New RFID Implementation and Testing at Walt Disney World

Over the past year Disney guests and fans have watched as bits and pieces of RFID technology have trickled out of Project NextGen for testing at Walt Disney World. As this billion dollar technology upgrade project moves forward, it seems we'll soon to be leaving behind mere product testing and entering into the first phases of operational use.

Over the past year, Walt Disney World Resort Hotels have undergone a change of locks on the guest room doors to those that use RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) technology. To facilitate that all "Key To The World" cards are now embedded with the RF technology. While most guests at the moment are just using them to open their room door, Disney's moving forward on using them as quick ticket media at the main gates, implementation of Fastpass+, and "Touch to Pay" check outs.

RFID Touch to Pay
In August we discussed "Touch to Pay" Testing at the Contemporary. Last week RF sensors were added to many retail locations across property, and are expected to be in all locations by mid-January. From what we've the system maintains it's "Touch to Pay" simplicity for purchases under $50, for purchases over $50 guests will use a PIN code set up at check in as an added security measure.

Touch To Pay Locations Now Include:

• Epcot
• Polynesian Resort
• Contemporary Resort
• Yacht & Beach Resort
• BoardWalk Resort
• Art of Animation Resort
• Winter Summerland Mini Golf
• Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf

In addition, several members of our forum have been recently selected to participate in testing of the RFID enabled FastPass+ system. Guests selected for the trial were allowed to pre-book their FastPasses in advance of their park visit and we look forward to hearing their trip reports on the forums!

Slowly but surely Project NextGen seems to be coming together to enhance the guest experience. There are still plenty of questions, such as how it will be implemented for non-resort guests, but if one thing is for sure, exciting changes are coming up soon. What do you think about the wide scale implementation of the RFID Keys and their uses? Let us know!

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