanddg]

You don't have to move anything all the active bands interchangabely work with your current and future tickets etc. You can use any of your bands you want at anytime without doing anything. The ones you purchased just add them to your account by their serial number on the back of the band. It's very easy to do. Once all are in your MDE account you just use them all as you wish whenever you want.

Exactly this. The only thing I will add though is that bands are assigned to party members (though they can be moved around, iirc), so do keep that in mind.

Also, tickets from third party places and or separate from a reservation may meed to be manually linked to MDX, but once done, its a pretty simple process to manage them.

FP+, like the Dining Plan, is tied to your onsite Disney Hotel reservation, not your tickets, so no need to be concerned about those.

 

[englanddg]

I already synched up the retail bands before my uncle gave the hotel rooms to us. That's the problem. I have not ordered the Old Key West Bands yet.

It wont matter. Just link the hotel reservation to your MDX and both will work fine.

You may, however, need to visit the front desk at the hotel if you have trouble with your door. I havent used a retail band as a room key yet, but in theory they should work fine if everything is linked properly in MDX.

 

[AshleyPureHeart]

Thanks! One more thing: is it true that the resort MagicBands do not work until you check into the hotel? Or can you still use them if you put Fastpasses and things like that on there before you visit the hotel?

 

[englanddg]

Thanks! One more thing: is it true that the resort MagicBands do not work until you check into the hotel? Or can you still use them if you put Fastpasses and things like that on there before you visit the hotel?

You can make the reservations in advance, but you will need to go to the hotel and check in first before going to a park.

 

[sxeensweet]

You can make the reservations in advance, but you will need to go to the hotel and check in first before going to a park.

They do straight to room check in now at most resorts. We did this this past October and used all our bands no problem without going to the desk. I don't know if anyone has had problems with it but we did not and we used past bands and new ones throughout the trip.

 

[englanddg]

They do straight to room check in now at most resorts. We did this this past October and used all our bands no problem without going to the desk. I don't know if anyone has had problems with it but we did not and we used past bands and new ones throughout the trip.

Good to know! I was offsite in Oct...

 

[sxeensweet]

Good to know! I was offsite in Oct...

Yes it's really convenient. You just have to do your online check in and your good to go. They text you when your room is ready etc. So you can go straight to a park etc without stopping at your resort first.

 

[englanddg]

Yes it's really convenient. You just have to do your online check in and your good to go. They text you when your room is ready etc. So you can go straight to a park etc without stopping at your resort first.

I heard they were working on that. Glad to know it is up and running!!

 

[sxeensweet]

I heard they were working on that. Glad to know it is up and running!!

Yep we loved it! I don't know if all resorts are doing it for certain but I think they all are now but don't quote me. Lol

 

[Rob562]

I'll chime in with a couple clarifications to pull a few different vpists together:

-Both Bands (OKW and retail) will work interchangeably the entire time, during both hotel stays. Each Band simply is a pointer to "you" in the Disney database. Nothing is stored on it.

-Since you bought tickets separately and not part of a package, you can use the Band to enter the parks and check into FP+ before checking in at OKW.

-Room charging and room key will not work on the Band until after you check into OKW. (And will only be active during your stay at OKW)

-Rob