USA Today's Disney's Wireless Wristbands: Convenient or Creepy?
About This Page: This is a discussion on USA Today's Disney's Wireless Wristbands: Convenient or Creepy? within the Touring the 'World': The Parks at Walt Disney World, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; Pretty interesting article on the wristbands. Disney's new wireless wristbands: Convenient or creepy?...

karadisney · 01-10-2013, 08:49 AM

Pretty interesting article on the wristbands.

Disney's new wireless wristbands: Convenient or creepy?

nurse_mom · 01-10-2013, 09:51 AM

Little creepy! I am not in favor of these at all.

**mike56** · 01-10-2013, 10:30 AM

We need to give Disney a chance to see how they work-I have no problem with the technology-it states you can have the option to opt out information.

People discuss privacy issues all the time but do not realize there personal information is already out in cyper world with the credit card companys-Doctors office-insurance companies-Gov't institutions-banks-grocery stores,etc.

Patrick FaMILY · 01-10-2013, 11:22 AM

Convenient. People can be creepy. Technology in the hands of creepy people is scary.
Just don't lose your wristband. No different than not losing your wallet, purse, fanny pack, back pack, you name it. What ever you carry your identity in while in the parks should be watched at all times.

karadisney · 01-10-2013, 12:00 PM

I really like the photopass wristbands they have. I used mine not just at Typhoon Lagoon but at the parks as well. It was so convenient. But, it also only had pictures on it and not personal information on it.

jimmymac · 01-10-2013, 12:05 PM

great technology with a real big slippery slope potential. I don't like that they track you wherever you go in the parks

**chezp** · 01-10-2013, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmymac

great technology with a real big slippery slope potential. I don't like that they track you wherever you go in the parks

That's the element I don't like either.

I see it as collecting information on you and what you do, see etc. in a bit of a sly way. Previously if they wanted to know that, they'd have to ask you and you'd know you were giving the information out.

**Thomhazel** · 01-10-2013, 12:26 PM

I am a bit unsure of the security of putting credit card information on it

fluttercat · 01-10-2013, 01:02 PM

I wonder what Disney is going to do when they see people go through the turnstiles only to disappear off of their metrics when they get inside. We won't be wearing the wristbands. They will be used to enter the parks and our rooms. Gift cards to pay for everything. We rarely use Fastpass so won't need them for that. The rest of the time they'll be in a nice RF shielded pouch of some sort. Plenty of stuff out there for that now. If they want to know where I've gone and what I've done they can ask me.

**Caldercup** · 01-10-2013, 06:11 PM

But in capturing where you go and what you do, they're interested in learning what "tripped you up" or what took too long. For them, that means they'll know where the guest experience was lacking.

While I'm no fan of Big Brother, I see this as Disney's way of learning how to facilitate my vacation, not as some evil overlord way of watching me like some sort of predator.

fluttercat · 01-10-2013, 06:26 PM

If I get tripped up or something takes too long, I'll let them know. As would most people. They don't need this.

Neros · 01-10-2013, 06:36 PM

My biggest concern is one of security. There are many examples out there of RFID systems being hacked in one way or another (*), either allowing for access to one's personal data (unlikely if Disney has designed the system as they say they have), or allowing one to duplicate an RFID card (or in this case bracelet) by simply passing a duplicating device near it (which could be hidden in a purse, bag, etc).

Sure, it is not easy to do, and there are ways to somewhat mitigate this risk, but the potential for 1) getting an unsuspecting person's room key and 2) knowing they are not in the hotel (i.e.- out and about in the park) might be quite motivating to an unsavory type of person.

(*) for a good example (and if you're a big tech nerd like me

), google for a presentation called "Milking the digital cash cow." It was at a recent conference, and is quite interesting to see the potential security issues with RFID and Near Field Communication devices.

karadisney · 01-10-2013, 06:51 PM

I would opt out of putting any of my credit card info on it. No way!

**WDWJAMBA** · 01-10-2013, 07:57 PM

I like knowing who I am giving my info to and having a choice whether or not to give it out. I just can't seem to make the leap into pre-planned FastPasses.

It just isn't how we tour. We're rather spontaneous, and for us, that's part of the best family memories we have. If I feel too scheduled, it's not fun then.

:

dolphin041599 · 01-10-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike56

People discuss privacy issues all the time but do not realize there personal information is already out in cyper world with the credit card companys-Doctors office-insurance companies-Gov't institutions-banks-grocery stores,etc.

I keep my online presence to a minimum. I only give the necessary information, i.e., my doctor's office does not need my SSN.

This is intrusive and invasive and I don't like it. I also don't want to wear a bracelet all day long. I can only imagine the irritation it will cause, especially when its hot out.