Update from Disney Investor Conference on future projects/Reserving ride times - Page 3 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Hmmmm. That must be a discussion at some other community. Talk of wristbands has been out there, but not in the Tom Staggs article.
First, I'm pretty sure that the whole-trip "fastpass" is going to be as optional when it happens as individual FASTPASSes are today. Wanna wing it? I'm sure plenty of folks will continue to do just that, and Disney will keep trying to make that a great experience. Meantime, the folks who use the new system get to experience the parks in a new way.
Next, those wristbands. These use "RFID" technology - a chip that gives off it's info as a radio signal when it's in the presence of a particular radio signal. While they could put "naked" credit card numbers on those things, it's not the way they're used. Typically, all the RFID chip has is a code number, and the code number brings up info from a secure, encrypted database. In other words, Disney will have your credit card number safely tucked away, just as it is today when you use a Key to the World card.
European credit cards have had RFID chips for years, and all US passports issued in the past few years and most new passports issued worldwide also have RFID chips. Security issues were resolved many years ago. When scanned by customs, the code number on the passport retrieves your info from the customs service computers. The customs agent will then see an up to date report on their computer screen that includes your photo and any possible alerts the agent would need to see (like being on the No Fly List, Amber Alerts, revoked passport, etc.). The number in the RFID chip is meaningless unless the bad guys are also able to hack into the main computer system - it is nothing like your actual passport number.
When you use a Key to the World card, there's no way for the average CM to learn your actual credit card number - their "system permissions" won't allow it. The same will be true if Disney replaces Key to the World Cards with RFID bracelets, bar codes, or anything else they decide to use. Unless the bad guys also have access to Disney's financial computing systems, they aren't getting their hands on anyone's info or money.
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It's all very interesting. I was probably more interested in what they had to say about the expansion plans for Hong Kong Disneyland, as I want to go back when those are complete. I just hope they don't end up being too similar to other parks - the fact that their Toy Story Land is being compared to Disneyland Paris didn't enthuse me. I like it when there are unique attractions and lands at each park.
Good to hear that the Japanese market is showing a lot of interest in Aulani - perhaps that will persuade the Disney Vacation Club to one day introduce a resort at Tokyo Disney?
I would like to add something about concern on credit card exposure/info in a database. I worked for years at a software company whose product is financial software that takes payments from clients.
The laws in the US are such that no credit card number can be stored that is not hashed and/or encrypted. And the regulations go to the degree of hashing/encryption are such that these are not simplistic algorithms.
In addition, your credit card information is not stored on your KTTW. What is stored there is going to be token information for the system to retrieve from the database the necessary info. Even then, what is in the database will not be your naked credit card. Trust me, nobody had easy access to the card you attached to your KTTW. The only vulnerable point was when you gave it to the CM to attach it. That's it.
Basically, the federal laws that govern the software that Disney uses to attach your credit card to your KTTW is VERY secure and I expect that any advances with an RFID would also be as secure.
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i am not going to be happy about this if this comes true.
they do a similar thing in Sesame Place in Pa.
Abby's Unlimited Magic Queue
Abby's Unlimited Magic Queue allows you the opportunity to bypass the lines at certain attractions. Each pass allows the bearer UNLIMITED line bypass Elmo's World Live! Show, Big Bird's Balloon Race, Grover's World Twirl, Flyin' Fish, Peek-A-Bug, Blast Off, Sunny Day Carousel & Vapor Trail (weather permitting). Additionally, guests with wristbands can enter the park using the Season Pass Entrance Line.
This isn't the first time I have heard about this option.
What I like about FASTPASS is that it is free as a part of your ticket. It's just that some guests don't use it or don't get how to use it. My husband says that it just leaves us more opportunities to use FASTPASS.
So, what bothers me, is that this may be offered for an additional fee. I say, offer it, but don't charge extra. Just like how you can reserve your dining 180 days in advance, but for FREE--no extra charge for this service.
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I don't like the idea of reserving ride times at home, it takes planning to a whole new level. also when paying as much as we do for park tickets I don't like the idea of because you are staying on property you get to bypass fastpass and the standby line. It is just going to increase wait times. You going to start seeing a class level in disney society.
However I do like having to not check in and getting your room keys at home.
I too like the no check in and room key cards, but what if your room isn't ready?
I like it for shows too, but think it should be limited like kinda of like the meal credits.
Here's my sugestion ................. As a FREE part of the MYW package. QS plan = 4 line skips DDP = 5 DxDDP =6. per night of stay, you slide your key and get a "jump pass" when you use them all your done. (so if you stay for 5 nights on the QS you get 20 to use all in one day or spread them out.)
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Hmmm...not sure how I feel about that. It definitely takes planning to a whole new level. Disney is making so many changes to the queues to make them more entertaining, it seems funny they would want people to bypass them altogether. Interesting stuff! As for receiving the KTTW cards at home...I would hope they would still say "Welcome Home" to me even if we didn't have to check in...that may be one of my favorite parts of the trip...
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Niccole you should get a job at Disney! Your idea sounds brilliant.
Thanks I do have a few good ideas in this head, how ever the kids fried most of the cells while preg. and now they tend to make me forget before I can get them written down. This is why I'm a planner and list maker (multi-list) and make many copies in case I lose one.
Thanks I do have a few good ideas in this head, how ever the kids fried most of the cells while preg. and now they tend to make me forget before I can get them written down. This is why I'm a planner and list maker (multi-list) and make many copies in case I lose one.
lol me too Nicole, i have post its all over my lap top and on my kitchen door to, lol
Yeah, I wasn't thrilled with this when I heard it the other day either. I mean, I like to plan.. and as someone who plans down almost to the flipping minute... I don't like the idea of planning your time for your ride ahead of time. It'll be the death of spontaneity.
There wasn't much in that article to go so on I wonder if Disney is putting out "feelers" to see how people respond or if it's completely bogus. For me though, part of the fun of Disney is to go where we want and when we want with the exception of our meals. Those I'll plan in advance but I can't say that in so many days and at such and such a time we're going to want to be on Splash Mtn. And for rides like that (if it were included) what happens if there's a severe thunderstorm and the ride is closed? What happens to the people that want that time - are they going to make a scene because they reserved that time and possibly no other and want the ride come heck or high water? To me it just sounds like a really way out there idea that should remain way out there.
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I just hope they don't end up being too similar to other parks - the fact that their Toy Story Land is being compared to Disneyland Paris didn't enthuse me. 
I like it when there are unique attractions and lands at each park. 
Reserving Ride times :(
]Read all about our Disney Experiences on the Williams Family Blog: 
Jen
As for receiving the KTTW cards at home...I would hope they would still say "Welcome Home" to me even if we didn't have to check in...that may be one of my favorite parts of the trip... 
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