Schlitterbahn South Padre Island Hotel Goes Keyless with Precision Dynamics Smart Band RFID Wristband System

Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC) announced the sucessful launch of its Smart Band RFID Wristband System for keyless hotel room access, at the newly opened Schlitterbahn South Padre Island Beach Resort, in Texas.

Schlitterbahn Waterparks, a family-owned provider of aquatic-based entertainment destinations based in New Braunfels, TX, chose PDC’s patented RFID system to provide an added measure of convenience and security for its guests. The innovative technology enables guests to easily access their hotel rooms with PDC’s Smart Band RFID wristbands, which are issued at check-in. When the wristband is presented to the RFID-reading door lock, a pre-programmed RFID chip sealed inside the band is electronically activated to trigger the door to open.

Waterproof Smart Band replaces traditional forms of access and identification credentials (including keys, badges or magnetic stripe door cards) that aren’t as secure or convenient for use at water parks. Unlike standard access credentials, Smart Band is non-transferable and uses secure encryption to prevent unauthorized use or counterfeiting.

PDC Smart Band is available in 13 colors, which provides multiple color-coding options for classification of guests, groups, and admission control. Schlitterbahn Waterparks branded their Smart Bands and refers to the wristbands as “splash cash,” promoting their popular cashless point-of-sale (POS) application.

The wristbands can also be custom-shaped or imprinted with any graphic or company logo, as used at Schlitterhbahn’s national resorts, to promote its brand. Even the material Smart Band is made from can be customized: silicone, woven, plastic, and direct thermal.

“Smart Band provides water park guests with the peace of mind traditional access systems can’t offer,” said Robin Barber, vice president of leisure and entertainment for Precision Dynamics. “Parents can let their kids explore and still control how much they spend on in-park purchases – even when in different areas of the park.”

Schlitterbahn Waterparks has partnered with PDC since 2008 when it rolled out the Smart Band RFID System for cashless (POS) at its property in Galveston Island, TX. Designed for superior customer convenience, the system allows guests to load money to a Smart Band, which functions as a “wrist wallet,” that enables guests to instantly purchase food, beverages and souvenirs via multiple cashless POS stations located throughout the park. The instant transactions result in shorter lines, quicker purchases and more impulse buying opportunities, benefiting both park and patron.

Since its launch in 2001, PDC’s Smart Band RFID Wristband System has been used by leading amusement and water parks to deliver unique and convenient applications that help redefine the guest experience, while bringing bottom line benefits to the parks that use them. Applications include cashless point-of-sale, cashless arcade and vending; social media integration, keyless hotel and locker access; electronic access control; photo management systems; and customer loyalty programs. Additional PDC RFID Solutions for water and theme parks include PDC Smart Cards, Key Fobs, Lanyards and Parking Passes.