Hi Noelle,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel and thank you for asking us a question!
I was in that same position during one of my recent visits to Walt Disney World Resort - we headed straight to Epcot, instead of heading to our Walt Disney World Resort Hotel in order start our fun right away. I had hoped my
MagicBand would allow me to have charging privileges right away (because, in theory, it should have worked), but, alas, it didn’t work at the first merchandise location that I visited. I went to visit
Guest Relations immediately afterwards and they were able to sort the situation out. That allowed me to use my MagicBand for charging privileges right away, which was great!
I would therefore recommend making Guest Relations inside the Theme Park that you’ll be visiting your first stop when you arrive, in the hopes that they’ll be able to make sure that your MagicBand is working immediately. In case that option isn’t available to you when you first arrive for your vacation (there can be glitches in the system), I would recommend having a “backup” means of payment with you that day.
Have a Magical Day,
Lynne