Episode 765 - Scopa's Vacation

Authored by: WillCAD on Saturday, August 28 2010 @ 08:39 AM CDT

In this episode, Scopa-san commented on Key to the World cards and park passes becoming demagnetized, and speculated on the possible causes.

A lot of people talk about cell phones, magnetic purse or wallet clasps, digital cameras, and other electronic devices that create magnetic fields, but I don't believe that any of them actually cause ticket media to malfunction. I believe there are two main culprits: static electricity, and physical damage.

With the heat in Florida, static electricity is very common. When someone touches a card, any static charge they might have built up can discharge into or through the card and into any grounded object - such as a FastPass machine, park gate turnstile, cash register, or other card reader. Static is the enemy of all sensitive electronics. Ever buy a new hard drive or ram upgrade for your computer? The component comes in a static-proof bag to protect it, and the installation instructions always tell you to ground yourself before touching the component. The solution for WDW park passes is simple - handle the cards by their edges, so the static won't pass through the magnetic strip if you're charged and grounded.

And most people keep their park passes in their pockets, or in a bag of some sort, but wherever they're kept, they're always in something with slots that the keys slid into and out of. Well, all that sliding is a major cause of the other culprit - physical damage. Minute scratches in the magnetic strip, smaller than the eye can see, can accumulate over time, and eventually cause the card to malfunction. Solution: Keep your card in a slightly more loose protective container, such as a neck lanyard, so that it won't rub as it goes in or out of the container.

Overall, I'm with Mike on this one - I think that Key to the World cards are simply made from cheaper, less-robust media than Tyvek Annual Passes or credit and debit cards, which is why they fail more often from the same causes.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: TheFugitiveGuy on Saturday, August 28 2010 @ 05:40 PM CDT

Funny opening to the show. Unless I'm mistaken, I think that might be the first time we've heard Matt join in on the silly singing (we're used to Len doing it every other show) ;)

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: djRom on Monday, August 30 2010 @ 02:13 PM CDT

I agree with him on the portion size at Pecos Bill. Taco salad seemed the same size, but less meat in it.

Fortunately, we didn't run into any issues with our cards not being active anymore.

We went to Le Celliar (first time for all of us), and I got to say I was not a fan of cheddar cheese soup. I got the filet, and it was ok, the risotto was extremely salty. Though the chocolate moose was very good. I am glad that we got to try it before it turned into 2 dining credits. I'd rather go to the California grill, as we did on this trip which was fantastic. Though the steak knives were a bit dull, lol.

It's a shame that we didn't get to meet Scopa like I had planned or Matt for that matter, stupid parade.

Here is all of our pictures from the trip. http://tinyurl.com/2f9okt3

---
Society starts with you.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Atomicmickey on Tuesday, August 31 2010 @ 09:59 AM CDT

Scopa said "something new happening in Adventureland".

While he was saying it, Len was singing something--a clue!

I have listened many, many times and can't figure out what he's
singing.

a) Indiana Jones Theme
b) Welcome to the Jungle by Guns n' Roses
c) Kathmandu by Bob Seger
d) In the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki room
e) Something else

So, which is it? Inquiring minds want to know!

[ Reply to This | # ]