Disney’s RFID "Magic Band" arrives on the FCC

[GrumpyFan]

Here it is, what we've all been waiting for...

From Wirelessgoodness.com -

A peculiar device from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts made an appearance on the FCC today. Known as the “Magic Band,” the device is a wrist-worn, battery-powered device that operates in the 2.4GHz spectrum.

So what’s it for? We’re not exactly sure. FCC filings confirm that the Magic Band, model MB-R1G1, is a “wrist worn arm band that transmits a 2.4GHz signal to an indoor wireless infrastructure.” The device’s PCB board is “potted in plastic and completely overmolded with thermal plastic polyurethane.” It also appears that the Magic Band is disposable, since it has no on/off switch and relies on a non-replaceable battery. The Magic Band also has a passive UHF RFID tag radio and a passive HF RFID tag radio.

It seems likely that the Magic Band will be used to provide wears with access to certain parts of Walt Disney parks and resorts. Since the band is sealed and presumably water proof, the Magic Band could be a good solution for Disney’s water parks.

 

[maryszhi]

looks snazy, but also not very comfortable. i think it might be something that you can open your resort room, enter a park, get a fastpass, and make purchases with out fiddling around looking for your key....

 

[Lee]

looks snazy, but also not very comfortable. i think it might be something that you can open your resort room, enter a park, get a fastpass, and make purchases with out fiddling around looking for your key....

Yep. That's part of it.

 

[Monty]

Could leave an odd tan line...

 

[GrumpyFan]

That photo doesn't really have any kind of indication of the actual size.

 

[ElusiveWookiee]

For a couple of reasons, I don't like the battery inclusion. I'd rather something tied to my room, credit card, etc, to be passive rather than transmitting. While it specifies two passive radios, the battery makes me think it can/will be the source of transmissions as well.

 

[Figments Friend]

- Thanks for the photo....it looks pretty snazzy.
It also looks a lot more *restrained* then i was imagining it might look, in regards to it not having loud colorful graphics all over it. This looks pretty non-intrusive visually.

 

[Bolna]

strange, the text on the right side next to the band is German and translates into "pull away (remove) for smaller size".

 

[WDWBryan]

Disney House Arrest

 

[cba]

Note: Enlarged to show detail.
But I guess it looks kinda cool.

 

[quirkle]

I welcome this. Especially if I can get a custom one. Please let this be out for December 2013.

 

[danv3]

I wonder how it will work with APs.

 

[DocMcHulk]

I am not a fan of having to wear an arm band to be in the parks.

 

[asianway]

Finally, my dreams have come true. This is what has been missing from 4 decades of vacations

 

[AVPTI]

Personally, as a WDW fan who can only visit once a year, I think the bracelets and having all your "info" on your wrist is smart. Maybe they could offer other options than a bracelet, I don't know what, but I'm sure someone can think of other options.

The one bad aspect of the what the bracelets mean is the whole planning your FastPass in advance. If they just kept the current system, but implemented RFID instead of paper, it would be better. But what do I know...

 

[MissM]

No, no, no and a HELL NO just for good measure. The day you're required to wear this is the day I stop going to Disney.

 

[Clever Name]

looks snazy, but also not very comfortable. i think it might be something that you can open your resort room, enter a park, get a fastpass, and make purchases with out fiddling around looking for your key....

It will be all of that and a lot more. It will be your everything. You won't get a fastpass because it will be your fastpass. Biometric finger scans will be history.

 

[Florida_is_hot]

No, no, no and a HELL NO just for good measure. The day you're required to wear this is the day I stop going to Disney.

Would not stop me from going and I do not know enough, but I am not a fan of this big brother stuff.

 

[Alison1975]

I am not a fan of having to wear an arm band to be in the parks.

me either nor will any of my kids.. this is not something I look forward to at all.

 

[Alison1975]

It will be all of that and a lot more. It will be your everything. You won't get a fastpass because it will be your fastpass. Biometric finger scans will be history.

The fastpass+ paperless thing is too much for me.. I dont want to have to try and keep track of what time without a visual reminder.