Hi Anne! Welcome to planDisney and go Navy!
Mine is a Navy family too, and we purchase our
Military Promotional Theme Parks Tickets at the MWR just like you. Before we walk through your question, I'd like to thank you for your service on behalf of my own military family and my fellow panelists. It's always a pleasure to help another military Guest plan their magical R&R, and I'm so glad you stopped by.
So, it sounds like you have the ticket card that you purchased on base, and it is showing up in your
My Disney Experience account. You may certainly use that card to access the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks - you'll need to stop at Guest Relations when you arrive and activate your ticket card by showing your military ID before you enter a theme park. Have you made your
Disney Park Pass reservations? Those are required along with your ticket for each day you plan to enter a theme park, so be sure to take care of that if you haven't already.
Now let's talk about
MagicBands. The special pre-arrival pricing for MagicBands is available to
Guests staying at Disney Resorts Collection hotels. If you won't be staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you won't have the option to purchase a MagicBand through your My Disney Experience account. You're welcome to
purchase a MagicBand on ShopDisney and link it to your account when it arrives, or you may purchase a MagicBand at a merchandise location when you arrive at Walt Disney World. There are lots of great solid colors available these days! If you are staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel (did you know there is a
military discount for select hotels, pending availability?), be sure your reservation is properly linked to your My Disney Experience account. When it's linked, you should see the option to customize a MagicBand pop up under "Resort Hotel."
Anne, many Guests choose not to purchase MagicBands, although I prefer to use these as they're so convenient and just feel magical. So, purchase one if you feel the way I do, but please know that your admission card will allow you to enter the theme parks and can be used for Disney PhotoPass. You may also use
Disney MagicMobile Service, where you drop your tickets into your smartphone's wallet and use a phone or smartwatch.
Thank you for stopping by with your question! Please come back and see us if you have any further questions as you plan and dream.
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn