RFID turnstiles at EPCOT

[hrslvr142]

Just to tag onto this post...will be at the World in a few weeks and when we got our package regarding our itenary last week, it had a hard plastic pocket with a Mickey Card and a "hole" that would fit on a lanyard. Is this new and possibly related to the new RFID readers or is this something that has been done or awhile? I know we didn't get these Oct 10. Since I do this all day long at work it seems to be the same concept...now of course need to find a fun lanyard or clip to take, lol.

 

[DisFanJen]

Are photos on AP's now?

I think the poster meant the illustration on the back.

 

[seashoreCM]

YOu don't want the RFID machine activating two tickets you have in your possession. Say you have a KTTW (room key) with your meal plan and also a 2 day pass on it you don't want to use up and also an annual pass which you intend to use. You don't want the 2 day pass to get spoiled as you walk through the turnstile.

 

[kaligal]

It is interesting how so many have not seen the advantages of the RFID. It isn't just about the entry into the park, what about the countless times you end up having to feed the card into FP machines, show your annual pass for your discount, show your card to charge something to your room?

With the RFID, you could easily get your fast passes (a whole stack at a time if they make them smart enough). When you pay for something, you just put your card next to the reader and it gives you your discount and allows you to charge to your card.

It is about much more than just the entry into the park IMO.

Not everyone sees these things as advantages.

To me, it means I have to stand in another line to get the new pass...or maybe not, if NYdisneykid was saying I don't.

Otherwise, I don't care about it. I don't need it. I don't want it. It does me no good. And there is no way in hell I'd tie my cash to something that a thief can silently steal from a foot away. I had enough problems with thieves when I wasn't transmitting or broadcasting or whatever you call it.

With all the identity theft and stealing of credit card numbers (not to mention the holds placed on cards when something is suspected of being theft) and this RFID scanning crap, it is no wonder that more and more people are going back to cash (me, included).

 

[SarahD]

Just to tag onto this post...will be at the World in a few weeks and when we got our package regarding our itenary last week, it had a hard plastic pocket with a Mickey Card and a "hole" that would fit on a lanyard. Is this new and possibly related to the new RFID readers or is this something that has been done or awhile? I know we didn't get these Oct 10. Since I do this all day long at work it seems to be the same concept...now of course need to find a fun lanyard or clip to take, lol.

Might this be a luggage tag? We got our info over the weekend and in the coupon book is a sheet of info to fill out and slide into the luggage tags.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

If and when they do make this change,
it would be a matter of either using both systems for awhile,
and/or asking AP holders head to any ticket booth or Guest Relations
to get a new free AP upgrade with the new chip when they're at WDW.

As other posters have said, they will offer preRFID ticket holders a sticker option.

 

[Robo]

As other posters have said, they will offer preRFID ticket holders a sticker option.

They will be issuing the AP's with RFID after they fully implement.

As always, an AP can be fully replaced at no charge at any ticket booth.

That could mean that guests (like NYDisneyKid) who want a
"clean" AP can get one with a 120-second trip to a ticket booth.

 

[hrslvr142]

Might this be a luggage tag? We got our info over the weekend and in the coupon book is a sheet of info to fill out and slide into the luggage tags.

This could absolutely be a luggage tag, sorry for the "dense" moment, lol.

 

[LilGMom]

While I'm sure they are doing it since the rfid reader will have less moving parts then one that has to process the ticket, but I think it's much deeper then that. No I'm not a tin foil person, but WDW likes to know how people travel, where they are going etc etc, they could easily put scanners in many places and 'track' your movements. Not that they dont study the flow of people as it is. And it will be faster as people get used to it, and as stated it appears to take up less space so more gates in the same real estate.

WDW has an entire department set up to study the way people do the theme parks.

One of the issue I can already see is when a family (Family A) at the RFID reader closest to the entrance has problems and a family (Family B)at the RFID reader farthest from the entrance enters first, Family A will probably accuse Family B of cutting in front of them, ruining their vacation and demand compensation from WDW.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

I think the poster meant the illustration on the back.

Thats one the front. info is on the back (bar code,magnetic strip,etc)

 

[DisFanJen]

Thats one the front. info is on the back (bar code,magnetic strip,etc)

Sure, if you wish to be pedantic about it.

Either way I'm sure they were talking about the nice picture of a Disney character on one side of the ticket.

 

[DisFanJen]

I thought I'd chirp in on the RFID entrances.

Personally I like the idea of anything that makes it easier to get into the parks and I have no problem with Disney tracking my movement around the place. And if that's all they do then it's not a big deal if someone manages to clone the data (except if you have standard non-park hopping tix as you could lose a day, but I digress)

Where I would get worried is if they start using it for accessing our rooms and purchasing. Then if the data on the RFID was stolen (not really a hard thing to do) you could be in a world of hurt.

At that point I would be taking my RFID enabled ticket around in an anti-static bag so it can't be read.

In fact I might test that an anti static bag works when I go to Epcot in a couple of weeks time. Should work fine but a live test never hurt anyone.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I went there yesterday (11/13) and didnt want the sticker on my AP and was told no problem. Besides...it covers up the photo on the ticket.

I think the poster meant the illustration on the back.

Thats one the front. info is on the back (bar code,magnetic strip,etc)

Sure, if you wish to be pedantic about it.

Either way I'm sure they were talking about the nice picture of a Disney character on one side of the ticket.

Covering the picture should do nothing to change the AP.

 

[Schmeck]

It is interesting how so many have not seen the advantages of the RFID. It isn't just about the entry into the park, what about the countless times you end up having to feed the card into FP machines, show your annual pass for your discount, show your card to charge something to your room?

With the RFID, you could easily get your fast passes (a whole stack at a time if they make them smart enough). When you pay for something, you just put your card next to the reader and it gives you your discount and allows you to charge to your card.

It is about much more than just the entry into the park IMO.

Would still have to get the card out each time you want to use it, unless you want to leave it in your pocket where it can fall out, get damaged, etc. Putting something next to a reader is about a second faster than putting it through a reader.

I would prefer not having sensitive info on a card any savvy scammer could read and rip off.

I wonder how long it will take for Disney to realize this is a huge liability for them - any guesses?

 

[dismichael]

I think it is a cool idea to have these RFID entrance but i do have one concern with the speed. From my experience its not the scanning of the card that's the problem most of the time its usually the fingerprint scanner. Since the RFID entrances still have the fingerprint scanners i feel like some people will still have their difficulties when entering the park. Now Disney has just shaved the few seconds it takes to slide your card through the scanner. Again this is just my experience with my own family and those around us while on my numerous trips to the World....Im sure some people do have problems with sliding the card and in that case it will speed things up a bit.

As far as putting spending and room keys on the RFID cards i think it would be a nice convenience to have it all in one place. But at the same time if that means compromising the security of my CC's and KTTW ill pass.

 

[disnut8]

While I love the RFID thing (since I work for a library supply company who is the world leader in RFID technology), I am not happy that I will have to now go over to Guest Relations and do something with my Annual pass that I've had for less than half the time it's supposed to be good for. Nor will I be happy that my son and his entire family of four might have to do the same. We have our tickets so we can avoid a visit to anywhere on our first trip together.

Anyone know if we can get these stickers at the resort and not go through this garbage at the park on a crowded entry day? Or are we just screwed? Disney doesn't make me mad very often but they are right now.

 

[safetymom]

I did this today and thought it did speed up the process. It was much quicker than waiting for the existing machines to read the tickets. Now if only people remembered to use the same finger every time or not push their finger down so hard it won't read it would really be speedy.

To get my sticker on my AP took seconds. He put it on, then tested to make sure that it worked. Very quick and easy.

 

[HallGirl]

While I love the RFID thing (since I work for a library supply company who is the world leader in RFID technology), I am not happy that I will have to now go over to Guest Relations and do something with my Annual pass that I've had for less than half the time it's supposed to be good for. Nor will I be happy that my son and his entire family of four might have to do the same. We have our tickets so we can avoid a visit to anywhere on our first trip together.

Anyone know if we can get these stickers at the resort and not go through this garbage at the park on a crowded entry day? Or are we just screwed? Disney doesn't make me mad very often but they are right now.

It is currently in a testing phase and only at Epcot. When/If it is implemented, they will be likely to have both the RFID system and the current system in place until the transition is complete.

 

[SashaFarce]

My partner and I were at Epcot yesterday and went through the RFID process. From what we could tell this was only in testing in one area and some areas still had the regular turnstile system going on, but I'm not 100% on that. We were met by a CM outside of bag check who put the Mickey stickers on our annual passes. After we went past the bag check area, we were directed to an area where the RFID scanning stations were set up.

Our fingerprints would not read for anything. They tried the main fingers on each of my hands multiple times and nothing. Same for my partner. Eventually we were directed to another CM who asked us for ID and were let into the park.

If this system eventually works appropriately then I have no issue with the RFID process, I'm just confused on how this is supposed to work. The way this was set up seems like it would cause a logjam because the systems were so close together. Also, my understanding of the process was that only passholders would have to provide their fingerprints from this point out. If this is the case (is it?), what would be in place so that individuals can no longer borrow or buy a partially used ticket to use and simply swipe it and go?

 

[Wiloughby1]

The FP machines are finicky at best. With passes carrying an extra RFID sticker (indefinitely as there are tons of no-expiration tickets yet to be used) won't the RFID stickers cause more FP machine problems until all of the machines go RFID?

On another note- we've been to the Great Wolf Lodge and they use RFID bracelets for everything. While it was convenient to carry nothing, especially at the water park- my skin was terribly irritated by it. I hope WDW keeps it optional, as after 3 days my wrist was trashed, and we spend 10 at a time at Disney. I also don't want it on my kids. I don't trust my kids with that sort of thing.

As for data collection, I don't mind, but I wouldn't want it as my KTTW. Too much ID theft risk. If they still my tickets or FP opportunities, Disney will resolve that. And if I had to carry it in a special pouch, that far more inconvenient than the good old ticket.

It's really a mixed bag for the consumer, but great for park management.