Are MagicBands the new big brother?

[AngiTN]

Just to clarify with what you've bolded - are you saying they don't currently check for affiliation? Because I know for a fact that they do as it has happened to me multiple times. Most notably was when I was exiting Star Tour and the CM at the photo desk called me out and said they have a CM discount while I was exiting the ramp (it was a slow day and I walk fast, so I was the only one in the area). There have been other smaller incidents where I was purchasing something and they asked for my id before I had even pulled out my wallet. Maybe it's not something that is used as widely when it is busy, but it definitely happens

All I know is we have never been identified as an AP holder, TiW holder or DV holder. They ask us all the time if we are so their readers couldn't tell them. Otherwise why would they ask. Maybe CM is the only one they can read?

 

[SureAsLiz]

All I know is we have never been identified as an AP holder, TiW holder or DV holder. They ask us all the time if we are so their readers couldn't tell them. Otherwise why would they ask. Maybe CM is the only one they can read?

That's possible - I don't work in the parks so the only knowledge I have of the technology is as a guest. It might also be up to the CM working whether or not they even pay attention to the notification. For many of them they have a script that they use so often they recite it without thinking.

 

[Geoff_M]

I personally wouldn't worry too much about Disney storing too much information about you long term. Though it may seem like Disney can run amok with collecting and saving all sorts of data about you and your time in the parks with the MBs, keep in mind that doing so would likely carry a pretty steep price for Disney. US laws and associated government standards require companies to put a variety of safe guards in place to protect any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) they hold and give you rights to be notified if any of your data has been compromised. Putting PII into a database represents a significant cost to IT organizations with a company. Long term, PII data can become "toxic waste" that a company must retain a vigilance to protect, lest they get hit with a big fine.

 

[OKW Lover]

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.

Actually, there's a low-tech answer to that situation. When you come through the guard shack and show your ID on entering the resort grounds, they simply radio ahead to the people in the lobby.

 

[katallo]

So MBs track much more than using your plastic ticket because it's on your wrist vs in your wallet? I'm not sure of the difference. But, that would make sense I guess.

 

[AngiTN]

So MBs track much more than using your plastic ticket because it's on your wrist vs in your wallet? I'm not sure of the difference. But, that would make sense I guess.

No. MB have Tech capabilities that plastic ticket media are not equipped with. RFID mostly

 

[Disneyliscious]

Just wanted to add that MB's are the least of ones worries when you think about the new phones, tv's, cars and Ipads, etc which all have cameras built into them which allows for you to be watched while in your own home and you not even know it. Big brother has been watching you for a long time already. This is nothing new.

 

[wilkeliza]

So MBs track much more than using your plastic ticket because it's on your wrist vs in your wallet? I'm not sure of the difference. But, that would make sense I guess.

The plastic ticket only has passive RFID. You have to be very close to an on reader to get any information on it. The magic band has a active long range transmitter and thus how it can have photos auto loaded. The range is about 5 feet. Now if you touch your card to a cast members reader or a photopass spot it can load photos and CMs can know your name.

Disney does not currently use the magic bands to find lost children nor is that ability going to be in the near future. They would need sensors every 5ft over lapping to be able to do that and still then they would only be able to tell what sensor your child just passed through. They still find kids the old fashioned way a search party of sorts made of every CM with a radio.

Now with the whole idea of did you complain versus the true etc just know every guest has had a file for a very long time. If you complain and get compensation it is in your file. Stop by guest service yep in the file. They mark a lot of stuff down so they know over time what type of guest you are.

 

[goofyernmost]

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?

It's only a problem for those that habitually wear aluminum foil hats. It does track you in the parks, but not YOU specifically. You as a body with a name and a location. It is used to determine traffic flow and overall trends. Once you walk out of the park it no longer has any contact with you. It's just paranoia that causes people to get all worked up about it.

Before, they didn't know your name, but, they have been tracking you for years with cameras. This is actually less worrisome then the cameras for many reasons. I might point out that you are tracked when you go to WalMart, Target, or any retail store that isn't a mom and pop. And even some of them do. You are tracked by cameras, member cards, etc. They can tell you what you bought, when you bought it and how much you bought and how much you paid for it. It's been going on for years and years, we just weren't always aware of it. And don't forget that amazing credit and debit card has the history of your expenditures, locations and times. Have a GPS in your car? Someone knows where your car is at all times, 24/7.

In other words, why worry about it now, that ship sailed years ago.

 

[GaryDis]

phones, tv's, cars and Ipads, etc which all have cameras built into them which allows for you to be watched while in your own home and you not even know it.

Drat. Now I have to check all my pants for holes in the pockets.

 

[newdeal]

....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!

Apparently the rose they give you if you don't have a magic band is just a plastic case with a magic band inside

 

[3DisneyFanz]

Apparently the rose they give you if you don't have a magic band is just a plastic case with a magic band inside

You can really mess them up if you're the one that checked in with the band but you decide to walk around the restaurant while the rest of your party waits. My wife and son stayed at a table while I got drinks and walked around and the poor girl with the food cart wasnt happy when she realized I was aimlessly wandering.

 

[challada]

Wow! Thanks to all the experts here. I did not expect such a vivid discussion of this issue, but it seems to have taken on a lively chat here. My question really revolved around the ability of Disney to access me as I did not realize I had a long range RFID in the band. I totally realize that loyalty cards, security cameras, cell phones and other devices can follow my patterns in the real world. Disney's ability to create it's own world (that people don't leave for a week or more) and follow it's customers within that world is a whole big version.

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

It's only a problem for those that habitually wear aluminum foil hats.

Tell me about it...

 

[dinolounger]

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

Of course they are.

Then they will bring in Gartner and simultaneously lay off all the internal Disney analytic and research staff, while Gartner simultaneously brings in hordes of low wage workers from India on HB-1 visas, who will churn through all the Magic Band generated data, but due to lack of insight development abilities not be able to pull much of anything meaningful out it. Disney will then fire them and Gartner and will bring in the hot "big data" consultancy du jour, which will charge Disney gazillions and finally deliver what Disney wants: algorithms that are designed to incent guests to go to specific areas of each park so Disney can maximize park capacity. E.g., the algorithm will be tracking every single guest via Magicband and if too many are heading for an area of a park that is already at capacity, the algorithm will shoot them all phone messages offering some incentive (food discount, maybe an extra fastpass) to go to an area that is below capacity.

Or put another way, Fastpass+ was never primarily about improving guest experience. It's primarily about how to grow margins by increasing the "efficiency" of the parks.

 

[dinolounger]

All I know is we have never been identified as an AP holder, TiW holder or DV holder. They ask us all the time if we are so their readers couldn't tell them. Otherwise why would they ask. Maybe CM is the only one they can read?

Don't know about that, but you may be on to something. The only time my family and I -- who are all DVC members -- have used Fastpass+/MB was right after it was introduced. At that time, all it really could be used for beyond resort room entrance and park and FP return entrances was purchases at resort shops. What we quickly found then was despite all the supposed "customer relationship utility" that was supposed to be facilitated by the Magic Bands, there were big omissions. Example: we could go to a resort gift shop and make purchases with them, but the MB "data" didn't include the fact we were DVC members. That meant we had to carry around and pull out our DVC cards every time we knew we were entitled to a DVC discount. Definitely lowered our impression of how "comprehensive" the supposedly breakthrough new technology was.

 

[bryanb]

Definitely lowered our impression of how "comprehensive" the supposedly breakthrough new technology was.

Rest assured, this technology hasn't reached its full potential yet. Linking things together like DVC, annual passport discounts, etc., are all back-end computer systems. It just takes time and investment to make them happen. They may seem like they're simple and obvious, but it takes time to get these things right. I'm sure there are many full-time employees thinking about all the things they can still do with MagicBands. It's just the beginning.

 

[Nancyg56]

During one of the rollout discussions on the project Disney stated they could use the technology to find a lost child in the park. If they say they can do that then between the permanent sensors and the ones on the CMs equipment they can pinpoint a location.

This is why we required the two little ones to wear their bands whenever they left the room. I still took daily pictures if them before we left but I liked knowing that a cast member would knows hi they were and who they belonged to

 

[KJMAX1]

Do we get the RFID blocking bags like from Amazon, or do we get one when we buy an RFID band? We wont be staying onsite and we will be purchasing one band to link all our photos, etc to.

 

[bc7ate9]

Do we get the RFID blocking bags like from Amazon, or do we get one when we buy an RFID band? We wont be staying onsite and we will be purchasing one band to link all our photos, etc to.

I'd just not get a Band if the RFID technology bother you. You can do everything with a regualr PhotoPass card.