Since I don't actually HAVE my magic bands, is there any benefit of me having done this? How will it "look" different when I get to the resort - a different line, perhaps? Never done this before...
So depending on the resort, there is a separate queue at the hotel lobby for people who have already done online check in. It moves a lot quicker than the regular check-in queue and you can pick up your Magic Bands faster. If your room isn't ready yet they'll just confirm where they can reach you (email, phone etc.) to let you know when your room is ready to enter.
I'm 90% sure all the resorts have this faster Online Check In queue in the lobby - I'm just not positive about the Value Resorts.
I like doing the online check in because you can make room requests pretty easily and I've never NOT gotten what I requested when I did online check in. 
Where are you staying? Are you using DME to arrive?
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2016 POR
2015 CS
2014 WDW-Offsite
2014 Disneyland-offsite
2014 CBR
2013 Dolphin
2012 POR
2012 WDW-Offsite
2011 ASMusic, POR
1998 Dixie Landings
1990's, Dixie Landings, Misc Offsite
We're at Port Orleans - we have a few days at Universal first, so we won't be arriving by DME
We stay at RS all the time. Don't use DME. The online checkin doesn't matter unless a DME bus pulls in.
Enjoy Boatrights!!
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2016 POR
2015 CS
2014 WDW-Offsite
2014 Disneyland-offsite
2014 CBR
2013 Dolphin
2012 POR
2012 WDW-Offsite
2011 ASMusic, POR
1998 Dixie Landings
1990's, Dixie Landings, Misc Offsite
