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esuarezrijsdijk

The Messy Business Of Reinventing Happiness - 0 views

www.fastcompany.com/...iness-of-reinventing-happiness

Disney IOT

shared by esuarezrijsdijk on 27 Sep 20 - No Cached
  • Iger planned to pump nearly $1 billion into this venture, called MyMagic+, a sweeping plan to overhaul the digital infrastructure of Disney’s theme parks, which would upend how they operated and connected with consumers. At the core of the project was the MagicBand, an electronic wristband that Iger envisioned guests would use to gain entry to Disney World and access attractions; make purchases at restaurants; and unlock their hotel room doors. It would push the boundaries of experience design and wearable computing, and impact everything from Disney’s retail operations and data-mining capabilities to its hospitality and transportation services.
  • Disney World, Parks’ crown jewel, seemed to be losing its luster. According to multiple sources, certain key metrics, including guests’ “intent to return,” were dropping; around half of first-time attendees signaled they likely would not come back because of long lines, high ticket costs, and other park pain points. Simultaneously, the stunningly fast adoption of social media and smartphones threatened the relevance of the parks. If Disney wanted these more tech-oriented generations to love it as much as their parents, who had grown up with fewer entertainment alternatives, had, it would have to embrace change now.
  • There were the endless lines for rides, food, and bathrooms; parents juggling maps, hotel keys, baby carriages, and bottles of SPF 75; and kids pulling families on long treks to try to visit every attraction. The park was filled with complications, such as a tiered ticketing system with wonky rules.
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  • The NGE team had big dreams for the MagicBand. It would need to interact with short- and long-range sensors that would be installed around the park. The short-range sensors would let guests scan their MagicBand at sales terminals in Disney park stores to pay for merchandise, for example, or to seamlessly check in at their hotel.
  • The long-range sensors would allow Disney to track guests as they navigated the park. The potential benefits were manifold. By monitoring where crowds were forming, the company could better optimize flow.
  • The MagicBand would also collect valuable consumer data.
  • The tussle over digital access points,
  • The tussle over digital access points
  • where customers would use their MagicBands to enter each ride, was typical of the dysfunction between Frog and Imagineering.
  • More than 28,000 hotel doors needed their locks replaced in order to connect wirelessly with the MagicBand, even as some 80% of the rooms at Disney’s resorts, on average, were occupied. Two dozen workers spent eight months upgrading 120 doors per day. The company rolled out 6,000 mobile devices to support MyMagic+ in the parks. More than 70,000 cast members got MyMagic+ awareness training, with 15,000 learning service-specific tasks for, say, FastPass+ kiosks or MagicBand merchandising
  • Disney World’s physical infrastructure, which was first built in the late 1960s, needed major capital improvements. Two hundred eighty-three park-entry touch points needed to be upgraded. Much of Disney World lacked a Wi-Fi connection, so in order for guests and cast members to take advantage of MyMagic+ and its mobile apps (which would offer a map service and real-time wait times for attractions), the company had to install more than 30 million square feet of Wi-Fi coverage.
  • There is no line at the main entrance to the park, where cast members and a row of polished, golden digital access points greet me, and it takes just seconds to stream through with my MagicBand. According to Disney, the MagicBand has cut turnstile transaction time by 30%. Park capacity has also increased.
  • “Honestly, it’s not so magical,” one cast member tells me about MyMagic+, echoing a common sentiment I hear from park employees during my visit. “It’s just for your hotel room [door] and paying for things.” When you look closely, there’s less to MyMagic+ than what some on the team had hoped for.
  • MyMagic+’s rocky rollout makes the Imagineers’ case for conservatism in the face of technological change seem sound. A slew of problems reared up after launch
  • The Imagineers and Frog certainly did disagree during the MyMagic+ development, as did many others, and that disagreement had repercussions and costs. But it ultimately led to a successful conclusion. What Staggs calls “constructive discomfort” is what sophisticated collaboration is all about.
  • esuarezrijsdijk on 27 Sep 20
     
    This article offers a telling account of how Disney developed and implemented the MyMagic+ initiative, providing important insights into how major corporations approach massive tech-related capital investments. Among the most salient takeaways: 1) how Disney recognized that the parks' pain points could be addressed through the public's growing predilection for personal, always-connected; 2) how these massive internal projects can pit different departments against each other, and how sometimes that antagonism can lead to beneficial results; and 3) how a project like MyMagic+ can have a profound positive impact on the company and still be considered by many to have not fulfilled its potential.
kpony001

Japan theme park to replace a third of staff with robots - Nikkei Asian Review - 0 views

asia.nikkei.com/...e-a-third-of-staff-with-robots

hospitality hotel travel tech technology

shared by kpony001 on 30 Jan 19 - No Cached
  • Japanese travel agency and resort operator H.I.S. plans to cut the number of workers at its Huis Ten Bosch amusement park by a third in three years
  • About 1,200 full-time and part-time employees currently work at the Dutch-themed Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki Prefecture.
  • The displaced workers "will be reassigned to growing businesses within the group,"
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • The company is counting on robots and the "internet of things" to pick up the slack. It has already introduced about 250 robots at the park and a neighboring Henn na Hotel
  • It also is running a pilot program to automatically monitor and collect garbage at the park.
  • There are more than 200 robots at the Henn na Hotel there, handling a variety of tasks from checking in customers to cleaning and landscaping. The entire 144-room facility requires just seven human employees, just a quarter of a regular hotel its size.
  • "We will turn the park cashless in a year,"
  • He is also trying out an electronic payment system
  • "We will introduce customer service robots at the park in a few months
  • this would "reduce the number of cashiers and wait times."
  • H.I.S. is adding another wing to the hotel by the end of the year, which will be equipped with film-like solar cells and plant-based storage batteries.
  • completely energy-independent, so that the company will pay nothing for its heat and electricity -- two major costs for any hotel.
  • kpony001 on 30 Jan 19
     
    H.I.S., a Japanese travel agency, cut the amount of human workers at its Huis Ten Bosch amusement park, and its neighboring hotel, Henn na Hotel, significantly wherein only 1,200 workers still labor at the park while the others will be reassigned to other branches within the group. Instead of human workers, H.I.S. has replaced with with robots that handle a wide variety of tasks severely limiting the amount of employees that have to work there. Among the tasks that they accomplish, there is a program which collects garbage in the park, as well as cleaning and landscaping. H.I.S. also plans to add customer service robots, an electronic payment system (hoping to go "cashless" in the future), as well as a new wing to the hotel, that will be an energy-independent generator made from film-like solar cells and plant-based storage batteries.
Nelson Placa

New Walt Disney World App - 1 views

www.orlandosentinel.com/...times-20120805,0,3588483.story

shared by Nelson Placa on 27 Sep 12 - No Cached
  • Nelson Placa on 27 Sep 12
     
    This article talks about how Walt Disney World park-goers are able to enjoy a new app designed for iPhones, iPads and iPods that gives them real-time updates on park information and other services. The application allows guests to better plan their day with the ability to view wait times for shows and attractions; guests are also able to track what are the fastpass return times and the ability to book dining reservation around the parks and resorts. The application enables the guests to move through the theme parks flawlessly and helps maintain a neat order. It gives the guests the ability to view the maps and view what's happening right now at each of the parks. It is a great application that will help everyone be more organize as they enjoy the parks.
lianettfernandez

https://www.rackwareinc.com/disneys-unique-use-of-the-cloud - 0 views

www.rackwareinc.com/isneys-unique-use-of-the-cloud

cloud robotics disney theme parks technology

shared by lianettfernandez on 20 May 21 - No Cached
  • lianettfernandez on 20 May 21
     
    This article is about Disney's new foot tracking technology and how it uses the cloud network, to cater to customer needs and interests, in real time. "As guests become recognized, robots throughout the park are able to greet park goers." "By having all the data uploaded to the cloud, the robots or employees that are designated to greet guests can access information instantly." "This tracking allows Disney to mine data for visitor preferences and how much foot traffic they are obtaining. " "This information is useful so they can monitor the guests' movements from ride to ride to identify the park's most visited attraction. " "By monitoring and tracking the movement of visitor's the park can deploy more employees to the busier areas throughout the park." "Using the cloud's capabilities, robots can access data for each guest quickly to maximize the amount of park goers that receive this innovative technology."
Gerardo Collado

Disney, Biometrics and the Department of Defense - 0 views

occupycorporatism.com/-and-the-department-of-defense

shared by Gerardo Collado on 26 Jun 12 - No Cached
  • The Department of Defense (DOD) has been interested in Disney Amusement Parks for decades. Known as Operation Mickey Mouse, the DOD has been studying Disney’s use of technology and coercion techniques. The DOD has also been working in conjunction with Disney to collect information on Beta testing operations that the popular theme park uses on their customers.
  • Through the Freedom of Information Act, the Disney Corporation hands over to the DOD all data on their customers. The DOD has an overabundance of information on the general public going back decades thanks to their relationship with Disney. After the DOD analyses and profiles their data from Disney, it is ready to be used to the US government for whatever purposes they deem fit.
  • The small cities Disney has created through their compound, although seemingly harmless, can harness quite a bit of private information on unsuspecting customers. All movements of patrons are tracked and traced through a myriad of cameras strategically placed throughout the theme parks.
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  • Photos, regardless of whether or not they are sold to passengers, are entered into a data base for future use. Because the photographs are legally property of Disney, they can be used at the corporation’s discretion
  • Gerardo Collado on 26 Jun 12
     
    The arising topic of biometrics in the class in combination with Disney Amusements Parks has lead me to further explore details regards the topic. Disney is the first theme park using biometrics for their operations, prior to entrance in the Disney Parks; a digital fingertip is copied of the pointer finger of their customers. The justification for Disney implementation of the biometrics is in order to reduce or eliminate fraudulent and ticketing crimes. The Department of Defense (DOD) is working in cohesion with Disney in a focus to collect information, through the Freedom of Information Act, after Disney provides the excessive quality and quality of information to the DOD, which is after property of the United States' government able to use the information in their discretion. As well, Disney has implemented facial recognition technology in their cruise lines and private island, Casteway Cay, which is tied to a digital voucher card in the event that the customer would like to purchase photographs of their vacation, with or without permission the pictures are property of Disney.
Nicole Stevens

At Disney Parks, a Bracelet Meant to Build Loyalty (and Sales) - NYTimes.com - 1 views

www.nytimes.com/...o-build-loyalty-and-sales.html

disney parks bracelet loyalty sales nytimes technology hospitality software tech hardware

shared by Nicole Stevens on 18 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Visitors would wear rubber bracelets encoded with credit card information
  • vacation management system called MyMagic+
  • If you fully use MyMagic+, databases will be watching, allowing Disney to refine its offerings and customize its marketing messages
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • wristbands equipped with radio frequency identification, or RFID, chips
  • Disney is not the first vacation company to use
  • MyMagic+ will allow users of a new Web site and app — called My Disney Experience — to preselect three FastPasses before they leave home for rides or V.I.P. seating for parades, fireworks and character meet-and-greets. Orlando-bound guests can also preregister for RFID bracelets. These so-called MagicBands will function as room key, park ticket, FastPass and credit card.
  • MagicBands can also be encoded with all sorts of personal details, allowing for more personalized interaction with Disney employees
  • Nicole Stevens on 18 Jan 13
     
    The technological makeover Disney is planning will require brand new software yet to be used in the parks. RFID scanners will be placed at set locations allowing guests easier access to the 'Magic'. No more turnstiles or waiting in lines. With just a flick of the wrist those mickey ears are yours and you are on your way. Personal RFID tags will be placed into guest MagicBands allowing Disney to track guests behavior within the parks. This is all thanks to the new vacation management system called MyMagic+.
Dandan Mao

Hotel Parking Integrated with POS System | Restaurant/Hospitality POS | News For Point ... - 0 views

pointofsale.com/...ntegrated-with-pos-system.html

pos in hospitality

shared by Dandan Mao on 27 Feb 13 - No Cached
  • An integration between Shift4 Corporation, North America's largest independent provider of payment gateway services, and Service Tracking Systems, Inc., the inventor of popular valet parking technology Computerized Valet Parking System (CVPS) makes life easier for hotels and hotel guests.
  • Dandan Mao on 27 Feb 13
     
    "the inventor of popular valet parking technology Computerized Valet Parking System (CVPS) makes life easier for hotels and hotel guests."
Sophia Yam

Software suites for Valet department - 0 views

www.lodgingmagazine.com/...-the-Parking-Problem-2577.aspx

Hospitality Technology

shared by Sophia Yam on 15 May 13 - No Cached
  • Sophia Yam on 15 May 13
     
    The first and last impression upon guest check in/out process plays a critical role in guest satisfaction and experience. Throughout the hospitality industry, the Valet department is the first and last department guests interact when they pick up or drop off their car. This article offer some technology and software that the hotel industries can use to enhance guest Valet experience. One of the major problem Valet department face is locating the car and the car keys when the guests come in to pick up their car. To reduce the traffic time that are spend in locating the car and car keys, this article recommend a hand held device that comes with a software suites to enhance guest wait time experience. The Valet attendant would enter guest information which will then transfer this information to the hotel wirelessly. Furthermore, this hand held device could scan the Car VIN number or license plates to eliminate error in typing information into the device. This device also remind Valet attendant to input the location of where the car was parked and confirm that the key are secure. I feel that this device will save Valet attendant time in serving the guests. Attendant will take less time in inputting the number of the license plate and can track the location of where the car was park easier and faster. An Automated parking access and revenue control system is also introduced in the article. This system helps parking facilities save money where guests can process their ticket at the pay station instead of having a cashier to process their ticket upon departures. Guests can pay the bill and leave without making any stop at the exit to make payment. This system will be great amenity for business traveler that have a limited time yet hotel should not use this system to cut labor expenses. Such system should be offer but guest should have the access to talk to a Valet attendant to obtain their bill and provide feedback about their Valet experience and overall hotel exper
Kassandra Baumgardner

At Disney Parks, a Bracelet Meant to Build Loyalty (and Sales) - NYTimes.com - 0 views

www.nytimes.com/...o-build-loyalty-and-sales.html

bracelet disney

shared by Kassandra Baumgardner on 11 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Visitors would wear rubber bracelets encoded with credit card information, snapping up corn dogs and Mickey Mouse ears with a tap of the wrist. Smartphone alerts would signal when it is time to ride Space Mountain without standing in line.
  • Kassandra Baumgardner on 11 Jan 13
     
    Starting this spring Walt Disney World is introducing it's new vacation management system known as "MyMagic+". This system will drastically change the way Disney World theme parks are run. Part of the software is introducing "MagicBands" that will store guests credit card information, Fast Pass, hotel key, and other information to make the guests experience more interactive. The system will also allow Disney to keep a more accurate account of what is interesting to guests and what is not being utilized. There are some concerns with privacy that guests may have, but Disney is proactively trying to ensure that all guests privacy is still intact. Guests will be able to use the system how they want, and share only as much information as they are comfortable with. The introduction of this management system will benefit both guests and Disney if used effectively. Guests will be able to plan their trips with more ease, and spend more time enjoying the parks rather than standing in lines. Disney will be able to offer a better product, as well as manage its parks more effectively and see what guests are really interested in.
danakissane01

New Far-UVC Light Technology Can Help Disney, Universal Battle Pandemic | Inside the Magic - 0 views

insidethemagic.net/...uvc-light-disney-universal-kc1

TECHNOLOGY hospitality tech travel solution theme parks safety

shared by danakissane01 on 02 Mar 21 - No Cached
  • The theme parks around the world — including both Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando in Florida — have implemented several different safety protocols in order to operate during this unprecedented time.
  • UVC light is a very effective disinfectant and kills viruses just by shining light on it. But UVC light is different from far-UVC, which is the new groundbreaking technology that could help control the COVID-19 virus.
  • Far-UVC light inactivates viruses the same way as UVC, but the main difference is that it does not penetrate the skin or the eyes. Instead, it is absorbed by the dead skin layer and the tear layer within the eye, making it safer as there is less of a chance that a person would develop keratitis
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • It is important to note that the far-UVC light will not eliminate coronavirus on its own. It needs to work in connection with the other safety protocols already put into place, including face coverings and social distancing, as well as the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • hing about U
  • If Disney Parks, including Walt Disney World and even Disneyland, or Universal theme parks decide to invest in these new far-UVC light devices, it could help them continue to operate safely during the pandemic. The major theme parks in Florida have already implemented several safety protocols including temperature checks, social distancing measures, face coverings, paperless payment methods, mobile ordering, and more, ever since they reopened their doors in summer 2020.
  • danakissane01 on 02 Mar 21
     
    This article explains how theme parks are look for ways to ensure safety for all of the guest and employees during the Covid-19 pandemic. By using Far-UVC light technology to help clean and disinfect attractions and restaurants.
abroo041

10 ways smart technology is reshaping the hotel industry | Hotel Management - 2 views

www.hotelmanagement.net/...ology-reshaping-hotel-industry

shared by abroo041 on 13 Apr 19 - No Cached
  • In many ways, the hospitality industry is leading the charge in the adoption of smart business technology.
  • Smart energy-management systems can reduce hotel energy costs by up to 20 percent and generate some of the fastest payback periods in the industry (between 12-24 months).
  • As we move toward 2020, we can expect to see more hotel properties leveraging a variety of smart tech to reduce operational costs, improve guest experience and exploit new sources of revenue.
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  • smart technology will continue to make it possible for hotels to predict and personalize several guest services based on previous visits and aggregated guest data.
  • From operations to guest experience to marketing, smart hotel technology offers a variety of cost savings and revenue opportunities, and it is enabling hotel owners to reach new levels of profitability.
  • One of the main benefits of smart technology is how it aggregates data and makes it actionable.
  • Smart Reserved Parking
  • Smart Roomservice
  • A single leaky toilet can cost as much as $840 per year. Add to that the cost of water damage that occurs until the leak is detected.
  • Not only can guest data be used to help better accommodate guest needs, but in conjunction with occupancy sensors, it can also be used to automate guest interactions throughout their stay, reducing both friction points and labor costs
  • “Big data is great when you can use it to take action—whether that’s tackling a new market segment or adjusting your rate plans to compete against your competitors. However, the biggest concern around big data and the necessary data harboring is the safety around it.
  • Hotels now can use smart sensors and hotel apps to allow guests to reserve parking spots in advance of their visit and to have their space assigned upon arrival.
  • will save hotels the labor cost of manually managing parking inventory and it will give guests a smoother experience
  • By enabling guests to check in remotely through their mobile device, hotel owners can better predict/manage their staffing needs and save considerably on labor costs.
  • offer appropriate upgrades/upsells, and provide them with a more personalized guest experience
  • saving costs from printing environmentally harmful plastic keycards and its eliminating the hassle of managing keycard inventory that is prone to loss and demagnetization.
  • Smart occupancy sensors will also help hotels push menu notifications to smartphones at optimal times when the guests are in their rooms
  • Data opportunities of smart technology offer hotels a more complete picture of their guests than ever before. Hotels that leverage data insight are the ones that will continue to succeed in the face of increased competition from Airbnb
  • A hotel’s online ratings can not only help predict future bookings, but they offer owners valuable insight into how well a property delivered on guest expectations.
  • The successful properties will be the ones that invest in collecting and analyzing it in an actionable fashion.
    • abroo041
      abroo041 on 14 May 20
       
      This article discusses the different technological advances that are making major impacts in the hospitality industry. Some of the things discussed are very common, such as mobile check-ins, and have already been implemented in most hotels. Some of the advances, however, are recently making their way into hotels worldwide. For instance. smart energy management. This is when older lighting and HVAC systems are replaced with more energy-conscious, electronic-based ones. This not only saves the hotel thousands in the long run, but it also helps to protect the environment and reduces harmful waste.
  • adel168 on 13 Apr 19
     
    This article includes ten ways smart technology is reshaping the hotel industry. Smart energy management, predictive maintenance, smart guest experience, big data protection, smart reserved parking, remote check in and check out, mobile room keys, smart room service, smart marketing practices, and online reputation management technology are all highlighted in this article.
  • ...2 more comments...
  • alexaperez14 on 24 Sep 19
     
    This article talks about how smart technology has lead hotels to adopt new trends that have helped reduce costs and improve services. Trends such as smart energy management systems and online reputation management has enhanced operational efficiency and customer experiences. Both customers and businesses have benefitted from IT technology as it improves communication, reservation and guest service systems.
  • anonymous on 21 Nov 19
     
    This article outlines 10 smart technologies used in the hotel industry to become a "green" hotel. They list and explain smart energy, predictive maintenance, smart guest experiences, big data, smart reserved parking, remote checkin/check out, mobile room keys, smart room service, smart marketing and online reputation.
  • edagt001 on 19 Jan 20
     
    This article is about 10 ways that smart technology can help and reshape the hotel industry that would be beneficial in the long run.
  • julianaparada on 24 Apr 20
     
    This article explains 10 ways of smart technology in the hospitality industry. 1- Smart Energy 2- Predictive Maintenance 3 - Smart Guest Experiences 4 - Big Data and Big Data Protection 5 - Smart Reserved Parking 6 - Remote Check-in/Check-out 7 - Mobile Room Keys 8 - Smart RoomService 9 - Smart Marketing Practices 10 - Online Reputation Management Technology We all know most of these, but Smart reserved parking caught my attention because I've only seen this once where hotels now have smart sensors and hotel apps that allow to reserve parking spots in advance and it reduces labor since there's not really a valet person assigned. It proves guests a smoother experience from the moment they pull in.
danalbert

Keep Our Wilderness Off Of Wi-Fi - The Daily Beast - 0 views

www.thedailybeast.com/...wilderness-wild-off-wi-fi.html

shared by danalbert on 03 Sep 14 - No Cached
  • Call it LANifest destiny: the sense the Internet should be available, everywhere, from sea to shining sea. The same illness is starting to infect national parks. Last year, the National Park Hospitality Association petitioned the National Park Service, asking it to make parks more smartphone-friendly.
  • Meanwhile, in the spirit of the Wilderness Act, cities could take easy steps to provide a short respite from all that connectivity. Withholding Wi-Fi is easy. Jammers that block cellphone signals are cheap, simple, and effective over short distances. Physical parks could offer outdoor areas where your phone won’t work, and where your computer can’t pick up any kind of Wi-Fi signal. There could also be wireless-free areas of libraries, coffee shops, public squares, and office buildings.
  • danalbert on 03 Sep 14
     
    This is actually an article touting the benefits of "unplugging" from our 24/7 wired world. The National Park System is notorious for its horrible cell and WiFi coverage. However, with the exception of its use as a safety net, I concur with the author's points. We visit wide open spaces as an escape from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Our smartphones still function quite well as cameras even without a signal. At the end of a day of hiking, when we return to our hotels or homes, our phones automatically upload and archive our adventures. In contrast to the rental car, airline and hotel end of our industry, the escapist mindset that we go into vacations with, may actually benefit from a lack of networks in some cases. A visit to a high-end resort (a la Club Med) many times comes with the "benefit" of no phone or TV in the room. If you're going on vacation, then BE on vacation. Use the technology to archive and share the fun, but don't let it interrupt an unforgettable experience.
natashacastro

Disney is expanding its billion-dollar mobile technology to more parks - Business Insider - 0 views

www.businessinsider.com/echnology-to-more-parks-2015-5

technology mobile hospitality business

shared by natashacastro on 25 Oct 17 - No Cached
  • will expand in some form to other Disney resorts
  • The $1 billion MyMagic+ program features wristbands and a mobile app that let Walt Disney World visitors unlock hotel room doors, pay for food and merchandise, and book dinner reservations or ride times.
  • The parks unit's earnings have climbed over the past few years as Disney invested billions to add Cars Land at the Anaheim resort, expanded Fantasyland at Walt Disney World, built a new cruise ship and made other improvements. For the six months that ended March 28, operating income rose 22 percent to $1.4 billion. It is Disney's second-largest division.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Adding new technology is one way Disney aims to keep the business growing. "We will bring variations on MyMagic+ to our parks and other businesses around the world," Staggs said.
  • that adds projections inside the park
  • natashacastro on 25 Oct 17
     
    The article briefly talks about the MyMagic+ wrist bands that Disney introduced a while back! I decided to use this since I had used this example in our discussion board. The articles explains that with Disneys BILLION dollar technology investments income rose 22% to 1.4 billion. The article identifies that Disney's risks in technology is a huge reason why their business continues to grow (and probably wont decline anytime soon- but thats just my opinion). Another huge investment, which might not seem like a lot is the projections newly introduced in the new fireworks show. By introducing projections inside the park, it allows the nightly entertainment to keep up with new characters and keep the show extremely relevant, for example, Anna and Elsa were just added from the Disney movie, "Frozen". By investing in technology like this Disney will always stay relevant and ahead of the game.
glope143

Can Disney's Magic Bands be Hacked? - MouseChat.net - Orlando News & Reviews | Disney W... - 0 views

mousechat.net/disney-magic-bands-security

technology RFID hospitality security

shared by glope143 on 11 Jun 18 - No Cached
  • While it is still certainly possible to potentially clone a MagicBand (and thereby gain access to protected resources by impersonating the original band holder), the fact that the band operates on the 2.4 GHZ frequency inherently presents some challenges to any would-be malicious users. Admission to the parks is fairly expensive (Fig. 5) and the cost of the hardware required to conduct such a cloning attack far exceeds the cost of a legitimate day pass. For the attack to even be considered economical, the malicious user must clone many passes over time.
    • glope143
      glope143 on 11 Jun 18
       
      This paragraph brings up an interesting point when it comes to the security of Disney's RFID MagicBands. The primary information on the Band itself that could be most "easily" accessed if cloned is a ticketed theme park entrance. The author believes the chances of this happening are slim to none given the amount of theme park entrances that would needed to be stolen in order to justify the cost of expensive RFID cloning hardware. For arguments sake, should a hacker clone a MagicBands individual RFID code there are still a variety of hurdles to cross before being able to walk away unnoticed. Since every RFID code is individualized, should the Band that was hacked enter the the theme park prior to the duplicate, the duplicate will be stopped and questioned by security. There are also bio-metric scanners in the front of each entrance that require the scanned fingerprint to match that on file. Should the fingerprint scanner fail, a cast member with access to the original MagicBand owner's photograph will deem the duplicate band a fraud.
  • Part of the MagicBand system allows guests to make purchases with the band at specific registers provided they have tied a credit/debit card to their account via an external process. This can be seen as a very big convenience to guests who do not wish to continually use their cards to make purchases while in the parks, or for those who find themselves wishing to buy merchandise when they had not initially anticipated in doing so and do not have their wallet/purse/money clip in their possession. Yet in order to make purchases, a user must first swipe their band against a specially designed reader (Fig. 6) and subsequently enter a matching PIN number. Even if our malicious user had an RFID token that was a working clone of a legitimate one, it is somewhat unlikely he would be able to successfully guess the matching PIN number within a reasonable number of tries in one sitting before the cashier would begin to get suspicious.
    • glope143
      glope143 on 11 Jun 18
       
      One of Disney's star features for their MagicBands is the ability to go hands-free throughout their vacation by having everything necessary stored on one device, including credit card information. This gives guests the ability to make purchases across the Resort without the additional moral barrier of having to remove their wallet from their purse or pocket. Should a MagicBand be misplaced, or duplicated as in the context of this article, a four digit code is still required to make purchases with the credit card on file. This code is not available for viewing on the band and cannot be changed though any means besides visiting the front desk with property identification.
  • While multifactor authentication certainly adds to the security of the system in a significant way, biometric  hardware is not flawlessly reliable. Florida is a rather humid place [5] which inevitably affects the performance of sensitive electronic hardware like fingerprint readers. To address this issue and counteract the likelihood of the system presenting users with false negatives, it would be fair to assume that the fingerprint readers themselves are configured to fail open (ie, when in doubt, allow entry). This gives malicious users the potential benefit of knowing that they merely need to intentionally cause the reader to malfunction to be granted access. Social engineering could also potentially play a factor in the exploitation of the MagicBand system by using Disney’s own customer-service policy against itself. Suppose our malicious user is successfully stopped dead in his tracks at the gate. He has been beaten to the entry gate by his victims and has lost the calibration race; there is no hope the machine will accept his cloned band. Yet he scans it anyway, and is denied access immediately. He knows he will not gain entry, but he continues to scan it. The employees at the gate attempt to help him, scanning his band for him, fiddling with the machine, etc, all to no avail. Yet a large line is beginning to form behind him.
    • glope143
      glope143 on 11 Jun 18
       
      This article does a great job at playing devil's advocate in the situation of MagicBand cloning and creates a sound argument at what could happen should a hacker attempt to enter a Disney park with a previously used RFID code. As someone to frequently visit's the Disney theme parks, I would not be surprised if a cast member simply waved a guest through in order to avoid a line back up, especially during peak season times.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Despite the inherent arms-race between malicious users and system security mechanisms, overall the MagicBand system seems to hold up under scrutiny and is fairly well designed. The high cost of the hardware required to compromise the system via an RFID cloning attack combined with the multifactor authentication process provides sufficient layers of systematic defenses; even the most judicious adversaries may still fail to successfully thwart system security.
lianettfernandez

(PDF) The Digital Disruption of Virtual Reality and the Future of the Steel Roller Coas... - 0 views

www.researchgate.net/...r_An_Initial_Industry_Analysis

AR reality artificial theme VR virtual technologies disruptive parks

shared by lianettfernandez on 20 May 21 - No Cached
  • lianettfernandez on 20 May 21
     
    This article deals with virtual reality and how it is impacting the future of the steel coaster. "While VR product development and integration strategies are still in the early stages, as it currently stands, VR is identified as a key role player and complementary technology for further consideration in the roller coaster industry going forward." "With leisure experiences such as amusement and theme parks attracting both domestic and international tourists, and tourists being a highly sought-after commodity capable of turning almost any tourism destination and its attractions into thriving exports (Louw, 2017)" "Furthermore, the US attractions industry grew at nearly twice the rate of the overall US economy and over a timeframe of seven years (2004 - 2011), the impact of attractions grew 50%, with an average growth rate of 6% per annum (Oxford Economics, 2013)" 'This implies that there is not much of a new experience on offer for visitors who have already mustered the courage to conquer these rides which may prove to be cumbersome for park management as far as visitor attendance is concerned and, especially, as far as attracting return visitors is concerned. " "Google Trends indicates a steady increase for the search term "Virtual Reality" over the past 5 years, with a notable spike occurring during 2016 (Google Trends, n.d.)" "With the introduction of VR, however, existing roller coasters and their infrastructure can be revitalised at a fraction of the cost of a complete rebuild by introducing a digital experience overlay (Louw, 2017a:135)" "Naturally, future work could include gaining a better understanding of how VR additions to existing roller coasters affect park visitor numbers with prior studies having indicated positive results of introducing new attractions lasting up to 2 years (Cornelis, 2010)."
Yujia Xie

Hotel Med Park Chooses CloudPM & ProfitWatch - 0 views

www.virtual-strategy.com/...rk-chooses-cloudpm-profitwatch

hotel Accounting PMS

shared by Yujia Xie on 21 Feb 13 - No Cached
  • Metropolis Technologies, Inc., a premier telemanagement and call accounting solution provider, is proud to announce Hotel Med Park’s decision to utilize ProfitWatch Call Accounting to provide accurate call reporting and billing. The deployment of the new system, implemented and managed by Metropolis partner Multi-Systems, Inc (MSI), has been designed to save the property money and simplify management for the hotel.
  • When the hotel terminated their franchise with Best Western in 2012, they had the opportunity to find a web based PMS that could integrate with their Global Distribution System (GDS) and Online Travel Agencies (OTA). They chose CloudPM, a new offering from MSI that provides hotels an affordable cloud-based property management system with full functionality and features. The system offers Med Park substantial savings in capital expenditures, increased operating efficiencies, and lower recurring expenses.
  • In addition to customized rate tables and dynamic guest call bill back, ProfitWatch includes features such as 911 triple alerts, which immediately alerts key personnel of an emergency incident, along with location details of the caller, for any emergency calls placed on the property.
  • Yujia Xie on 21 Feb 13
     
    As this article mentioned, Hotel Med Park chooses to use ProfitWatch to provide accurate call reporting and billing. This system is designed to save the property money and simplify management. They also choose CloudPM to provide hotels an affordale cloud-bases property management system with full functionality and features. In my opinion, this system is very convenient and correct to use for hotels. It can help minimize liability and boost revenues.
Jordan Failing

Hotel Parking Integrated with POS System - 0 views

pointofsale.com/...ntegrated-with-pos-system.html

technology software tech hospitality

shared by Jordan Failing on 06 Feb 12 - No Cached
  • Jordan Failing on 06 Feb 12
     
    This article discusses how Shift4 POS provider and Service Tracking Systems for valet parking have come together to integrate their two systems to make it possible for guests to be charged for valet parking directly to their room folio, instead of splitting up the two charges, which is making it easier for the guests and management on a day to day basis.
  • Bing Liu on 06 Feb 12
     
    This is a really good implementation for hotels. By charging the parking fee to the rooms, it is not necessary for guests to worry about whether they have cash or not. It also saves the time for passing the exit of the hotel.
  • Mary White on 06 Feb 12
     
    The added convenience of this feature is great. It is suprising that this has not been in place longer. It seems like a no brainer since hotels have been able to direct bill a room for dinner for so long. Next they should direct bill the tip for the bag courier so you do not need to tip him at the door. Once a guest accepts help to his/her room, the "delivery" fee could be charged directly to the room. This removes the need for a service evaluation when you have just arrived at a hotel. The tip amount could be tasteful revealed to the guest so there are no suprizes.
aycasa

8 Benefits of Using RFID Wristbands for Resorts and Attractions - US Blog - 0 views

www.idcband.com/...wristbands-resorts-attractions

shared by aycasa on 17 May 18 - No Cached
  • aycasa on 17 May 18
     
    As technology is advancing, the hospitality industry must also stay on top with the latest trends. Hotels and theme parks using RFID wristbands have gone in the last few years. "RFID Systems are advancing, and more companies than ever are offering these solutions to the leisure industry. This helps drive prices down for operators looking to take the plunge into RFID." The article mentioned 8 benefits of using RFID Wristbands in the hospitality industry. The 8 benefits are: improve guest check- in and entry, go cashless, a hands-free experience, family freedom, security and control, make a social splash, one wristband to rule them all, and lastly, data and insight. As mentioned in the article, Disney World released their wristbands, MagicBand, in 2013 and they have been a hit ever since. I personally worked at the main entrance of Disney's Magic Kingdom and it was much easier and quicker for the guest to enter the theme park with their band rather than an actual ticket. Those guests with wristbands already had them out and were ready to tap the band and touch their finger on the glass. Versus other folks where the parents had the ticket cards for their whole party and once they got to the entrance they had to look for the tickets, pass them out to their kids, and then collect them from everyone once they entered the park. Not to mention, they would have to pass the tickets back out o everyone if they are going to use a FastPass for one of the rides. RFID systems are not new to the industry, as they have actually been used for hotel key cards for many years, however, now they have given them a better use. RFID wristband users may use their band to enter theme parks, hotel rooms, and music festivals, and they can use them as a credit card to pay for things on the property. It's a huge advantage to use these wristbands because it is much easier to wear a band than having to carry around a room card, ticket and a credit card, especially at theme parks o
Michelle Munne

At parks, Disney invests in interactive experiences | disne - Business - The Orange Cou... - 0 views

www.ocregister.com/...55-experiences-technology.html

wristband disney parks mobile app experience access

shared by Michelle Munne on 30 Mar 13 - No Cached
  • gets them into the park, pays for food and merchandise, and grants access to their hotel room.
  • smart wristband
  • called MyMagic+, will gather data about a guest's behavior to tailor more personalized experiences.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • project
  • Disney is banking on them to pull in a new generation raised on video games and iPod Touches, while delivering cost savings, managing crowds and delivering valuable insight into customer preferences.
  • mobile phone app that lets visitors reserve firework- and parade-viewing areas, set up a meeting with Mickey or pick rides so as to skip the line. In addition,
  • the band will gather information about a guest's behavior that could be key to even more personalized experiences in the future
  • total cost of the project at $800 million to $1 billion.
  • Today the company is facing a world where most people walking around its parks have a handheld, Internet-connected computer begging to draw their attention away from the immersive, and lucrative, experience at hand.
  • Michelle Munne on 30 Mar 13
     
    Disney has been working on this technology for quite some time. They are hoping to have this up and running within the next few years. The wristband would allow them to personalize their guests' experience.
Paulette Grant

Disney Taps Contactless and NFC Technology as it Seeks to Connect Customers to Its Fant... - 0 views

nfctimes.com/...ct-customers-its-fantasy-world

nfc technology disney

shared by Paulette Grant on 08 Jun 13 - No Cached
  • Perhaps most valuable for Disney is the personal information it hopes to collect from use of the wristbands and from the Web site and app, on an opt-in basis. Personal information could be encoded on the chip of the MagicBands, allowing, for example, Disney employees to greet young visitors by name, according to published reports. The costumed employees might have a hidden contactless reader, though the bands reportedly will store “no personal identifiable information,” Disney reportedly said.
  • Paulette Grant on 08 Jun 13
     
    The article highlights the dramatic change that Disney will effect to increase customer service at the theme park using the Near- Field Communication technology (NFC). This technology which is presently been use by hospitality firms and other industries will allow Disney to eliminate the need for room keys, credit cards, and paper tickets. Customers will be given a wrist band which will be tied to the Disney websites and all accounts numbers and IDs created on the website will be embedded in a chip that is also embedded in that wrist band. All you will need to do is just give it a tap and boom! You are given access to rides, movies, restaurants, kiosks and other attractions within the park. According to the report this saves customers and Disney tremendous amount of time but the real deal behind this is to gather more personal data about customers, and track all the activities you engaged in plus the things you bought. Personal information could be encoded in the wrist band so that an employee or even mickey mouse could greet you by name. All this technology sounds very good but what if I lost my wrist band and it gets in the hands of someone else. The article states that the wrist band can be remotely deactivated if lost or stolen. You and I know that when you having fun at Disney no one will be looking at their wrist every five minutes to see if a wrist band is still in place. If someone found my lost wristband and I notice two or three hours later who will be responsible for all these charges racked up by someone else? I really like this technology because I hate having to wait in long lines; anything that would make my life easier I will pay for it. Having said that I do believe that there are facets of this amazing technology that still needs to be tweaked.
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