The [New York Times had an article today](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/business/media/at-disney-parks-a-bracelet-meant-to-build-loyalty-and-sales.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&) that outlined upcoming enhancements coming to Disney’s theme parks:
> Imagine Walt Disney World with no entry turnstiles. Cash? Passé: 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.
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> Fantasyland? Hardly. It happens starting this spring.
> Disney in the coming months plans to begin introducing a vacation management system called MyMagic+ that will drastically change the way Disney World visitors — some 30 million people a year — do just about everything.
This is something I have been anticipating for years[^fn1], and I am excited to see how Disney implements these changes. Part of the process will be a new “MyMagic+” experience that includes a website, a mobile app, and RFID bracelets:
> 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.
It sounds like a really impressive ecosystem[^fn2]. Of course, such a drastic change will probably result in a changed experience for Disney’s guests. [The Disney Blog gives a pretty good analysis](http://thedisneyblog.com/2013/01/08/mymagic-nextgen-rollout-questions-answer-and-more-questions/) of what this new experience probably will probably be like:
> What’s probably going to happen is that the top 2 or 3 attractions for each park will essentially be ‘pre-booked’ by MM+. That means you’ll have to arrive at rope drop for any chance of day-of FP if you want to ride those, but the lower-tier FP attractions will benefit with faster standby and more availability for day-of FP. This is because the 3rd and 4th MM+ reservations will be for shows and parades for the most part.
On the plus side, that could mean I finally get to go on *Soarin’* for the first time in about 4 years[^fn3].
I look forward to more information as the new MyMagic+ system rolls out.
[^fn1]: I assumed it was inevitable once the Fastpass system was started
[^fn2]: For a fuller breakdown of the technology, check out [Skitch Kingdom’s breakdown of a recent Disney Patent Application](http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-nextgen-entitlement-58144/)
[^fn3]: Seriously, I have not seen a Fastpass return for this ride that was within 4 hours of when I went to pick it up.