The "Next Generation" at Walt Disney World is starting up in full force now as signs of it are already being seen. On Sunday, November 13, 2011, brand new turnstiles are reported being seen at the entrance of Epcot and they're those that allow guests into the park via RFID technology.
A few at the TouringPlansBlog noticed the new turnstiles at Epcot this morning off to the security checkpoint to the left side of the monorail. Avid park-goers know this section is little used so it would be a shock to get let off the tram there.
Upon getting up to the front, Cast Members placed small Mickey stickers on the passes of the guests. The silver RFID technology being on the back of the stickers. Other Cast Members would then scan the passes with the new sticker to make sure things were in place with the each owner.
Then it gets interesting though as the old spinning turnstiles are now gone and silver poles with Mickey-head enshrined orbs on top of them are in their place. These poles also have finger scanners attached to them and the guests do all the work.
Image gallery of the new RFID turnstiles at Epcot
It appears as if Cast Members are merely there to help out with any issues as everything is automatically done once guests swipe their pass and scan their fingers. From there, a light swirl show if all is good and entrance to the park is allowed.
Kind of awesome, but this is most likely only the first step to a lot of technological changes at Walt Disney World. RFID is going to become huge with the "Next Generation Experience" so be on the lookout folks.
Included in the image gallery of the new Epcot turnstiles is some concept art of possible other NextGen innovations that could be coming to the Disney Parks soon.
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