RFID wristbands for resort guests

[mom2rtk]

I find the biggest hold up with entering is not the finger scanner but the card reader not reading the tickets properly.

Is there some reason to believe the RFID reader would be better than the current card reader?

 

[TDC Nala]

My local friends walk around the nighttime EMH all the time. They just don't try to enter any attractions.

 

[PirateD]

Here is an article that expresses my concerns perfectly. It's not the technology that bothers me, but the implementation that concerns me.

http://disneydispatch.com/content/features/2011/disneys-nextgen-initiative-an-analysis/

I'm holding out my verdict until I see how AP holders, FL state residents, and off-site guests are handled. I'm afraid that it will spoil the spontaneous trip to WDW for many of us.

 

[joelkfla]

So you scan your wristband for fastpass....what if you forget your time? Is there a way to check? The pics show that you scan at the FP booth then you scan at the ride...will something still print out?

They could have self-serve kiosks where you could scan your chip and see current FPs that it owns, as well as oodles of other info (ADR's, recreation ressies, etc.) Maybe even view PhotoPass photos, just for fun.

They could use finger scan or some other form of personal id to restrict access to certain types of info.

 

[notnothin]

Is there some reason to believe the RFID reader would be better than the current card reader?

I would think so, yes. No more physical interaction with cards/machines and no more retries (due to weathered/problematic strip), this RFID would energized at a distance by a power source. Authentication time would likely be the same, as I would imagine it talks to the same DB.

 

[discorsner]

I like the idea of linking to facebook! Wouldn't it be great if the photopass photos would go immediately on fb if you wanted them to? Or the ride videos they were talking about. Yes that means all the friends and family see the pics and video for free but what better advertising for Disney? I know I would be following along on friend's trips which might urge me to book another.

I'm not really sure on the security implications with fb as I know not everyone would want to post on fb that they are gone from home. We have been lucky in that we feel free to update that info with pics or whatever because our good friend dog sits for us and stays at my house and therefore my house is not unattended any more than usual while we travel. I guess some might feel uneasy about giving out that info though.

However it seems a lot of people check in on that foursquare every where they go (which I'm not sure I fully understand why) so maybe people don't worry about telling others where they are.

 

[Squidgyness]

How would this impact off-site guests? Would we be even more penalised because we cannot afford to stay onsite? This would present a major obstacle to me tbh.

I would prefer an RFID chip to be inserted in all park tickets, but only activate the KTTW bits on resort guests tickets.

Then just make a wristband with a slot for the ticket. Those who want wristbands would use it and those who don't wouldn't.

 

[chartle]

I was unaware people staying off site were allowed to stay in the parks during EMHs. Below is something I copied from WDW site :

"Extended Disney park hours, known as Extra Magic Hours, offer a rare and unique opportunity to enjoy additional time in Walt Disney World parks—above and beyond the standard operating schedule—at no extra charge. This special perk is offered to Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, and Residents and Guests of Golden Oak."

This doesn't say anything about allowing offsite guests to walk around. I have witnessed a few times guests being escorted out because they were not on site guests, and no they weren't going on rides. I think they have become lax with this, but I have never felt it ok for offsite guests to be sticking around during EMHs. I'm just saying that's one of the perks Disney boasts about getting you to stay in their hotels is that you can get extra time in the parks with less crowds because you're staying on property. It's just my opinion I'm not looking for any flames here. But I feel shopping and walking around is included in the EMHs nit just rides.

Not to debate but to make sure anyone doesn't get the wrong info.

You have to read further.

Evening Hours: A valid theme park ticket and Resort ID or Golden Oak ID are required. Each member of your party will need to present a Resort ID or Golden Oak ID to access evening Extra Magic Hours offerings.

Offerings = Attractions that are open

If you saw a CM during evening EMH escorting guests out of the park either the CM was new and was wrong or it was not EMH but a a hard ticket event where yes non party goers are asked to leave. Of course I guess in could have been morning EMH.

I'm always off site and don't care about EMH but it is what it is. Also according to what I have read here, Disney has never told off site guests to leave during EMH even when they did the old wristbands. Now I don't know what they did when it was called E Ticket Nights that preceded EMH and was an extra charge and only for the MK.

But back on topic, just having a RFID wristband doesn't say if you are allowed on the rides because a CM would still have to see/or read them to know they are current.

 

[chartle]

How would this impact off-site guests? Would we be even more penalised because we cannot afford to stay onsite? This would present a major obstacle to me tbh.

I would prefer an RFID chip to be inserted in all park tickets, but only activate the KTTW bits on resort guests tickets.

Then just make a wristband with a slot for the ticket. Those who want wristbands would use it and those who don't wouldn't.

Its because this could be the next step to Next Gen Fast pass where on site guests could get first crack at FP's before they even get to WDW. Kind of like the extra 10 days they get for ADR's.

 

[TDC Nala]

Making specific reservations to go on a ride seems kind of silly to me. I can imagine running over to MK to ride the Haunted Mansion and being told I can't because I don't have a reservation. Or that I can't get back in line and ride it again. Otherwise I can't say I care much about any of this, as long as the traditional options (to pay for food with cash or a credit card for example) are still accessible.

 

[disneysnowflake]

My family really likes what we've seen so far with the wristbands.
I'd be willing to be a wristband guinea pig in October. I really like them.

 

[LaurieN]

If they go to this new "system" I hope they would have an option to still have the card as well. I HATE to have anything on my wrist ever, if I had no choice I would but it would drive me crazy all day long DS on the other hand has sensory issues and there is no way in the world he would keep that thing on all day, his poor head would explode!!!!!!!

I am very "tech-challanged" so I have no idea how these things work BUT....I don't think I like the idea of my credit card info being on there. Isn't it easier for someone to steal your info this way?
Laurie

I should add...I couldn't imagine making a "reservation" to ride a specific ride 6 months in advance. That's a little TOO much planning for me.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

This is not good. I can not imagine what my tan line is going to look like after wearing a wristband 7 days in the parks.

 

[waynesgirl]

Here is an article that expresses my concerns perfectly. It's not the technology that bothers me, but the implementation that concerns me.

http://disneydispatch.com/content/features/2011/disneys-nextgen-initiative-an-analysis/

I'm holding out my verdict until I see how AP holders, FL state residents, and off-site guests are handled. I'm afraid that it will spoil the spontaneous trip to WDW for many of us.

This is actually a very good article. After reading it, I think Disney is trying to be fair about the offerings, but yes, some people are going to be upset. There are people who don't want to make FP ressies early, but they also don't want someone else to have that right either. There are people who don't stay on site but don't want the people who do to have special benefits that they don't get off-site.

People are going to complain regardless...FPers don't want to have a window time frame to return, ADRers don't want to have to book 90 days or closer, non-planners don't want this, planners don't want that...exactly like he said in the article- We are taught from kindergarten that first come, first served is fair. (Except when you aren't the first come person, then the rules change)

With that being said, I think it is a bit much to expect everyone to make FP ressies and ADRs but I also think it is a bit much for people to do so. I think it is sad that I pay the money to stay on site but I can't have the benefit of some things over people who aren't staying on site. I save for my vacations and I am starting to feel like WDW doesn't care that I pay that extra money to stay on property, eat on property, and shop on property. I like the armbands or keycards- if WDW will give me some considerations because I do stay on site and pay for the right to do so.

Convenience is "key" (or wristband if you will)- I think it is brilliant and necessary. And dare I say it, some of the complainers, IMHO, don't want the technology 'cuz they just might be the ones who are doing things because they can get away with it without technology.

ETA: And nobody need flame me...don't take it personal. It just seems like a lot of people get all up in arms about things when they haven't experienced it yet...

But then again, who am I?

 

[chartle]

Making specific reservations to go on a ride seems kind of silly to me. I can imagine running over to MK to ride the Haunted Mansion and being told I can't because I don't have a reservation. Or that I can't get back in line and ride it again. Otherwise I can't say I care much about any of this, as long as the traditional options (to pay for food with cash or a credit card for example) are still accessible.

I should add...I couldn't imagine making a "reservation" to ride a specific ride 6 months in advance. That's a little TOO much planning for me.

I haven't read enough about the rumored new FP system but I think it just allows you to get FPs for a certain time frame the day before. You can still ride stand by.

 

[crazybones27]

Not to debate but to make sure anyone doesn't get the wrong info.

You have to read further.

Offerings = Attractions that are open

If you saw a CM during evening EMH escorting guests out of the park either the CM was new and was wrong or it was not EMH but a a hard ticket event where yes non party goers are asked to leave. Of course I guess in could have been morning EMH.

I'm always off site and don't care about EMH but it is what it is. Also according to what I have read here, Disney has never told off site guests to leave during EMH even when they did the old wristbands. Now I don't know what they did when it was called E Ticket Nights that preceded EMH and was an extra charge and only for the MK.

But back on topic, just having a RFID wristband doesn't say if you are allowed on the rides because a CM would still have to see/or read them to know they are current.

Again like you said I'm not going to debate, but I did not/would not take the word offerings as just attractions and to include parades and such(fireworks) that they do after the regular park hours are over. While I could agree with a CM being new I have personally witnessed it on more then a few occasions(on different trips in different years) and heard the conversations as people were being asked to leave.

Again I wasn't looking in to getting in to a debate, but just offering my opinion. I apologize since I obviously have no clue as to what I was talking about.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'd just like to mention (for those of you worried about 'tan lines')...

I've spent a LOT of time outside this summer watching DD play softball. I have tan lines at my socks, my shirt (rolled up sleeves), and even my sunglasses. I do NOT have a tan line at my watch. I'm guessing because my watch moves up and down my wrist (maybe 2") as my arm moves.

I have a hard time believing these bands will cause tan lines unless you tighten it down so much that it's locked into one place.

 

[queendisney]

as I mentioned on the other thread on the other site this morning, I hope this is optional because I do not want this on my wrist for 21 days plus have it in all the photo's etc....keep the card!

 

[Sammie]

For those concerned about tan lines, switch it back and forth from one wrist to another and put on some sun screen, because skin cancer is worse than a bad tan line.

 

[GrillMouster]

You wouldn't catch me wearing one of those wristbands; they look too dorky. The first thing I'd do is cut it off with the scissors I carry in my fanny pack.

There would be no reason to cut it off, just take it off. Its not like its a ankle bracelet.

I am not flaming you or making fun of you. Seriously. But Fannypack are kinda' dorky too LOL!

she knows fannypacks are dorky. that's why she put the "wink" smilie next to it!
ps I know they're dorky, and wear one anyway.I'm not there for a fashion show (unlike the silly gooses in high heels)

I'm glad that someone got the joke.
While I don't wear a fanny pack, I'm not opposed to them. When I'm at the park my primary concerns are comfort and convenience, not fashion. And I don't wear high heels...at least not when my wife is around.