Why no Magic Bands for DCL?

[JJsmama]

Just curious why the Magic Bands have not been added to DCL. I know they have their haters, but I think the MB (several trips at WDW) make things SO much easier. I would much rather wear one than have to carry my card around my neck all week. Considering most of my cruise outfits don't have pockets (think swim suits and cute dresses...) wearing the lanyard is what I end up doing but it bugs me the whole time, whereas the MB at WDW does not really bother me, and it is GREAT for little kids to be able to unlock the door to the room if they forget to carry a key card.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

They are actually used in the Kids Clubs but have not been rolled out for general use. Why that is would be pure speculation.

 

[kelseyledare]

Agreed. I always wondered about this. Now having done a DCL trip, I think the MB would make perfect sense. Great Wolf Lodge actually has a cheaper equivalent at their resorts.

 

[erionm]

Most likely reason is security in the foreign ports. When re-entering a foreign port, they want to see (in printed form) your name, ship, voyage dates (basically all the stuff that's printed on your room key). In order for those ports to scan a MagicBand to see that information, they would need handheld scanners and access to the ships manifest. Who is going to provide those scanners, the port or DCL?

 

[Geomom]

If it's worry about security in foreign ports, they could give you both a KTTW card to use anywhere, and a magicband just for the ship. Having used MB's at Disney--it is so convenient, especially while using the pool.

 

[kiford]

If it's worry about security in foreign ports, they could give you both a KTTW card to use anywhere, and a magicband just for the ship.

It's not just about security in foreign ports - the lights on the Dream and Fantasy require a key card so they'd always have to give people two keys to their room which doesn't really provide Disney with any benefit, only cost. I don't personally mind the lanyard, although it is nice to be able to take an MB into the pool so I'd be fine with it. However, given the additional cost, I don't see them doing that any time soon.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

They are actually used in the Kids Clubs but have not been rolled out for general use. Why that is would be pure speculation.

The bands in the kid's club are not the same as the Magic Bands used at WDW. The ones in the club only enable the kids to be checked in and out and be located within the club. They can't be used to unlock doors, charge purchases, or any other options that the bands at WDW do.

 

[over50visits]

I agree no one knows, but I have a guess. MBs were not designed to make life easier on guests, they make life easier (more profitable) for WDW. There, they provide fantastic guest behavior information for data mining; it is easier psychologically to spend money since you use your MB rather than cash or a credit card; they provide location information allowing for targeted advertising (they contain an active location/ID transmission antenna and circuitry in addition to the passive RFID component). Since all of these corporate goals are already satisfied on the cruise ships (a captive, contained, scheduled audience and KTTW cards required for spending), Disney doesn't need the expense of the MB system. It's not that the bands themselves cost much, it is the readers on doors and in stores and bars, as well as tracking sensors, that are expensive. So I don't think there is any economic incentive for DCL to have MBs, and that (reasonably) is what drives their actions and decision.

But I'm just guessing...

 

[sweetpee_1993]

If they ever roll the MBs out on the ship's I only hope they keep the KttW card option. I am not wearing the bracelet. Not. They're uncomfortable. I don't like how they feel. And they totally remind me of the old slap bracelets kids had years ago. I don't wear a lanyard either. I either tuck a card key in my pocket or (usually) carry a small lightweight pouch bag with a lip gloss, my phone, a comb, etc.

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, I'm the opposite of the OP, where I would rather wear a cute or blingy lanyard than a plastic bracelet on my wrist. Not to mention how uncomfortable and awkward it is to open a door with that plastic thing on my wrist. Far easier to just plunk the card in the lanyard on/near the door handle area and open it.

 

[Kerrigirl]

Ever since I first used the magic band for our WDW vacation I've been hoping DCL would integrate the technology. They were so convenient.

 

[JW9DVC]

Because it's great to have another option. Some people are just so stuck in the past.

JW

 

[tobikaye]

As long as they do not get rid of the card option or find another option than a wristband, I could care less.

I cannot wear items on my wrist for long periods of time. I think the longest I have gone in the last 5 years was about 5 hours and it was a very tiny lightweight bracelet and that was only because I had trouble with the clasp or it would have been off an hour sooner.

I really want to deconstruct a MB and put it into a small button form that could be a key fob, broach, or actual button with retractable string.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

The bands in the kid's club are not the same as the Magic Bands used at WDW. The ones in the club only enable the kids to be checked in and out and be located within the club. They can't be used to unlock doors, charge purchases, or any other options that the bands at WDW do.

Sorry for not being specific enough. They ARE "magic bands" which was my point, they just have less functionality than the magic bands at the parks which should be obvious since there are no doors to open and generally speaking, nothing to charge.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

they provide location information allowing for targeted advertising (they contain an active location/ID transmission antenna and circuitry in addition to the passive RFID component).

Just curious how they do any targeted advertising when they have no ability to display any advertising. I suppose it could integrate with MDE but I have never gotten ads on that.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Just curious how they do any targeted advertising when they have no ability to display any advertising. I suppose it could integrate with MDE but I have never gotten ads on that.

When you return from your trip they can use the info for targeted emails and ads based on individual purchases and trends. I completely agree with @over50visits, MBs are not for our convenience, they are for making more money in the parks.

 

[Quellman]

They don't want guests complaining about tan lines!

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

When you return from your trip they can use the info for targeted emails and ads based on individual purchases and trends. I completely agree with @over50visits, MBs are not for our convenience, they are for making more money in the parks.

I didn't think of that but I guess it's possible. Only advertising we got after our stays with MBs was the usual "come back for 20% off rack room rate, etc..."

 

[over50visits]

When you return from your trip they can use the info for targeted emails and ads based on individual purchases and trends. I completely agree with @over50visits, MBs are not for our convenience, they are for making more money in the parks.

For example, I have received repeated emails after my visit to WDW trying to sell me photographs of myself and my family on various rides. The tracking information from the MBs is how they were able to identify us in the photographs. Onboard ship they use facial recognition, since many people happily give them an identified face when boarding the ship (that's what the initial photograph on the gangway is for), so they don't need to track us using an ankle bracelet (oops I mean wrist bracelet) around the ship.

Don't want to get into an MB discussion on this forum, but I believe a case can be made that DCL doesn't have MBs because they don't need them for more revenue.

 

[Hundredacre]

It would make you a target in ports.