Walt Disney World opens RFID Next Generation turnstiles at Epcot

[k5jm]

Looks like RFID is being rolled out in more than just mugs...

Here is an RFID embedded Park Ticket (via the Mickey Mouse sticker)

http://disneyprojects.com/2011/11/13/first-look-rfid-entry-at-epcot/

 

[SamSam]

I hope they work better than the current finger scanner!

 

[safetymom]

http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/11/14/walt-disney-world-tests-new-technology-at-the-turnstiles/

 

[jcb]

The finger scanners are still there. This just replaces the ticket reader.

Disney has a lot of plans for RFID. First refillable mugs, and in December of 2010, they filed a patent application for a location based "interactive entertainment" system using RFID.

There are many applications where it is desirable to encourage people to move from one geographic location to another within a facility. For example, an entertainment facility such as an attraction at a theme park may find it desirable to move numerous visitors through an attraction over time, and this may be achieved by providing interactive entertainment or games that dynamically move the players or participants through a facility during game play (e.g., each player is trying to solve a riddle or enhance their game state by moving from interactive station to interactive station).

Disney does some of this now but RFID would let them do it much cheaper.

 

[LMO429]

How would the new entry work as far as lining up to get in. it seems the turnstiles they have now eliminates people having the ability to just walk through..if there is no turnstyle im confused how lining up and dealing with crowds would not be an issue

 

[Cap.Steamboat Willie]

I think that eventually the chip will give Disney a GPS tracking of all their guests.

It's like the Disney version of what Biologist do to animals in the wild.

Just think how much information they can get on crowd movements, congestion areas, traffic flow problems. How long people stay in line (what rides are "hot" and which ones are not) or in gift shops (how much was spent). "Length of stay" data.

1984 by 2012

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Does this mean I have to replace my Annual Pass for one that has an RFID chip? If so it's not a problem because in a few weeks I am staying at the Boardwalk Inn and it's very easy walking to Guest Relations at the International Gateway entrance to Epcot.

 

[k5jm]

Does this mean I have to replace my Annual Pass for one that has an RFID chip? If so it's not a problem because in a few weeks I am staying at the Boardwalk Inn and it's very easy walking to Guest Relations at the International Gateway entrance to Epcot.

The RFID portion is a Sticker with Mickey Mouse on it. RFId chips are very small. The larger portion of any RFID patch is the Antenna that is embedded in the sticker.

The larger the sticker, the further the distance that the RFIP chip can be scanned.

 

[safetymom]

No one needs to replace their ticket at this time. If you want to try the new admission area you would need the sticker on your ticket. If you don't want to do this just use the regular turnstiles.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The RFID portion is a Sticker with Mickey Mouse on it. RFId chips are very small. The larger portion of any RFID patch is the Antenna that is embedded in the sticker.

The larger the sticker, the further the distance that the RFIP chip can be scanned.

No one needs to replace their ticket at this time. If you want to try the new admission area you would need the sticker on your ticket. If you don't want to do this just use the regular turnstiles.

Thank you both for your replies.

 

[OKW Lover]

I think that eventually the chip will give Disney a GPS tracking of all their guests.

It's like the Disney version of what Biologist do to animals in the wild.

Just think how much information they can get on crowd movements, congestion areas, traffic flow problems. How long people stay in line (what rides are "hot" and which ones are not) or in gift shops (how much was spent). "Length of stay" data.

1984 by 2012

To do that they would have to place RFID readers all over the park, not just at the turnstiles, a pretty significant investment. And to what end? They already know what attractions are popular at what times. They already know how much is spent in each shop at what times. This data is all supplied by their current systems.

 

[OKW Lover]

I think that eventually the chip will give Disney a GPS tracking of all their guests.

It's like the Disney version of what Biologist do to animals in the wild.

Just think how much information they can get on crowd movements, congestion areas, traffic flow problems. How long people stay in line (what rides are "hot" and which ones are not) or in gift shops (how much was spent). "Length of stay" data.

1984 by 2012

Having just acquired an AP at Disneyland/California Adventure (actually a premier AP), I like their system. Your card is read by the CM with a handheld scanner and your picture appears on a screen at the turnstile so the CM can verify it is you. So, this system could replace the handheld scanner but I'd like to see the addition of the picture to the WDW passes.

 

[Cap.Steamboat Willie]

To do that they would have to place RFID readers all over the park, not just at the turnstiles, a pretty significant investment. And to what end? They already know what attractions are popular at what times. They already know how much is spent in each shop at what times. This data is all supplied by their current systems.

Come on, you are not working with me here. Let your paranoia lose and just think of all that Disney can do with better tracking technology. This is just the first step...

Tap into your inner Orwell and let loose with your scenarios.

 

[Disneykidsdad]

Oh great...now their gonna know how many times I go to the bathroom. And how long I'm in there.

 

[FireDancer]

RFID and GPS are not the same. You can use RFID to approximate location but until you are being tracked by a satellite (or multiple satellites) you aren't using GPS.

There are a myriad of uses for RFID but as I stated in a prior thread on this subject Disney hopefully designed their system from the beginning with good security. Being in the computer field I have learned that in most projects security is designed after functionality and is often lacking at it's expense.

 

[DCTooTall]

Oh great...now their gonna know how many times I go to the bathroom. And how long I'm in there.

Hey! that could be a good thing. If they notice a large number of guests spending a lot of time in the bathroom after certain food locations, they might realize some food options could probably afford to be rethought.

 

[Disneykidsdad]

RFID and GPS are not the same. You can use RFID to approximate location but until you are being tracked by a satellite (or multiple satellites) you aren't using GPS.

There are a myriad of uses for RFID but as I stated in a prior thread on this subject Disney hopefully designed their system from the beginning with good security. Being in the computer field I have learned that in most projects security is designed after functionality and is often lacking at it's expense.

WOW...you thought I was serious.

 

[FireDancer]

WOW...you thought I was serious.

No, that was in response to:

I think that eventually the chip will give Disney a GPS tracking of all their guests.

Although it was more of a general statement. I work in technology and people confuse RFID and GPS all of the time (along with using WiFi to approximate location but that is a different thread). I was just putting the info out there.