The End of Refillable Mugs in Disney World?

[k5jm]

This could cause a "Pete Rant."

The Patent uses RF ID tags from a Bracelet or Room Key. This is part of the Billion dollar Technology upgrade for Disney Parks. (See Pic Below)

The End of Refillable Mugs in Disney World?
May 22nd, 2010 by AJ.

Beach Club Marketplace Refillable Mug Station
StitchKingdom is reporting that Disney has applied for a patent that could mean the end of the beloved refillable mugs in Disney Parks and Resorts…or at least the end of the free refills…

The new “Self-Service Beverage and Snack Dispensing Using Identity-Based Access Control” system would mean that your Key to the World card — or even potentially your fingerprint — could do more than just get you into the parks; it could determine your fate as to how many refills of that Orange Fanta you can get next time you’re at Pop Century’s Food Court!

That’s right, Disney’s proposing using RFID technology to put an end to endless refills — unless you’re legitimately paying for them. (Time to throw away those Wilderness Lodge mugs from 1997, maybe? Or at least put them on ebay…)

Of course, in my heart of hearts, I’m hoping this might also be the beginning of automats in Disney World (which would be a.w.e.s.o.m.e.). The patent mentions “snack dispensing” ability, which, I hope, means I can go get a butterfinger cupcake at any time of the night…as long as I have the right magnetic strip to scan, of course…

Check out the patent application here.

...after digging a little bit furthur, I see Disney has been burying some of its other Patent applications that have to do with the "Next Gen" technology. The following is from a a Patent for Animatronic Characters and how they can be dynamically programmed. Buried way down in the document is a small section about reading guest information,,,

0051]In certain shows and attractions, there is a large amount of sensor data information that is available and can be sent to the network to be broadcast to show components. This information can include data related to: [0052]track sensors (e.g., when a ride vehicle passes by) where some rides have RFID (radio frequency identifiers) for recognizing the vehicle, or a system where individual guests have unique RFID tags so the guests can be identified [0053]environmental sensors (e.g., when a door has closed, when guests are in an area (such as for safety concerns)) [0054]synchronization with other show components (e.g., video, audio, lighting, effects (e.g. fog, water spritzers), set pieces (e.g., curtains, doors), time-or-day events) typically using SMPTE time-code [0055]"control tower" inputs, where rides typically have a control room or tower area that traditionally is high enough to see the entire ride. In the tower area, there are typically controls for starting/stopping and/or enabling/disabling the ride and often dispatch cars or individual effects.

[0090]The system 100 can be used in a variety of settings in a theme park or other type of entertainment or shopping venue. Examples include use of actor subsystems to entertain guests or customers in a queue line or store window; a show in a particular area or entrance to a ride or attraction, such as The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) in the Magic Kingdom where the actors perform a fixed show; and a petting zoo with actor subsystems that interact with guests and to each other.

This is from a non-disney company offering a patent on the refillable containers. I find it funny that they cite Disney as their example.

4.11. Theme Park Theme

[0185]In this non-limiting example, a family goes to a Disney theme park in Orlando. They each bring their beverage container (403), which has been linked to their entrance tickets through an online system. In one embodiment, as they enter the park, each person logs into his or her container by placing a finger on the fingerprint reader (418). An RFID tag in their container is scanned at the entrance gate, identifying the container and ticket, upon which the family receive a number of free food and drink tokens on their cup for later consumption. As part of their admission, each of the family members receives a new lid branded with a Disney theme park logo. Much to their enjoyment, the children receive a lid with Mickey Mouse ears on it that light up as they consume a beverage. Upon placing the lid on their container, the skin of the container changes to a Disney theme that includes an event browser, and a map with a ride reservation interface and some suggested itineraries. The GPS in the lid keeps track of where each of the family members is, allowing routing between rides. The family chooses Pirates of the Carribean on the map. A menu pops up informing them when the ride is available (412). They select a time and continue planning their visit. The map updates with wait times for each ride. At 1.00 PM the container beeps, informing the family that their ride is upcoming. However, one of the kids is missing. The map on the container indicates the person's location, and the family quickly regroups. Upon entering the ride, the reservation is automatically read from the container. The picture taken during the ride is offered for purchase on the container after leaving the ride area. Upon returning home, the container offers a lasting souvenir of their visit: every time they place the Disney lid on the device, the itinerary, activities, diary and photos that were made that day appear for sharing with friends.

4.12. Vending Machine Theme

[0186]In this non-limiting example, a user uses his container (408) to obtain a beverage from a vending machine. Upon approaching the nearest vending machine, a menu pops up that allows the user to select a beverage. The user authenticates a purchase by placing a finger on the designated fingerprint reader device (418). Upon placing his container on the cupholder, the machine rinses the container, after which it gets filled with the selection. The screen changes to reflect the logo of the beverage it now contains. As the container fills, an animation shows progress (417). Alternatively, while waiting, the user is entertained through media content downloaded by the beverage machine onto the container. The charge for the beverage is automatically debited through an RFID payment system disposed on the container. A points system awards the user for each purchase that is made through the reusable container with a carbon credit or bottle return credit, rewarding the user for not requiring disposable containers.

...this is from a patent application for emersive theme park experience

[0024] It is also contemplated that the identification data may be pre-selected by a person prior to entering the park. It is further contemplated that in some instances the memory 51 may be programmed with personal information from the person entering the park so as to have a more personalized experience when experiencing the park. Some examples may be birthday information, name, favorite character, favorite book, movie, game, etc. This personalized data may be combined with pre-determined data already stored in the memory 51 so as to provide a more complete and immersive experience.

But here is the Grandaddy of them all. This is what spells out the overall plan of the NEXT GEN of Disney Parks. I will put in the Highlights...

METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PROVIDING REAL-TIME RECOMMENDATIONS

Abstract
A method, system and computer program product for providing real-time recommendations. The method includes accessing an itinerary corresponding to a guest of a venue, the venue having a plurality of attractions. The itinerary was created in response to one or both of preferences of the guest and historical data about the venue. Real-time data about the guest and/or real-time data about the venue are received. A real-time recommendation is created in response to the itinerary, to a current location of the guest, and to one or more of the real-time data about the guest and the real-time data about the venue. The real-time recommendation includes one or more suggested future activities for the guest. The one or more suggested future activities are communicated to the guest via a user device.

[0002]Embodiments of the invention relate generally to providing activity recommendations to guests of a venue, and in particular to providing recommendations to a guest at a venue based on one or both of real-time data about the venue and real-time data about the guest.

[0003]2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0004]Typically, guests visiting a venue, such as an amusement park or museum, would like to tour the venue in an efficient manner. They may want to visit particular attractions (e.g., rides, shows, parades) and minimize the amount of time that they spend waiting in lines. Itineraries may be generated in advance by the guest or by a third party, based on the date and/or hours that the guest is planning to be at the venue and the activities at the venue that are of interest to the guest. Itineraries may be created using historical data such as typical crowd movement through the venue and the number of guests expected on a particular day. The guests may be asked in advance, or upon entering the venue, about their interest in specific activities or types of activities at the venue. In addition, guests may be asked about what activities, or types of activities, they would like to avoid, how much time they plan to spend at the venue, and their preferences for meals (types and times). An itinerary for the guest is then created which includes a planned route through the venue.

[0005]One problem with utilizing a fixed itinerary based on user preferences and historical data about the venue as described above is that the itinerary does not take into account the actual current conditions of the venue. For example, it does not take into account actual conditions which may occur, such as there being more guests than expected waiting to attend a particular activity, or current weather conditions such as extreme heat or rain, in which case a guest may prefer a different set of activities than those in the itinerary. In addition, a fixed itinerary is inflexible in that it does not take into account a current state of the guest. For example, the guest may be hungry and/or tired and may want to deviate from the planned itinerary.

[0006]In summary, the concept of the current technology is to generate a fixed itinerary based on guest preferences and historical data about the venue. This limits the usefulness of the itinerary because the itinerary cannot account for an actual current state of the venue. In addition, a fixed itinerary cannot be updated based on real-time changes in guest preferences.

Link to Document

So what does all this mean? Today, Disney is keeping all of your trip info in one central database. This includes you resort info, you ADR info, you tour info, you Park ticket info, the times you went into the parks, how much you spend on food, etc. When Disney deploys this, your Key to the World Card will have a little RFID chip that will interact with everything. This little chip holds no information. It just has a number, your number. That number is the UID (User ID) that Disney has assigned to you. It links you to everything including the rides, so that Mickey Mouse knows your name and your refillable mug, so that you do not use it at WDW after you leave. I know this sounds very "1984" but it what Disney is sinking its money and its Patent lawyers into.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

 

[dalt01]

cool, when you buy your refillable mug they activate it on your key to the world. an insert like at the gas pump would be the only way to get a refill. if you put in your key to the world card and have not bought a mug it will just not work. i would also imagine it will dispense 12 oz with any one swipe and would only activate say once every 30 minutes to keep folks from lining up and filling everything up in site with only one purchase. the same thing would work when buying a counter service drink. i would rather see that than biometrics....that makes me nervous.

 

[kaligal]

Refillable mugs are much more trouble than they're worth to me.

I get like NO pop. Whatever is in there in the food court will be gone before I reach the room or very shortly thereafter. Or I could take it to go...

If I take my pop to go and I'm driving, it sits in the car all day getting making the cup all yicky. Hard to wash that sticky ick off the inside of the cup, especially in the little hotel sink with the faucet so low.

If I take it to go and I'm riding the bus (which I wouldn't, but theoretically), I now have to carry that stupid mug around all day. If I don't take time out of my vacation to wash the mug out in the park, I have to wash it in the room. If I don't want to use the little sink, I can lean over the tub.

I guess I brought diswashing soap from home so that I could wash the thing every day. I KNOW I didn't stop at a grocery store to get some, because then I'd just spend the $4 and buy myself a 12 pack of pop, saving both money and inconvenience.

The whole thing is just nuts, IMO. I'm sure it works for some people, but in a million bodrillion gazillion years...not me.

 

[catycatcat4]

Ok that looks like it would be pretty annoying i rather fill up my mug real fast and go.

 

[FireDancer]

I drink water and coffee so the refillable mugs do me no good. I didn't wade through all of the patent speak but the first quote made it sound like it will basically keep people from using a mug past their stay which is what they are supposed to do anyway.

Anything that keeps people from abusing the system is fine with me. It It is a sad commentary on how many people re-use mugs from previous trips that a system like this has to be put into place to prevent it. Needing the RFID enabled card would also stop people from pool-hopping who don't have permission to do so (like DVC or when a pool is being refurbed). As you walk through the gate the tag could be read and anyone not allowed to use the pool could alert the lifeguard.

If it is RFID (I'm assuming passive) as opposed to mag-strip it wouldn't really slow you down. You just wave it in front of the RFID radio and go.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

In the past when the mugs were resort specific, we purchased the mugs more as a keepsake than for beverages during our stay. I would fill up and it would be drunk before I could get to our room. So, I never saw the "value" in purchasing the mugs.

I read through the whole patent and I am honestly fine with the system. The CMs can't and shouldn't be responsible to monitor and police the soda fountains. What I didn't like was further down where it talked about them monitoring guests in the parks and on rides. That sounds creepy and "Big Brotherish" to me. I already get creeped out when everytime we visit WDW, they know EVERYTHING about us prior to our arrival. We get a card in our room for our Anniversary every fall even though we don't note it on our reservation and when we visited with just DS4 this past December, they asked where our other children were during check-in and everytime I called to make ADRs.

Jennifer

 

[k5jm]

I do not have a problem with the refillable mug concept, but what has the whole creep-out feature is that somewhere in Celebration, someone is going to know where you are anytime you are in the resort. Those RFID tag readers will be everywhere. Anytime you go on a ride, anytime you are getting food, anytime you go in your resort room, anytime you get on the monorail or bus, anytime you go to the restroom... It is going to be quite interesting.

 

[Sphyrna]

Can the refillable mugs be used in the parks? AFAIK they can only be used at the resort. That's what I don't like. When I leave my resort for the park I don't take my mug. It'd be nice to fill it up for the bus ride to the park but then I have to carry the mug around all day with no use. It'd also be nice if I had my mug when I returned from the park. Instead I have to go back to my room, get my mug, then go and fill it and go back to the room. Not something I enjoy doing after a long day in the parks. I also agree with others how it's gone by the time you get back to your room.

I think this whole patent stuff is a catch 22. It's interesting and could make things better and more interactive. But I also think it can be Big Brother watching your every move. Like the GPS. Do I really want Disney knowing every step I take in the park?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I LOVE the refillable mugs...wait, let me rephrase...I LOVED the refillable mugs when they were resort specific. Even thought I rarely used them, I always got one more for a souvenir than for hardcore beverage use.

The thing above that bothered me the most was this out of this world beverage container they were talking about midway through your post, Mike. It pulls up a map, ride times, etc.? Won't that cost A TON to buy?!

 

[kamik86]

You do realize they know pretty much where you are already right?

They know if your in your room becasue you swiped a key to get in. They also can know every time the door opens thus they know if it was opened from the inside to leave (because the door opened but a card wasn't swiped). They know whenever you enter a park and every time you buy anything. I'm sure they can keep track of anything else you use a key card for so how about every time you get a fast pass...

I guess I just don't worry about this stuff too much. I worked for Thomson Rueters for a while and was suprised how much information they had on everyone. For example one guy who was working with a database that stores tons of information about you for things like the header file for your credit report etc (things where it is really important to be able to seperate from what one Jane Smith did from what the other Jane Smith's do). He needed a part for his car and forgot to get his VIN number... so he just looked himself up in the database and his VIN number was there along with alot of other DMV information.

 

[k5jm]

You do realize they know pretty much where you are already right?

They have been collecting that info along with a biometric print anytime you enter the parks for a long time. When the reservation system changed, is when they implemented the massive part of the data collection piece. Disney is building its gi-normous database in preparation for the next-gen technology. I think a lot of their plans are spelled out in the patents above. The cups got me started digging last night.

 

[RachelsMommie]

I think that if they can eliminate the mug abusers, it's fine by me.

When I was at the WL 2 weeks ago, I overheard a woman telling her husband that they should get the refillable mugs because they are good for refills for the rest of your trips to Disney...forever refills. Geez. And no, I don't think she was trying to abuse the system, I just think she was that misinformed or a friend of hers who did abuse the system gave her bad info.

 

[jcb]

I do not have a problem with the refillable mug concept, but what has the whole creep-out feature is that somewhere in Celebration, someone is going to know where you are anytime you are in the resort. Those RFID tag readers will be everywhere. Anytime you go on a ride, anytime you are getting food, anytime you go in your resort room, anytime you get on the monorail or bus, anytime you go to the restroom... It is going to be quite interesting.

Just wait until you see what they do to prevent resort pool hopping.

 

[TrekBoy85]

I really enjoy the mugs (and the concept of the refillable mug), but find that we are out and about so much that we don't use them to their fullest potential. If the intention is to limit people from using "old" mugs, then ok, but if it is to limit the number of refills on an ongoing trip, I think it's a waste of investment. Soda syrup really is not that expensive when you take into consideration the cost of the mugs or the cost of just buying a soda. If I'm not mistaken, on average, a box of syrup runs about $60 dollars, and can serve a couple hundred people (depending on the mixture settings). I seriously doubt Disney is losing money here. I guess it is hard for me to understand how anyone has the time to use the mugs in such a way that Disney could lose money on soda.

What sounds really cool to me is the prospect of interaction with animatronics and video via RFID within the parks...personalizing the whole Disney experience. Taking it one step further, they're testing the speaking characters (well, Mickey at least). It would be cool if the cast member inside could somehow get a display of your information; they could identify you by name....that would be truly magical.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

What sounds really cool to me is the prospect of interaction with animatronics and video via RFID within the parks...personalizing the whole Disney experience.

It would really freak out my kids (and me!) if we walked by Mr. Potato Head at TSM and he says "Hi Jennifer!" or their names.

Jennifer

 

[NancyIL]

I almost never stay at a WDW-owned resort - so there is no Key to the World card with stored info about me. I do have an annual pass, so they can tell when I enter a park or get a fast pass. However, my store purchases are unknown to them, as are most of my meal purchases - unless I make an ADR.

 

[Cherinva]

I like the refillable mugs. We get them on each trip, and we find that they are of value to us. I don't drink soda, but I do drink a lot of coffee.

 

[fakereadhed]

Jcb- lol about the pool hopping!

I don't really care if they keep track of my drink refills, where I am in the park, or that I like eeyore more than pooh. Just can't see the harm if this info fell into the wrong hands. I am just amazed that the can invent stuff like this and can't make a decent website or show a DVC webisode successfuly.

 

[BriarRosie]

I've wanted to see them implement a drink station refill limit for a long, long time. Or at least as long as I've seen the placards at that drink stations that state "for your length of stay only".

Years ago, I bought the refillable mugs when they were brand new, and the cast members encouraged us to bring the mugs back for refills. I would bring my specific mug back to the resort I purchased it. When Disney put in those placards, I never got mugs for my 1 and 2 night stays at Pop Century because that would not be worth the cost of the mug.

It was at those smaller trips that I wished Disney could sell a length of stay scanner that worked with the beverage stations, so you can buy as many days' worth of use from it, and you could bring back your old mugs to save on disposable cups. Better for the environment and better for eliminating refill abuse.

Sure, the ID tags are creepy, but I see a lot of good coming from this.