I do think it's correct that people will put up with a certain loss of privacy for convenience. I don't know what that means long term; because of course there are also hard and fast lines where we don't wan't our privacy compromised.

Bryant

In the past they issue you a card that is the key to your room and that you carry around to buy things. Their computers can easily see where you shopped, where you ate, what park you went to, and what you bought. So this magic band idea really isn't much different in that respect. It just sort of centralizes everything and gives more convenience. You can plan out your vacation on the website instead of doing everything on the fly.

It also moves people through the parks more efficiently. Which is probably the goal Disney has with this.

They are neat. Sometimes, you have to move your arm around to get them to work on the door

and we've already personalized our Magic Bands. I have not (and will not) however, link my credit card to them. Didn't do it last time for the card-type ticket, and I was glad I didn't since I actually lost my card-type ticket at Blizzard Beach. Thankfully, some nice visitor or cast member found it and had turned it in at the gate. I was able to retrieve it on my way out of the park.

Which is great.....free parking! If the ever force a credit card which the may. Get a disposable on with 500 dollars on it. That may satisfy Disney and your apprehension of giving a card.

All hail the Black Mouse Ears of Antioch!

Jean Baudrillard, the French philosopher, vindicated again! Disney World and Land are the only REAL places in America. The rest is a Simulation becoming more hyper-real as we speak, the motto is: "More real THAN real!" If you don't get a 4K TV set and the newest iThing Ultra Tablet, well, you are going to miss the show.

I am old school, I prefer a ball and chain that you can see and feel and drag around laboriously--though you can glance at your wrist band from time-to-time, huh?

This may have been something you would have seen watching the Micky Mouse Club on acid, or maybe a shared nightmare that Orwell and Huxley had from time to time.

Of course, for those who love this stuff and want to soak into the dream that replaces the old-fashioned religious stuff, enjoy!!! This is certainly a much more humane and enjoyable version, as long as the credit card holds out. Lurch right into that amazing and wonderful future, glitch free, as long as the resources hold out.

Maybe they can work on Magic Weather next.

most for conferences, a few times for recreation, and it truly is a different world. I will admit it - the geek in me LOVES EPCOT. Can't help it. Well, and the aficionado of food and drink really gets a kick out of Oktoberfest there. I'd probably never have to worry about losing too much weight if I lived there year around .

I prefer a lot more of a modest lifestyle, but I must be honest - I would live in a cocoon of Disney level extravagance and the very things I think are excessive and detrimental ... yeah, I could swath myself in that.

I wonder how long it would take me to get tired of it. I'm thinking probably about three days, but if anyone wants to take on the challenge, they are welcome to do so.

Now that I think on it, I was sick of it after exactly 96 hours. It would be awesome if there weren't so damn many people.

The Disney was definitely on overkill but a lovely place. I was glad to go home after 3 days

I was so damn glad to go home, you just couldn't imagine.

on property in July or August. The price is a bit lower then at the campground and the crowds aren't nearly as bad. We usually stay for 10 days and buy a 6 or 7-day park hopper pass. It lets you take things in at a more leisurely pace. The longer stay park hoppers used to come with a few 'magic' extras like entry to the water parks, mini golf, entrance into DisneyQuest, etc. We'd split the days up in the parks using those 'extras' with one day at Blizzard Beach, another day at Typhoon Lagoon, and just a day to hang around the campground (hotdog/marshmallow roast, campground pool, Disney movie outside, horseback riding, archery), Downtown Disney one day. Not sure if they still do that or not.

This will be the first time we will actually be staying in one of the hotels. My husband asked me what I wanted for my 30th anniversary, and I told him I wanted to see the xmas lights in Epcot and in the Magic Kingdom and the decorations at the hotels. We're doing the dining plan and have planned dinners in the major hotels. My daughter wants us to keep track of how much our meals actually are priced so we can see what kind of value we're getting with the dining plan.

I figure hubby's had it easy for the first 30 years because we've never really celebrated our anniversary other than occasionally going out to dinner and always giving each other cards. Not to mention, we're take a 2nd week to spend time with his parents on the way home.

And the hotels vary from okay to fan-freakin-tastic, depending. The whole place runs on money and youthful energy (and too-low wages), but I won't knock it too much--I have a daughter working there and a second that is completing a college internship. Both fell in love when we spent a week in the Wilderness Lodge back in 1998 and they were still young enough to collect autographs of the characters. We go down about once a year.

I've also stayed at Disney for conferences.

It's much more relaxing than a week in Las Vegas, but, yes, about day 4 I'm ready to go.

I can't imagine living in Celebration. Life in a Disney town....I think I might crack.

because that's a major drag...

But it's the same idea, World Domination.

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Kind of OT, but have you heard about the Ultimate Marvel Marathon?

http://www.slashgear.com/ultimate-marvel-marathon-is-29-hours-straight-of-superhero-movies-08372570/

While I truly enjoyed all the movies. One at a time is enough for me. They can be a bit of an overwhelming sensory experience.
It's a younger persons game.

They only way to do this is in one of those new lounge chair theaters.

Don't pull the "big brother" argument on me. I'm there to be in "the bubble" when I go and I love the services it provides.

I love the wristband.

No tickets, no room key to find, no credit cards or cash to carry around.

I've had to explain the saying "That was an E ticket ride" to my kids.

they still had E tickets.

And you don't need a damned wrist bracelet or any other form of identification to gain admittance. You get to eat because you are a human being.

Sit anywhere you like. If you are a regular then the staff will have a pretty good idea about what you might like on today's menu, and if you're a stranger they'll ask.

Today I say "nothing special," and they bring it to me, some kind of bean, rice and vegetable stew. Chili? Garlic? Wonderfully subtle. And good bread today with olive oil. The beverage is a thick brown ale. Most of the menu is grown and made locally.

When I'm done eating, as I'm leaving, I grab a couple of fruits and drop them in my jacket pocket to eat later.