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View Full Version : RFID tickets available to WDW Annual Passholder 3/20/13 {New Exchange Location 5/20}


AgentC
03-13-2013, 07:57 PM
I saw a Facebook report this evening that Annual Passholders who are renewing or buying a new pass will be able to get an RFID card starting next Wednesday. Current passholders will be able to convert their passes starting on the same date.

I have only seen it on one blog , so I suppose it it a rumor at this point. Hopefully there will be an official announcement out soon.
faline
03-13-2013, 08:04 PM
From what I've heard that would be very good news!!
disneydeb
03-13-2013, 10:22 PM
Would we be able to have our CC info and room key on the same RFID card?
DizneyFreak2002
03-13-2013, 11:19 PM
Would we be able to have our CC info and room key on the same RFID card?

Yes...
TheDuckRocks
03-14-2013, 10:21 AM
Good morning. My brain is not functioning well this morning - what does RFID stand for?
We are AP holders and will be at WDW from April 7th and wonder if I need or want one.:blush:
Ed
03-14-2013, 10:41 AM
Good morning. My brain is not functioning well this morning - what does RFID stand for?
We are AP holders and will be at WDW from April 7th and wonder if I need or want one.:blush:

Radio Frequency IDentification. Think of those little tags on expensive items in the store that set off an alarm if the cashier doesn't disable them. In the case of tickets, it's a very tiny thin circuit board embedded in the material of the card. The circuit board holds whatever info is programmed into it when it's issued, and the RFID readers pick up that info when the card is held near it.
Butters
03-14-2013, 11:48 AM
Will this force us to use FP+ or can we continue on with the old method?
AgentC
03-14-2013, 12:02 PM
Will this force us to use FP+ or can we continue on with the old method?

Fastpass+ isn't in use yet, so you are fine by now.

My understanding that once FP+ is in use all RFID tickets passes will use FP+.
TheDuckRocks
03-14-2013, 12:08 PM
Radio Frequency IDentification. Think of those little tags on expensive items in the store that set off an alarm if the cashier doesn't disable them. In the case of tickets, it's a very tiny thin circuit board embedded in the material of the card. The circuit board holds whatever info is programmed into it when it's issued, and the RFID readers pick up that info when the card is held near it.

Thank you, Ed.
So, this is the devise that will be in the new wristbands and can also have your room key info and FP+ info on it?
Then since the AP is already loaded into the wristband will we take them back for the next trip, in the same year, and just have the room info updated?
From the little I have read this is what I'm taking this all to mean. And here comes the big but, I just got a new computer with Windows 8 and now know that everything is not as simple with new technology as I think it's going to be. Just want to get this semi-right before I make a total fool of myself in front of the CMs.
magicofdisney
03-14-2013, 01:50 PM
How do you get a FP if you no longer have a card?
badkitty
03-14-2013, 04:21 PM
It will be interesting to see how this affects the Premier passports since we need a card for DLR.
Figment!
03-16-2013, 11:22 AM
Effective March 20, 2013 all Annual Passes issued and renewed will be RFID capable cards.

From March 20th to May 19th, current Annual Passholders may exchange their current card for a RFID capable card at the Odyssey Complex in Epcot's Future World during normal park hours.

Conversion to a RFID capable card is not yet required; however, it will allow Passholders to use the RFID park gates. Passholders who wish to exchange their pass need to bring their current pass and a photo ID.
Butters
03-16-2013, 12:41 PM
We won't be back until Sept, any rumor if we'll be able to switch them out after this period?
TheDuckRocks
03-16-2013, 11:20 PM
Good havens! DH and I can take care of ours in April, but our granddaughter won't be going with us until Oct with her AP. Keeping my fingers crossed that by Oct. they have this whole mess up and running correctly.
Figment!
03-17-2013, 10:41 AM
We won't be back until Sept, any rumor if we'll be able to switch them out after this period?


Good havens! DH and I can take care of ours in April, but our granddaughter won't be going with us until Oct with her AP. Keeping my fingers crossed that by Oct. they have this whole mess up and running correctly.

All indications are that Guests will still be able to convert their passes after May 19th, but the location(s) has yet to be announced.
Figment!
05-21-2013, 08:48 PM
The Walt Disney World resort has internally announced that Annual Passholders may now convert their current card to an RFID capable card at any Guest Relations window in each theme park.

As planned, the conversion center inside the Odyssey Complex closed on May 20th.
DisneyDINK
05-22-2013, 09:59 AM
OK Intercotees, here's one for ya...

I'm doing a solo trip in September. DW and I both have paper APs. She won't be going again until December. Can I exchange BOTH of the the APs for the new RFID ones without her on my September trip or will I have to trade in mine in September and then she will have to do hers herself in Decenber?
magicofdisney
05-23-2013, 02:53 PM
The Walt Disney World resort has internally announced that Annual Passholders may now convert their current card to an RFID capable card at any Guest Relations window in each theme park.

As planned, the conversion center inside the Odyssey Complex closed on May 20th.


Confirmed. My kids and I did this on the 21st.
Figment!
05-23-2013, 06:37 PM
Confirmed. My kids and I did this on the 21st. Thanks. :thumbsup:


I'm doing a solo trip in September. DW and I both have paper APs. She won't be going again until December. Can I exchange BOTH of the the APs for the new RFID ones without her on my September trip or will I have to trade in mine in September and then she will have to do hers herself in Decenber? The announcments have indicated that Passholders need to be present and provide a photo ID to do the conversion.

Christine, magicofdisney, or another INTERCTOee who has done the process may be able to say for sure.
Butters
05-24-2013, 11:03 AM
So we just booked a last minute trip for next month, do I need to upgrade our APs or can we just continue with the paper ones?

Since we're only there for 4 days don't want to waste 30min in guest relations line... Also the less I integrate into Fastpass+ at this time seems to make it easier on me
DisneyDINK
05-24-2013, 01:07 PM
So we just booked a last minute trip for next month, do I need to upgrade our APs or can we just continue with the paper ones?

Since we're only there for 4 days don't want to waste 30min in guest relations line... Also the less I integrate into Fastpass+ at this time seems to make it easier on me

Good point. I wonder when it will be mandatory?
Figment!
05-24-2013, 06:26 PM
So we just booked a last minute trip for next month, do I need to upgrade our APs or can we just continue with the paper ones? non-RFID capable passes are still valid (for now), but will be automatically upgraded to RFID capable at your next re-newel date.

With a non-RFID capable pass, you will not be able to use RFID features such as the touch-and-enter park gates.
Butters
05-25-2013, 06:38 AM
non-RFID capable passes are still valid (for now), but will be automatically upgraded to RFID capable at your next re-newel date.

With a non-RFID capable pass, you will not be able to use RFID features such as the touch-and-enter park gates.


Thanks for the info, looks like we'll wait since we don't plan on renewing unless DVC gets another one of those $350 deals again
magicofdisney
05-25-2013, 09:05 PM
Good point. I wonder when it will be mandatory?

It's definitely mandatory at renewal. This is why I did mine at Guest Relations. My children were with me so we went ahead and changed out their cards. However, it was not required for them, we just did it so we could all enter at the same gate.