New "digital key" on App...why?

[bonjing]

I can see this as another option to when the bands don't work too. Happened to us twice in our stay once when checking in, walked back from building 7 to the front desk 4 times to get them to work. Once after we got back from a full day in the park. I can see if the bands continued to work in the park and not the room, I would have totally just said forget going to the front desk after a full day in the park.

 

[bluezy]

I would have loved for this to be available at AoA when we were there in June. My daughter realized while we were on the bus to AK that she forgot her magic band in the room (after I asked everyone 3 times if they had their magic bands). We went to GS at the park to get her a temporary card for the day (we knew where her band was so there was no need to replace it). She wasn't feeling well and went back to the room earlier than the rest of the family. When she got back to the room she found out that the card wouldn't open the room door. She headed to the front desk to see if she could get a room key but the lines were super long. So she went to the food court (where she also discovered that her temporary card didn't have charging privileges -- but she had cash) and waited for us there. Fortunately, we were already on our way to the bus stop to go back to the resort so she didn't have to wait too long but she would have felt much better if she could have jumped in the shower and then rested in her bed. If this perk had been in effect for AoA in June, it would have been a huge help to her that day.

 

[morganms22]

I think they will eventually move to using phones for everything a magic band can do and magic bands will either be optional or phased out. When they started developing the technically for Magicbands back in 2007, the first Iphone/smart phones had just started coming out. It wasn't until years later that they had the option to put the technology in a phone. By that time, they had already invested one billon + in Magicbands when they were set to debut in 2013. This is why they did not use them at Shanghai Disney and only used smart phones with the same exact technology.

It's nice to have the option of using your phone, but I prefer the bands overall. It's fun for your kids and a nice way to disconnect from everything.

 

[esilanna]

I mean it came in handy for us last week when we ran out quickly to refill our mugs and forgot to put on our magic bands. We both left them in the room. Instead of having to go to the front desk and waste time, we just opened the door with our phones.

 

[AngiTN]

I know the real reason the added the feature
It makes a cool sounds like pixie dust when you open the door with you phone

 

[writerguyfl]

Conventions are a big chunk of Disney's hotel business that people tend to forget or ignore. But, if you've ever watched Illuminations in Epcot on the west side of World Showcase, it's not unusual to see dozens (or hundreds even) of guests being escorted into the park to watch the show from one of many reserved viewing areas.

Many of those convention guests do not have Magic Bands. Those guests are more likely to be business travelers that are used to using their smart phone to enter hotel guest rooms at other hotel chains. I'm fairly confident that this service is aimed at those guests.

 

[jerseygal]

Does anyone know if you have to check in on line to use the digital room key phone feature? I typically don't check in on line, prefer front desk check in to check on my "requests"... Thank you!

 

[jarestel]

Nobody is required to use their phone to unlock the door. If the idea of it sets your nerves on edge, just ignore the phone and proceed with your vacation as usual.

 

[Rileygirl]

I think they will eventually move to using phones for everything a magic band can do and magic bands will either be optional or phased out. When they started developing the technically for Magicbands back in 2007, the first Iphone/smart phones had just started coming out. It wasn't until years later that they had the option to put the technology in a phone. By that time, they had already invested one billon + in Magicbands when they were set to debut in 2013. This is why they did not use them at Shanghai Disney and only used smart phones with the same exact technology.

It's nice to have the option of using your phone, but I prefer the bands overall. It's fun for your kids and a nice way to disconnect from everything.

Yup and Yup.

Edited to add: not sure how to multi quote, but I meant to add Ninjamoms post in here too.

 

[AngiTN]

Nobody is required to use their phone to unlock the door. If the idea of it sets your nerves on edge, just ignore the phone and proceed with your vacation as usual.

But it's so much more fun to complain even when you aren't one that is forced to use something. At least that's how some come across, lol

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We used the phone resort room unlock feature just last week - I love it! For us, it was just insurance if we mistakenly left our magic bands in the room.

 

[OKW Lover]

Love this new capability. Now if it will work on my AppleWatch that would be even better!

 

[danikoski]

I've used digital key at Hilton's while traveling for work. It works a decent distance from the door, so, at least when I've used it, you don't need to touch the phone to the door lock. I'm looking forward to using it next year when we are at WDW.

 

[AngiTN]

I've used digital key at Hilton's while traveling for work. It works a decent distance from the door, so, at least when I've used it, you don't need to touch the phone to the door lock. I'm looking forward to using it next year when we are at WDW.

Not the case at Disney. At least not in the two times I used it. Had to touch the phone to the door device and have to hold it for a few seconds. Phone was not more convenient unless you didn't have on a band. In my case, I had a fob hanging on my phone case on a strap and my case broke so my fob wasn't handy. I used my phone till I got my band out

 

[danikoski]

Not the case at Disney. At least not in the two times I used it. Had to touch the phone to the door device and have to hold it for a few seconds. Phone was not more convenient unless you didn't have on a band. In my case, I had a fob hanging on my phone case on a strap and my case broke so my fob wasn't handy. I used my phone till I got my band out

Well that's a bit annoying.

 

[Joyful Jamie]

Yup and Yup.

Edited to add: not sure how to multi quote, but I meant to add Ninjamoms post in here too.

This scares me a little as my phone could be dead at the end of a long day in the parks and I am l then left locked out of my room or without the ability to purchase dinner! I hope magic bands don't go away completely!

 

[dansdad]

Does anyone know if you have to check in on line to use the digital room key phone feature?

Nope.

 

[Dean Marino]

Nope.

OK, this still concerns me. I do NOT WANT IT - nor do I want anyone ELSE using it. That last part is important...

WHEN (not if) this gets hacked? I do not desire for this "feature" to be enabled on my room door. So - is this a default "opt in", or a default "opt out"?

 

[AngiTN]

This scares me a little as my phone could be dead at the end of a long day in the parks and I am l then left locked out of my room or without the ability to purchase dinner! I hope magic bands don't go away completely!

Don't let the negative folks scare you. They are never going to go to cell phone only. First, cell phone use is not required. It may be pretty dang common but it's still voluntary to own one and not everyone owns a smart phone even today and second international guests have very limited data use and wifi is still not 100% available

OK, this still concerns me. I do NOT WANT IT - nor do I want anyone ELSE using it. That last part is important...

WHEN (not if) this gets hacked? I do not desire for this "feature" to be enabled on my room door. So - is this a default "opt in", or a default "opt out"?

There is neither an out in or an opt out. It is always on once installed. My place of employment installs access control for hotels, exactly like what is in use at Disney. I'm afraid it is on the door and they aren't removing it for your room. And it's not just Disney. We had it at Hyatt

 

[Lynne M]

And it's not just Disney. We had it at Hyatt

...and Hilton, and Marriott, and Starwood...