Are MagicBands the new big brother?

[challada]

I just got back from a marvelous trip....hot, humid and full of fun rides. One thing is bothering me to no end however.

We did not stay on site, but I did get Magic Bands to help our crew get through admissions, fast passes, etc faster. We all wore them with no thought to it.

On the last day, literally on our way out of the park, one of my kids pointed out that we had not bought Disney popcorn yet on this trip. I stopped at the cart near the exit and bought a bucket of popcorn. As we walked away from the cart, a Disney Research cast member approached. I assumed it was the usual "you are leaving the park" survey. She pulled me over and asked if she could ask me a couple of questions about my popcorn cart experience. I said fine and she showed me the ipad. BEFORE the first question, my NAME was at the top of the ipad page. Now, what is weird is that I paid cash at the cart and did not scan in any way.

The only thing I could think was that my MagicBand could track where in the park I was. Is Disney using it for that? Did I sign over for tracking me when I bought these? Is Disney taking data on our patterns, spending, etc?

 

[GaryDis]

Of course they are. But - they probably didn't track that you bought the popcorn. The iPad had your name because you were standing right there with your Magic Bands, and I'm betting the CM just saw you buying the popcorn and selected you for the survey.

 

[bc7ate9]

I assume Disney is collecting all the data it possibly can, any time it possibly can.

 

[wilkeliza]

I don't think it knew you bought popcorn the CM most likely saw you do it.

Disney does track your unique ID number but they did that long before MagicBands. They are the best at knowing traffic patterns and guest flow. Now with magicbands they can do more targeted marketing and research more efficiently. It is all in the small print that there is the ability for close range tracking. They did it at the Market Place in DtD to find out which of the sections were popular and which weren't. You could see the scanners every 5 ft on the ceiling. It is just like when stores have a sensor when you walk in and it clicks on more guest. Every single retail establishment does it and rates the turn over.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

That doesn't creep me out anywhere near as much as having ride photos appear in your email.

I would love to see the traffic patterns though. I'm curious how many people repeatedly end up criss crossing the parks rather than simply flowing around the park as it was designed.

 

[leebee]

I assume Disney is collecting all the data it possibly can, any time it possibly can.

That is pretty much our take on the situation, too. My DH is convinced that at some point Disney will begin selling that data, perhaps to vehicle insurers who are curious about their customers drinking habits, or health insurance companies with an interest in how many times you dine in a restaurant, making the association in both cases that personal "bad" habits can lead to increased rates. I'm not sure I'm 100% with him on this, but you never know- and Disney is big into making money. DH kept our magic bands in an RFID-blocking pouch when we were at WDW and not physically using them, and used cash or regular credit card for all purchases.

Disney's access to personal information is MUCH more extensive than that of the simple wall sensor that counts customers. Disney has access to your name, address, credit info, all contact info, spending habits (amount/where/frequency), family members, etc. DH is a little... shall we say, overly cautious, but I can't really blame him, when you see all the hacking incidents, etc. (and we all know how amazingly well Disney IT seems to function!).

 

[newdeal]

magic bands have long range RFID in them. That is the technology that lets them automatically link ride pictures to your memory maker, and to find your table to bring you food at be our guest restaurant. Perhaps the iPad could somehow sense who you were using that long range rfid

 

[LoveMMC]

At be our guest counter service we didn't get a rose. They told us to find a seat. The food cart came right to us by tracking us using our magic bands. Creeeeepy. Great for lost child - but they can pin point you to the exact place you stand-

 

[newdeal]

That is pretty much our take on the situation, too. My DH is convinced that at some point Disney will begin selling that data, perhaps to vehicle insurers who are curious about their customers drinking habits, or health insurance companies with an interest in how many times you dine in a restaurant, making the association in both cases that personal "bad" habits can lead to increased rates. I'm not sure I'm 100% with him on this, but you never know- and Disney is big into making money. DH kept our magic bands in an RFID-blocking pouch when we were at WDW and not physically using them, and used cash or regular credit card for all purchases.

Disney's access to personal information is MUCH more extensive than that of the simple wall sensor that counts customers. Disney has access to your name, address, credit info, all contact info, spending habits (amount/where/frequency), family members, etc. DH is a little... shall we say, overly cautious, but I can't really blame him, when you see all the hacking incidents, etc. (and we all know how amazingly well Disney IT seems to function!).

Or you could just get cards and leave the magic bands in the room. The cards don't have long range RFID like the bands do

 

[newdeal]

At be our guest counter service we didn't get a rose. They told us to find a seat. The food cart came right to us by tracking us using our magic bands. Creeeeepy. Great for lost child - but they can pin point you to the exact place you stand-

I actually think the reason they can track you that accurately at be our guest is because the rfid sensors are in the tables and so they know what table you are sitting at. When you are wandering around the park I highly doubt it is so accurate

 

[BarbieGal457]

magic bands have long range RFID in them. That is the technology that lets them automatically link ride pictures to your memory maker, and to find your table to bring you food at be our guest restaurant. Perhaps the iPad could somehow sense who you were using that long range rfid

....I can't believe I never realized that's how they find you at Be Our Guest! We have eaten there four times now and never even considered that.

We've been asked to do surveys multiple times after 7DMT and always have. I've seen my name at the top of the iPad and figured the same thing - it just recognizes your band info because you're standing so close to them. Never really creeped me out. I don't really mind if they collect data about my traffic flow patter and what I purchase, when, where, and where/what I eat. I've never even considered they would sell the info to insurance companies because it seems a bit far fetched to me with having visitors from all over the world (though I'm sure they're absolutely capable of weeding out who lives here), but who knows. My health insurance will just see I eat a lot of fruit and cheese!

 

[sharona]

I assume Disney is collecting all the data it possibly can, any time it possibly can.

+1

OP- I do find the whole thing very big brotherish, bbut no different than so many other things in our electronically tracked lives. Would you be upset at the grocery store if the cashier called you by name after scanning your loyalty card? They know more about you than most of your friends. Your toll pass, phone, online access, gps, tv viewing, dining habits, shopping - it's all out there and companies are data gathering like crazy.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Disney's #1 reason for the MBs is to collect guest data. I figure...their house, their rules. It's private property and if I don't want Disney knowing how I spend my time and money while on their property, then I shouldn't be playing in their yard, ya know? The only thing that amazes me is when people don't think Disney collects this type of data on them.

The one aspect I find creepy about the MBs is when they greet you by name coming off the Magical Express. We'll be arriving via rental car in October and I wonder if we'll have that same experience when we walk into the lobby.

FWIW, I don't think Disney is going to sell the data. I think it's valuable enough for them and I'm not sure it would collect the right data to really be useful for other entities. I also think that Disney has enough of its own divisions to use the data in many, many different ways outside the theme park area.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just remember Disney only has the information you willingly give them. You don't have to link family and friends on MDE, you don't have to link a credit card, you don't even have to give them your real address if you don't want to. They don't require any more information than any other hotel or rental car company. If you are just going to the parks they need no information from you. It is funny that we all seem to forget we are who give up the information for easy of use when none of it is required to use the services (outside of minimum information for hotel stay). It is more convenient to just give Disney all the information but it isn't 100% necessary.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just wanted to add if you pay with credit or cash they still track those purchases. They can't be 100% sure who made the purchase of it is cash but with credit it is easy for a computer to match your name to the unique Id number. heck tracking from credit and debit cards is how my bank knows to tell me that I can get 5% cash back at coffee shops but never send me an email about cash back at Wal-Mart. They track your spending patterns closely as well under the disquise of theft protection.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

Just wanted to add if you pay with credit or cash they still track those purchases. They can't be 100% sure who made the purchase of it is cash but with credit it is easy for a computer to match your name to the unique Id number. heck tracking from credit and debit cards is how my bank knows to tell me that I can get 5% cash back at coffee shops but never send me an email about cash back at Wal-Mart. They track your spending patterns closely as well under the disquise of theft protection.

They can track the cash transaction as well. The sensor can tell whose there and link it to the individual transaction.

 

[BudgieMama]

The one aspect I find creepy about the MBs is when they greet you by name coming off the Magical Express. We'll be arriving via rental car in October and I wonder if we'll have that same experience when we walk into the lobby.

One man's creepy is another man's cool with this, I think. I wish they would do that to us, but they won't ship our magic bands to us and we only get them on check in. I'd love to bypass the DME desk at the airport and be greeted by name when I get off the bus!

 

[LinderInWonderland]

I sincerely love the Magic Bands because it reminds me of when the Flintstones went to the future and just signed for everything. As far as being creeped out, I am not. I used to go to tea at the Ritz Carlton in Boston and Philly. They kept track of reservations and knew how many times I'd been and would make a big fuss over me at each subsequent visit and bring me and my guests little treats. It's market data that helps them keep you coming back.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

One man's creepy is another man's cool with this, I think. I wish they would do that to us, but they won't ship our magic bands to us and we only get them on check in. I'd love to bypass the DME desk at the airport and be greeted by name when I get off the bus!

Why do you have to go to the DME desk? Don't they send you DME vouchers? We still get the paper vouchers even though we have MBs.

I can see how some people would find being greeted cool, but we just don't. It's an odd feeling being picked out of a crowd by name by a stranger like that. I half expected the CM to serve me with a summons and then run off! LOL.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'd love to bypass the DME desk at the airport and be greeted by name when I get off the bus!

You know, I've never been to any checkin desk at DME, and I took DME before MBs. Name given to the people right there, into the line I went.

And people have reported being greeted personally before MBs as well.

I would hate THAT, especially if they went with a last name (we have 3 last names among the three of us so guesses or just noticing one name means you (the CM) aren't reading what's in front of you), and luckily we've never been greeted like that.