Meeting its self-imposed “by Christmas” deadline, Walt Disney World will begin accepting Apple Pay on Wednesday (Dec. 24), 9 To 5 Mac reported.
The new payments system, which will also support contactless payment cards and other NFC-based systems including Google Wallet, will be initially available at most stores, quick service restaurants, bars and ticket sales booths on the grounds of the Walt Disney World Resort. Locations that use portable payment terminals, such as table-service restaurants, will get Apple Pay and the other contactless payments later.
The contactless-payments rollout leverages the infrastructure that the resort deployed as part of MyMagic+ in 2013. That used proprietary bracelets to allow visitors to charge food and other items to their hotel room bills, so they would not have to carry their wallets in the park. The MyMagic bracelets also supported other features, including the ability to make reservations for park attractions up to 60 days in advance.
The Disneyland Resort is also expected to come online with Apple Pay and other contactless payments in 2015.
Disney was announced as an Apple Pay partner when Apple launched the contactless payments service. The company installed upgraded iBeacons and NFC readers in its retail Disney Stores before Apple Pay went live.
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