WDW to use Wristbands in place of Tickets

[com_op_2000]

Checkout this link:
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Re...ets/-/1637132/16905072/-/154h6ca/-/index.html

 

[goofy_joe]

I suppose it makes sense, in line with the RFID door locks at the hotels. (I used these for the first time at BLT last week and they were quite nice IME.)

My concerns might be:

• Annual Passholders - If my ticket becomes my room key as well, will there be confusion if I come back more than once in a year? Will I need to register my AP with my resort?
• Expense - These seem way more expensive than ticket media, which probably costs less than $0.05 per ticket. I'm sure WDW would end up passing that cost along in some way.

If they can pull it off, then it seems like a good idea to me (in line with Disney's "fast-mover" approach to technology.

 

[mesaboy2]

Checkout this link:
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Report-Disney-wristbands-could-replace-tickets/-/1637132/16905072/-/154h6ca/-/index.html

Already a long thread going on the News and Rumor forum, moved from here.

 

[Suellen]

I saw someone wearing one tonight at SSR - are they really rolling these out already? It could have been something else I guess....I thought it was a watch at first then I noticed he had a watch on the other hand.

 

[Illinistifler]

Dislike.

 

[mesaboy2]

I saw someone wearing one tonight at SSR - are they really rolling these out already? It could have been something else I guess....I thought it was a watch at first then I noticed he had a watch on the other hand.

No, I think you saw something else.

 

[minnie mum]

I saw someone wearing one tonight at SSR - are they really rolling these out already? It could have been something else I guess....I thought it was a watch at first then I noticed he had a watch on the other hand.

wonder if what you saw was a party wristband.

 

[Suellen]

Hmmm wonder what it was. He didn't appear to speak English....and well I wouldn't walk up and ask someone what it was. It really looked like what I expect the wristbands will look like. What'd the fast pass plus users have? Do they have a special card now?

 

[Suellen]

wonder if what you saw was a party wristband.

Definitely not. This was like a blue rubber like band. I think they are a popular kind of watch among the younger kids....but like I said he had a nice roles like watch on - so it actually kind of stood out as odd he was wearing it.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I suppose it makes sense, in line with the RFID door locks at the hotels. (I used these for the first time at BLT last week and they were quite nice IME.)

My concerns might be:

• Annual Passholders - If my ticket becomes my room key as well, will there be confusion if I come back more than once in a year? Will I need to register my AP with my resort?
• Expense - These seem way more expensive than ticket media, which probably costs less than $0.05 per ticket. I'm sure WDW would end up passing that cost along in some way.

If they can pull it off, then it seems like a good idea to me (in line with Disney's "fast-mover" approach to technology.

~I think it's a fabulous idea! I'm guessing that the Magic Bands will be optional for anyone to buy and/or included with a vacation package. Disney wouldn't go through the trouble of making RFID KTTW cards if they intended to "make" everyone wear the bands. Park guests can continue using the card if they want, but I can't wait to get one!

 

[mesaboy2]

Hmmm wonder what it was. He didn't appear to speak English....and well I wouldn't walk up and ask someone what it was. It really looked like what I expect the wristbands will look like. What'd the fast pass plus users have? Do they have a special card now?

That was only a prelim test and ended over a week ago. They used cards, as I recall.

The linked article said that Disney is seeking approval for these bands, which is a big reason why I'm confident you didn't see this particular band just yet.

 

[Suellen]

It looked exactly like this:

 

[Silver Queen]

If Disney has to go through the FCC does that mean that there is a transponder involved? If so will that be an information security issue as credit card information will be attached to the KTTW? Could this be something that hackers could get into?
We were just at the world and had the RFID locks at Kidani. It was easy and fast.

 

[DebbieB]

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

 

[Lancer]

I agree with the pp as I also would not like a band that is loose and flops around your wrist all day. I would rather have the traditional ticket/KTTW with or without any type of RFID.

 

[larryz]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the rumored Fast Pass Plus?

 

[Robo]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the rumored Fast Pass Plus?

Yes.

 

[parkhopping]

It would definitely be less hassle to get into the parks than a paper ticket. After getting my bag inspected, I have to pull out my keys (which have ID/card holder attached), get out my ticket sleeve, pull out the ticket, put it through the machine, and then put everything back together. With a wristband I'm assuming you'd just touch the band to a sensor, do the fingerprint, and be on your way. Is it a huge hassle to use a paper ticket? No, but this would definitely be quicker. I agree that I probably wouldn't want to wear it all day, though. It would be nice if it were adjustable/had connecting ends; then I could loop it around the strap of my bag.

I'm not sure how I feel about the reservation aspect of FP+ (and I'm not even sure how it would work for passholders/those not booking vacation packages), but it would be pretty nice not to have a paper FP ticket to keep up with. Oh, and no more problems with your ticket becoming demagnetized and not working at the gate or FP machine, either!!

 

[TowMater92]

It would be a pain in the (_l_) to have one person go get FP's for a large group.

 

[fla4fun]

I am also curious how AP's and hotel stays will be handled. I have an AP and stay on property an average of five times per year. I don't want to have to wear two bracelets - so I'm hoping it's something re-programmable where they can load the AP, then load room key and charge privileges as needed when I'm staying on property.

I'm also curious how people will keep track of FP times and locations without a printout. Will they have band scanners around the park like they have price checkers at Target - you swipe your band and it shows a list on a screen of what's on your itinerary? My memory definitely isn't as good as it used to be, so I need to be able to review the info.

So long as it's not a tight wristband, I don't mind wearing one. But my hands and wrists tend to swell in the heat so I wouldn't want my circulation to get cut off because the band is too tight (I've come close to that a few times with the party wristbands).