Magic Band RFID Disclaimer

[JohnD]

Not sure how long it's been there, but the following disclaimer is now found on the Magic Bands and Cards page of the MDE website, if you're logged in and have the ability to customize MBs:

The MagicBand uses radio frequency (RF) technology and can be read by short and long-range readers located at the Walt Disney World Resort. If you prefer to use an RF card, which cannot be detected by long-range readers, you can request an RF card at your Disney Resort hotel, and you do not need to customize your MagicBand.
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Not sure if this is the same as a card for your AP or ticket but I would request one anyway, if for nothing else than to keep as a backup in your wallet.

 

[flynnibus]

Same info that has been published for over a year... here it's just Disney making it more visible for average joe.

 

[JohnD]

Same info that has been published for over a year... here it's just Disney making it more visible for average joe.

Makes sense. "Those in the know" have known it about for some time. But now they're into the final stages of roll out so they need to provide the info where warranted.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Not sure how long it's been there, but the following disclaimer is now found on the Magic Bands and Cards page of the MDE website, if you're logged in and have the ability to customize MBs:

The MagicBand uses radio frequency (RF) technology and can be read by short and long-range readers located at the Walt Disney World Resort. If you prefer to use an RF card, which cannot be detected by long-range readers, you can request an RF card at your Disney Resort hotel, and you do not need to customize your MagicBand.
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Not sure if this is the same as a card for your AP or ticket but I would request one anyway, if for nothing else than to keep as a backup in your wallet.

That disclaimer has always been there. As for the backup, you cannot get both, as it is one or the other now. They were doing that for awhile as part of the test, but no longer offer the card if you have a MB. If you ask for the card, you will not receive a MB. If you receive a MB that you have customized in the mail, I am not sure if you can even request a card then, since you have already opted for the MB. Of course, if you speak loudly enough and complain to a manager, they will probably help you out, but that may disable your MB.

 

[JohnD]

That disclaimer has always been there. As for the backup, you cannot get both, as it is one or the other now. They were doing that for awhile as part of the test, but no longer offer the card if you have a MB. If you ask for the card, you will not receive a MB. If you receive a MB that you have customized in the mail, I am not sure if you can even request a card then, since you have already opted for the MB. Of course, if you speak loudly enough and complain to a manager, they will probably help you out, but that may disable your MB.

Well, we'll see what happens when my parents exchange their e-Certificates for tickets at a Guest Relations upon arrival. I think these are issued in the form of cards. We're all going to receive MBs in the mail. I already have an AP card.

Maybe what you refer to is only the case if you do not customize your MBs through MDE. If you don't customize, MBs are therefore not mailed out, so you'll only receive a specific RFID card from the hotel upon arrival. So unless you really have no desire for an MB, then I would recomnmend customizing the MB through MDE, generating the MB being mailed out, and request a card for your ticket/AP upon arrival if you don't already have one.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Yup, the APs are a bit different, since even though the pass is tied to your MB for park entry, you still have to show the AP card to receive discounts. Kinda silly if you ask me, but we have to do the same to receive our DVC discounts as well. Seems like for the money spent on this project, that they could've tied every possible card into it. For us, we will also have to carry our TiW, in addition to our APs, and our DVC card. The only thing we get to swap is a MB for our room key.

 

[ParentsOf4]

That disclaimer has always been there. As for the backup, you cannot get both, as it is one or the other now. They were doing that for awhile as part of the test, but no longer offer the card if you have a MB. If you ask for the card, you will not receive a MB. If you receive a MB that you have customized in the mail, I am not sure if you can even request a card then, since you have already opted for the MB. Of course, if you speak loudly enough and complain to a manager, they will probably help you out, but that may disable your MB.

"Always" is a bit of an overstatement. The current wording has been there for many months but it was not in the original MyMagic+ Terms & Conditions or FAQ.

There was little mention of RF technology in the original T&C.

Early revisions included some additional RF information. Later revisions were updated to include descriptions of both the long and short-range readers.

These changes (and others) started appearing after Rep. Markey's January 2013 letter.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Not surprising!

 

[JohnD]

Yup, the APs are a bit different, since even though the pass is tied to your MB for park entry, you still have to show the AP card to receive discounts. Kinda silly if you ask me, but we have to do the same to receive our DVC discounts as well. Seems like for the money spent on this project, that they could've tied every possible card into it. For us, we will also have to carry our TiW, in addition to our APs, and our DVC card. The only thing we get to swap is a MB for our room key.

I agree. The MB does ALL IN ONE, except the discounts. So, I don't mind using the MB as a convenience for park entry/FP+/charging/room key. But I've been a proponent of always having other media for those things just in case -- AP/ticket card (entry/FP+), KTTW (room key/charging--have to request it at lobby desk), and credit card anyway (you'd be stupid not to bring it).

 

[birdie31]

That disclaimer has always been there. As for the backup, you cannot get both, as it is one or the other now. They were doing that for awhile as part of the test, but no longer offer the card if you have a MB. If you ask for the card, you will not receive a MB. If you receive a MB that you have customized in the mail, I am not sure if you can even request a card then, since you have already opted for the MB. Of course, if you speak loudly enough and complain to a manager, they will probably help you out, but that may disable your MB.

I am a Canadian and cannot have my MB mailed to me and I have been able to customize my bands and on my MDE account, also have a card # assigned to me. I asked why I need both and was told that I should keep the card on my person in case the MB doesn't work, like insurance. That was last week........

 

[Mouse_Trap]

What makes the RF on the MB different to that on the KTTWC then? Are they battery powered for instance?

I guess they're offering the exchange as they don't want some of the tin-foil hat brigade going around the parks with their wrists wrapped in foil!

 

[cspencer96]

What makes the RF on the MB different to that on the KTTWC then? Are they battery powered for instance?

I guess they're offering the exchange as they don't want some of the tin-foil hat brigade going around the parks with their wrists wrapped in foil!

They have a small battery, and include long range RF as well as Bluetooth LE. I read one time that they operated on the 2.4 GHz Wifi spectrum, too, but I don't know for sure. Point is, they do a lot more than the KTTW cards or touch point cards they issue now. However, they follow the same principle: they don't broadcast any identifying information, only an encrypted code that is cross referenced with a database to find your information. I see it as cool technology, not as a tracking device strapped to my wrist.

Yes, they can track crowd movement and all sorts of things with MagicBand information, but I don't care. Disney is and always has been the kings of data mining for use in their sector, regardless of how they obtain it. This is another tool in that arsenal that also happens to bring significant infrastructure improvements and a tech upgrade for guests.