New Digital Key Feature Coming Soon to My Disney Experience App

[Lehuaann]

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ture-coming-soon-to-my-disney-experience-app/

https://wdwnt.com/2018/04/confirmed...bluetooth-using-the-my-disney-experience-app/

 

[MinnieMSue]

That would have been nice for the one time I went to the resort food court and left my magic band in my room. I had my phone with me. The hotel had to issue me a new gray band after asking me a few questions to prove my identity.

 

[Lehuaann]

My first thought was that they are copying Hilton’s Digital Key (“new tech to wow our guests ), but I’m sure it saves on MB costs when someone gets locked out.

I could also see this being a good thing if the digital key opens your door when your MB isn’t working.

 

[Tigerlulu]

I don’t understand why this is something to invest in unless it’s a precursor to charging for magic bands. Is misplacing/forgetting magic bands enough of an issue to implement this? Surely free magic bands are a huge expense that Disney would want to cut down on.

 

[gillep]

I don’t understand why this is something to invest in unless it’s a precursor to charging for magic bands. Is misplacing/forgetting magic bands enough of an issue to implement this? Surely free magic bands are a huge expense that Disney would want to cut down on.

Last year I left my MB in the room and couldn't get back up to the CL floor in AKL where we were staying, the front desk just gave me one of the old key cards encoded so that I could get up to the 6th floor in the elevator and into my room, seems like the cheapest option all around, but what do I know. I think we will stick to our MBs to open the doors, seems easier than waiting for the MDE app to load (if it requires the app to load I have no clue).

 

[Sue M]

I’d prefer using MB. I don’t take my cell phone to pool, don’t like to leave any valuables on my lounge while I’m in the pool. Sadly Disney resorts aren’t immune to thiefs.
And as someone living outside of the US, using The APP incurs roaming so it would depend on how much data you have on your roaming package with your cell carrier.
It’s also less convenient having to dig in purse for phone. I always leave my band on except to shower or sleep.

 

[rteetz]

I don’t understand why this is something to invest in unless it’s a precursor to charging for magic bands. Is misplacing/forgetting magic bands enough of an issue to implement this? Surely free magic bands are a huge expense that Disney would want to cut down on.

It's in addition to MBs. Not everyone likes MBs so this gives people another option. It also helps if someone doesn't have their MB on them but has their phone.

 

[Iya]

It's in addition to MBs. Not everyone likes MBs so this gives people another option. It also helps if someone doesn't have their MB on them but has their phone.

It says guests with mde will be required to use it. I certainly hope that is poor wording on the author’s part.

 

[rteetz]

It says guests with mde will be required to use it. I certainly hope that is poor wording on the author’s part.

It says you are required to have MDE in order to use it not that you are required to use it. If you don't have MDE you won't be able to do it.

 

[Iya]

It says you are required to have MDE in order to use it not that you are required to use it. If you don't have MDE you won't be able to do it.

As I suspected, poor wording.

 

[ScubaCat]

Another cool thing is we use owners locker, so we can just leave magicbands in there and not even bother to bring them if I can get in with my phone.

FWIW I spend a fair amount of nights at Hilton properties every year and the key card is still typically faster, however digital key is useful for those last minute nights at big properties with a huge Checkin line (especially hilton O'Hare). It's always good to have more options.

 

[fla4fun]

I have used it at Hilton properties a few times, and I wasn't impressed. I would start trying to get the app up while I was entering the hotel, but most of the time it wouldn't get to the right page before I got to the elevator, then in the elevator I would lose the signal, so I'd have to start again once I reached the floor. Most of the time it involved waiting several minutes outside the door getting the phone set up, and then unlocking the door. I don't use it at Hilton properties any more. I just request a key. Much faster and easier. If there was some way to leave the app open on the digital key page so that you didn't have to log in every time, that would help a lot. As a solo traveler most of the time, I don't like to stand around in a hotel hallway any longer than absolutely necessary.

Also, would this negatively impact international travelers? I know many of them do not use their mobile phones here because of roaming, and if you were in a part of the resort with spotty wifi (and every resort has some) you might never get into your room with a phone on wifi only.

 

[dansdad]

I have used it at Hilton properties a few times, and I wasn't impressed. I would start trying to get the app up while I was entering the hotel, but most of the time it wouldn't get to the right page before I got to the elevator, then in the elevator I would lose the signal, so I'd have to start again once I reached the floor. Most of the time it involved waiting several minutes outside the door getting the phone set up, and then unlocking the door. I don't use it at Hilton properties any more. I just request a key. Much faster and easier. If there was some way to leave the app open on the digital key page so that you didn't have to log in every time, that would help a lot. As a solo traveler most of the time, I don't like to stand around in a hotel hallway any longer than absolutely necessary.

Also, would this negatively impact international travelers? I know many of them do not use their mobile phones here because of roaming, and if you were in a part of the resort with spotty wifi (and every resort has some) you might never get into your room with a phone on wifi only.

Everything you mentioned is why this will just be another option along WITH using Magic Bands.

 

[Tiki_Sara]

I assume this is just another option to work alongside ways that already exist. The Hilton one is poor, I agree.

 

[Minnesota!]

Yay - More Disney IT that won't work correctly!

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

Yay - More Disney IT that won't work correctly!

MTE, adding something further that is reliant on the MDE platform is ridiculous. How about they spend that money fixing the platform first?

 

[Alztybrn]

This is just the next step in requiring everyone to use their phones/MDE and stop giving out free Magic Bands. Now...MB's will be available for a charge...of course

 

[Sue M]

Everything you mentioned is why this will just be another option along WITH using Magic Bands.

I hope so. Also hope that with rolling out this new free feature it won’t be another excuse for Disney to do some more nickel & diming us with charging for MB.

 

[KenHutch]

I guess its a nice option but one I would never ever use. My job requires me to carry a phone and I am required to answer but 24/7 but when I go on vacation. No phones I can pretend they don't exist for 2 weeks.

 

[Lehuaann]

This is just the next step in requiring everyone to use their phones/MDE and stop giving out free Magic Bands. Now...MB's will be available for a charge...of course

Would they be able to track our every move with cell phones alone? I don’t think so and perhaps why MBs are given out freely. We pay via our privacy.


I also think this digital key is just an additional feature...staying with/ahead of “industry standard.”