RFID Touch to Pay Room Keys start in Dec

[mousermerf]

Sometime in December guests checking into Walt Disney World Resort hotels will be asked to specify pin numbers for their room key cards. These cards will be RFID enabled and be used as part of the roll out of a touch-to-pay system.

http://www.epcyclopedia.com/2012/11/...-world-resort/

This is step 1 in rolling out the RFID payment and ticketing system, which will bring about the wristband room keys and tickets replacing cards.

[Bell30012]

Art of Animation already has the RFID cards.

[consumermonkey]

I think most, if not all the rooms have the RFID key tech, but this is the next step up. The key-cards used to have the magnetic strip for charging priv's, from December that is going to be RFID too, hence the PIN.

Apparently in the near future the key-card will become a wristband with the RFID chip incorporated into it, all part of next-gen stuff.

[waynesgirl]

Originally Posted by Bell30012

Art of Animation already has the RFID cards.

Is this just for room access? We are going to the AoA in 2 weeks and I wonder if I call and BEG to be one of the 1st to experiment with the wristbands, would they do it?

I'm going in Feb and April too....please let this techy girlie's dream come true...

But if not, at least give me hope that one code can control all cards...I like to give my teenager her own spending limit with the charge priviledges on her card, and since right now, I have an AP, I need her card to charge with...

[Bell30012]

Originally Posted by waynesgirl

Is this just for room access?

Just the doors while we were there.

[consumermonkey]

OK, looks like a lot of confusion.

THE WRISTBANDS: They seem to be a silicone type band like someone said, a bit like the yellow livestrong ones. Each has an unique chip that identifies the wearer/owner as an account on the system. What that account does depends on what you have paid for (room, meals, tickets, more etc).

There has been RFID tech floating around theme parks for a few years. In the UK at Alton Towers, I experienced having a wristband which identified when I was on a ride and would video me (or whoever was wearing the band) so at the end of my day I could buy a DVD with stock video of all the rides with my specific ride edited into it.

This is just the start apparently. There are potential identity issues as whoever owns the tech can potentially "see" where each wristband is located etc, but swings and roundabouts on that one. In exchange for Disney knowing where and when you are, there could be extra magic. Kinda like ET knowing your name at the end of the ride at USF, the system COULD have Jack Sparrow mention your name but without having to tell anyone your name as it is already in the system, in a meet and greet, maybe one of the voice characters would refer to you by name without asking or if it is on the system, your favorite colour, town etc.

The pin thing is security in exactly the way a PIN or signature is used on charge or credit cards. (UK went chip and pin with charge and credit a few years ago. Dont think it has happened in USA YET!)

[rock_doctor]

We would not be interested in these although if they are the ones that have the designs on them then it would make a great souvenir once the trip is over. Now if they are the bland ones that are also shown in the patient then they can keep them... I suspect it will be the bland ones... Save a penny you know...

[Missytara]

Originally Posted by Bell30012

Art of Animation already has the RFID cards.

Yes, but if you read the post more clearly, the first phase is almost complete and this is the next phase to transition to the wrist bracelets to pay for items at the resort and parks stores.

I really wish people would read posts and actually understand them before posting. While your post did not offer incorrect information, it could have given more accurate info that could have been more helpful.

[angelmom27]

I will have to see what the wristband is like. Will it be something like a hospital bracelet that you are stuck wearing your whole trip?

[3boys4me]

Originally Posted by angelmom27

I will have to see what the wristband is like. Will it be something like a hospital bracelet that you are stuck wearing your whole trip?

That's what I am concerned about. As soon as I get home all jewelry comes off. I do not sleep with even my wedidng rings on. Having to wear a bracelet for 10 days would drive me nuts!!

[Simba's Girl]

Originally Posted by 3boys4me

That's what I am concerned about. As soon as I get home all jewelry comes off. I do not sleep with even my wedidng rings on. Having to wear a bracelet for 10 days would drive me nuts!!

absolutely!!!! and I'm sure they will be oh so chique...

[Polydweller]

Originally Posted by angelmom27

I will have to see what the wristband is like. Will it be something like a hospital bracelet that you are stuck wearing your whole trip?

Of course not. It's not a hospital where patients can't always identify themselves (ie after surgery) it's a theme park. There are pictures around. It's a removable, disposable, wrist watch type band. Put it on in the morning remove when you leave the parks. You can choose to wear it or not.

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I could see myself forgetting the pin number. I guess I'll have to write it down and carry it with me.

I'm hoping the bracelets can just be put in a bag and just pulled out when needed.

My arms/hands/feet/ankles tend to swell with all the heat and walking around at Disney and a bracelet would be very uncomfortable quickly.

[magicaldisney]

Some thoughts I have since I will be there in December.....

Just one pin #, right? Each card wouldn't need a different pin #, would it? If you don't want charging privileges, would you still need to provide a pin #?

[Wood Nymph]

I really hope that they make the wristband optional, because I really hate to wear wristbands.