PDC's Smart Band RFID Wristband System enhances the guest experience at Great Wolf Lodge in California

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PDC has announced the installation of its Smart Band RFID Wristband System at Great Wolf Lodge Southern California, the brand's newest property located in Garden Grove, for electronic access control and cashless payments. The indoor waterpark resort is the latest of nine Great Wolf Lodge resorts to introduce PDC's RFID wristband technology.

Designed to streamline guest transactions, Smart Band replaces traditional forms of payment and access credentials that are usually carried in a wallet, purse, or pocket. Upon check in, Great Wolf Lodge guests are issued a non-transferable, waterproof PDC Smart Band, with a securely sealed RFID chip inside that safely collects and transfers data when scanned by a reader in the park. Each chip is programmed with a unique alpha-numeric code that is assigned to a guest portfolio, so the bands are impossible to duplicate.

Functioning as a convenient "wrist wallet," Smart Band enables Great Wolf Lodge guests to make instant purchases using their RFID wristband. "RFID payment transactions take about half the time compared to using credit cards or cash, reducing lines and increasing impulse purchases. Since guests don't have to dig for change, they are more inclined to make some smaller purchases they might normally pass on," said Robin Barber, Vice President of Leisure & Entertainment for PDC.

For hotel room access, Smart Band's contactless interface provides significant advantages over standard magnetic stripe key card door locks, which can collect dirt and debris that impact performance. Since Smart Band® is safely fastened around the wrist; guests no longer hassle with forgotten, lo st, or misplaced key cards.

"With Smart Band RFID wristband technology, guests no longer have to worry about carrying cash, credit cards, and room keys," noted Rajiv Castellino, Chief Information Officer, Great Wolf Resorts. "With a simple wave of the wrist, guests can access their suite, and make dining and souvenir purchases throughout the resort. Since introducing the Smart Band® RFID wristband technology to our resort in the Poconos Mountains in 2005, and several others since that time, our resort guests throughout the country have enjoyed the convenience and service this technology provides."

Smart Band® can be completely customized and is offered in a wide variety of colours and material options including plastic, silicone, woven fabric, and thermal print-on-demand styles. Smart Band is available with non-transferable single-use closures, and in re-wearable styles for single-day use or for a season pass program.