What is the story with more RFID rumors? How close are we...

[DisneyparkFreak]

Rumor has it that we may be closer to RFID in the parks? I know we have been talking about it for quite some time, but I got a survey in my email today regarding my upcoming trip asking me some weird questions... I am paraphrasing the questions as I have deleted the email. The important questions that I remember are something like...

1. How secure would I feel with using a bracelet to enter my room, pay for merchandise, enter the turnstiles, get Fastpasses etc?

2. Have I ever used PhotoPass?, and if so would I be interested in on-board ride videos where they would be downloaded directly to my account for purchase?

There were also the typical questions they ask as well such as how many days am I planning on spending in which ever park, do I have ADR's at Character meals. Am I planning on using Disney Transportation and which airline am I arriving on. But these 2 questions caught my interest so I did a google search and lo and behold I found some stuff that is talking about this.

So... I dont know about the bracelet thing, but I would be interested in something more advanced than my Key To The Kingdom Card... What do you guys think?

 

[Derich85]

RFID @ All-Star

All-Star Resorts is using the tags under paper cups in their food courts. The tag is read by the fountain machines and only allows 3 refills within an hour of first use. The resort mugs must have them also because I saw a guest refill one and the machine said they only had until a certain date to get unlimited refills.

 

[brightlillstar]

I know they are testing the RFID in the cups at All Star Sports.

I feel like we have been hearing about the next gen experience for a long time. I remember on my first or second trip being asked questions and told someday as you went around the park the rides would know who you are and record your day, rides, etc.

I know it's huge to implement, but I wouldn't be surprised if we started seeing this very soon. The technology is there at the very least to have room keys, park tickets, fastpass, and photopass all on a wristband.

Maybe they'll roll some of this out with the new FLE? i.e- why would they build old style FP machines in a new section of the park, when they're just going to replace them. Maybe the new stuff in the FLE will be equipped for NextGen as well as regular.

I have NO inside information regarding this timeline, but it would make sense to me.

They could even test it pretty easily, limiting the tech to the FLE. Just put RFID chips in the KTTW, and then use KTTW as you would a bracelet (hold it over a sensor to get and use FP, to charge to your room), so that they can test how the technology works in a limited area in the park without rolling it out everywhere or requiring people to have bracelets for only one area.

Then again, the FLE is going to be so popular it may not be the best place to try out new technology which can break and cause bottlenecks.

What do you think? Do you think the FLE will include some of these next gen elements we're heard about?

 

[Dukeblue1227]

Personally, I'd love it if they had some kind of way to link Photopass to your on-ride pictures.

Usually I just get a Photopass so I can get the photographer to take a picture with my personal camera after using theirs.

But then when I get home I love seeing the professional ones online and tend to buy one or two...

I try to avoid being impulse so I really never get on-ride photos, but after the fact when I'm home from Vacation I'd probably be more likely too because I can't say "We'll get it next time we go on it."

:shrug:

just my two cents.

Not sure I personally would love the bracelet... but I wouldn't really be against it if it's what they did.

 

[danlb_2000]

Personally, I'd love it if they had some kind of way to link Photopass to your on-ride pictures.

You can already do this on Test Track. You scan your photopass card at the end of the ride, then you can access the ride pictures along with any that the photographers do.

Dan

 

[jwarren3768]

You can already do this on Test Track. You scan your photopass card at the end of the ride, then you can access the ride pictures along with any that the photographers do.

Dan

And this is, IMHO, awesome. I wish they could pull this off on each ride that offers on-ride photos. Having to make the decision, right then and there is frustrating. I know it caters to impulse purchasing, but still, wouldn't it be great to see the on-ride photos from each and every ride and then choose.

I wonder which way the sales for the TT photos went after they linked to to FP? I'm guessing down since it never got expanded to other rides.

Sorry to hijack the thread!

 

[Hakunamatata]

And this is, IMHO, awesome. I wish they could pull this off on each ride that offers on-ride photos. Having to make the decision, right then and there is frustrating. I know it caters to impulse purchasing, but still, wouldn't it be great to see the on-ride photos from each and every ride and then choose.

I wonder which way the sales for the TT photos went after they linked to to FP? I'm guessing down since it never got expanded to other rides.

Sorry to hijack the thread!

I agree. We basically decided to purchase none of the on ride photos because they are too expensive to end up purchasing all of them, and you never know which one is going to be the best. I would imagine that if they implemented this system in all on ride photos they would at minimum remain at the level of purchases they have now. I would also think it would be cool if you could capture your decent image from Spaceship Earth and have it on your card as well.