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Disney trying to change ticket laws to cover MagicBands


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It's possible.  This is from an article in the Orlando Sentinel...

 

Walt Disney World has spent close to $1 billion developing its "MyMagic+" system, which includes replacing conventional tickets with wireless-transmitting wristbands that serve as all-in-one park passes, room keys and credit cards.

 

Now Disney wants to make sure those "MagicBands" are protected by Florida law.

The giant resort is lobbying the Florida Legislature this spring to rewrite the state's ticket laws to cover its new bracelets, which Disney hopes will revolutionize the theme-park experience for visitors — and become a lucrative new source of souvenirs.

 

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-03-29/the-daily-disney/os-disney-nextgen-ticket-laws-20130329_1_walt-disney-world-ticket-law-theme-parks

 

Another article from the Orlando Business Journal...

 

Walt Disney World is lobbying the Florida Legislature to rewrite ticket laws to cover its new MyMagic+ system bracelets, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

 

The entertainment giant (NYSE: DIS) said the changes in state law are needed as ticketing systems advance beyond paper passes at theme parks and elsewhere. The new MyMagic+ system includes replacing conventional tickets with wireless-transmitting wristbands guests can use for park passes, room keys and credit cards.

 

"As technology continues to evolve, theme parks and other venues are able to make ticketing for guests more convenient," Disney spokesman Bryan Malenius told the Sentinel. "The bill being considered by the Legislature will help Florida keep up with the rapidly changing way guests experience entertainment choices, including our parks."

 

However, sports fans and activist groups said the measure's language goes too far and would prohibit anyone from reselling tickets to other events, such as concerts or football games.

 

To read more about the measure from the Sentinel, click here.

 


http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/morning_call/2013/03/disney-lobbies-to-rewrite-ticket-law.html

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Is this why they haven't done a rollout yet?

 

No, they are still being tested. It will be later rather than sooner for a complete roll out.

 

Regarding Disney's lobbying, the proposal has been well received by the politicians and should have no problem being instituted.

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No, they are still being tested. It will be later rather than sooner for a complete roll out.

 

Regarding Disney's lobbying, the proposal has been well received by the politicians and should have no problem being instituted.

 

I would imagine that eventually others will adopt the technology and use it in similar ways, so the change is in their best interests as well.

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I would imagine that eventually others will adopt the technology and use it in similar ways, so the change is in their best interests as well.

 

They'll have to find a way to work around the patents though. 

While anyone can use the RFID technology, the MagicBand concept and features are a different story. 

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When will the wristbands be available at the little huts in the restaurant parking lots?

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Well Lou, you must be psychic, because in fact there is!


Further testing of the MagicBands will take place next week with guests staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.


The test will include in-park activity at AK on April 13 and 14.

 

All MagicBand features will be tested.

 

Assuming all goes as expected, CMs will receive MagicBands for a much larger test before being made available to the general public.

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From Chip & Company...

 

Senate Committee Approves New Ticket Law
Wednesday, April 10, 2013   Siera   0 Comments
 

Do you remember our article just last week explaining that Disney World needed Florida legislature to re-write the current ticket laws to protect the new MyMagic+ system? The proposed legislation also increased punishment for violations of laws on selling fraudulent tickets. Well, just this week, a Senate committee has now approved the new ticket law! This bill was supported by all three major Orlando theme parks including the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando, and Sea World Orlando.

 

There are two major changes for penalties to individuals caught selling fraudulent tickets. The fine had previously been limited to $500 and is now a maximum of $10,000. Repeat offenders will now face felony charges rather than misdemeanors.

 

The other major result of this legislation is that it will broaden the legal definition of park tickets to include new technologies. This will incorporate Disney World’s new wireless-transmitting “MagicBands,” which Disney has designed as part of its $1 billion “MyMagic+” project.

 

The legislation was rewritten though to remove a controversial provision that would have declared admission tickets “personal property” meaning that they can be freely resold by buyers. That battle, which would mainly affect ticket sales on Ticketmaster and StubHub, has been referred to by lawmakers and lobbyists as the “ticket wars.”

 

This bill was sponsored by Umatilla Republican Senator Alan Hays. “The original bill was just creating way too much controversy and, with this late into session, we didn’t have the time to get through it all,” Hays said. “Right now, it’s protecting the consumers, those unsuspecting visitors who think they’re buying a legitimate ticket only to find when they get to the gate that the ticket is expired or is non transferrable or some other horrible thing,” he continued.

 

 

http://www.chipandco.com/senate-committee-approves-ticket-law-105441/

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