A glimpse of an RFID magic-banded future

One word: Marketing.

"Welcome to Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel, Mr. Lugnut33! I see from our records that last time you were here, you rode the Tomorrowland Transit Authority five times. You must really like that attraction! While I'm checking you in, perhaps you'd like to peruse this electronic catalog of TTA and Peoplemover related merchandise that we have for sale? I also see that you like eating Dole Whips. They ARE delicious! Did you know that if you go one resort over to the Polynesian, they have a Dole Whip soft serve machine that you can use 24/7? You should try it out!"

Wait a minute, I have never used RFID technology at WDW and yet you know me so well. Instead of spending a billion dollars they should have just hired you.
 
Sgtfox said:
One word: Marketing.

"Welcome to Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel, Mr. Lugnut33! I see from our records that last time you were here, you rode the Tomorrowland Transit Authority five times. You must really like that attraction! While I'm checking you in, perhaps you'd like to peruse this electronic catalog of TTA and Peoplemover related merchandise that we have for sale? I also see that you like eating Dole Whips. They ARE delicious! Did you know that if you go one resort over to the Polynesian, they have a Dole Whip soft serve machine that you can use 24/7? You should try it out!"

Is it bad that my first reaction to this post was, "wait, you can get Dole Whips 24/7?" LOL
 
I bet that when they designed the pin pads, they were expecting them to only be used for purchases over $50, so they were designed smaller and not for constant use. And then of course recently everybody screamed SECURITY! And now they have to be used constantly.
 
One word: Marketing.

"Welcome to Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel, Mr. Lugnut33! I see from our records that last time you were here, you rode the Tomorrowland Transit Authority five times. You must really like that attraction! While I'm checking you in, perhaps you'd like to peruse this electronic catalog of TTA and Peoplemover related merchandise that we have for sale? I also see that you like eating Dole Whips. They ARE delicious! Did you know that if you go one resort over to the Polynesian, they have a Dole Whip soft serve machine that you can use 24/7? You should try it out!"

Funny, I posted something very much like this on the original (taboo) FP+ thread. This is really what this whole thing is about. It is about "Next Gen" FP (marketing). The original intent of FP- was to bring people to venues to spend money rather than waiting in line for an average of 4-5 hours for attractions almost everyone wants to experience (E-Tix).

That didn't work as well as they had hoped, because instead of waiting in line for the E-Ticket ride, they (we) waited in other lines. Now they feel they can make this original vision so very much more effective through the use of data mining that is instant, rather than slowly collected, analyzed, and then acted on through slow and sluggish adjustments to merchandise locations.

Now they can tell us where exactly to go to spend money to get something that is right now, this very instant, on our minds. All the talk of Disney's motivation being to "make everyone happy", or "share the wealth with those that want to sleep in", is just silly. It is all about telling me where to go to put me in the most likely position (determined by HAL) to spend more than I would have without "Extra Magic" prompting.
 


1) Where is this Dole Whip machine?

2) They tried an app that told people there were no lines. Nobody used it. they even have big screens that update people on lines... yet still there are congested areas and empty areas. So now they are going to be more direct and ping people to tell them to move along- with a special pass for your use only! I hope they figure out quickly they have to give passes to the whole group... some good it will be to give them to three people in a 6 person group.

There are numbers on the back of the bracelets and they look removable, so they have already thought of this whole problem.

What I want to know is if I can pick different fastpasses for each member of my group, or if my sons have to use their passes on rides they can't go on. I would totally swap DS's soarin' FP to have his allergen meal ready and waiting! That could easily save us 30 minutes.
 
A quick Google Images search for "Disney Magic Band" shows that the bands likely will have a 12 digit unique ID number on them. I would think that it would be likely that this number is the same number that the RFID readers receive from the band. So, if there's a tech malfunction, a CM *should* be able to input that number somewhere to some useful effect. Wouldn't be quick, though, especially if the coded number is on the INSIDE of the band.
 
I wish I could be optimistic, but given Disney's track record so far with new technology (website, app, etc.), I'm afraid your prognosis is correct. I'm reminded of my Dad's reaction to getting a new truck with power windows - he sighed heavily and said, "Just something else to break..."

Have to ask. Would you buy a car now WITHOUT power windows?

Sometimes we just have to wait and see what happens.
 


I am going in mid May and am curious how much of it will be rolled out by then. If they would just TELL us something, I think many of fears would ease some. But doesn't look like that will be happening. With my vacation history, I am certain I will experience every glitch possible. But will try to have a wonderful time regardless.
 
When fastpass first came out at Disneyland there were some attractions that had FastPass available. I believe it was POC and HM. What they quickly learned was FP was actually slowing down the lines and they removed it from those attractions.

Fast forward to today and now they are adding fastpass for every attraction. I saw the screens up and it appears there will need to be information added whenever anybody uses the FP+. I can see this adding to the lines.

For example, why the heck is Spaceship Earth getting FP+? There has to be a far sinister reason why every attraction is going to be tied into the system.

I dunno whether its 'sinister' or not, but i suppose there reason for having new fastpass on every ride is to better understand/anticipate guest behaviour. If they know that 100 people have booked to go on Spaceship Earth at 11am, they can play staff accordingly and save money. Eventually they will know what time POTC is busiest, which rides people dont go on and which rides they do so they can react accordingly. Its all about money and efficiency.

And, of course, knowing what you do and what you like helps them make a lot more money off you; targeting and tailoring their marketing to each individual guest. If they know you love Dole Whip's, they can market Dole Whip offers to you etc. Its called Customer Relationship Management, heavily done by any supermarket where you have a 'clubcard' or 'loyalty card'.
 
I dunno whether its 'sinister' or not, but i suppose there reason for having new fastpass on every ride is to better understand/anticipate guest behaviour. If they know that 100 people have booked to go on Spaceship Earth at 11am, they can play staff accordingly and save money. Eventually they will know what time POTC is busiest, which rides people dont go on and which rides they do so they can react accordingly. Its all about money and efficiency.

That might work, if they didn't ALSO offer Standby (walk-on) lines to attractions.

Regardless, after decades of daily experience, Disney already knows what attractions draw guests at all day-parts.

More likely, Disney can utilize FP+ being added to the attractions that DON'T naturally draw
the most experienced guests, and lure less-experienced visitors to those less popular attractions
with the offer of "less waiting in line."


.
 
I'm glad there is something thinking like me! I understand there is always "glitches" with new tech implimentations, but think about the ripple effects. If it takes five or ten minutes to run someones RFID card/magic band/whatever then it backs up the line for those behind. Food gets cold, tempers get hot, etc.

Personally, I'm happy with swiping my KTTW card. I understand we need to move forward with the future of technology, but let's not roll it out until ALL kinks are worked out.
 
I understand we need to move forward with the future of technology, but let's not roll it out until ALL kinks are worked out.

The shocking part of this is that there should BE no kinks (or, at least, very few.)

Disney didn't invent the RFID technology nor are they the first to use it.

What is scary is that they continue to roll out poorly-executed "standard" technology.
It would be like buying a smart phone that said
"Disney" on the label and having it consistently not work as a phone, text center, or web browser,
when there are already countless other reliable devices in daily use.

In that vein, there ARE already so many successful retailers and corporations using RFID tech
(and have been doing so for years and years.)
Why the heck does a Disney roll-out of "non-cutting edge" tech fail so consistently
and predictably?

Is it done on-the-cheap?
Is it designed by inexperienced techies?
Is the hardware "lowest bidder" quality?

We see it over and over and over with Disney "guest-facing" computer technology.

What's the deal?

And, to me, THIS is why many of us are less-than-enthusiastic
over the prospect of "every damn thing" we do at the parks being
scheduled, stored and operated by "Disney computer technology."

That's some scary stuff, kids!
 
I am going in mid May and am curious how much of it will be rolled out by then. If they would just TELL us something, I think many of fears would ease some. But doesn't look like that will be happening. With my vacation history, I am certain I will experience every glitch possible. But will try to have a wonderful time regardless.

My theory is they aren't telling anything about roll-out dates, because they don't know. Disney is totally winging it.

With the colossal disaster the tests have been as far as equipment and customer satisfaction, I think they are going to hold off as long as possible before they roll it out to everyone. Or maybe we'll all get lucky and they'll scrap it altogether.

Though since they've spent a kabillion dollars on it, I unfortunately don't see that happening. :sad2:
 
Aside from the many valid concerns raised in earlier posts, I think the lack of a viable, readily available backup to the magicbands will prove to be the most distressing, and could prove to be their undoing. When a point of sale keypad goes down at Target, the cashier can always swipe your credit card themselves, or if that fails, just key in the card number. Neither of those backup steps is available once you put all your eggs in the magicband basket. And remember -- [insert Paul Frees here] -- there's no turning back now....

From all the pictures I have seen of the magicbands, they have band ID #s on them. So, i would assume they could punch in your magicband number similar to how they do credit cards. i know a lot of people on here think disney has no idea what they are doing because of the problems but with all this effort on the system but I find it hard to believe that they have no back-up plan if the system fails.
 
I am not crazy about wearing something around my wrist, especially if it is hot outside, but --- if this is what they are doing, it doesn't look like anyone is going to have a choice.

That being said, I hope they roll it out and work out the kinks before our upcoming December trip.

At least a credit card like ticket would have your picture on it. If the bracelet gets left somewhere, anyone could pick it up and use it.

I am sure there will be more to come.
 
From all the pictures I have seen of the magicbands, they have band ID #s on them. So, i would assume they could punch in your magicband number similar to how they do credit cards. i know a lot of people on here think disney has no idea what they are doing because of the problems but with all this effort on the system but I find it hard to believe that they have no back-up plan if the system fails.


From posts I've been reading here on the RFID KTTW cards, there doesn't seem to be a backup system. If the card doesn't work, the CM's don't seem to have an alternative for making it work. :confused3
 
I am not crazy about wearing something around my wrist, especially if it is hot outside, but --- if this is what they are doing, it doesn't look like anyone is going to have a choice.

That being said, I hope they roll it out and work out the kinks before our upcoming December trip.

At least a credit card like ticket would have your picture on it. If the bracelet gets left somewhere, anyone could pick it up and use it.

I am sure there will be more to come.

From what I've gathered so far, most guests will have a choice between the bands and a standard RFID card.
 

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