Hi Andrew!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Thank you for stopping by with your great question about
MagicBands.
To answer your question, you cannot add cash directly to your MagicBand when you check in to your
Walt Disney World Resort hotel. However, there are ways of paying your balance with cash if that is what you wish to do. In order to charge anything to your MagicBand you will need to add a credit card to your account at the time of check in, but this credit card does not get charged at the time of purchase. If you do not add a credit card to your account you will not be able to make any purchases with your MagicBand.
Your purchases get charged to your room initially, not to your credit card. Credit cards are normally not processed until you check out or you reach a certain limit. You can inquire about the current limit at the time of check in. During my most recent visit these limits were $500 for Value Resort hotels, $1,000 for Moderate Resort hotels, and $1,500 for Deluxe Resort hotels. If you are approaching this limit, I suggest visiting the Front Desk and paying off your balance with cash. Personally, I prefer to pay off my balance at the end of each day.
Disney Mom Tip: Please remember to pay off your entire balance the night before checking out (before midnight) to avoid any remaining balance being charged to your credit card.
Andrew, I hope I have helped answer your question. If you any other questions or require further clarification please visit the Disney Parks Moms Panel again. We are always here to help you before, during, and after your magical Walt Disney World Resort vacations.
With a Sprinkling of Pixie Dust,
Priscila