Disney CM Text

[Minnesota!]

I find not one thing creepy on here. Track me all you want - I have nothing to hide from. And, if I get FP or lunch vouchers in the process...SCORE!

 

[ChloesDaddy]

I find not one thing creepy on here. Track me all you want - I have nothing to hide from. And, if I get FP or lunch vouchers in the process...SCORE!

I would be happy to address you by your real name if you care to post it.

 

[Magpie]

I would be happy to address you by your real name if you care to post it.

Erm, speaking of using real names on the Internet... is your daughter's name actually Chloe?

I can't speak for "Minnesota!" but, personally, I get a kick out of it every time a cast member calls me by name. One even tried to convince me he actually knew me (clearly teasing), and I just pointed at his screen saying, "You can't fool me!" But I still won't use my real name, or any of my family members' real names, on a board like this.

 

[kittyab]

I think there is a tracking device in the magic bands. My DD & DH rode the dwarf train ride, it was not a fast pass nor did they scan their bands any where but a video of them were posted on our MM.

 

[GreatLakes]

I think there is a tracking device in the magic bands. My DD & DH rode the dwarf train ride, it was not a fast pass nor did they scan their bands any where but a video of them were posted on our MM.

There is an RFID chip in the MB. This isn't really a secret. It isn't a tracking device in the same way a GPS radio would be but with properly placed RFID readers they can get just about as close.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

There is an RFID chip in the MB. This isn't really a secret. It isn't a tracking device in the same way a GPS radio would be but with properly placed RFID readers they can get just about as close.

Actually, it's more than that. it has an RFID tag for close reads (put against the light up Mickey to pay or fastpass) AND it has a long range (I think Bluetooth?) transmitter as well. They were not (to my knowledge) using the long range transmitter much yet. However, the idea was to allow the rides to interact with individuals.

The pictures from the rides are USUALLY tied into your scanning your wristband when you get on the ride. Disney also incorporates some Facial Recognition technology to match pictures to people for the purposes of PhotoPass. Mostly it's those two technologies that are being used right now. However, the bands do have that long range transmitter for "future" purpose.

Note the RFID is non-powered, so will continue to work for pretty much ever (or until they tell you to replace your MB). The long range has a limited battery life (I think the original patent claimed 7 years) after which the RFID would still work for payment / room key / etc, but you would need a new MB for the long range interactive stuff.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I think there is a tracking device in the magic bands. My DD & DH rode the dwarf train ride, it was not a fast pass nor did they scan their bands any where but a video of them were posted on our MM.

That was likely the facial recognition system that caught you rather than the MB.

 

[wilkeliza]

Actually, it's more than that. it has an RFID tag for close reads (put against the light up Mickey to pay or fastpass) AND it has a long range (I think Bluetooth?) transmitter as well. They were not (to my knowledge) using the long range transmitter much yet. However, the idea was to allow the rides to interact with individuals.

The pictures from the rides are USUALLY tied into your scanning your wristband when you get on the ride. Disney also incorporates some Facial Recognition technology to match pictures to people for the purposes of PhotoPass. Mostly it's those two technologies that are being used right now. However, the bands do have that long range transmitter for "future" purpose.

Note the RFID is non-powered, so will continue to work for pretty much ever (or until they tell you to replace your MB). The long range has a limited battery life (I think the original patent claimed 7 years) after which the RFID would still work for payment / room key / etc, but you would need a new MB for the long range interactive stuff.

It is just long range RFID not bluetooth. Different technology. The pictures are added because the MB goes through the long range sensor. It is usually towards the end of the ride and timed in such a way that each MDE would have that photo and video added to it.

The long range transmitters are already on at Seven Dwarfs, Tower of Terror, Rockin Roller Coaster, Everest, and Test Track although I know they have only been fined tuned for Seven Dwarfs and Tower of Terror.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

It is just long range RFID not bluetooth. Different technology. The pictures are added because the MB goes through the long range sensor. It is usually towards the end of the ride and timed in such a way that each MDE would have that photo and video added to it.

The long range transmitters are already on at Seven Dwarfs, Tower of Terror, Rockin Roller Coaster, Everest, and Test Track although I know they have only been fined tuned for Seven Dwarfs and Tower of Terror.

I'll buy that. I wasn't sure what the technology was for the long range transmitter. I just know that I remember seeing the patent that it included a short range non-powered chip and a long range powered chip.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'll buy that. I wasn't sure what the technology was for the long range transmitter. I just know that I remember seeing the patent that it included a short range non-powered chip and a long range powered chip.

If it was Bluetooth you could turn on your phone's bluetooth near your MB and see it come up as a device.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

If it was Bluetooth you could turn on your phone's bluetooth near your MB and see it come up as a device.

True enough!

 

[gdrj]

That was likely the facial recognition system that caught you rather than the MB.

I have to disagree. It is your Magic band.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Erm, speaking of using real names on the Internet... is your daughter's name actually Chloe?

I can't speak for "Minnesota!" but, personally, I get a kick out of it every time a cast member calls me by name. One even tried to convince me he actually knew me (clearly teasing), and I just pointed at his screen saying, "You can't fool me!" But I still won't use my real name, or any of my family members' real names, on a board like this.

Maybe I was too subtle in making the point, which is this -- you don't have to be paranoid or "hiding something" to prefer anonymity.

 

[gdrj]

Calling it tinfoil hat paranoia is a silly straw man. Many, myself included, would find it jarring to suddenly be addressed by name by a complete stranger, or get a text that says "I see that you did or did not do X." I think it also detracts from the "magic" by coldly reminding people that all this tracking technology is at work behind the scenes. It can make a person feel more like a lab rat.

I jest. I do understand and agree that having a random CM call you by your name is it a bit awkward. Also some CM's are a bit socially awkward as well that can make that interaction disturbing. I think that to have a Princess say a name of a child could be magical. On "It's a Small World" at the end the RFID is suppose to pull up your name and say good bye on monitors that are not in use. Having Videos from rides or photos sent to your MDE is useful. As far as the not being on a ride and receiving a text, I just see that as the system seeing you had a FP and you never checked in, no different than a restaurant reservation.

 

[Minnesota!]

I would be happy to address you by your real name if you care to post it.

Ok - I should have added "track me all you want AT WDW...". That, to me, is not creepy. They are doing it, thus far, with intent to use it to better my experience. Or, so they say!


My name? I go by Mom most days...sometimes, though, someone remembers my given name Andrea. It's rare, but happens...

 

[SparklePixie]

That was likely the facial recognition system that caught you rather than the MB.

It is the MagicBands. If it was facial recognition, they would have been doing the creepy adding of pics without your knowledge a long time ago.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

Yeah I have mixed feelings about this. While it's cool when "magic" happens, I don't like people I don't know calling me by name. It's why I hated wearing a name tag when I worked at Starbucks.

 

[Accident]

It is the MagicBands. If it was facial recognition, they would have been doing the creepy adding of pics without your knowledge a long time ago.

It's not just magicbands, they use just about any method to figure out who you are and what you did. I remember someone posting over the summer that without a magicband and paying cash at a street cart, they had someone from research asking if they would take a survey offline after their trip and noticed they had their name at the top of the screen without giving it to them...

 

[TiggerBouncy]

It's not just magicbands, they use just about any method to figure out who you are and what you did. I remember someone posting over the summer that without a magicband and paying cash at a street cart, they had someone from research asking if they would take a survey offline after their trip and noticed they had their name at the top of the screen without giving it to them...

DCL uses facial recognition. They make no bones over telling you that. It's why the pictures are requires at the beginning of the cruise.

I have been told by people who should know (worked on the back end systems) that some of this technology has migrated into the parks (as is common for DCL technologies like the MB). I am not sure of the extent of the technology use in the parks yet. However it would not surprise me at all to find that it was playing a part.

 

[ParrotBill]

I was one of those writing cautions about how much data mining MyMagic+ would enable in the future. And worried that it would happen without proper security and data privacy. Evidence being posted here suggests a LOT of people have access to that data. How could it be used if sold to identity thieves? But to me the most objectionable is this one:

Haven't gotten a phone call, but on our checkout day, our Mousekeeper just sort of came into the room where we were packing up and apologized profusely. Her supervisor had informed her that we would be gone by then since we had a 10 AM FP+ for Space Mountain. We did, but by day nine, my neck was not in the mood for Space Mountain so we delayed our exit.

This is intrusive and objectionable. Because of tiering and our desire to visit different places from morning to afternoon to evening, we often consider one of our Fastpasses a throwaway. What's next? Oh Mr Parrot, we're sorry, we canceled your dinner reservation because we saw you had a 7pm fastpass for Buzz Lightyear. Or a text message at 10:30 saying "We hope you enjoyed your 10:00am Fastpass ride on Expedition: Everest. We'd like to ask you a few questions about your experience...."