From the article:
"The new system will utilize a barcode within the app or on a guest’s
Disneyland Resort park ticket to redeem the FastPass. The app will be the only way to book the FastPass reservations during the early stages. In-park kiosks for booking may eventually be introduced."
So, according to the article it may be an app, or it may be your park ticket. And if it is an app on your phone it will only be during the "early stages". Doesn't sound too
catastrophic.
The only tragic takeaway is that our manageable TSMM standby line was a point of pride when talking to WDW Vets. It was fun to hear them say, after visiting DLR, how short the waits were for our Soarin' and our TSMM. In Florida the TSMM & Soarin FP+'s are a "must have" to avoid standby lines that could potentially be an hour and a half long. Unfortunately, the implementation of a similar FP here in DCA will inevitably make our standby line much much longer though still probably not as bad as WDW. Thanks Shanghai!!