WDW using more wireless RFID

Disney is beginning to use RFID technology for more applications at WDW.  New room key cards with RFID chips are in use at some resorts now, according to this story from DIS News.

The new locks will work with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.  Guests' Key to the World cards will allow access to the rooms like before, but instead of inserting the cards into the locks, guests will just need to tap the lock for the door to open.

This wireless technology is also being applied to the FastPass system.  See this story  from April for more details.

Select Walt Disney World guests will be part of a test for "FastPass+", part of the upcoming NextGen initiative. Disney's new system will allow guests to make reservations for ride times before they even begin their vacation.

One idea with the new FastPass system is to allow people to plan a park itinerary with prearranged times to go to the attractions.  Veteran passholders might be tempted to say "good luck with that".  A trip to WDW planned out literally by the hour can be disrupted by the weather, attractions going down, or other factors.   If this is your only trip to WDW it might be appealing to have everything planned out, but this is also a recipe for stress and disappointment. 

A comment on widespread use of RFID in the parks - people can easily be tracked which could help Disney manage the parks.   But, with the new room key Disney could know where specific people are.   And what about credit cards with embedded chips?  RFID sensors could be anywhere and everywhere.   Despite Disney's attempts to make this system secure, how easy would it be for someone to reprogram a sensor to grab thousands of credit and debit card accounts.    We'll see how all this goes.