Magic Bands & What is to come in the real world...

[RonAnnArbor]

I see a LOT of application in the real world -- but in this case, Disney is NOT "leading the way" on RFID technology. Similar things have been around for awhile now -- some waterparks have been using it for quite some time; New Yorkers, Michiganders, and others living on the border of Canada can get the RFID-enabled licenses/passports to quickly go back and forth across the border and it has all that information on it. I have one in my pocket right now.

Whether or not people like it or not, this technology is already here and being used every day. Do people with iPhones know that you can track exactly where you are at all times with it, and even draw a map of where you have been?...and stores have been using this type of technology for awhile now, even able to send you aisle-specific marketing information as you walk down a store aisle...

I personally don't have any problem with this at all -- why would I? I don't care if people know where I am and what I am doing -- I'm not getting into trouble and I'm not doing anything I don't care others know I am doing.
I got to test fastpass+ last month. I kind of liked them saying "come on in, Ron" as I checked into my rides...

The one thing I would caution people about is the RFID-enabled Visa cards out there, since they don't have the security features built in that other cards are now adding and they can be scanned right through your purse or wallet if a scanner is held next to them.

But to get back to Disney -- do I worry that Disney knows where I go, what order I go in, what things I order at the counters, what I buy? Absolutely not if it brings me more of what I want when I am in the park...if the RFID reader picks up that I stop at every dTech stand at every shop and always leave the store without purchasing, maybe they'll create more of the iPad, iPhone, laptop cases that I might be interested in buying rather than passing up...no problem there.

 

[DisJosh]

There is always so much fear surrounding new technologies. Especially this sort. It's all very exciting to me personally. I'm on board the OP's wagon. Everything mentioned is within the foreseeable future. The internet alone is already utilizing so much data collection in efforts to personalize your online experience. If you're hell bent on remaining completely anonymous then you'd better log off of wdw magic, cancel your high speed internet and board up the windows in hopes that no one has noticed you.

For decades even credit card companies have utilized your purchase histories to determine spending habits and likelihood for divorce among other things. Your information is everywhere already. Said technologies will simply make use of it to add convenience to daily life.

Invasion of privacy, fraud, theft, power hungry world leaders, war, etc... ALL existed before any of this technology. If anything technology has helped improve all of these problems.

I doubt Disney utilizing such technology and streamlining the ticketing, shopping processes will herald in the era of big brother. Embrace it. Have an efficient vacation and stop worrying!