New Fastpass System

[Amy]

I don't understand, is it a new system or is it literally just "Don't show up late, as we've always asked, or we'll turn you away, which we've never enforced"?

Both. To my knowledge, the only thing publicly implemented at this point is the "Don't show up late" part. But, there's a new system being tested that lets people - perhaps just resort guests - choose attractions they want to ride in advance and get a RF fastpass card that pre-assigns them times. Here's a link.

It looks interesting. I wonder if the fancier version will end up being a "pay-to-play" option though, along the lines of the express passes used at other theme parks. Although perhaps having the Mickey head to scan the card will take some of the heat off the CMs so they won't be having to say "nope, sorry, your time frame has passed." I would venture to say they will still have to have a CM stationed at the Mickey scanning post though...

[Mr.ToadWildRider]

I don't understand what's wrong with the current system. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's not a reference to enforcing the rules, which seems sensible to me, but rather this new system. I have to believe that there's no way they're goung to be able keep track of all these reservations if this thing goes live, unless they're doing pay-to-play, which seems icky to me.

The way I see a system like that working is either:
A) You have to go to some kiosk to begin your day and chart out your FPs, sorta like dining reservations at Epcot used to be (first stop for us was to stop at Communicore and do that video chat w/ someone to make our dining reservations)- which means long lines just to book your FP and then no gaurantee your schedule will be available.

or B) You have to book your schedule in advance which means that in addition to now having to call for dining PS months in advance you'll now have to call for FastPasses too?

In any event, automated card readers like that are never as simple as manager types like to think. They converted all of the Boston public light-rail to automated ticket sellers and takers if you will....but now you need the same person who used to sell you tokens to help people figure it out....AND a guy with technical ability to fix all the errors. It really just gums things up. Imagine trying to get in to use your FP and some guy up front either doesn't know how to use his card or for whatever reason has an unreadable card?

I don't know I'm very skeptical. I could see this being another perk for Disney guests which I get though I'd be a little opposed (as a time-share user who still pays full-price for admission I'm a little bias, but it wouldn't seem fair to make it more of a have/have-not scenario) plus the fact that it doesn't seem like it could work with the sheer volume of on-property guests.

So bottom line: DIsney, if it ain't broke DON'T FIX IT!!!

[Len90]

RFID is the future of WDW. The door locks throughout the property are gradually being done. Yacht/Beach were slated to be done in early-mid June. With the RFID integration a lot of behind the scenes work needed to be done. The resorts are being prepped and then the new keys are being printed up to ensure guests will not be inconvenienced when the switch over occurs during their stay. In order to determine an RFID key from the previous generation look for two things.

1. The castle on an RFID key is smaller and on the left as opposed to being on the right. Secondly an RFID castle no longer features tinker-bell.
2. On the back of the key below the signature line an RFID key will have a smaller Disney with what looks like a wifi signal in mickey ears. The old key has the Disney name with the slogan "wishes, dreams, magic".

It was an interesting time to be at WDW as people were actually noticing the differences in the keys.

[NaCler]

According to WDW News Today podcasts, Disney has been testing a new RFID FP system on guests arriving at the Orlando airport. Apparently they are asking guests what they are celebrating. There is speculation that this is to interact with AA's or special effects during rides according to your celebration. Like an AA saying Happy Birthday or maybe a ghost in the HM giving you a present at the mirror scene at the end. They are also asking guests what parks they are visiting on what days and what FP they would like to sign up for in advance. They are then given a special yellow card I think it was with the RFID chip that will have their park passes and resort room keys. During their FP return time they show their yellow card to the cast members who are sporting new Ipads to scan the cards and usher them into the FP queue. Haunted Mansion was one that was rumored to be trying this out. We will have to ask packwingfn if he has any knowledge about these tests.

[Wizzard419]

That's not surprising that they are using heavier and heavier RFID stuff, the "Glow with us" stuff at DLR not only works with world of color but other stuff (supposedly cars land shops and rides as well as the Mad T Party) but it also gimps the output when you are inside rides so that they do not distract others.

What will be interesting is the ineveitable security issue since it's easy to read them and decipher the info. Since it's passive, that means no rolling codes.

[Amy]

RFID is the future of WDW. The door locks throughout the property are gradually being done. Yacht/Beach were slated to be done in early-mid June. With the RFID integration a lot of behind the scenes work needed to be done. The resorts are being prepped and then the new keys are being printed up to ensure guests will not be inconvenienced when the switch over occurs during their stay. In order to determine an RFID key from the previous generation look for two things.

1. The castle on an RFID key is smaller and on the left as opposed to being on the right. Secondly an RFID castle no longer features tinker-bell.
2. On the back of the key below the signature line an RFID key will have a smaller Disney with what looks like a wifi signal in mickey ears. The old key has the Disney name with the slogan "wishes, dreams, magic".

It was an interesting time to be at WDW as people were actually noticing the differences in the keys.

I have noticed a few people posting pictures of the new vs. old keys on facebook lately.

According to WDW News Today podcasts, Disney has been testing a new RFID FP system on guests arriving at the Orlando airport. Apparently they are asking guests what they are celebrating. There is speculation that this is to interact with AA's or special effects during rides according to your celebration. Like an AA saying Happy Birthday or maybe a ghost in the HM giving you a present at the mirror scene at the end. They are also asking guests what parks they are visiting on what days and what FP they would like to sign up for in advance. They are then given a special yellow card I think it was with the RFID chip that will have their park passes and resort room keys. During their FP return time they show their yellow card to the cast members who are sporting new Ipads to scan the cards and usher them into the FP queue. Haunted Mansion was one that was rumored to be trying this out. We will have to ask packwingfn if he has any knowledge about these tests.

This sounds like it might be pretty cool! Good idea asking packwingfan...now to find him I think he works all the time now!

That's not surprising that they are using heavier and heavier RFID stuff, the "Glow with us" stuff at DLR not only works with world of color but other stuff (supposedly cars land shops and rides as well as the Mad T Party) but it also gimps the output when you are inside rides so that they do not distract others.

What will be interesting is the ineveitable security issue since it's easy to read them and decipher the info. Since it's passive, that means no rolling codes.

Big drawback on the security side. Hopefully they have addressed these concerns!

[Wizzard419]

That is one of the things where magnetic strips have the benefit, they cannot be read remotely and (generally speaking) spoofing is a little less subtle since you have to make a key. Normally RFID chips in the wild are either tied to low value assets (such as transportaion cards) or so heavily mixed up (such as an office building) that picking up a target is hard let alone the door may require an alarm code. When you have a concentration of vacation-brained people in a space, it makes theft way easier.

[cy1229]

That is one of the things where magnetic strips have the benefit, they cannot be read remotely and (generally speaking) spoofing is a little less subtle since you have to make a key. Normally RFID chips in the wild are either tied to low value assets (such as transportaion cards) or so heavily mixed up (such as an office building) that picking up a target is hard let alone the door may require an alarm code. When you have a concentration of vacation-brained people in a space, it makes theft way easier.

My daughters' passport cards have RFID chips in them, and came with a protective sleeve to keep over them except at border crossings. It seems that if people are worried about it, they could use something similar to block the RFID chip from being read.

[Wizzard419]

Yeah, mini faraday cages are nice for things you use in the long term, but it is a little different when you are talking about a temporary one.

[cy1229]

Yeah, mini faraday cages are nice for things you use in the long term, but it is a little different when you are talking about a temporary one.

Not really. A couple layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil should do it.

[Wizzard419]

... you know that is the equivilance of it, right?

[cy1229]

... you know that is the equivilance of it, right?

Equivalence of what?

[Wizzard419]

A faraday cage

[cy1229]

A faraday cage

Yes, I do that know. However, I wasn't sure how many people on the boards know what a Faraday cage is.

[Wizzard419]

Oh that's easy, so Michael Faraday was into some kinky stuff and then one day a guest at his house walked in on him "Mid-session" and the first excuse he could come up with was that he was looking for a way to block EM fields.