Walt Disney World has begun issuing Annual Passes which include RFID chips, supporting the "Touch to Enter" gate system.
Now through May 19, 2013 current Passholders can stop by Epcot's Odyssey Center to exchange magnetic stripe Annual Passes for hard plastic RFID-encoded park media. Passholders must present their current ticket and a photo ID in order to complete the exchange.
The new passes support the "Touch to Enter" system now installed at all theme park entrances. Entry to the park is obtained simply by tapping the pass to an RFID-enabled reader. After scanning a valid card, the reader flashes green and the guest is quickly waved into the park by a Disney Cast Member.
The new Annual Passes will continue to support the existing FASTPASS machines, leading up to the debut of FASTPASS+.
Passholders will eventually be issued rubberized MagicBands sporting similar RFID technology, but a rollout date for that product is yet to be determined.
After May 19, Passholders will presumably be able to claim their RFID enabled ticket at any Guest Relations desk.
