Congress concerned over MagicBand security issues..

[ttintagel]

I see Iger has responded to the concerns. Interesting language he has used in response.

Yeah, I thought so, too. He comes off as a bit rude in the tone he chose - as if he's offended to even be questioned. Doesn't seem like good PR to me.

 

[dadddio]

We are talking about two different things. One is to opt out of MyMagic+ completely, the other is to opt for the RFID card instead of a MagicBand.

I don't believe that you could completely opt out of MM+. If you want to stay in a Disney hotel or enter a theme park, you will need, at a minimum, the RFID card.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Maybe i'm being naive but I think they are trying to collect this info to make guests experiences better (with the end result that the happier you are the more you will hopefully spend).

That's just it. Our family's Disney Experience has always been pretty darn near perfect every time we've been there. Our resort was impeccable, transportation great, character interaction delightful when not too long ago you would turn the corner and OMGosh, there was Minnie! Or Pluto! ADRs always kept to a minimum (one or two/trip) to alleviate our "must be somewhere now" stress. We could come and go via park hoppers as we please, obtaining fast passes when we wanted, for what we wanted and somehow learned to stay relaxed while keeping occupied while waiting for our return time or heaven forbid, waiting in line if we so choose (which was not very often). We limited our spending, because we did choose a deluxe resort because that is what is importent to us. Our in park spending stopped 1) as kids got older and 2) when you could no longer walk up to a kiosk and purchase "a guy" for a few bucks which made our DD happy for the entire day. And Disney's hope we will spend more $ in the parks is delusional.

We don't "need" anything more than a family vacation; stress free time spent
together. Their current marketing strategy is making this increasingly difficult.

 

[doconeill]

I'm pretty sure that the long range RFID and RFID/wifi transceiver are the same item. I'm pretty sure that there is no such thing as a long range passive RFID.

Depends what is meant by "long range"

To be read at longer range requires a bigger and stronger magnetic field around the reader, thus requiring more power. And it depends on the frequency used. SunPass now has passive stickers that can still be read at speed from the sensors several meters above. I more recently read that the current practical maximum range is about 6 meters. And I've heard anecdotes of security experts reading supposed short-range RFIDs like in credit cards from a decent distance.

Not sure you want that big an EM field in areas where guests are standing around loitering. There may be FCC issues with that regarding radiation exposure.

 

[doconeill]

I don't believe that you could completely opt out of MM+. If you want to stay in a Disney hotel or enter a theme park, you will need, at a minimum, the RFID card.

Iger says MyMagic+ is completely optional. Yes, you'll still need an RFID card, but it does not need to be linked to the MDE profile or be enabled for any MM+ features. It can be a room key and only a room key, and your ticket media may be separate, although it might also be RFID...I believe the plan is that ALL ticket media will be RFID by the end of the rollout, but they haven't said for certain.

 

[Robo]

Not sure you want that big an EM field in areas where guests are standing around loitering. There may be FCC issues with that regarding radiation exposure.

Guests at WDW can now expect to experience that certain glow after walking around the parks all day.

 

[krb2g]

Frankly, Iger's response (or its tone) concerns me as much as anything else: Rep Markey asked questions that I also had after reading the Terms & Conditions released online, and the response was rude. It sounds to me like Iger's protesting too much here.

 

[NHKristy76]

Frankly, Iger's response (or its tone) concerns me as much as anything else: Rep Markey asked questions that I also had after reading the Terms & Conditions released online, and the response was rude. It sounds to me like Iger's protesting too much here.

I think his tone was perfect!!

 

[kmarie99]

I think his tone was perfect!!

Me too

 

[finedice]

This link says it contains both attachments (haven't read it yet myself):

http://www.**************.net/2013/...letter-addressing-magicband-privacy-concerns/

Seems like we really don't have an answer to 1b yet

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Frankly, Iger's response (or its tone) concerns me as much as anything else: Rep Markey asked questions that I also had after reading the Terms & Conditions released online, and the response was rude. It sounds to me like Iger's protesting too much here.

Totally agree with you. I'm also disappointed that Disney's response didn't include answers to all the posited questions.

 

[finedice]

I agree on the first part. But there's nothing UN-Disney in Iger's response. Markey is not a parks guest unhappy with his room, with Iger coming along to do damage control and make the guest happy. He's a politician trying to use Disney's name to his own ends (publicity for senate race). As head of the company, Iger wears many hats... staunchly defending the company is one of them, and IMHO he met a ridiculous letter with an appropriately harsh response.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

The original letter was not ridiculous - uninformed perhaps, but I for one am glad that this government I pay, is somewhat concerned about my privacy. This is true whether they are concerned for it just because they want my vote or not.

 

[kmarie99]

Totally agree with you. I'm also disappointed that Disney's response didn't include answers to all the posited questions.

It did... it was a two page letter and the second page was the answers to the questions.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

It did... it was a two page letter and the second page was the answers to the questions.

Not really. The second and third pages were basically synopses of the original questions posed, and didn't have answers to all of them. Maybe I'm anal, but when I'm responding to inquiries from the government (part of my job), this is how I respond:

Question 1: [reproduced in full]
Answer 1

Question 2: [reproduced in full]
Answer 2


But I'm just some lowly corporate employee, not the Disney CEO, so I guess he gets to skirt whatever questions he wants to.

 

[finedice]

Yes, one question is answered and in the process another prediction proved wrong:


Just one of many of the failed "prophesies" that will not come to pass when the whole My Magic + initiative is rolled out in full.

You have misread - The FP+ still requires opting into MDe and MM+ - regardless of the choice between card or bracelet.

 

[doconeill]

Seems like we really don't have an answer to 1b yet

Iger's response did give some answers in that regard.

If they opt out of the MagicBand, the other option is an RFID-enabled card. It can pretty much do all the touch-and-go stuff the MagicBand can do. It won't allow for some of the location-based experiences though that the MagicBand can trigger with the longer-range transmitter, since it lacks it. Exactly what this means, we don't know, but it is likely the dynamic/custom experiences that have been touted:

Guests can participate in MyMagic+ and visit the park without using the MagicBand by choosing a card instead. The card contains a short-range chip whose location cannot be detected by the long-range readers stationed in the park. We also plan to provide the option for such guests to use the Fast Pass [sic] system by simply providing basic contact information (name and email address). As is also true for parties using MyMagic+, the system would not require separate email addresses for other members of the guest party.

Now, as far as opting out of MyMagic+ completely:

MyMagic+ is a completely optional program
Guests can enjoy admission to the park without having to register or provide any personal information. But guests who do choose to participate in MyMagic+ will enjoy the convenience of having their tickets, guaranteed ride times for shows and attractions, resort room access and other enhanced features all in one place. Using MagicBands or cards for purchases is also optional.

After re-reading these sections, it does NOT imply that FastPass+ would not be available, but there is the implication that FastPass+ advanced reservations could not be made, since using the MDE website or app is in essence opting in to MyMagic+. Whether any day-of FP+ options will be available is a whole 'nother ball of threads, and whether it is accessible if you don't at least provide a name and email address is unclear, which some people may still choose not to give - or for that matter, have.

 

[dadddio]

Not really. The second and third pages were basically synopses of the original questions posed, and didn't have answers to all of them. Maybe I'm anal, but when I'm responding to inquiries from the government (part of my job), this is how I respond:

Question 1: [reproduced in full]
Answer 1

Question 2: [reproduced in full]
Answer 2

But I'm just some lowly corporate employee, not the Disney CEO, so I guess he gets to skirt whatever questions he wants to.

Disney was not legally compelled to reply to Markey's letter, at all. Further, just because you reply to governmental requests for information in a specific way doesn't mean that Iger is required to.

 

[UNCFanatik]

After re-reading these sections, it does NOT imply that FastPass+ would not be available, but there is the implication that FastPass+ advanced reservations could not be made, since using the MDE website or app is in essence opting in to MyMagic+. Whether any day-of FP+ options will be available is a whole 'nother ball of threads, and whether it is accessible if you don't at least provide a name and email address is unclear, which some people may still choose not to give - or for that matter, have.

This can also be read in a different way...bolding mine:

But guests who do choose to participate in MyMagic+ will enjoy the convenience of having their tickets, guaranteed ride times for shows and attractions, resort room access and other enhanced features all in one place.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Disney was not legally compelled to reply to Markey's letter, at all. Further, just because you reply to governmental requests for information in a specific way doesn't mean that Iger is required to.

Did I say Disney did? No, I said I found his tone off-putting and I feel that he didn't answer the questions posed. I think that it eliminates confusion when you restate the question asked and then answer that question specifically, instead of essentially rewording your publicly available privacy policy again and again and regurgitating that in response.

I find it high-larious that Disney is talking about how "transparent" this whole new program is for its guests, and yet the Disboards, full of Disney "experts" and repeat guests, have nothing but questions about it, and debate endlessly about what they really mean. If Disney was really as transparent as it claims to be, I don't think all these questions would exist.

 

[dadddio]

Seems like we really don't have an answer to 1b yet

It's pretty clear that choosing the card over the band will mean that you won't get the personalized interactions brought about by the powered transmitter. His specific inquiry about ride times has been answered quite clearly since day one. Users of the card will still be able to access FP+.