Walt Disney World Epcot Discussion Thread

[Hilltopper39Don't make me kick you in the donkey!]

This seems like a great idea and the whole RFID technology in general certainly has lots of possibility. I've always found Disney Parks to be overall absolutely the most efficient in the industry when it comes to front entrance gate operations (even without the RFID), but other parks in Orlando tend to struggle in that area compared to Disney. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens specifically always seem to have a very slow entrance process even with a small crowd, wit ha large crowd I've waited up to half an hour to get through the gate before. It will be interesting to see if this technology take off across the industry (after Disney has mastered it of course).

[JakizleI had sex with N-Tag before you did.]

I like this thread- Industrial Engineering at work

Very neato and I'm very interested to see how it's used elsewhere!

[BeemerBoyWDW Monorail Fanatic]

Seems like the only thing slowing you down now is the time it takes you to stop and comment on those hideous cast member shirts. Apparently, the future will never include good fashion sense.

[PriestofSyrinxMy uncle owns a country place that no one knows about]

I bet there will be an app for that soon...

RFID/NFC is the Future. And its good show to have it in Epcot (with all of that future theme). Nice job TDO. Im actually really excited that I just got accepted to do Main Entrance Operations for the College Program. Hopefully I'll work with this some!

Nick "Loves RFID/NFC because his Nexus S has it" Wells.

[Sir ClinksalotBitch Please!]

I have a question ... and forgive me if this has already been brought up (but I didn't see it):

If they were giving current people who have a Non-RFID pass a sticker with the RFID in it, how are they indicating when the pass is expired? Was there some kind of thing set up where they were putting in this information?

The way it worked before, when you scanned the pass it indicated it's expiration (whether it was an AP or Parkhopper). I saw that they issued new AP's, just wondering what the procedure was for Parkhoppers.

Other than that, I'm excited for the future of this technology. Hell, even something like the "Photopass Scanner" on Test Track, and not having to even worry about that but being able to pull up on-ride pictures for all rides after your trip using your ticket. Just having the RFID scanned on your person while on the ride and indicating when you rode, etc.

[SharkTumsSite Admin]

^They scanned your ticket/pass before applying the sticker which I'm sure got all the information squared away.

We were an awesome group for them as between all of us we had:

- Non-expiring park hopper ticket
- Existing Annual Pass ticket
- Vouchers to get new annual passes

So we got to see a lot of the aspects of the new system. The poor woman printing out our new passes was having trouble with the ticket stock jamming the existing machines. Most likely due to the new thicker tickets. It was all fascinating.

[RoCoBonafide Donkey Expert]

This is very, very cool and it's no surprise that Disney is on the forefront of rolling out this kind of technology.

Does some of it freak me out a tiny bit? Yes. How many years from now before we're offered the chance to have an RFID chip implanted under our skin?

Still, until then, I'm on board, and really, this gets us one step closer to a cash-less society, too, which will be awesome.

[eddytheviperFull Fledged Donkey Enthusiast!]

How many years from now before we're offered the chance to have an RFID chip implanted under our skin?

I'm... pretty sure there was a news article about some guy having one already under his skin ?
If I recall he was to do with the team inventing it or something, can't find it for the life of me, I just remember it was scanned and it had his blood type and name come up, kinda like one of those chips you put in pets...

Anyway, back on track it's all just a fascinating concept, can see some real potential here.
Will also wait to see if they use NFC technology at parks when it becomes more widespread, the whole thing could be brilliant if it's used to it's full potential!

[ernierockerWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Will be interested to see how this develops in the future. And if it can make it easier and faster to get into the Disney parks, I am all for it!

[ChroniqTPR's nicest person EVAR!!!]

Will also wait to see if they use NFC technology at parks when it becomes more widespread, the whole thing could be brilliant if it's used to it's full potential!

Since the RFID tags CAN be tied to a payment method, Disney has little reason to implement NFC. For those not familiar, NFC is the technology now being rolled out in certain smart phones (the new google phone has it) as a way to pay for an item using your cellphone. Since NFC prevents Disney from tracking guests locations, spending habits and actions like their proprietary RFID system will be able to, there is little benefit to Disney to push forward quickly with this tech. Of note- currently credit card processors are also charging a premium to process NFC transactions compared to traditional swipes which another deterrent against it .

FWIW. Yesterday I said that wristbands will be the default ticketing media in the future. I messed this up. RFID wristsbands will be the default (and free) ticket media for guests staying on property (replacing the "keys to the kingdom")...All other guests will be able to purchase wristsbands if they choose. As previously mentioned, custom/personalized wrist bands will be available to purchase for anyone who wishes to do so.. This rollout and the retrofitting of hotel rooms to support RFID enabled locks is expected to be finished by January 2013.