The Disney Dog Collar (MagicBand)

[SaraJayne]

Its a confusing time. Until we get real information I know I am a little anxious about my upcoming trip. i just dont quite know what what to expect from magic bands. No one wants to miss out on something, and I feel a huge pressure to keep on top of these changes because I am the "voluntold planner" for my whole group. They were all on the fence with the idea of wristbands. I just like the idea they won't get demagnetized like my KTTW card always does.

I am also the "planner" for my group, and I've yet to tell them about the proposed changes in fastpass until I know a date for sure. No reason to get them all upset if it won't affect our trip.

Love your screen name!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

There is no technical reason they couldn't link the FP+/My Disney Experience stuff to an RFID room key. This sounds totally arbitrary - I'm sure many of these elements can and will change as this rolls out (and years beyond the rollout). I sure hope so.

Completely agree. There's flexibility to mix-and-match however they want to, really.

 

[geenerbell]

As I see it you will get two souvenirs for the price of one. A RFiD bracelet and a hideous 1 inch tan line on your wrist. If they go to tattoos on the forehead I'm out.

 

[dadddio]

There is way more angst about wrist tanning than I would have imagined.

 

[DisneyFive]

No, the website is just part of it.

And I believe we will not be given a choice. Once a resort goes to NexGen, everyone staying there goes. Off-site will be last.

ETA: If you buy your tickets from an off-site retailer than Disney will not know you have tickets and you can still use them in the FP machine. If you have a package though, you get no choice in the matter. Well, maybe you'll get a choice between a card and a bracelet.

Ah, thanks. At least our stay isn't until Sept, so I have time to see how this all plays out, and what our options will be before then.

Dan

 

[JACKNAG]

Agreed. I will be interested to see the word of mouth reports this year as the system is implemented. Hard to know if this is obnoxious as it sounds. I'm just not seeing how this benefits me more than the old FP/KTTW withou some really obnoxious tradeoffs just to benefit the bean counters. Well, the tip isn't included in the DDP anymore either.

Disney, does many improvements via the imagineers. The problem is when the "bean counters" get involved in green lighting the project some how it becomes a way to squeeze more money out of the Disney vacation family. We have more seasons for Disney hotels then ever. The rates now change from week day to weekend. Next there will be a morning rate and a night rate. I was was told by Disney Corporate that taking the tip and the appetizer in the same year out of the Disney dining plan and lowering it by a $1.00 was a better way to control my Dinning experience for a family of 4. Next with this RFID system. Disney will be probably be only allowing the families that spend the most at rope drop into lands early vs a family who doesn't. They have already kicked around the idea of fast past reservations per resort level. Look I love Disney, but and I know it's a business but I think think the full Disney experience, hotel, dinning ... Its getting a little expensive for a family

 

[wdw71]

From WDWMagic.com
Disney changes policy for MyMagic RFID 'touch to pay' PIN code requirements Jan 08, 2013 | 9:37am EST
Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on emailShare on printMore Sharing Services
Disney has changed the pin code policy for MyMagic+ 'touch to pay' payments effective today. All 'touch to pay' purchases on a Key to the World Resort ID card now require a PIN code. Previously, only purchases over $50 required a PIN code to be entered.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymag...rfid-'touch-to-pay'-pin-code-requirements.htm

 

[geenerbell]

I think they should add a UV meter to the RFID. When you've reached your limit the bracelet disintegrates into pixiedust! Now that's MAGIC!

 

[mrstomrice]

From WDWMagic.com
Disney changes policy for MyMagic RFID 'touch to pay' PIN code requirements Jan 08, 2013 | 9:37am EST
Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on emailShare on printMore Sharing Services
Disney has changed the pin code policy for MyMagic+ 'touch to pay' payments effective today. All 'touch to pay' purchases on a Key to the World Resort ID card now require a PIN code. Previously, only purchases over $50 required a PIN code to be entered.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymag...rfid-'touch-to-pay'-pin-code-requirements.htm

I was offered to create a pin code when I checked into Kadani on December 26.

 

[cancersucks]

I will admit that I only read the first few pages, but here is what I have to say. I grew up in Wisconsin Dells AKA the waterpark capital of the world. Everyone uses wristbands there, and it is very difficult to get them off without cutting (unless you put them on super loose.) And they usually only give you one pp/length of stay. One hotel even has CC info linked (if you choose.) I would say that the security is better than setting down a bag/backpack and forgetting it/having it stolen at the waterpark, ect. Its on you at all times. Im all for it. Photopass, check kttw card check, ect. I love the idea.

 

[tazleiten12]

I don't think i will mind these, as long as i can take it off at night. I will not be able to sleep with it on.

 

[jselcke]

What happens if it falls off and you lose it? I guess you could say the same thing for a current cards, but at least you can keep those in a secure location.

And what about kids? My 4 year old won't even keep her MNSSHP bracelet on, so I doubt she would wear this one.

Are they officially testing the bands yet?

they are testing, and it is optional no one will have to wear them. The couple cool things I read about them : 1) there is a chance for character interaction : if you opt to register your childs bracelet with their name a character will be able to say hello to them by name : imagine your 5 year olds face if Mickey says "hello -----" WOW. The other thing I liked is talk of ability to see where your entire party is. Many times my husband has gone for snacks while we are in line or awaiting the parade and he seems to be gone FOREVER it would be nice to know he is just in a long ice cream line instead of not remembering where our parade seat was. Or being able to send an older child off to a ride or two and be able to check where they are and if their on the way back.

also from what I understand the credit card info will not actually be on the bracelet - the band will just have a reference code that then will connect with the Disney computer. Similar to how you can currently attach a credit card to your room key.

and as far as big brother watching - as long as its big brother Mickey i am ok with it =) Disney fan of too many visits to count

 

[Albytaps]

I love the title of this thread calling it a "dog collar." Obviously the OP doesn't like the idea and wants to bash it. I think it would provide much wanted simplicity to my family. Sure, I'd like to see how it fastens and how comfortable it is. But until I have it on, I won't know. It would be much easier to have a wristband on each family member than for me to have to hand them out every time we enter or re-enter a park, or buy food, or show them to CM's for EMH's. I feel exactly the same way that dad does in the video.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

You can always toss it in your fanny pack.

I know that people either love or hate those all inclusive resorts, but I never imagined that something like a bracelet would be the deal breaker.

Everyone's different.

They aren't like those cheap silicone bracelets. They are more like a cheap watch strap.

Yeah they come in colors. I was wondering about that. Will we get to choose a color?

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

I don't think i will mind these, as long as i can take it off at night. I will not be able to sleep with it on.

I am almost certain they are removable.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

they are testing, and it is optional no one will have to wear them. The couple cool things I read about them : 1) there is a chance for character interaction : if you opt to register your childs bracelet with their name a character will be able to say hello to them by name : imagine your 5 year olds face if Mickey says "hello -----" WOW. The other thing I liked is talk of ability to see where your entire party is. Many times my husband has gone for snacks while we are in line or awaiting the parade and he seems to be gone FOREVER it would be nice to know he is just in a long ice cream line instead of not remembering where our parade seat was. Or being able to send an older child off to a ride or two and be able to check where they are and if their on the way back.
also from what I understand the credit card info will not actually be on the bracelet - the band will just have a reference code that then will connect with the Disney computer. Similar to how you can currently attach a credit card to your room key.

and as far as big brother watching - as long as its big brother Mickey i am ok with it =) Disney fan of too many visits to count

I was not aware of this feature but I love love love it!!

 

[Superspectral]

I love the title of this thread calling it a "dog collar." Obviously the OP doesn't like the idea and wants to bash it. I think it would provide much wanted simplicity to my family. Sure, I'd like to see how it fastens and how comfortable it is. But until I have it on, I won't know. It would be much easier to have a wristband on each family member than for me to have to hand them out every time we enter or re-enter a park, or buy food, or show them to CM's for EMH's. I feel exactly the same way that dad does in the video.

Yeah, I am dubious. Why not just allow FP+ to work with a card too?

I suspect these wristbands will be highly polarizing. 20% will love them. 20% will hate them.

As far as clever names? Salon magazine has called them "Magic Handcuffs".

 

[Superspectral]

These RFID devices are pretty simple technically. AFAIK it would be fairly simple for any off site 3rd party to install compatible readers that could read and track your ID numbers from afar just like Disneys. A 3rd party could not access your Disney account to find your name or credit card no. But they could set up an account on their own system; program their door locks to work with Disney RFID ; know when specific guests enter their property and track them; give Disney RFId guests special offers or send them to the back of the line.

 

[Missyrose]

The other thing I liked is talk of ability to see where your entire party is. Many times my husband has gone for snacks while we are in line or awaiting the parade and he seems to be gone FOREVER it would be nice to know he is just in a long ice cream line instead of not remembering where our parade seat was. Or being able to send an older child off to a ride or two and be able to check where they are and if their on the way back.

I was not aware of this feature but I love love love it!!

There's really no way this will be a "feature" of this new system. Yes, DISNEY will have the opportunity to track where people are based on their scanners picking up the bands. So if you've been in the Emporium a while, there's the chance (theoretically) that Disney could text or e-mail you a "special offer" for the Emporium.

But no where in any of the stories on the subject does it say that guests would be given access to the location info gleaned from the bands. How would that even work? There would have to be a way for your to access that information and there just isn't a way for that to happen. You're still going to have to keep tabs on your family the old fashion way.

The one piece of rumor I've seen on the subject had more to do with lost kids. If a child got separated from his/her parents, theoretically Disney could track the band to figure out where the child had most recently been. But that would still require Disney to be the ones with access to location info, not the parents.

 

[MrRomance]

Reading this thread (and multiple others) the same "problems" and "issues" keep coming up with people.

1. "Big Brother Is Watching"

Yes, this technology is being used to track guests. Disney do not deny or dispute this, but do you REALLY think that is all about watching YOU and having some weird desire to know what YOU are doing? Of course it isn't! Will it be used in targeted marketing? Yes. Does it have a much bigger purpose than that? ABSOLUTELY!

As far as the security issue is concerned, the information on the card is already collected in other ways. The only difference here is it'll be in one place. You're on camera from the moment you step on property, you're watched by security guards, you use your ticket to get in which is recorded, you use your ticket to get fast passes and it is recorded, you use your KTTW card to redeem a meal on your dining plan, it's recorded. You make dining reservations, add a celebration, it's recorded. This is nothing new.

What this technology will be able to do for guest experience is endless. How many people complain about the buses? Well, knowing how many guests are waiting for a bus, will help Disney mobilize the right amount of buses. How many people complain about crowd control? This will enable Disney to mobilize the right number of cast members where they are needed. This is bigger than watching YOU, honestly, none of us are that important that Disney want to "spy" on our every move.

2. Wrist Bands are restrictive/uncomfortable/add your complaint here.

Solution: Don't wear it! Just because your ticket becomes a wristband rather than a card, I can't see Disney employing "wristband police" to make sure you have it on! The official information suggests that it is optional anyway!

Alternatively, As other posters have pointed out, WDW is private property, no one forces you to go, don't like the rules, don't like the wristband, etc. Don't go! Many other resorts and theme parks have been using wrist bands for years, it really shouldn't be such a huge problem.

3. It's "creepy" not good "stranger danger" practice

So you take your kids to meet Cinderella, that magic moment for a child. You're essentially, sending your child to a stranger. Imagine how special a child will feel when Cinderella knows their name and greets them personally. Imagine how special it will be for your child to have an interactive experience with Sculley or whatever. It is that kind of Magic that endears us all to Disney. That little bit of magic, that little moment of feeling special, that little surprise, that's what Disney does best!

I could go on and on here, but my point is this. If you think your information isn't recorded already, you're crazy! If you think Cinderella knowing your kids name is going to put them at risk of abduction, you're paranoid. If you think wearing a wrist band is the end of the world, then I hope you never have to deal with REAL problems in your life.