News Disney MagicMobile Service coming soon beginning with Apple devices

[aaronml]

BlogMickey just posted that they are testing BLE ride photo linking in DHS at ToT currently. I’ll clarify that this is not technically part of MagicMobile (at least AFAIK) since it is just expanding use of the current BLE functionality in the app. MagicMobile refers more specifically to the ability to have a virtual MagicBand/card in Apple Wallet / Google Wallet.

 

[Unbanshee]

BlogMickey just posted that they are testing BLE ride photo linking in DHS at ToT currently. I’ll clarify that this is not technically part of MagicMobile (at least AFAIK) since it is just expanding use of the current BLE functionality in the app. MagicMobile refers more specifically to the ability to have a virtual MagicBand/card in Apple Wallet / Google Wallet.

See, that's what I thought at first when I read that article too, but magic mobile actually seems to be a MagicBand alternative... "Disney MagicMobile service is a convenient and contactless way to access MagicBand features like theme park entry"...meaning it could be more than just entry?

If it is a MagicBand alternative, I guess this on-ride linking would be part of the service?

 

[Unbanshee]

The site that shall not be named posted an article falsely claiming that MagicMobile is already rolling out (and to Android devices also).

That is incorrect — what they are seeing in the MDX app is the “Magic BLE” functionality that has existed for a couple of years at this point in both the MDX and DLR apps — it powers things like notifications you’ll get from walking by a particular restaurant / area in the park. Eventually it will also work with all of the things that currently require the long-range RFID in MagicBands.

Glad you caught that too! What a terrible article for the "Worldwide Leader" LOL

 

[aaronml]

See, that's what I thought at first when I read that article too, but magic mobile actually seems to be a MagicBand alternative... "Disney MagicMobile service is a convenient and contactless way to access MagicBand features like theme park entry"...meaning it could be more than just entry?

If it is a MagicBand alternative, I guess this on-ride linking would be part of the service?

Disney could theoretically choose to brand this feature as part of MagicMobile, but they have not done so thus far. If you look at the screenshot from the MDX app that BlogMickey posted about the ToT pilot, nowhere does Disney mention MagicMobile.

Currently MagicMobile refers specifically to the NFC side of things. Initially it will be supported for Park Entry and any other use case involving Touch Points (“tapstiles”), e.g. FP+ (if/when it returns) .

Payments will likely come later , if at all. One of the reasons Apple has historically avoided opening up NFC on iOS more widely (from my understanding) has been a desire to avoid allowing something that could cannibalize Apple Pay usage / revenue. Even if Apple were to permit Disney to use MagicMobile for payments, you wouldn’t be able to use it in Express Mode — it would require Touch ID or Face ID.

 

[Jon81uk]

There has been two forms of this. Firstly with Apple's Passkit (runs both Apple Pay and Wallet) have been until recent two separate and walled off gardens. As I stated in 2016, "Disney could implement this, the same way they could if they used an NFC gift card, but I understand why Apple locks off the NFC for the Apple Wallet applications. The Walgreens Loyalty cards are now NFC for Android aswell, and while that still uses NFC, it's not implemented on iOS as an NFC card but as a barcode scanned card." Apple's Passkit outside of the NFC features, uses Aztec, PDF417, and QR 2D barcodes and Code 128 1D barcodes, which is how there has been boarding pass applications for quite some time with Airlines. However the NFC Functionality was not opened from the WWDC in 2019, with expanded support with to their Core NFC Functionality in 2020. Before that, it was not possible. I wouldn't be surprised if Disney would be going to the approach of the Car Keys functionality that was announced at WWDC 2020 which I am sure was also a limiting factor as if you want to develop an app that uses NFC and the Passkit framework, you must request an NFC certificate from Apple.

I expect it uses a version of the university ID card system Apple created.

Apple adds support for contactless student ID cards in Wallet

Starting today, students at three universities can now enjoy the convenience of using just their iPhone and Apple Watch to get around on and off campus.

www.apple.com

 

[aaronml]

I expect it uses a version of the university ID card system Apple created.

Apple adds support for contactless student ID cards in Wallet

Starting today, students at three universities can now enjoy the convenience of using just their iPhone and Apple Watch to get around on and off campus.

www.apple.com

Yep, it’s the exact same technology.

 

[Pardonmyfrench]

I think this is a nice touch. However, it does require carrying extra batteries which I do already. I lean towards the magic bands because they are convenient and fun to wear.

 

[danv3]

To work in “Express Mode” in Apple Wallet (where you don’t have to use Face ID / Touch ID first) at least, it would need to be limited to a single pass per phone, or more accurately you would need to have a default one selected.

I’d expect Disney to either mandate one pass per phone, or at least strongly recommend doing so.

Your average Disney guest struggled at the tapstyles with a MagicBand. This is going to be hard enough for most people without any additional mandates.

 

[MikeyK72]

Your average Disney guest struggled at the tapstyles with a MagicBand. This is going to be hard enough for most people without any additional mandates.

Now that our average Disney guest learned how to use the MagicBand (and Key to the World card), the good news is that they can continue to do so for the foreseeable future. They don't have to worry about all of this scary iPhone tech voodoo.

 

[Jon81uk]

I think this is a nice touch. However, it does require carrying extra batteries which I do already. I lean towards the magic bands because they are convenient and fun to wear.

For the tapstile function it will probably work in express mode even with a flat battery. It’s just anything that needs Bluetooth which will need power on. hopefully they can get the door locks working on NFC/RFID then they likely will work when the phone is out of battery in express mode too.

 

[aaronml]

For the tapstile function it will probably work in express mode even with a flat battery. It’s just anything that needs Bluetooth which will need power on. hopefully they can get the door locks working on NFC/RFID then they likely will work when the phone is out of battery in express mode too.

Sadly this is not likely to happen anytime soon (re: hotel room access). I don’t believe that the current VingCard locks support credentials in Apple Wallet, and even if they did, I wouldn’t be surprised if VingCard limited it to their proprietary Seos technology, as opposed to the DESFire technology that Disney uses.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I expect it uses a version of the university ID card system Apple created.

Apple adds support for contactless student ID cards in Wallet

Starting today, students at three universities can now enjoy the convenience of using just their iPhone and Apple Watch to get around on and off campus.

www.apple.com

It’s all fun and games until you’re trying to sneak into the girls’ dormitory.

 

[Skywise]

Your average Disney guest struggled at the tapstyles with a MagicBand. This is going to be hard enough for most people without any additional mandates.

Yeah - I'm the tech nerd for my family and have done some UI design in my career and I thought the operation was obvious but my elderly mom never put her finger on the sensor the same way so always had to get rescanned.

My sister, who has some tech understanding, surprised me because she used her thumb on the sensor.. but used it in a "thumbs down" manner (with the fingernail pointing back towards you).

And that's just 2 use cases in my family alone!

 

[GrumpyFan]

Your average Disney guest struggled at the tapstyles with a MagicBand. This is going to be hard enough for most people without any additional mandates.

Indeed! Many people already struggle with the MDX app. This is really going to frustrate older guests.

 

[donsullivan]

Indeed! Many people already struggle with the MDX app. This is really going to frustrate older guests.

But the important thing is - at least what they have shared so far - this isn't going to change anything from the way it's done today, for anyone who doesn't want to utilize the Apple device. You can continue using a MagicBand/KTW card just like you do now if you prefer. They are just ADDING an option to access the entitlements for those who choose to use it, not taking anything away from those who can't or do not want to.

 

[Jon81uk]

Indeed! Many people already struggle with the MDX app. This is really going to frustrate older guests.

if those guests can use Apple Pay or add a boarding pass to their Apple Wallet they will be able to work this system too. If they can’t use those functions I would question if it is worth them owning a $1000 device anyway.

They can still use a plastic card or pay for a magic band if they don’t have an iPhone or don’t know how to use it.

 

[GrumpyFan]

if those guests can use Apple Pay or add a boarding pass to their Apple Wallet they will be able to work this system too. If they can’t use those functions I would question if it is worth them owning a $1000 device anyway.

They can still use a plastic card or pay for a magic band if they don’t have an iPhone or don’t know how to use it.

Have you ever watched how many people still print paper airline boarding passes rather than use the mobile device? It's a lot!

My wife is a TA and this is a regular struggle with some of her clients. Teaching and informing them on how to get the most out of the vacation by using the app. Some people just have more trouble with it than others, or sometimes just don't trust the technology.

 

[Jon81uk]

Have you ever watched how many people still print paper airline boarding passes rather than use the mobile device? It's a lot!

My wife is a TA and this is a regular struggle with some of her clients. Teaching and informing them on how to get the most out of the vacation by using the app. Some people just have more trouble with it than others, or sometimes just don't trust the technology.

but those people are free to keep using paper boarding passes and plastic entry tickets for Disney parks.

 

[Jon81uk]

I had a look in the MDE App and the coming soon page for MobileMagic answers some of the questions/concerns people raised on here.
For friends and family you will be able to have multiple passes in Apple Wallet and swipe between them.
It does work with express mode so you just tap, no need to unlock. (So it works like a KTTW card)

 

[DCBaker]