A glimpse of an RFID magic-banded future

[LoveMyMoos]

We also had a glimpse into the wonderful RFID technology, a few times. But you brought up a good point, what if there is no card to swipe. This happened to us with our room. We checked in early Friday morning, so of course our room wasn't ready. We came back at about 3(when it should be ready), still not. At about 3:30 it was finally ready. We got our room number(already had our KTTW). Luckily for us, my roommate had luggage being transferred from another resort, so we went up to our room with a bell hop. Touch key to the door, red light. Try again, red light. Try the other key, red light. They keys didn't work, and there was nothing to swipe. Because the bellhop was with us, he called to verify our room, and was able to let us in while someone delivered new keys. Had he not been with us, we would have had to walk all the way back to the main area for new keys, then all the way back to our room.

 

[dadddio]

We also had a glimpse into the wonderful RFID technology, a few times. But you brought up a good point, what if there is no card to swipe. This happened to us with our room. We checked in early Friday morning, so of course our room wasn't ready. We came back at about 3(when it should be ready), still not. At about 3:30 it was finally ready. We got our room number(already had our KTTW). Luckily for us, my roommate had luggage being transferred from another resort, so we went up to our room with a bell hop. Touch key to the door, red light. Try again, red light. Try the other key, red light. They keys didn't work, and there was nothing to swipe. Because the bellhop was with us, he called to verify our room, and was able to let us in while someone delivered new keys. Had he not been with us, we would have had to walk all the way back to the main area for new keys, then all the way back to our room.

Actually, it seems that this might be an easier fix with RFID than the old style keycards since they would not need the actual bands to make the fix. They presumably would just go into your profile and ensure that the band ID and hotel room was correctly linked in your profile. This allows them to do many things, such as allowing your same band to open two different hotel room doors on a split stay or allow you to be checked in at the hotel and have access to your room without ever going to the main building.

 

[MickeyNola]

I want to be optimistic about the Magic Bands, I think a great thing about a Disney vacation is leaving the stress of everyday life behind. I don't want to worry about driving, and I don't want to worry about money. I think Magic Bands could be using the same psychology like chips in a casino... I didn't just hand over a $20 bill, I just swiped my band and got my to ride Dumbo or buy my dole whip or vinylmation or whatever.

For me, the Magic Band system moves a WDW vacation closer to an "all inclusive" model, I get to eat and shop and experience what I want, and I can worry about the bill when I get home. If Disney get some information about when and where and how I want to spend time at their resort than that's fine by me, so long as I'm not inconvenienced by it.

 

[bwang123]

So, can u give these new bands,cards to someone else to use. if u gave them your pin code. whats to prevent someone with an annual pass allowing someone else to use their rfid card/bracelet for admission.
just asking

what happens if you give them your fingers too?

 

[bumbershoot]

Actually, it seems that this might be an easier fix with RFID than the old style keycards since they would not need the actual bands to make the fix. They presumably would just go into your profile and ensure that the band ID and hotel room was correctly linked in your profile. This allows them to do many things, such as allowing your same band to open two different hotel room doors on a split stay or allow you to be checked in at the hotel and have access to your room without ever going to the main building.

But how, exactly, do you contact them to have them do this remotely, if you do not have the Bell person with you?

2/12 when we walked the looooong walk to our kidani room and no ones KTTW worked, we had no way to contact them unless we went all the way back.

And when we went back they had nothing they could do except for print all new cards while discarding the old. There was no reprogramming of the cards in our possession.

 

[carolinamama]

Actually, it seems that this might be an easier fix with RFID than the old style keycards since they would not need the actual bands to make the fix. They presumably would just go into your profile and ensure that the band ID and hotel room was correctly linked in your profile. This allows them to do many things, such as allowing your same band to open two different hotel room doors on a split stay or allow you to be checked in at the hotel and have access to your room without ever going to the main building.

We were told this very thing by the CM checking us in last week. There's a unique # on each band, and that's your permanent number, so to speak. When you book, you'll enter that number. The door will be programmed accordingly. They'll just text you with the room info.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

I want to be optimistic about the Magic Bands, I think a great thing about a Disney vacation is leaving the stress of everyday life behind. I don't want to worry about driving, and I don't want to worry about money. I think Magic Bands could be using the same psychology like chips in a casino... I didn't just hand over a $20 bill, I just swiped my band and got my to ride Dumbo or buy my dole whip or vinylmation or whatever.

For me, the Magic Band system moves a WDW vacation closer to an "all inclusive" model, I get to eat and shop and experience what I want, and I can worry about the bill when I get home. If Disney get some information about when and where and how I want to spend time at their resort than that's fine by me, so long as I'm not inconvenienced by it.

And that is why the average American is carrying tens of thousands in debt.

And I am sooooo glad I am so much less than average!

Sorry that was off topic...... kinda.

 

[ekendall2]

Im glad they are taking their time with this and trying to get it right. Its Disney. I have never been disappointed with them before...i dont expect to be now.