Magic Bands to open door without being near?

[disney4life2008]

Is it true that Disney will allow magic Bands at resorts to open the door when you are within proximity to the door? So now you do not have to actually touch the band to the door. Has this already started?

 

[projectorguy1]

I don't know about the bands, but CONGRATULATIONS on getting your MD!!!

 

[Monty]

I've never had that when I've been to WDW. The MB has to be "Mickey-to-Mickey" as they say.

I haven't heard of any plan to switch to proximity, I think that would create security issues.

 

[Bolt]

I'd just like it to work better when I'm legit having it touch to my MagicBand.

 

[GlacierGlacier]

There's the tech for it. The magic bands contain RFID chips, sure, but also Bluetooth Low Energy for long range reading and tracking (see the goodbye room in Small World, the very temporary hitchhiking ghosts with locations, the Everest posters, the rock 'n' roller coaster posters, etc.). It's possible they could change the locks to allow for a short range (just like an extra inch or two so you just have to grab the handle and it can read the band) but who knows how actually convoluted and broken their system may be.

 

[englanddg]

Is it true that Disney will allow magic Bands at resorts to open the door when you are within proximity to the door? So now you do not have to actually touch the band to the door. Has this already started?

Strongly doubt.

 

[peter11435]

Is it true that Disney will allow magic Bands at resorts to open the door when you are within proximity to the door? So now you do not have to actually touch the band to the door. Has this already started?

No.

Mdx.... but not magicbands

 

[Brian]

Is it true that Disney will allow magic Bands at resorts to open the door when you are within proximity to the door? So now you do not have to actually touch the band to the door. Has this already started?

No.

 

[DisAl]

I can see problems with that. What if you lay your magic band down somewhere close to the door? You sure wouldn't want your door to unlock itself in that situation. Even if you were still wearing it you would not want the door to unlock if you walked up to the door (from the inside) to see who was knocking.

 

[Pam Hates Penguins]

Unlocking the door from a certain distance? I would be scared to go to the parks every day.

 

[nickys]

And how would it know if you were approaching or leaving?

Seriously doubt this is happening, even if they do have the technology to do it.

 

[21stamps]

And how would it know if you were approaching or leaving?

Seriously doubt this is happening, even if they do have the technology to do it.

I would think it would be similar to a car, but I’d rather not see the given price increase if this were to happen.

 

[Bullseye1967]

They are working on it in the app that you can unlock your door from a distance, not with magic bands.

 

[21stamps]

They are working on it in the app that you can unlock your door from a distance, not with magic bands.

Really? Like the car apps? I love starting my car from anywhere.. but I don’t need any of this technology to open a hotel door.

 

[Bullseye1967]

Really? Like the car apps? I love starting my car from anywhere.. but I don’t need any of this technology to open a hotel door.

It is in testing right now. Rumor is it will be hooked to Disney Experience App.

 

[DisAl]

A number of motels already have locks that can be controlled from an app on your cell phone.

 

[Andrew C]

They are working on it in the app that you can unlock your door from a distance, not with magic bands.

This is what Hilton’s digital key does with their phone app. You don’t have to be right next to the door to engage the unlock.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Werent they testing this on monorail doors?

 

[Bob]

Werent they testing this on monorail doors?

 

[Horizons78]

Werent they testing this on monorail doors?

Indeed.

It used to be that the office of monorail improvement at wdw was fairly resistant to new ideas. That’s changed recently though, as suggestions are welcomed. It’s a real open door policy.