Just how much are the Magic Bands tracking?

[flatlandcycle]

The name of that system is LILO.

It should be called GIGO.

 

[surferdave]

No matter what they are tracking at the moment the potential for so much more is there and as technology improves with a lower cost, the MagicBands will change over time. If this bothers someone, then your option is the protection bags/cases or as someone said, get a locker except during FP+ times.

What about requesting a card instead? They perform all the user needs as well but don't have as much functionality for some of the longer range tracking features, correct?

I plan to request a card if I can just because I don't like wearing the band, but I don't blame anyone who finds the tracking functions annoying.

 

[cgates616]

thank you to those who answered my question and shared information they had. I find the whole concept fascinating! For those of you mocking me for being "paranoid" or in need of a "tin foil hat" for posting a question out of curiosity, I hope you have a magical day!

I personally was not mocking your questioning. I believe that we have the right to know what data is being collected and what it is being used for. I was just laughing because I knew it would be inevitable that some would automatically treat this data collection as malicious or threatening in some way. It's just Disney learning the most about their guests to increase efficiency and profits.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I personally was not mocking your questioning. I believe that we have the right to know what data is being collected and what it is being used for. I was just laughing because I knew it would be inevitable that some would automatically treat this data collection as malicious or threatening in some way. It's just Disney learning the most about their guests to increase efficiency and profits.

Agreed. And Disney is a little late to this game. Harrah's, for instance, has been doing this kind of tracking / micro-targeting for YEARS. I don't personally worry about this. It's all opt-in. You decide how much info you share in MDE, what things you link to it. I'm more concerned about the NSA and Google!

 

[JanaDee]

What about requesting a card instead? They perform all the user needs as well but don't have as much functionality for some of the longer range tracking features, correct?

I plan to request a card if I can just because I don't like wearing the band, but I don't blame anyone who finds the tracking functions annoying.

It's been reported by various posters when they asked for cards, they were told they were no longer an option.

 

[pampam]

The only info ON the band is a code for your MDE account. They would need access to Disney's system in order to access any of your actual information. There's NOTHING on the band that would mean anything to people who could read the RFID signal that did not have access to Disney's system. And if they have access to Disney's system...they have your information already...no need to read the band.

I would suggest to anyone that doesn't want to be tracked to either use and RFID protected pocket to store your magicband/park ticket (they sell these in many forms including wallets, purses, backpacks, etc)...or to just not go to Disney.

I always assume whether I am out and about that I am being tracked by someone in some way. No...not paranoid as I really don't care...but most stores you go in have security cameras and if you use your credit card at a register many people can access your information from that store. When you use the internet...it's being tracked...don't we all love those targeted ads that pop up based on what websites we visited? And don't even get me started on those silly smart phones and their apps...how many of you are being tracked with those?

Generally...I prefer not to think about how much of what we do is being tracked...it's life in the modern world. I do not think Disney is doing anything bad with the information and I trust that they are keeping all the important stuff very secure. But for those of you who do care...you do have options (RFID blocking technology, stay offsite and do not get a magicband, choosing not to go, etc).

I have not read the whole thread, but I assure you, one can stary onsite and refuse the magic band as well. We went in January, February, and requested not to get the magic band. No problem. We had MDE set up, but never needed the magic band. We paid cash for everything, were not tracked the way the masses with MBs were, and had no problems reserving our FP+.

 

[surferdave]

It's been reported by various posters when they asked for cards, they were told they were no longer an option.

I know, but I think that has been no more consistent than the rest of this process.

 

[pampam]

It's been reported by various posters when they asked for cards, they were told they were no longer an option.

This may have changed in the last month, but I assure you, we had no problem getting a card. I was prepared to stand my ground but there were no issues whatsoever. We were there till Feb 14 with no problems at all.

Speaking of altoid boxes, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get a card and must get a MB (which was not the case), so I tried fitting my largest watch into an altoid box, and there was no problem at all. it fit with room to spare. I had packed my altoid box inside a pouch that I lined with tinfoil. But they were happy to supply us with cards instead of bands, so there was no need for the box or pouch.

 

[JanaDee]

This may have changed in the last month, but I assure you, we had no problem getting a card. I was prepared to stand my ground but there were no issues whatsoever. We were there till Feb 14 with no problems at all.

Speaking of altoid boxes, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get a card and must get a MB (which was not the case), so I tried fitting my largest watch into an altoid box, and there was no problem at all. it fit with room to spare. I had packed my altoid box inside a pouch that I lined with tinfoil. But they were happy to supply us with cards instead of bands, so there was no need for the box or pouch.

Good to hear.

 

[TDC Nala]

That is nothing more and nothing less than the name that you gave WDW when you ordered your Magic Bands and is the same as the name that is printed on the inside of the band. It isn't tied to anything important. If you don't want a CM calling a child by name, change the name on the kid's Magic Band to something else like "boy" or "NOYB" or "pirate."

Not entirely correct. It's not the name written on the Magic Band they see, but the name attached to the user's MDX account. To have a different name, you would have to change the name on your MDX profile. So just don't use your real name on your profile. I don't think that would work for checking into a hotel but you can change the name after you check in. Or change the children's names.

I see Batman is here...I want to know how that turns out.

 

[5Hfan]

What about requesting a card instead? They perform all the user needs as well but don't have as much functionality for some of the longer range tracking features, correct?

I plan to request a card if I can just because I don't like wearing the band, but I don't blame anyone who finds the tracking functions annoying.

We've only ever stayed on property but off site at Shades of Green and used military salute tickets, so no magic bands for us. Those tickets were tied to military info as well though. I will be curious if military salute tix go away after this year, but it would be cool if there were patriotic magic bands to go with them! For that I just might take off my tinfoil hat!

 

[Cals dad]

The long range readers can read the magic bands even if they are in your pocket. In November, when you could still get FP- and FP+, I took my son on Space Ranger Spin with a FP-, and had my Magic Band in my pocket. My son did not have a MB, as he is not old enough yet to need an AP to get in. Anyway, a couple of days later after our visit, I get an email about a picture attached to my MDE account. The picture they were referencing was a picture of my son and me on the ride.

 

[doconeill]

The long range readers can read the magic bands even if they are in your pocket. In November, when you could still get FP- and FP+, I took my son on Space Ranger Spin with a FP-, and had my Magic Band in my pocket. My son did not have a MB, as he is not old enough yet to need an AP to get in. Anyway, a couple of days later after our visit, I get an email about a picture attached to my MDE account. The picture they were referencing was a picture of my son and me on the ride.

Correct - a pocket is not enough to stop it from being read. It needs to be put in something that is designed to mask RFID specifically...most metallic things will stop it. Some of those silver translucent bags they ship computer parts in work, but not all.

The automatic association of pictures to your MDX account is one of the active transmitter "features"...and a way to monetize it

 

[surferdave]

I see Batman is here...I want to know how that turns out.

 

[Kingdome8]

I don't care if they track me at all. I love the idea of magic bands.
Can't wait.
What are they really going to track? What store I go to or what I eat?
Who cares.
It's like the phone tapping and internet watching. As long as I am safe at airports and where ever my family goes I say let them listen and watch.

 

[Flamingeaux]

Let's see:

1) How many times you stopped to use the restroom
2) Which restroom you used
3) How many squares of toilet tissue you used
4) How many times the auto-flusher activated before you were able to leave the stall
5) If you washed your hands
6) If #5, how long did the water in the sink run for you to wash your hands
7) How much soap did you use
8) Did you use are dryer or papertowels?

You get the drift. But, if Snowden mentions it there will be a HUGE outcry.

Can you say FP+ for bathrooms???

 

[JanaDee]

 

[5Hfan]

Can you say FP+ for bathrooms???

Maybe a helpful CM can pop up and hand me some disney themed feminine hygiene products if the bathroom use pattern is too predictable?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Can you say FP+ for bathrooms???

For the Tangled bathroom, sure. But not the others. That's crazy!

 

[2Tiggies]

Maybe a helpful CM can pop up and hand me some disney themed feminine hygiene products if the bathroom use pattern is too predictable?

I recall seeing one of those dispensers in the restrooms in AK one year. It caught my attention because of a flashing light on it and it stated: No Decaf Available. Who would have known!

FP for restrooms though? Imagine