Universal RFID Bands?
- Thread starter Disneyhead
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I think it was inevitable... Still not decided on whether it's a great thing or not. But if they go a similar route it will definitely be convenient.
- Feb 15, 2012
- 17,131
- 47,040
Yawn.
Also don't forget this permit from over two years ago: Parkscope: Universal Applies for Patent Detailing Queue Management & Ride Reservation System
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I really wasn't convinced about magic bands as I always thought you had to stay on site at Disney to use them and I never seen the value of it but I've just recently found out that you can buy them in the parks and pair them to your tickets. Doing it this way doesn't give you all the benefits such as being able to attach a credit card to the account to buy things in the park but memory maker is now included for free with all WDW tickets in the uk and I think it will be worth it for that alone plus just the convience of being able to use it for fast passes and entering the park. Although being Scottish I have very pale skin and will probably end up with a pretty bad tan line.
If universal bring out something similar if be all over it if they bring out something similar to memory maker but seeing as they don't have a similar fast pass system I don't see how convienent it would be to the average guest if they're not staying on site and have a credit card attached to the band.
If universal bring out something similar if be all over it if they bring out something similar to memory maker but seeing as they don't have a similar fast pass system I don't see how convienent it would be to the average guest if they're not staying on site and have a credit card attached to the band.
Agreed those bands cost 3 bucks to make and act as a free souvenir. If they tie the bands to people's names, now you can have personalized customer service and make things even more interesting in the park and make the ET system a lot more simple as well.
- Oct 3, 2014
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There was a possibly related job posting from early last year that mentioned something called the "Keymaker initiative" and seemed to be really focused on transforming the overall guest experience throughout their entire "vacation cycle".
I'll also echo almost everyone else and say it's not too terribly surprising they're working on a similar system. I just hope they use something other than bands, as it'll cause even more confusion amongst guests who visit both major resorts on their trips.
I'd imagine since guest surveys are apparently going out now, we're not too far off from seeing this kind of system announced, with a likely debut to coincide with Volcano Bay's opening?
Here's the text and a link to that job posting, which is kind of interesting:
Director, Marketing and Experience Transformation Job - ApplyQ
I'll also echo almost everyone else and say it's not too terribly surprising they're working on a similar system. I just hope they use something other than bands, as it'll cause even more confusion amongst guests who visit both major resorts on their trips.
I'd imagine since guest surveys are apparently going out now, we're not too far off from seeing this kind of system announced, with a likely debut to coincide with Volcano Bay's opening?
Here's the text and a link to that job posting, which is kind of interesting:
Director, Marketing and Experience Transformation Job - ApplyQ
I would think they would steer away from a Fastpass plus system. that seems to be what has caused the most problems for Disney. My guess is it get's used for hotel rooms, product purchases, waterpark only ride times, tickets, photos.
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- Nov 26, 2014
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It seems like people get all anxious over this because of all of the complications that FastPass+ and stuff brought. Depending on what exactly they do, it could just make things that much more easygoing at Universal.
Who knows, maybe they're still working on that. Taking their time to do it right after the mess they saw happen at Disney.
I doubt one would affect the other. Even if so, it's not like Universal's parks are in bad shape the way Disney's are. We'll still be getting Volcano Bay, Fast and the Furious, Jimmy Fallon, Nintendo, Secret Life of Pets, whatever they end up doing down Universal Blvd., etc.
It honestly doesn't have to be a wristband, just do something consolidates your room key and tickets and dining plan and whatever down into one thing. Wristbands can certainly be convenient, and there's the potential there to make a fun souvenir kind of like Disney has done with MagicBands, but I think the key goal should be streamlining things. I don't think it's as big of deal for offsite guests, but even then it'd be a little better to have a multi-day ticket that isn't made out of paper that they have to avoid destroying for however many days. But if Universal is trying to build their reputation as the place to stay instead of Disney, then the reality is that they're going to have to spend some money on something like this eventually. It'd be nice if they could maybe make it so they can put everything on your phone, but that would probably be a much more complicated system to instate.
Who knows, maybe they're still working on that. Taking their time to do it right after the mess they saw happen at Disney.
I doubt one would affect the other. Even if so, it's not like Universal's parks are in bad shape the way Disney's are. We'll still be getting Volcano Bay, Fast and the Furious, Jimmy Fallon, Nintendo, Secret Life of Pets, whatever they end up doing down Universal Blvd., etc.
It honestly doesn't have to be a wristband, just do something consolidates your room key and tickets and dining plan and whatever down into one thing. Wristbands can certainly be convenient, and there's the potential there to make a fun souvenir kind of like Disney has done with MagicBands, but I think the key goal should be streamlining things. I don't think it's as big of deal for offsite guests, but even then it'd be a little better to have a multi-day ticket that isn't made out of paper that they have to avoid destroying for however many days. But if Universal is trying to build their reputation as the place to stay instead of Disney, then the reality is that they're going to have to spend some money on something like this eventually. It'd be nice if they could maybe make it so they can put everything on your phone, but that would probably be a much more complicated system to instate.
I understand the confusion part but I can't think of anything as an alternative. They can't make it something that goes in your pocket as you'll lose it at Volcano Bay if they implement it there or you'll no doubt be forced to remove it before going on a coaster. A wristband is the best solution and I don't think they should make something not as good as it could be just for the sake of confusion. Slap something Universal on it to stop any confusion although I know the general public and there will always be somebody.
The "I know where you have been last summer" band is such a huge succes at WDW that NON of the Disney parks want that overpriced piece of crap. Not Disneyland nor Disneyland Paris nor the Azian parks.
Universal has an awesome perk for all their top hotel guests, free front in line passes. To sustain that garantied level of a relaxing holiday supposed to planning for a few rides 6 months in advance, Universal will need to add high capacity, cutting edge rides and themed areas in their current and new theme parks. The current costs for the magicband is about 2 bilion dollars, that money will be well spent by Universal for their expansion and update costs.
Universal has an awesome perk for all their top hotel guests, free front in line passes. To sustain that garantied level of a relaxing holiday supposed to planning for a few rides 6 months in advance, Universal will need to add high capacity, cutting edge rides and themed areas in their current and new theme parks. The current costs for the magicband is about 2 bilion dollars, that money will be well spent by Universal for their expansion and update costs.
A Disney budget and a Universal budget are two completely different things. The 6 month advance planning annoys me to no end but the band idea I think is actually a pretty good one. I'm not sure how hotel guests currently get to use the express pass but I assume they just show their room key card. Wouldn't it be easier instead of getting your wallet out, you could just put your wrist to a sensor? If the rumours are true about Volcano Bay having queueless rides as well, then a band is the obvious choice.
I'm sure Universal would learn from Disney's mistakes.
- Nov 26, 2014
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See, this is what I'm talking about, people just seem to think you can't have one thing without the other. I'm guessing that Universal is just planning on making a more convenient ticket on a wristband, not all of this planning nonsense. I really don't think they're going to be messing with their Express system or forcing people to make dining reservations or whatever. Don't confuse a more convenient ticket with MyMagic+ idiocy.
^^
This. To me, I find whatever Universal doing with Wristband tech, to benefit them and the general guests.
^
I'd have to imagine that they will be, which already will help them very much.
This. To me, I find whatever Universal doing with Wristband tech, to benefit them and the general guests.
^
I'd have to imagine that they will be, which already will help them very much.
How about one band to bind them all that can be used at all the Orlando parks? Think of the synergy! :ban: NO! 
:ack:
Frankly I want an RFID card with a magnetic strip and a hole in one corner to put a lanyard I can clip to a loop on my shorts. That would work for me
:ack:Frankly I want an RFID card with a magnetic strip and a hole in one corner to put a lanyard I can clip to a loop on my shorts. That would work for me
