Walt Disney World Epcot Discussion Thread

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

I love the idea of an RFID wristband version of the Key to the World. Fumbling around my zippered pockets for park tickets, Fast Passes, credit cards, etc isn't fun. Imagine going all around WDW with just a camera and state ID in your pocket. Awesome.

[ChroniqTPR's nicest person EVAR!!!]

Here's a photo of the wristbands.

^ They are very gay pride friendly.

[coasterfreak101Gimme Some Candy!]

Gay day is every day at EPCOT!

[coasterguy4I know more about donkeys than women!]

At Coachella this year, they had RFID wristbands that were only used for entrance to the festival. As you got in line to enter, a security member would use a handheld scanner to scan the RFID tag and then, directly before you officially made it into the festival, you would tap your wrist against one of the many stationary scanners that were built into a row of plastic walls. It worked pretty well and I am hoping that I will soon be able use it to purchase items. This system would definitely work better at a Disney park rather than a massive music festival so I am excited to see this roll out in the future.

The wristbands themselves were non-obtrusive and, although the plastic bit looks uncomfortable, it really wasn't an issue.

[SLUSHIEIt's hot outside, and I have a headache]

I hard about this, but it's cool you were actually there when it happened and got photos n stuff.

I've used stuff like this in the past. The ski resorts in my area use it for their passes. Before they used to scan you tickets bar code, but now you don't even have to take it out of your pocket, they just hold the device up to you wherever it is and your photo and info pops up on their screen. Really I don't see that as a major positive, but what is cool is that every lift has a scanning gate you walk though, and there is a website that you can go to that tracks all the lifts you rode and how many feet you traveled for the whole year. There are achievements n stuff you can get too. It's pretty awesome.

They used to have something like this a long time ago that you paid extra to have, but it wasn't nearly as accurate or featured. The old system you wore a wristband and had you go though an special actual gate, and it only calculated your "vertical feet" with set values per lift. So a certain lift would be so many feet, even if you traveled to a lift that was half way back down the lift you came up. The new system actually calculates distances like that. Then the only info you got from it was the number of feet for the day or yearly total. What was cool about the old system though is that the feet could be used to cash in for lift tickets or gear, or even getting to use the system the next year for free. We usually used it for getting it next year and free paid parking tickets. Too many retired people were going every day and getting like new skis and season passes n stuff so they quit doing it.

They also have had the option to apply your credit card to the pass, but I've never really seen the purpose of that.

As far as Disney application goes I'm not too sure of benefits either. I mean using it for fast-passes would save paper, but then I don't have a tangible way of knowing what ride I have a fast-pass for and what time it's at. I mean when Disney does something like this I see it as a way to milk more money out of people. Now kids are going to be running around buying stuff with their parents card on their little wrist deals.

The one thing I really liked when I have visited WDW staying on property was my room key was also my park key and charge card. I like the possibilities the RFID can bring. The wrist band seems like a great idea. No longer will I have to whip out my wallet when I need to pay for something. It would also be cool on the FastPass machines for the same reason, but that would mean everyone would have to get in line for a fast pass instead of one person feeding multiple tickets into the machine.

[timfreemanThere is no such thing as a donkey punch.]

Today, they had the left side of the entrance using the RFID with the pods, the right still used the old turnstiles. It never worked for us. Walked through the security check and they scanned our tickets and got the sticker put on. Going to the "pods", the system turned blue. They had to swipe our tickets again in a iPhone/iPod housed with a scanner to fix them. A bit later I had to run back out to the car for something and didn't scan again. I'm assuming due to re-entry, but not positive. Asked a few questions and they said it was going to be a 2 week test which means it'll be used during the busy holiday next week.

Even though I didn't have a stellar first encounter, I see it as a great move. Even before reading this here, I was telling the family of all the benefits and information Disney could glean, forecast, and even advertise (tie in texting/Disney app with locations). The iOS interface to the database is already there, so the possibilities are endless.

As for security....let security handle it. For those with bags, have the RFID there as they scan the bags. For those without bags, have the "V" shape of pods set up. If it fails, send them to one of the people who would have been handling the turnstiles and now hold an iPhone scanner. If they can't fix it in under a minute, send them to Guest Services. This would get rid of the stroller issues in the turnstiles and still separate those with bags from holding up other people.

The downside is I don't see anything helping with those that can't seem to grasp the concept of putting in your ticket and scanning your finger. This would blow their minds....Also, if the "key to the world" changes to bracelets, this means whoever runs for fast passes will have to carry 5 bracelets instead of 5 cards.

[SharkTumsSite Admin]

Also, if the "key to the world" changes to bracelets, this means whoever runs for fast passes will have to carry 5 bracelets instead of 5 cards.

Ahh but you're assuming you'll only be able to request a fastpass at the actual ride, I'm assuming we'll see kiosks all over the park where you'll be able to do things with your bracelet...reserve a ride, dining, add money, view photos, etc.

[timfreemanThere is no such thing as a donkey punch.]

Also, if the "key to the world" changes to bracelets, this means whoever runs for fast passes will have to carry 5 bracelets instead of 5 cards.

Ahh but you're assuming you'll only be able to request a fastpass at the actual ride, I'm assuming we'll see kiosks all over the park where you'll be able to do things with your bracelet...reserve a ride, dining, add money, view photos, etc.

Yes and no. With a 3 year old, one of us always ends up running for passes while the other takes them to the bathroom, grabs some food, watches the parades, rides non-me friendly spinning rides, etc. Having multiple kiosks would make it easier on traveling to the actual ride, but would still need to grab all the bracelets from the group.

On the plus side, maybe it would discourage the group of 40 sending one person to grab 40 passes. With my luck, I'm always behind that person.