Disney 'Magic Band' RFID bracelet revealed!!

[granmanh603]

Originally Posted by gymnastgirlflips

I've always been very scared about the idea of the Magic bands...

No, it's no news to me that anyone with a cell phone can be tracked. I've just never had a problem with my little plastic "Key to the World" card in which I can access the parks and get Fast Passes. For starters, what if you want to use your FP for Space Mountain, but realize you've given your FP to whoever in your party doesn't want to go on it and instead has taken everyone Magic Bands to get another FP on the other side of the park? What then?

Of course, by this point I'm sure FPs are supposed to be reserved six months in advanced and your entire day will be scheduled full of attractions and reserved seating.... unless you're the kind of person who thinks vacations should be more "spur of the moment" or you're a local who just can't decide six months out that they'll be at Epcot at 4:30 pm to ride Soarin'.

The whole new system makes no sense to me. It's just turning a happy place into a huge, "orderly" mess.

The bracelets truthfully remind me of the new World of Color (and now Fantasmic and Mad Tea Party) ears sold at Disneyland and DCA. They use radio frequencies and, depending on your location during the show, light up to choreograph the audience.. at least when they're wearing the ears. This technology is hidden away in a pair of Mickey ears... pretty astounding.

The only plus I can see coming from this HUGE change is that Disney would see what's working and what's not- guest likes and dislikes easily monitered. Entertainment such as Meet and Greets more special if they character knew your name beforehand... things like that. I just wouldn't trade the old system for a bracelet made in China.

I could not agree with you more...I am very disturbed by this whole new thing, it is taking the pleasure out of my vacation...

[Swazie]

Returned a week ago from two weeks in the worlD at SS. They were painting and replacing all locks when there to go to the new system. Our first keys had the new "touch the castle" to the door technology but didn't work when we got to our room. It still worked the old way with the magnetic strip. Lo and behold the noise commenced the next day and locks were changed. Our key then worked the new way.

Three days later they were changing out all the public access points (laundry, entry gate, etc). Our family liked it very much. Worked right off the bat. Bellhop was excited and explained to us how much easier it is for them.. They have master keys to all the rooms on belt key chains and they were always breaking, erasing, etc.

I'm not sure about the band thing. No one in my family wears a watch because they don't like things on their wrists. Although, frankly, the idea of scheduling my fast pass before I leave home really pushes my buttons. Before you know it, we are going to have to pre plan our potty breaks and have an "advance reservation".

Standing in a regular line during late nite extra hours is my favorite. I had forgotten how quickly it moves when everyone is on the same level to get in. I didn't even notice the line because it was almost constantly moving. Since there is no one in the fast pass line, time flew by. Took a mere 13 minutes to get on Toy Story. I have stood in that line for 2 1/2 hours before. I much prefer the old way of seeing how long the line is and deciding wether you want to ride or not. The gathering all the tickets (or wristbands) and running to the other Side of the park, then running back to ride with everyone, then running back to use your fast pass is quite frankly, a complete pain in the patoot and I hate it. My DH and I are getting older and find we simply don't ride things because of the FP hassle or the line that won't end because of the FP.

I vote we go really green and simply get in line and wait your turn!

[wdwgreg]

My view on this may be different, because we tend to travel over (from the UK) for two to three weeks

But we don't plan ahead which day we will be at which park, or even which company we do Universal, Sea World, other attractions as well.

We do plan a little with basic information each day such as EMHs, show/firework times. Then look at local info such as weather, how we are feeling (some of those 3am finishes in MK can really make you want a pool/waterpark day the next day)

We only make a couple of ADRs in the parks as we don't like to be tied down to days or set locations, we sometimes make lunchtime reservations the day before when we have decided where we are going.

We will not be willing or able to reserve fastpass times ahead of our holiday, we dont tend to take our phones round with us, as if it connects to the internet (yes i am not the best at changing my settings) then it can cost an absolute fortune so we would not receive any reminders that way.

I personally dont enjoy wearing a wristband, however some people do, i can see both benefits and drawbacks to this, this is why i think it should be optional. Some people will lose a wristband within 5 minutes, some people will lose a card within 5 minutes, as long as you can choose what is best for you, i see no problem.

As for the location tracker, who cares. If Disney get the information that i walk into DHS go grab a FP for TSMM then head over to RNR and TOT before lunch at Sci Fi, how are they going to use that information in anyway that can possibly harm me, they can surely only use it to better understand their guests needs and be better at servicing them.

It is similar to our largest supermarket over here Tesco, they run a scheme called Clubcard, which you scan every time you shop there to collect points. They however use the data they collect to better understand their customers needs and wants, and they also send me nice money of tokens that are actually relevant to me, as they know what i buy and what i like.

[tcp0421]

Originally Posted by wdwgreg

My view on this may be different, because we tend to travel over (from the UK) for two to three weeks

But we don't plan ahead which day we will be at which park, or even which company we do Universal, Sea World, other attractions as well.

We do plan a little with basic information each day such as EMHs, show/firework times. Then look at local info such as weather, how we are feeling (some of those 3am finishes in MK can really make you want a pool/waterpark day the next day)

We only make a couple of ADRs in the parks as we don't like to be tied down to days or set locations, we sometimes make lunchtime reservations the day before when we have decided where we are going.

We will not be willing or able to reserve fastpass times ahead of our holiday, we dont tend to take our phones round with us, as if it connects to the internet (yes i am not the best at changing my settings) then it can cost an absolute fortune so we would not receive any reminders that way.

I personally dont enjoy wearing a wristband, however some people do, i can see both benefits and drawbacks to this, this is why i think it should be optional. Some people will lose a wristband within 5 minutes, some people will lose a card within 5 minutes, as long as you can choose what is best for you, i see no problem.

As for the location tracker, who cares. If Disney get the information that i walk into DHS go grab a FP for TSMM then head over to RNR and TOT before lunch at Sci Fi, how are they going to use that information in anyway that can possibly harm me, they can surely only use it to better understand their guests needs and be better at servicing them.

It is similar to our largest supermarket over here Tesco, they run a scheme called Clubcard, which you scan every time you shop there to collect points. They however use the data they collect to better understand their customers needs and wants, and they also send me nice money of tokens that are actually relevant to me, as they know what i buy and what i like.

I'm not really sure what I think of this yet. I will say I'm very interested of what people who have used it will think about it. I'm thinking this way....if they are going to track how long someone is in the main street bakery ....if I am in there for 20 minutes looking around and nothing appeals to me and I walk out empty handed....how are they going to decide if I was in line waiting for 20 minutes and purchased something or walked out with nothing. I still spent the same amount of time. Or perhaps I was in the TOT gift shop one day and spent 15 minutes looking around and wanted to buy something but just decided to wait. Then I go three days later know exactly what I want get it and I'm in and out in less then 5 minutes. If this system is to better their merchandise to what stores people are spending their time in the most. Its not making sense to me how they will figure if I loved the store but it was too pricey or if I hated the store. Not too sure if I'm making sense here. Lol

[pumpkinjl]

Originally Posted by Michigan

Anybody else notice they are assembled in China? So much for made in the USA

Yeah - Thanks Disney for letting China 'tag' us like common cattle!

[pumpkinjl]

Originally Posted by lillykat

In addition to all the points made- I am not happy to see that it has names on it. I don't put names on my girls' hats or clothing I am not happy to have their name on a bracelet for anyone to see and read.

I agree this is a real safety issue! -NOT smart Disney!

[chartle]

Originally Posted by pumpkinjl

I agree this is a real safety issue! -NOT smart Disney!

I already posted this but whoever whats to read the name off the band needs really good eyesight.

If the band was say 1/2" wide I would think the name would be about this big. (size will depend on your monitor size) but probably about 4 points.

Micheal

Are we seeing the inside or the outside of the band? Also its not black on white so very hard to read.

[Cold71]

Yea I'd say having your child's name on a hat or mouse ears (which I agree is not a smart thing to do..like telling me how many kids are in your family while I'm driving behind you) is a bit different then having it in small print on a bracelet. Worst comes to worst though just rotate the bracelet around so it faces in. As for Disney wanting to monitor more, I'm all for. It's all about trending for them and that helps them in the long run. I don't think they care what I personally buy, but where I go, how long I stay there, etc. This gives them a lot of useful data to look at. If they are worried about what items are selling best they really just have to check their inventory

[tcp0421]

Has anyone seen these brackets yet? In person?

[chartle]

Originally Posted by tcp0421

Has anyone seen these brackets yet? In person?

Probably not anyone authorized to post in a public forum.

Any tests that they have done with rfid chips (front gates at Epcot and FP+) were cards with embedded chips.

[Cold71]

I recently made a call to Disney because in 2013 it will be the first time we have purchased a complete package (typically we have other ways of getting cheap tickets, etc.). When I asked if they would be sending the park tickets via mail or if I would just pick them up there, they stated that I would be getting a device that would count as my park ticket, room key, and could be used to redeem my DDP points. I'm wondering if this is the bracelet?

[chartle]

Originally Posted by Cold71

I recently made a call to Disney because in 2013 it will be the first time we have purchased a complete package (typically we have other ways of getting cheap tickets, etc.). When I asked if they would be sending the park tickets via mail or if I would just pick them up there, they stated that I would be getting a device that would count as my park ticket, room key, and could be used to redeem my DDP points. I'm wondering if this is the bracelet?

When in 2013?

But anyway it could be this bracelet or a still a card with an RFID chip in it.

[mom2rtk]

Originally Posted by chartle

When in 2013?

But anyway it could be this bracelet or a still a card with an RFID chip in it.

Or it could just be a traditional KTTW card.

The fact that they called it a "device" certainly raises some eyebrows. But since it came from a phone CM, and they would likely tell me I couldn't get into the MK until 7 PM with a party ticket...... I'm not sure how much stock I'd put into it.

[chartle]

Originally Posted by mom2rtk

Or it could just be a traditional KTTW card.

The fact that they called it a "device" certainly raises some eyebrows. But since it came from a phone CM, and they would likely tell me I couldn't get into the MK until 7 PM with a party ticket...... I'm not sure how much stock I'd put into it.

Yes using that term is very interesting.

[clayyea]

I love this idea. Last trip my wife lost her KTTW and panic ensued. Of course we were able to call right away and have it canceled and was able to pick up a new one at the Resort, but the bracelet is better. No more taking your cards out of your pocket, purse or lanyard.

While they are already tracking the use of attractions, the RFID technology will allow near real time collection of data. This should allow them to make changes faster and provide a better experience.