Disney 'Magic Band' RFID bracelet revealed!!

Put on your tinfoil hat and try to keep up. ;)

  • I heard they will have microphones in them and if your kid screams "I want a balloon" :sad: (where normally you tell the kid "We'll get one later" yea right) a balloon seller will pop out of a secret door and you will have no choice. They will also have your kids favorite color (you entered it when you filled out your park touring profile).
  • They will have scent generators (just like Soaring) and hunger sensors that will generate the scent of whatever your body wants (reads brain waves too). Some one then says "I Smell Cinnamon Rolls" and you say "I do too, lets buy some" of course since they are tracking your every movement this will happen within sight of the Main Street Bakery.
  • Rides can be customized for the exact thrill you want. Sensors read your cortisol (stress hormone) and adrenaline levels and it amps up the ride if they are not high enough. Check your cholesterol levels too (part of the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). :thumbsup2

I could go on and on.

You do realize all this technology does exist? Except the checking of cholesterol levels. But when you smell the cinnamon rolls as you pass the Main Street Bakery, you walk in to smell only burnt over roasted coffee instead because a suit forgot to tell so some to cue the new, non-cinnamon roll smell.:rotfl::rotfl:
 
1) Yep.
2) The main purpose, as we are told, is marketing.
3) WDW can now track you
. . . at every ride
. . . at every eatery
. . . at every place they want to
4) Yes, they can "tailor" your experience.
5) But, it is for their own profitability.
6) BIG BROTHER.

and maybe they can see us avoid things they think we should love, and start putting more money into things we like! ;-)
there is always a good and a bad part to the tracking. It isn't as if they haven't done it before, this will just be more accurate.
I don't have much of a problem with it,since I never attach a credit card to my key card now, and I don't plan on doing it then.
My only worry is getting my sensitive kids to keep it on! What happens if they lose it? And of course, ripping them off for fastpass runs..lol (although, if we get fastpass+, I suppose we won't need that as much!) also, trying to remember when fast passes are for, since I don't have need for a smart phone..will they text me? ;-)
does anyone have an idea of when this will be implemented?
 
I'm not sure I didn't read everyone's posts but when are they planning on using these?
 


I'm not sure I didn't read everyone's posts but when are they planning on using these?

Almost certainly 2013 but no idea if it will be January, December or somewhere in between.
 
Ok...so i'm usually the one at the front of Blucher's column leading the charge against Emperor Disney's evil Commercial Imperial Army...

But for some reason i see this "tracking" idea as an incredibly good idea for the consumer.

If disney is able to see where you are going and more importantly...for how long you are there...they will adjust based on what is selling and what is not.

While a little Orwellian...this can be a good thing.
But the burden is on US!...and it is to reject the stuff that is garbage. Don't hang out at ABC Commissary or Nine Dragons...if you go to a gift shop and look for 30 minutes...then don't go to the one right next to it (mgm comes to mind...but they're all the same) which has the SAME 30 products and do it again. Walk out in 25 seconds...they'll see that and then it will start to paint the picture.

All this time...especially the last 20 years of decline in quality, variety and craftsmanship - specifically in regards to merchandise but also in food and construction - the customer has followed along like lemmings and dumped their bucks into the bottomless hole.

Welll maybe this swings the pendulum back...perhaps people can help themselves by just using some much needed common sense. If its crap...leave it...if its great...make the case to management.

WDW management (and of the evil corporate juggernaut overlords) want your money and don't give a pitootie about the method ("magic")...but nobody said they won't give you what you want to do it.

I guess i took my optimism pills this morning. But i'm thinking back to two things that they've done in semi-recent memory that has been overwhelmingly better for the consumer: fast pass and extra magic hours. whatever the reason...my trips are only impacted positively because of those things.

On the other hand...the price of the Halloween or Christmas party...not so good pirate:
 


Oh and I do not own a smart phone and do not want one and do not take phone to park...do not want anyone finding me...

Just so you know, EVERY cell phone has a signal that allows it to be tracked, not just the smart ones.


But for some reason i see this "tracking" idea as an incredibly good idea for the consumer.

WDW management (and of the evil corporate juggernaut overlords) want your money and don't give a pitootie about the method ("magic")...but nobody said they won't give you what you want to do it.

I guess i took my optimism pills this morning. But i'm thinking back to two things that they've done in semi-recent memory that has been overwhelmingly better for the consumer: fast pass and extra magic hours. whatever the reason...my trips are only impacted positively because of those things.

Wow L-O-L, that's the positive post I've ever seen from you. Are you on a morphine drip? :goodvibes

Very good points though - the technology is clearly used to their advantage, but can certainly benefit a more discerning consumer in what they give us.

Though I also want to make the point that they are already starting to learn that the "One Disney" garbage merchandise is a bad idea. See Carsland and Buena Vista Street in DCA, where stuff is flying off the shelves, and now Belle's Village gift shop is apparently all very specific to the new FLE / BatB. Can't say there still isn't a lot of crap, but at least its not as generic crap.
 
Wow L-O-L, that's the positive post I've ever seen from you. Are you on a morphine drip? :goodvibes
Ehhh...i'm booking a trip this week...i guess i get all SOFFFT on these types of days.

next week i'll probably be busier and the nhl is really ticking me off with this no games crapola...so expect daggers to be in full flight

Very good points though - the technology is clearly used to their advantage, but can certainly benefit a more discerning consumer in what they give us.

Though I also want to make the point that they are already starting to learn that the "One Disney" garbage merchandise is a bad idea. See Carsland and Buena Vista Street in DCA, where stuff is flying off the shelves, and now Belle's Village gift shop is apparently all very specific to the new FLE / BatB. Can't say there still isn't a lot of crap, but at least its not as generic crap.

of course the specific stuff sells....every four years or so when they put small world stuff out in one lonely stand or kiosk somewhere on property - it disappears in two weeks flat. They have reintroduced the resort wear/ merchandise and i've bought stuff form old key, yacht, beach, and boardwalk in my last two trips (and i buy nothing)

but there is obviously "economic interests" where the rubber meets the road. they apparently save SOOOO much money making uniform sweatshop crap....that the beaners tell them that any variety is killing the dividend.

"four parks, one world" tshirts....Walt disney world 20__ coffee mugs..."disney parks" napkins...
ugghhh! now i'm back out of the good mood.

so many actually cool things are long gone...
case in point: one of my favorites - the Christopher Radko glass ornaments from the christmas shops.
Just couldn't do it...couldnt stand to license/ buy a product from a third party vendor when uglier, less quality, cheap chinese junk direct from disney would do fine.

?????

but oh well...
all i'm saying is make the third world factories with no wages and terrrible, inhuman working conditions change up the screen printers and plastic molds every couple of days or so...is that too much to ask?
 
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'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...
 
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! :cool1:
 
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.
 
wdwgreg said:
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
 
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!
 
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.
 
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 ;)
 
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+:confused3) were cards with embedded chips.
 

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