Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest-ID-81838.asp" target="_blank"><b>Latest: How MyMagic+ Delays (and Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom) Are Having a Ripple Effect in the</b></a> <p>JimHillMedia.com takes a <i>very </i>interesting look at ripple effects in the Magic Kingdom. He discusses the original plan for the Rapunzel Restrooms and how delays with MyMagic+ and the enormous success of the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game turned it into what it is now.</p>
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Speaking of the MyMagic+, exactly how much of that has rolled out so far? Any attraction time bookings or anything like that yet?
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 I have to say that I find it a little odd that they offer so many of those interactive games...To me, I think the people who spend so much time on those games miss so much going on in the parks. I saw a bunch of kids doing the Phineas and Ferb one in Epcot last summer, and they hardly looked at anything that wasn't related to the game, and their parents didn't either. I guess everyone has their idea of fun, but I personally would not want to spend all of the money for a WDW trip just to spend all of my time playing an elaborate video game.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 None of the MyMagic+ has officially gone online yet. They have tested it with resort guests but they are not testing it at the moment. AP holders are being encouraged to exchange their passes for the new one (though the bracelets are also behind schedule) My understanding is that Disney is trying to fix some issues that they learned about during the testing before going live. Disney has some real concerns about the system being able to handle the number of people who will pre-reserve their FP's, especially for the most popular attractions. I also believe they are behind in installing all of the MyMagic+ readers throughout the parks.
Originally Posted By TP2000 What's truly sad is the attention being paid to a new set of theme park bathrooms and a picnic table with phone chargers. What have we become that that's even a point of conversation? How low has WDW management dropped the standards and expectations of theme park development that they can get fans interested in such a small and trivial addition? Truly very sad. Wake me when we get the next update on the latest DVC property.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I personally would not want to spend all of the money for a WDW trip just to spend all of my time playing an elaborate video game. >>> Some would say the same about shows. Some about parades. Some about sit-down eating. I personally like the idea that there's something new and interesting to check out that's not purely a "ride." Also, considering how little these things cost to put together compared to a big-iron attraction, they could probably do dozens of them for the cost of a single new ride, and/or keep them fresh by changing them each year so that there's high repeat value.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros What worries me about the games is that they are incredibly low capacity (assume each location takes about 60 seconds per cycle/guest, that means only 60 groups per hour can play), and they serve to put more people into the walkways. For the most part, they've done a pretty good job of finding out-of-the-way locations to install the scenes, but they still create additional congestion. For this reason alone, they will never install one of these at DLR, where the walkways are much smaller than at WDW. Additionally, it removes a lot of those nice quiet spots that the parks once had. What confuses me about the article is that they knew that the kiosks would be delayed for a few months, yet didn't see that as an opportunity to host a meet & greet there for the interim period. Given the relative complexity of the charging stations, I see no reason that they couldn't have set up a simple photo spot with a queue, allowing them to cash in on the popularity of the recent characters while they're still fresh. I am glad that Disney is taking their time in rolling out the NextGen system, and that it seems to be a lot less widespread than we thought it would be, even a year ago. Disney is not known for having successful tech-based launches, and they can't afford to screw this one up. They've invested too much in the project, and guests have invested too much in their own vacations, to allow a half-baked system to go live. While I still don't have a lot of faith in the project, it does make me happy to see that they're waiting until it's ready for prime time.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "I guess everyone has their idea of fun, but I personally would not want to spend all of the money for a WDW trip just to spend all of my time playing an elaborate video game." I feel the same. Of course, if I was local and could go to the parks whenever I wanted, I'd probably like this kind of thing. But not when we get to go so infreqently.
Originally Posted By Brad Sorry - couldn't finish even the first few paragraphs of Grampa Jim's "article". "You know that area behind the tower? That area with the charging station? Where guests can charge for free? Near that tower with the stuff? To the left of that churro cart with the theming? Across from that wishing well with the vines? Adjacent to that statue of the thing? Upwind of that ODV cart with the smells? Near that overweight guest with the ipad and the bad sense of homespun grammar?" And it goes on and on and e***n on..... We get it Jim - you've just come from a hootenanny and you've had some grits and fixin's and you're ready for the hoedown. Sheesh.
Originally Posted By HMButler79 So glad WDW is wasting thier time on this so SeaWorld and Universal can go full steam head with exciting, groundbreaking new attractions w/out budget cuts. ANd Jim's repsonses? What a drama queen. He sounds like a Disney CM being slighted that we aren't waiting 7hrs to ride Mermaid AKA Disney Store Window Display. He is DEF on The Mouse's payroll w/ such hissy fit, defensive responses. I worked around ppl like that in the Company for 6yrs.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Yea he sure seems like a jerk if you don't agree with him. I also agree about not being interested in the video games myself, but i can see how some people would be into it. I can especially see this being popular in Epcot because there isn't as much going on for kids like the other parks.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad We did Kim Possible soft opening and again a year later. It was fun but something we did on an open day where we basically just wander around and do whatever hits us. There is a place for this type attraction and a good segment will enjoy it.