Hi there, Dennis! It's great to see you again here at the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
Your experience sounds a lot like ours. My family lives about an hour's drive from Walt Disney World, so we love to take advantage of every opportunity we can to drop in for a little while. A nice dinner in the unique surroundings of a Walt Disney World Resort hotel is a little bit of heaven. And then you can just hop in your car and head home. It's a win-win!
If you know you won't be hitting any of the Theme Parks during your short visits, Dennis, then you really won't need to bring your Magic Bands with you. But if it were me, I'd probably just bring them along anyway. Who knows, your plans may change, and you might find you want to pop into a park for a sweet treat or to take in an evening-ending fireworks show. And of course, if you choose to dine at a spot that's inside a park, you'll need your Magic Bands for admission.
And if you're an Annual or Seasonal Passholder, be sure to also bring your Passholder card for any dining or merchandise discounts you may be eligible for. A little impromptu shopping trip just might be on the agenda, too!
I hope this helps you enjoy those spur-of-the-moment visits to Walt Disney World, Dennis. Please stop back by if we can be of any further assistance.
Have a magical day!
Kathy K.