MagicBand Overkill: Mouseterplanner's Rookie Mistake

I am embarrassed to admit it but I just committed a rookie mistake with our MagicBands.

Setting the Stage

We have a quick trip coming up in October. For a variety of reasons, we are staying off property for part of the trip, on property for the rest.

Since we’re only visiting the parks for 3 days, I purchased our tickets with my REDcard at Target to get my 5%.

So, since we’re not staying on property the first few days, because I already bought tickets, I thought, “Oooo! I have to get us new MagicBands!”

MagicBands are free with your Disney Resort ticket reservation.

Excitement Got the Best of Me.

Scrolling through the Shop Disney website, I saw special character bands I knew my boys would enjoy. My husband and I are fine with plain bands (most of the time.) My daughter already has a special “Alice in Wonderland” band that is already linked to her account. So, I prepared our order: Black band for my husband, light pink band for me and Star Wars character band for number 1 son, Captain America band for number 2 son. All set. Enter my Disney gift card (saving another Target 5%) information. Another click, click, click and we are good to go. Just in time for our upcoming trip.

Wait for it….

And then, not two hours later, I receive an email from Disney telling me it’s time to choose my MagicBands for our upcoming visit.

Oops!

I KNOW this. This is a top ten rookie mistake. I’ve cautioned people about this. But I was so excited for our trip I threw all previous experience and information stored in my overly stimulated brain completely out the window.

A “split stay” can allow you to splurge for part of your trip at a Deluxe Resort like the Polynesian.

Lesson Learned.

You don’t have to be staying at Walt Disney World for your entire vacation.

You don’t have to purchase a ticket or dining package.

As long as you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort, you will receive MagicBands.

And then, if you purchase a meal plan (automatically linked) park tickets through their website (automatically linked) or on your own (easy steps to link), you still enjoy the convenience of having all of your vacation information all on one wrist.

I write this a day later and I’m still shaking my head. Hopefully, this is the last time I’ll make this mistake.

Excitement got the best of me. Learn from me and channel your excitement to something more productive…

Like FastPass planning!