Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer <a href="http://allthingsd.com/20110602/disney-ceo-bob-iger-live-from-d9/" target="_blank">http://allthingsd.com/20110602...from-d9/</a> Disney sells some very analog forms of entertainment, like movies, broadcast and cable TV, and theme parks. But Bob Iger’s company has also been willing to experiment with digital outlets: He’s been a consistent supporter of Disney shareholder Steve Jobs’ iTunes and iPad efforts, and he’s also bet on Hulu. So what’s next? Time to find out.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>>8:44 am: Talk about the Shanghai theme park. Iger: 300 million people live within hours of Shanghai. It’s going to be huge for us. Investing in tech to make theme parks more compelling. Will create “personalized experiences” in Orlando. Ability to customize stuff in advance–you’ll be able to reserve ride time. Shanghai will reflect changes we’re making in our existing parks, too<<<< So.. less originality, more branding, more tech. I do not like the sounds of this. At all. And this is why Iger worries me. YES, he does great things for the company. This article proves that he has a cogent business plan. But creatively? I am SO SO SO worried. Because all this tech is looking to intrude on the already existing charm and stories told by Disney, and that frankly, don't need that tech.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Remember, you read it there first: >>8:31 am: When will Disney.com relaunch? Not going to pin ourselves down to a timeline, but you’ll see elements of the relaunch within a year.<<
Originally Posted By DlandDug RE: Gaming >>...now trying to catch up on social games, a la Zynga. We’ll do new stuff that won’t be based on existing Disney brands.<<
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>>>...now trying to catch up on social games, a la Zynga. We’ll do new stuff that won’t be based on existing Disney brands.<<<<< Great, we can game instead of going to the parks! Much cheaper!
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<But creatively? I am SO SO SO worried. Because all this tech is looking to intrude on the already existing charm and stories told by Disney, and that frankly, don't need that tech.>> It already is IMO. Only gonna get worse.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub They are having problems with the new update for the dining reservations and can not factor a solution to people making reservations that are duplicates on a daily basis. The futureguest is making a lunch or dinner daily at every theme park not knowing for certain which theme park they really will be on that day! So we have "overcrowded" empty restaurants. And guests being told nothing is available but the restaurant has empty tables syndrome. Good luck with the advanced character meet & attraction fastpass technology!
Originally Posted By Bolna He ends with the following: <<We have a big opportunity to expose people to content made decades ago, and “the reason we can do that is because it’s good.”>> At least he realizes the value of good content produced in the past - perhaps that also makes him see the importance to continue to produce good content as an investment for the future?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 MMC- I disagree- we know what parks we will be in ( although we may also hop ) on which days because besdies the restaraunt ressies that help drive that- so do the hours of operation - what days attractions like Fantasmic are offered - how many parades/shows are on for that day -- Extra magic hours etc...
Originally Posted By vbdad55 also special events like Star wars weekends- ESPN weekends at DHS / any of the many concerts at EPCOT / all the hard ticket events mainly at MK....
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub If you do not think there is a problem then why did WDW recently shut down the reservation system and try to repair this problem? I am guessing the dining reservations has been on overload since your last visit one or two years ago?? I am not the only person that recognizes this problem.I believe the shutdown was in March because I had a trip planning to make. Supposedly it has been taken care of but not really since my next trip in May was just completed.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub p.s. everybody uses the same planning mentality...factor the early hours/late magic with breakfast & dinner as a guide before arrival. Not exactly rocket science but actual weather factors,exhaustion from excessive heat,transportation delays, and even last minute calendar changes by Disney messes up most pre-planned daily itineraries.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I just used the system this week for a quick trip we are making later thismonth- had no issues..so I can't comment on issues- there were none at this time.
Originally Posted By Bolna Mickeymouseclub, from what I read they indeed have changed the system so that you cannot any longer have two reservations for the same meal. I am quite sure though that people will easily find ways around that... And I have seen it in the past as well that restaurants weren't as busy as the inavailability of ADRs would have suggested in my recent trips. But I did see people being able to get a table as a walk up in these situations. I think it also leads to overbooking at certain restaurants. There are regular reports about certain restaurants "running behind" which I think means that they did not have the expected number of no-shows. I suspect that WDW overbooks some restaurants just as airlines do with flights and relies on a percentage of people not making their ADR.
Originally Posted By dshyates And sometime the 180 day dining window opens before they release the show schedule. So someone may make dinner ressies at DHS for every night of their trip not knowing which night F! will be showing.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 well of course things can change basedon extraordinary circumstances - so you don;t go to the ressie- no big deal. as far as rain- does it really matter what park you're in ? if you're exhausted you likely are staying backin your hotel ( we've had someone suffer heat exhaustion that way) - and not eating anyway been planning the trip for a party of 10 for a longlong time- can't remember ever going to a park other than the one we thought we were going to. We don't always make our ressies, sometimes change- or go back to resort and eat there etc.. and if yopu went to another park- if you have hoppers - if it was a ressie you really wanted- you head over there - eat and return to where you were.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 and yes Bolna- it absolutely locks you out from booking two lunches or two dinners-- it bring them both up on the screenand forces you to choose one. How much of a problem was it before- I don't have those figures...but if there is such a demand for walk ins as the clamor--then the tables should have been easy to fill- just more of a pita for the CM's to be sure
