WDW to use Wristbands in place of Tickets

[Robo]

True, but that is just as true now without RFID. The information that anyone would want is already there, assuming you set up room charging - name, address, and CC#. More than enough for an identity thief to go on.

None of that info (other than guest's name) is on the current KTTW card.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

For Great Wolf Lodge, it makes sense to go to these, as you used to have to wear a wristband anyway, so they just "upgraded" what they were already using and this method is probably less prone to fraud.

At the all inclusive resort I was at in Cancun this last spring, you had to wear a wrist band (just a regular one) and turn it in when you left. It was no big deal to wear for the week. Just sayin.....

 

[bytheblood]

This is invevitable - the whole FP+ change is not about improving the guest experience or getting you on a ride quicker. It is 100% about collecting data and marketing.

Once they rifd you for FP+, they will be collecting data on you all day long - when you rode a bus/monorail, how many times you go to the bathroom, where you go for snacks and meals, what SB lines you wait in, what shows you attend...

You can put RFID readers anywhere, without the parkgoing public even knowing they are there.

All of this data will allow them to expand and market more efficiently.

That is it!


It is all about tracking and it is happening world-wide. This is not new. Same reason why so many stores offer "discounts" and "rewards" when you sign up for their shoppers card. They don't care about giving you discounts really, they just want to be able to watch you - big brother is always watching. The stuff we see now is only the beginning.

 

[Magpie]

I for one welcome our new Disney overlords.

Seriously, though, I'm completely pro-wristband. I think it'd be wonderful not to have to worry about purses or bags of any sort when I'm in the park. I can wear a sundress with no pockets!

As for Disney tracking my every move... meh. They already have cookies on my computer. They know everything about me, including my billing info. I fill out surveys for them.

And no - I don't believe these wristbands will be any kind of security risk. They're not broadcasting data, and they don't store data, either. They simply identify you as a unique individual to a reader, which then accesses data stored in a central location. There's nothing in the wristband to "hack"! Your own cell phone is FAR more "hackable", but practically everyone carries one anyway.

P.S. I LOVE my grocery store's rewards program. Thanks to them tracking my daily purchases, I now only get coupons in the mail that I can actually use. It's wonderful! I save a lot more money now that I use all the coupons they send me, instead of throwing most of them away because they're for foods we don't eat.

 

[Robo]

And no - I don't believe these wristbands will be any kind of security risk. They're not broadcasting data, and they don't store data, either. They simply identify you as a unique individual to a reader, which then accesses data stored in a central location. There's nothing in the wristband to "hack"!

Correct.

(Although duplicating that code for use (ticket entry and charging goods) within the time-frame a guest is present at WDW and the ticket is still valid... might be a possibility.)

Same can be said for the current mag-stripe tickets, but a crook would have to get access
to those tickets to get the info.

 

[Magpie]

Correct.

(Although duplicating that code for use (ticket entry and charging) within the time-frame a guest is present at WDW might be a possibility.)

I'm thinking the real risk would be someone hanging their wristband off their stroller handle, and someone else coming along and stealing it. If they've enabled charging to their credit card, they could be in real trouble in very short order.

Same risk you have if someone steals your KTTW card, because you left it lying out in plain view.

The lesson being - don't enable charging, unless you plan to keep the thing on your wrist/in your wallet. (The chance of anyone using a day on your card/bracelet is minuscule, as you're likely already in the park by the time they steal it, and you'd notice it was gone before the following day.)

 

[Robo]

(The chance of anyone using a day on your card is minuscule, as you're likely already in the park by the time they steal it, and you'd notice it was gone before the following day.)

My point about the tickets was that they could hack a HOPPER ticket in, say, MK...
then "HOP" over to Epcot for a shopping spree.

There would be no record of the hacker, himself, ever going through the Epcot gate.

But, likely a DTD shopping trip would be the order of the day.

 

[bentopher]

I don't want to wear a wristband, especially if the weather is hot.

agreed!

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

For a long time I've said I'd like to see Disney release a full-blown app for the iphone and android. The app would include wait times for rides, parade times, etc. Most of all, however, it would be your ticket. (obviously guests would have the choice to use this). If you have ever been to Starbucks and seen the little scanner that scans barcodes from phones, it would be just like this when you enter the parks.

It would also be like a gift card. You can fill it and use it in stores.

 

[peachygreen]

My biggest hope if they are going to go this route is that they are truely removable and adjustable. I just want to be able to take it off when I leave the park. I don't want to have to wear it 24-7 over the course of my vacation. I'd prefer it to be something that my girls wouldn't have to wear because I wouldn't want the risk that my 2 year old would lose her park ticket. She almost lost her Great Wolf Wrist Band which was on tight. Somehow she still managed to wiggle her hand out of it.

 

[WedgieSock]

I for one welcome our new Disney overlords.

Seriously, though, I'm completely pro-wristband. I think it'd be wonderful not to have to worry about purses or bags of any sort when I'm in the park. I can wear a sundress with no pockets!

As for Disney tracking my every move... meh. They already have cookies on my computer. They know everything about me, including my billing info. I fill out surveys for them.

And no - I don't believe these wristbands will be any kind of security risk. They're not broadcasting data, and they don't store data, either. They simply identify you as a unique individual to a reader, which then accesses data stored in a central location. There's nothing in the wristband to "hack"! Your own cell phone is FAR more "hackable", but practically everyone carries one anyway.

P.S. I LOVE my grocery store's rewards program. Thanks to them tracking my daily purchases, I now only get coupons in the mail that I can actually use. It's wonderful! I save a lot more money now that I use all the coupons they send me, instead of throwing most of them away because they're for foods we don't eat.

Totally agree - especially with your last paragraph. Data collecting is often seen in a negative light but it really is to the benefit of both parties - the business can offer you want you want, therefore you are most likely to re-visit.

I was involved in the early days of data collecting (the 90's seems so far away ) - prior to that we did mass mailings with our fingers crossed of 0.03% return ... comparatively to how its done now, we "wasted" so much money. Data collecting is a good thing. If you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to worry about

Bring on the bracelet *

*you can move the smilies around but you can't hide them mwahaha

 

[Magpie]

My point about the tickets was that they could hack a HOPPER ticket in, say, MK...
then "HOP" over to Epcot for a shopping spree.

There would be no record of the hacker, himself, ever going through the Epcot gate.

But, likely a DTD shopping trip would be the order of the day.

I'd think that'd be a pretty simple loophole to close, though... simply have a red flag go up whenever the RFID reader shows the same person in two locations simultaneously. Since you can't be in both EPCOT and MK at the same time, they could put a freeze on the account the instant someone tries to access the account from two different locations.

This would work especially well if, as some folks here have suggested, Disney is planning to use the bracelets to collect data on individuals.

 

[peachygreen]

Oh and yes I know my 2 year old doesn't need a ticket but I think I'd be just as worried about her losing it at 3 as at 2.

 

[wdw&sonny]

The current methods of touring WDW will, in all likelihood, still be available for those who prefer it. However, the RFID-enhanced experience will be able to provide convenience and extras for those who use it. And since human nature, (especially ay WDW), is such that we don't typically like it when some other family has access to things we don't have access to, I expect RFID will rapidly gain converts as it's rolled out and understood more completely.

Very well said.

And as others have pointed out, a big advantage at waterparks to not have to carry the KTTW card in a arm band. I love the idea of just going from slide to lunch without having to go the locker to get my wallet.

Also, no need to bring valuables to the pool. At beach club, they check your KTTW card for access to the pool. What a pain to have to bring KTTW card and leave it unguarded while taking a swim.

And on Cruises, for shore excursion...leave the wallet in the room.

Those who resist, sound like my dad who thought cordless phones were pointless and that the VCR was never going to catch on.

They'll fix the bugs and we will all be using them...

 

[Waddler]

Those who resist, sound like my dad who thought cordless phones were pointless and that the VCR was never going to catch on.

Hehe... OR, some of these people design similar technology every day, and know how often half-baked ideas are rolled out (for various reasons).

I crack up at the thought of poor honeymooning couples being required to wear their Mickey wristbands 24/7. Though it'd look swanky chic with my black V&A's evening gown.

 

[WedgieSock]

Very well said.

And as others have pointed out, a big advantage at waterparks to not have to carry the KTTW card in a arm band. I love the idea of just going from slide to lunch without having to go the locker to get my wallet.

Also, no need to bring valuables to the pool. At beach club, they check your KTTW card for access to the pool. What a pain to have to bring KTTW card and leave it unguarded while taking a swim.

And on Cruises, for shore excursion...leave the wallet in the room.

Those who resist, sound like my dad who thought cordless phones were pointless and that the VCR was never going to catch on.

They'll fix the bugs and we will all be using them...

So true

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

P.S. I LOVE my grocery store's rewards program. Thanks to them tracking my daily purchases, I now only get coupons in the mail that I can actually use. It's wonderful! I save a lot more money now that I use all the coupons they send me, instead of throwing most of them away because they're for foods we don't eat.

There's a scene in Minority Report when Tom Cruise walks into a Gap ...oh heck rather than describe it here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx9IEP8pmiI

 

[MrRob]

I'm not following your logic.

If one puts it in a bag or pocket, how is that any less a pain than a conventional ticket?

Look at it this way.

As a ticket I put it in my pocket and have to get it whenever I need it.

As a wristband, I can either put it in my pocket and get it whenever I need it, which would be identical to the ticket. OR, I can wear it and have that convenience.

One gives me one option, the other gives me two.

 

[baby1disney]

I have a few concerns with this and I don't know if anyone else has mentioned these because I skipped to the last page (I'm at work and don't have the time to read all the pages..LOL! SHHH!!) and here they are:

1. Are they gonna raise the prices, AGAIN, to have these wristbands?? Or is it going to be cheaper for us?? I can't imagine them being cheap, so does that mean that we have to pay for them since this is what Disney decided to do?

2. What sizes are the gonna make them in? With little kids, especially, they tend to not wear things on their wrist sometimes and/or babies like to try and tear them off. While I'll admit it may keep them busy in the strollers (LOL), they aren't going to like it too much. What happens if they do take them off and throw it down or tear it? Will the parents have to pay for another one?

3. Just how much more information does Disney need from us? With the amount of FPs taken everyday and the finger scans, and the tickets, the resort rooms being booked, what other information do they need?

4. How durable are these going to be?? Will they survive the pools, showers, rain, or any other kind of liquid substance that may get on them?

I'm sure I have a few more to ask, but I gotta get back to work

 

[Magpie]

I have a few concerns with this and I don't know if anyone else has mentioned these because I skipped to the last page (I'm at work and don't have the time to read all the pages..LOL! SHHH!!) and here they are:

1. Are they gonna raise the prices, AGAIN, to have these wristbands?? Or is it going to be cheaper for us?? I can't imagine them being cheap, so does that mean that we have to pay for them since this is what Disney decided to do?

This is Disney - do you really need to ask?

Disney will raise prices every year, regardless of whether the wristbands save or cost them money. They'll raise them as high as they possibly can, until they find that sweet spot between squeezing every dollar they can out of you, and actively driving you to their competitors. *cough*Universal*cough*

2. What sizes are the gonna make them in? With little kids, especially, they tend to not wear things on their wrist sometimes and/or babies like to try and tear them off. While I'll admit it may keep them busy in the strollers (LOL), they aren't going to like it too much. What happens if they do take them off and throw it down or tear it? Will the parents have to pay for another one?

'

Since the bracelets only hold an ID code, not any actual information, I'm going to hazard a guess that replacing them at Guest Services will be simple, and not something they would charge for.

In fact, bracelets will likely be even easier to replace than tickets, since your information is already in Disney's computer systems. The only trick will be deactivating the bracelet as soon as you report it lost, so no one else can use it to charge items to your credit card.

Babies and toddlers obviously wouldn't have charging privileges on their bracelet.

Bonus - bracelets will probably be harder to counterfeit, since they each have a unique code connecting to a specific guest in the system.

3. Just how much more information does Disney need from us? With the amount of FPs taken everyday and the finger scans, and the tickets, the resort rooms being booked, what other information do they need?

I wouldn't think they'd need any additional information, beyond what they already have. The bracelets would only contain an ID code, connecting you to a central databank.

However, from what I understand, Disney has several different computer systems running simultaneously, not all of which talk to each other and some of which are badly outdated. (Which is why Disney billing thought we lived in Switzerland, while the reservations system was well aware we're in Canada, and why Magical Express assures me we're in their system, even if it doesn't show on the Disney website.) I'm guessing a big goal of all these changes is getting everything under one big umbrella, to simplify access to data.

4. How durable are these going to be?? Will they survive the pools, showers, rain, or any other kind of liquid substance that may get on them?

I'm sure I have a few more to ask, but I gotta get back to work

I'm guessing very, very durable, and designed to be worn in the pool/waterparks. It'll make a nice souvenir of your trip.

Added bonus - no more accidental demagnetization of room keys, because you absentmindedly stuck them in your wallet next to your credit cards!