RFID turnstiles at EPCOT

[doconeill]

I was wondering about the no turnstile aspect of it as well. A lot of the photos I saw had one CM manning 3 or 4 scanners. It seems like at a very busy time like rope drop, it would be much easier for someone to just walk right past the scanners unnoticed than it would be to get past the turnstiles.

If this was full blown at rope drop, then I'm sure they'd have more CMs keeping an eye on things.

Plus, they could require scanning at each attraction (you already need a valid ticket to get a FP), and you wouldn't get in to an attraction without a ticket, etc. if they really wanted to take it that far.

 

[nytimez]

This makes sense if it is true, that Disney would only put ticket info onto the ticket and keep the credit card info off of it, only accessible through WDW's computer system. Your first statement doesn't make sense though - isn't the specific info on the card, the info on the card? What else would someone have access to? What exactly do you mean by 'the card itself'?

I do keep an eye on my credit card statements, and on my phone bills, etc, because I have been incorrectly charged a few times by scammers. The problem with having to deal with the issue after it occurs is that it takes my time and effort to correct the problem, and while it is not resolved I have limited credit options. I would prefer not having sensitive info on an item that is easily read, so that credit/identity theft doesn't occur in the first place.

There is no specific info about you (or your credit) on the card/wristband. It's basically just a code. The Disney machine at the gate reads to code and sends it back to the database to figure out if you have a valid ticket -- and if your ticket is valid, the database sends a signal back to the machine at the gate, "yes, this is a valid ticket -- let this person in."

If the next step is a KTTW replacement with charging privileges, it would have the same conversation with a cash register -- "yes, this person has charging privileges -- I'll charge him, you give him the item."

Again, the card itself doesn't contain that data -- only a code that the Disney cash register can use to query the database. The real info is in that database... not on the card.

Is that clearer? I'm sure there are others here who can explain it better than I.

 

[manitobamickey]

Family of four, five day pasess, visited on day five. My sticker would not work. Took me much longer that through the turn stiles, lots of questions, are you sure you used that finger? yes, yes i am sure. Finally they used a hand held swipe card reader, and i was granted entrance. Never had a problem at the turnstile prior to that.

I think that they should use this type of technology with a GPS addition so if you lose someone they can swipe thier chip at a reading station and then you could go to some sort of "information" stand to get thier location. My only complaint about this trip was that there is little Disney will do for you if you have lost a member of your party. It happened to us and thier only response was phone them on thier cell phone. I never take my cell to the parks as they dont work for us out of country. SO... if there was a gps in the chip, maybe it would make for easy location of children etc.

 

[doconeill]

Family of four, five day pasess, visited on day five. My sticker would not work. Took me much longer that through the turn stiles, lots of questions, are you sure you used that finger? yes, yes i am sure. Finally they used a hand held swipe card reader, and i was granted entrance. Never had a problem at the turnstile prior to that.

I think that they should use this type of technology with a GPS addition so if you lose someone they can swipe thier chip at a reading station and then you could go to some sort of "information" stand to get thier location. My only complaint about this trip was that there is little Disney will do for you if you have lost a member of your party. It happened to us and thier only response was phone them on thier cell phone. I never take my cell to the parks as they dont work for us out of country. SO... if there was a gps in the chip, maybe it would make for easy location of children etc.

A "GPS" on the chip would be MUCH larger. Although theoretically possible to "track" an RFID, it would require (as mentioned) larger RFID antenna (i.e. the "sticker"), more equipment, etc. At best, they could tell you where it was last scanned (i.e. at the entrance, FP kiosk, register, etc.).

Unless the person lost is a child, it is REALLY difficult for Disney to do anything about it.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

This makes sense if it is true, that Disney would only put ticket info onto the ticket and keep the credit card info off of it, only accessible through WDW's computer system. Your first statement doesn't make sense though - isn't the specific info on the card, the info on the card? What else would someone have access to? What exactly do you mean by 'the card itself'?

If I implemented this, the card would only broadcast a GUID (globally unique identifier), and it would be encrypted.

So, if you got your hands on a card, you would read encrypted data and would then need to figure out how to decrypt. If you figured it out, you would get a 36 character code that ties one person's card to information in a database about that particular trip.

 

[doconeill]

If I implemented this, the card would only broadcast a GUID (globally unique identifier), and it would be encrypted.

So, if you got your hands on a card, you would read encrypted data and would then need to figure out how to decrypt. If you figured it out, you would get a 36 character code that ties one person's card to information in a database about that particular trip.

There isn't a lot of use for encryption in that case. If you were duplicating the card (the basic idea of RFID scammers), you read and duplicate the data you get. No need to decrypt it.

If you were storing actual information on the card (NOT just a key to data stored elsewhere), then encryption is necessary.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

There isn't a lot of use for encryption in that case. If you were duplicating the card (the basic idea of RFID scammers), you read and duplicate the data you get. No need to decrypt it.

If you were storing actual information on the card (NOT just a key to data stored elsewhere), then encryption is necessary.

Yeah, that's a good point.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Here are some pics!

 

[dan-tot]

How about people with handicaps and our beloved people who cannot speak english?

Dan-tot

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

That is correct.

The ticket will read any of the four different ways that it can be put into the gate reader.

Same goes for the FP machines.

Picking up where we left off...

Please help further my understanding as to why I should not be blown away by 'only six'.

The June 2011 AECOM Theme Park Attendance Report were as follows ~

Magic Kingdom ~ ranked No. 1 with 16.97 million visitors

Epcot ~ ranked No. 5 with 10.83 million visitors

Animal Kingdom ~ ranked No. 7 with 9.87 million visitors

Hollywood Studios ~ ranked No. 8 with 9.6 million visitors

Here are my calculations in layman's terms. I only used Epcot as an example for my math. I couldn't complete my analysis because I could not find the number of turnstiles currently utilized at Epcot. Obviously, I can't do a complete comparison without this.

• Epcot @ roughly 11,000,000 visitors per year/30,000 visitors per day on average.
  
• Epcot Hours @ typically 9AM - 9PM/12 hours per day (EMH, obviously, could not be factored).
  
• Epcot @ 12 hours per day/60 minutes per hour/720 minutes each day to funnel approximately 30,000 visitors.
  
• Epcot @ 30,000 visitors per day divided by 720 minutes equals 42 (41.6 to be exact) visitors entering Epcot each minute over the course of a twelve hour day.
  
• Epcot @ 42 visitors/6 visitors per minute/ '10 seconds' per person would require 'only seven' RFID turnstiles to accommodate 30000 people per day.

That's what I came up with, is this right? Is this an upgrade or downgrade? What am I not getting? How does it compare with what is used now? Is it really not faster? Help me!

Also, it is rumored that there will be only one CM for every four turnstiles. The old spinning turnstiles would be completely removed. I know that this technology is nothing new, it is identical to my Chase Visa blink feature. Thanks so much.

 

[goofyboyzmom]

Doesn't look faster.

We'll see.

Was not faster - was actually horribly slow. That said, I'm sure it will be faster once everybody knows what they are doing.

 

[fla4fun]

What are the wristbands made of? Are they hypoallergenic? Can you take them off and put them back on? Just curious . . . .

 

[Robo]

What are the wristbands made of? Are they hypoallergenic? Can you take them off and put them back on? Just curious . . . .

I figure it's recycled pink fiberglass attic insulation.

Once you put it on, you'll notice a slight tingling sensation.
Even after you take it off, the tingling will remain.
(Just a reminder of the "magic.")

To heck with "hypoallergenic." That's yesterday's issue.
Now, it's all about being GREEN.

 

[BeerMe]

I
To heck with "hypoallergenic." That's yesterday's issue.
Now, it's all about being GREEN.

So you're saying they will turn your wrist green?

 

[Robo]

So you're saying they will turn your wrist green?

...as St. Patrick's Day in County Kerry.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

How would an AP wristband work? Would it be removeable? What about the parking attendants? Would they know you get free parking?

 

[doconeill]

How would an AP wristband work? Would it be removeable? What about the parking attendants? Would they know you get free parking?

Considering there are NO wristbands yet, it is WAY too early to tell. And given the early-info images posted above (which by no means is certain they will actually come out with them), they will probably be an upcharge item ("Get your ticket placed on your wristband - only $10 extra!").

Since APs are also IDs in a sense for things like free parking, discounts, either the parking attendants, etc. will get readers as well, or APs will remain as they are but have the RFID tag embedded or remain a sticker.

I do think if this system takes off, RFID readers will become quite common to check the validity, etc. of passes for all sorts of uses. Attraction access might be one of the last things, but even that is possible.

 

[nytimez]

How would an AP wristband work? Would it be removeable? What about the parking attendants? Would they know you get free parking?

I'd guess that APs would remain cards and that the wristbands would be linked to resort stays -- perhaps if you check in you can get your AP status put into your wristband.

Judging by the images, they all look removable -- since they're still using the finger scan there's no reason to worry about transferring the pass.

If they went to wristbands for AP holders, however, I don't see why it couldn't be used for parking.

 

[OKW Lover]

RFID is a good technology but (and i know i will get flamed for this) store your RFID enabled tickets in a metallic Mylar bag when they are not in use. This will protect them and make sure they are safe. Everybody knows a computer geek. Ask them for an extra metallic Mylar static bag (computer parts come in them). Technically, if your ticket can transmit for a couple feet you could just walk though the reader as you go into the park. You would not even have to take it out of your pocket.

An even simpler solution is to just bring a square of aluminum foil. Cut it twice the size of your card, fold it in half and slip your pass inside.

I wonder how long it will take for them to start breaking down

I'm sure that will happen but I'd think that its less likely than the current mechanical turnstiles.

I'm not in love with the idea of wristbands. I don't like wearing things on my wrist. It bugs me.

And I can imagine it could pose a problem with some sensory defensive kids. My son would NOT wear anything on his wrist until sometime in the last year. Posed all sorts of problems when we were at functions that required them.

Just because its a wristband doesn't mean it actually has to be worn on the wrist. I'm sure you could just as easily loop it through a purse strap or belt loop.

 

[nytimez]

An even simpler solution is to just bring a square of aluminum foil. Cut it twice the size of your card, fold it in half and slip your pass inside.

I use all my tin foil to make hats.