The Disney MagicBand is perhaps the most widely deployed commercial application of wearable tech, although its development and application did not come without considerable internal controversy. Disney’s newly named chief operating officer, Tom Staggs, told Reuters recently that he expects the MagicBands will expand beyond DisneyWorld to other of the company’s parks. Said Staggs:
“The folks who are saying the MyMagic+ experience is excellent is the vast, vast majority of folks who are using it, and that, we know, is good for our business.”
Disney’s resort business is good; income increased 22 percent over the past six months. Staggs was not specific about where, how, or when the bands would be used. Disney operates destination theme resorts around the world, as well as a fleet of cruise ships.
The MagicBands help visitors plan their trips, and act as an identity, ticketing and payment mechanism within the DisneyWorld complex in Orlando, Florida.
Staggs, who is seen to be the heir apparent to Disney CEO Bob Iger, said that he was “really open” to working with other smart band makers to perform the same functions but without the custom Disney hardware, although he said there were no specific plans to do so.