'Magic Band' on the Horizon for Disney Tickets?

POSTED: Tue, 10/16/2012 - 06:00 | POSTED BY: Melinda Gregory

Could an electronic wristband that would replace paper tickets at Disney parks be in the works? Possibly, according to a Disney filing with the Federal Communications Commission.

The report, filed by Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts, is for a "radio-frequency wrist band." The name given to the device on the cover letter sent to the FCC by Disney is "Magic Band."

The "Magic Band" is described in the FCC filing as follows:

The radio of the device, Model MB-R1G1, is a wrist worn arm band that transmits a 2.4 GHz signal to an indoor wireless infrastructure. The PCB assembly is potted in plastic and completely overmolded with thermal plastic polyurethane. The band has no on off switch and is powered with a non-replaceable coin cell.

Of course, speculation is that this "Magic Band" could possibly be a replacement for Disney tickets - but, at this point, that's all there is: speculation. From a Disney spokesperson to ABC News:

We regularly test ways to make our guests' experience even better but have nothing to share at this time.

We'll keep our eyes peeled for any other news about this new "Magic Band."

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In:

Kristen K. wrote on Tue, 10/16/2012 - 11:55:

I'm starting to get sort of excited about this. I hate stuff around my wrists, and I'm not sure what I think about this whole RFID thing in general, but the change seems to be rapidly approaching and I'm looking forward to seeing how it gets implemented.

I also hope that somehow this band will account for not all wrists being the same size.

lynxphil wrote on Thu, 10/18/2012 - 18:12:

I don't like the idea of someone knowing every step I take. I can see it being used to get into the parks, for fast passes and even to keep track of how many people are riding specific rides, but to have a battery in it to transmit its(your) location is like having big brother keeping an eye on your every move. The only advantage I can see is that if you have a lost child you can see where they are. They have the same idea for their refillable resort cups. I work for Chick-fil-A part time and soda costs pennies a to refill a cup. Is Disney that hard up that they want to make sure you don't refill a cup that is not a refillable cup? I LOVE Disney, but it would be real turn off if this happens.