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An article in this months Wired details how Disney spent $1 Billion developing, testing, and rolling out their Magicband system that started actually rolling out in 2013.
Disney's Magicband system is based on a wristband containing an RFID chip and a 2.4gHz wifi transmitter. To use the system, the guest simply aligns the Mickey head on the wristband with a Mickey head on the receiving antenna. These antenna are dispersed throughout the park; for example: rides, souvenir shops, restaurants, and on-property hotel rooms. Rather than having to pull out a wallet to pay for something, one simply uses the Magicband and, upon a good read of the RFID tag, your associated credit card gets charged accordingly. It is even used by their FastPass system which allows you to schedule getting on rides.
When everything works, the reader flashes green and emits a pleasing tone; if something goes wrong, it glows blue, never red. Red lights are forbidden at Disney, as they imply something bad happened. Nothing bad can happen at Disney World.
In early 2014, "atdisneyagain.com" did an actual dissection of a Magicband to get a look at the components, complete with FCC look ups to see exactly what was going on inside.
[Update: corrected grammar and phrasing.]
(Score: 1) by No Respect on Monday March 23 2015, @09:54PM
About 10 years ago when SeaWorld was owned by Anheuiser-Busch they implemented a system at their Orlando, FL park (maybe others, too) that required guests entering through the gates place their finger on a pad which did, I assume, fingerprint scanning and matching. This was allegedly to save them money in some way that was never adequately explained.
I remember refusing, since when I bought our tickets that day there was no mention that a mandatory fingerprint scan was required. I told them it was against my religion. There was still a collective groan from those in back of me in line when I started to object. The social pressure was enormous if you dared to take exception with the system. The standoff was quickly resolved after they eyeballed my yearly pass (that had my photo on it). It wasn't a huge deal. The number of other sheep complying with the procedure was mind-boggling. Voluntarily give your fingerprints to a fucking BEER company? Are you kidding me?
Anyway I think it was some sort of experiment. No idea if they're still using that system at SeaWorld. I know AB doesn't own it anymore.