Originally Posted By Sport Goofy This really isn't a gamble. These technologies are going to be commonplace everywhere in the next decade. The only gamble for Disney is whether they latch onto a particular way of implementing the technology that is later used by the competition or made obsolete by a competing technology. First adopters in industry rarely win in the long run. I doubt Disney will do anything particularly revolutionary here, though.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Why is Disney being so secretive about it Lee? Is it because they are planning on using it in an unconventinal way?>> Yes. They're going to implant chips in your neck that will make you buy pins, plush and princess crap. and don't call me Lee ... (unless you buy me dinner first!) <<It just makes no sense that everybody knows what RFID is, but Disney is treating it like it is top secret.>> Disney is anal about anything leaking out ... remember nothing is official until PR tells you it is. And it's often ridiculous as the BLT proved. It was given a 'go' in 2004 and they closed Contemporary North in mid-2006 ... yet, even when they demolished a huge hotel wing dating back to 1971 and started building a giant timeshare tower and even when the design firm put the project on its website, Disney's official response was 'what demolition and massive construction? I don't see anything ... well ... wait, I think I can see Cuba from here.' It gets absurd. Disney knows what it's doing ... and information will get out. It always does! ;-)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<But I am not getting the "benefit the guest experience" part of it. Making it faster to part me from my money isn't enhancing my guest experience really.>> <<K2M - maybe I didn't make my point well. It isn't just about ease of payment - it is also about being able to tailor experiences. That may come through improved knowledge of guest behavior or an ability to provide personalized experience - like every waiter knowing that you are vegetarian or Belle knowing your daughter's name as she approaches. >> Yes ... it's just taking everything Disney has been doing for years to a new level. But how much it 'improves' the guest experience is what I wonder about. I see far more cons with things like Destination Disney, DDP and FP, than pros. It might be great to have characters appear virtually in your rooms (you really don't think the DCL magical portholes were just for two boats?) ... or for my Disney wait staff to know I like my beef cooked well done ... or that I hate having hotel rooms with connecting doors ... but how much magic does that add to a vacation? I want to see 21st century versions of immersive Disney attractions. THAT's what attracts me (and many, many millions) to the parks. Seeing Fozzie Bear in my room or getting a wake-up call from Eeyore or being able to have my whole vacation on a chip may sound kewl ... but that's not what will get me to spend.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Hey if he can do that, that's fine too. As long as it's a good sitdown and I have time to get there. << Like I said, I don't begrudge the Mouse making money off of this at all. I'm just worried that this is going to transform the Disney experience into something totally alien to me. Call me an Old Fuddy-Duddy, but I'm very skeptical about some of the things I think will occur.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Some of it does sound like convience, yes. But I sure wouldn't spend extra to have it. I can tell the waiter I like my meat rare, not a problem.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan When I shop at a certain grocery store, they always squint at the receipt and thank me, attempting to call me by my last name. I appreciate the gesture, but at the same time, there's something forced and awkward about it. You know this was something they came up with to make a mega store feel more local and friendly. But it doesn't feel the same as when someone actually recognizes you from umpteen trips to the same store over the years. Maybe having one of the characters call a little one by their first name would be a real treat. But as to the rest of it, maybe it's just me, but I;m not that much a creature of habit. I don't always want my meal prepared a certain way, I don't have any dietary restrictions and so forth. I'm just saying that the line between being customer-focused and being intrusive is thinner than the air in a Dyson Airblade. I am not the paranoid sort, but do I really need to be that much on the grid at all times, everywhere I go?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I understand that It can replace room keys, park tickets, and cash. I'm assuming it will act a lot like that interactive Mickey (forgot the name) that you can carry around the park. Your explanation of merchandising inventory was simple enough for me to grasp also. This however seems to have been taken to another level of secrecy. Maybe I'm reading to much into this, but I'm starting to believe the Parks may all become one great big Kim Possible like experience. I just don't know if that application is good or bad.>> That's exactly the direction Disney is headed. They believe that a WDW vacation has become 'work' (which it has for many BECAUSE of things like DDP, DME and FP ... they all have downsides) so this is all about (in their minds) removing those things. People's biggest complaint about WDW is cost (but Disney won't address that one) ... so they do to No. 2, which is 'I hate waiting in line' ... so, first came FastPass ... now? How about virtual queues? How about interactive ones? How about making it all about the climax with none of the foreplay? That's really what it comes (no pun intended) down to. I got more thoughts ... but they'll have to wait for another time.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>How about making it all about the climax with none of the foreplay?<< <--- suddenly rethinking his objections to this plan.
Originally Posted By oc_dean If this new technology helps Disney on a "backstage" level .. then that's fine. But I don't see how having the various rides and attractions call out my first name is going to "enhance" my overall experience. If anything .. it's pushing on the level of being trite, forced .. and just down right creepy! If on a vacation .. and I'm checking in to my hotel ... I'll throw the wrist tag right back at them! I know it's going to hurt my arm to reach for my wallet and pull out a credit card for each transaction. But I think I'll manage somehow!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Kim Possible is just a beta-test for what RFID can (and likely will) be used for in the parks. << That's my opinion also. >> Imagine say riding the Seas and Nemo or Dory or Marlin talk to YOU! ... or Peter Pan invites YOU to go to Neverland ... or you walk by a window display at a shop and suddenly your chip triggers something ... or based on prior visits, Fastpasses are waiting for you when you arrive at your resort ... or your wake up call comes from some character that is a favorite of yours, but most folks haven't heard from ... see where this is going? << I think the vast majority of people will love this. Just like Fast Pass, and the DDP. I'll say it again, I think this will alter a Disney vacation into something I no longer recognize. I'm afraid it's going to increase the commando style Disney vacation that is starting to feel more prevelent each time I go. >> But largely, this is designed to take you away from your money. << Tell me something new. >> You'll wind up spending more and Disney knows this. << Disney even admits that's what Fast Pass is about, and it works. I'm not against Mickey playing pocket pool with my change. Heck, I've gladly forked over thousands in the past, and begged him to take more. I just don't want WDW to become so clinical, and sterile that it loses it's Magic for me. Why do I keep visualizing the Pink Floyd video of "The Wall" with all those faceless children going down a conveyor belt. >> While this program is designed to completely overhaul the way a guest vacations at WDW, you need to look at this as simply taking Destination Disney (which brought you everything from Pal Mickey to Magic Your Way Tix to DDP to DME etc) to a new level and one that adds more personalization than was ever possible before due to the tech. << Again most people like those things, and I don't begrudge the Mouse an honest living. Just don't ruin my experience in the process. >> ... and you better believe there are some huge privacy issues/concerns (of course, 78% of people supposedly have no issues being virtual strip-searched to get on a plane .. << Personally I like a good free message. >> Disney will in fact be tracking you through its parks. Again, some fanbois may think this is uber-kewl if they walk by a mirror and suddenly their Fairy Godmother (or CM Bradley) appears on the other side calling to them. << I've kind of fantasized about being stalked by Pocahontas. >> I'm not sold. Technology can be very cool ... but without the layered storytelling and the immersion, all it does is leave me cold. << That is my only concern so far. >> That and I see far more upside for The Mouse than his guests, but I'm trying to NOT be a cynical Spirit here. << The mouse always has the upper hand. >> It's not what CAN they do, but what WILL they do? << That's why I can't understand why they don't let the plans leak I believe this is going to get massive fan support.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Yes. They're going to implant chips in your neck that will make you buy pins, plush and princess crap. << From the Book of Revelation " And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. " Just in case nobody recognizes that, it's called sarcasim. >> and don't call me Lee ... (unless you buy me dinner first!) << Food Whore! >> Disney is anal about anything leaking out ... remember nothing is official until PR tells you it is. And it's often ridiculous as the BLT proved. It was given a 'go' in 2004 and they closed Contemporary North in mid-2006 ... yet, even when they demolished a huge hotel wing dating back to 1971 and started building a giant timeshare tower and even when the design firm put the project on its website, Disney's official response was 'what demolition and massive construction? I don't see anything ... well ... wait, I think I can see Cuba from here.' << I completelt forgot about the secrecy surrounding BLT. >> It gets absurd. Disney knows what it's doing ... and information will get out. It always does! ;-) << But the insiders have all signed a death pack with the Mouse, and have all been issued a cyanide capsule.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> People's biggest complaint about WDW is cost (but Disney won't address that one) ... so they do to No. 2, which is 'I hate waiting in line' ... so, first came FastPass ... now? How about virtual queues? How about interactive ones? How about making it all about the climax with none of the foreplay? That's really what it comes (no pun intended) down to. << What's foreplay?
Originally Posted By MPierce >> When I shop at a certain grocery store, they always squint at the receipt and thank me, attempting to call me by my last name. I appreciate the gesture, but at the same time, there's something forced and awkward about it. You know this was something they came up with to make a mega store feel more local and friendly. But it doesn't feel the same as when someone actually recognizes you from umpteen trips to the same store over the years. << My feelings also.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> But I don't see how having the various rides and attractions call out my first name is going to "enhance" my overall experience. If anything .. it's pushing on the level of being trite, forced .. and just down right creepy! << I agree. >> If on a vacation .. and I'm checking in to my hotel ... I'll throw the wrist tag right back at them! I know it's going to hurt my arm to reach for my wallet and pull out a credit card for each transaction. But I think I'll manage somehow! << My question is will we have that option. The way I understand it you fill out a profile for Disney. I'm sure that will be optional, but I have a feeling the wrist band for room entry may not be.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***like every waiter knowing that you are vegetarian*** That *might* be cool, assuming you've got a crack team of staff members using it in a useful but unobtrusive manner. ***Belle knowing your daughter's name as she approaches*** I can already imagine the possibilities for error here, and then it's all over but the crying. I still say I'd rather they spend a billion on some new rides and shows. But maybe that's just me. *sigh*
Originally Posted By Mr X ***When I shop at a certain grocery store, they always squint at the receipt and thank me, attempting to call me by my last name*** They're just trying not to laugh when they notice your name actually has a number in it, not to mention the ridiculousness of a name like "Mr. Man"!
Originally Posted By mousermerf You know - the reservation system already has the ability to know pretty much everything there is to know about you. It actually has fields to enter preferences for characters, parks, etc.. for each member of your party. They simply don't use it. They may have tried at some point, but it never caught on. I get the feeling this new tech will be the same.. a few rides get an annoying addition with people's names like Universal's ET.. maybe new park tickets.. and maybe they'll give us a PDA instead of a park map.. but they'll stop it like they did Pal Mickey and not collect the data because it increases workload somewhere.. like they did with the reservation system. Waste of money in the long run.
Originally Posted By oc_dean You know .. if they are interested in increasing the "guest experience" sticking that money into some stellar attractions could do it. But somehow this will do the trick? Oh gee .. did I just say "trick" .. as in tricking the customers they are getting something better than new Attractions???? 1.5 billion for this huh? That could do some real good for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort!
Originally Posted By sjhym33 I think it has been obvious that this is the direction Disney has been going for quite awhile. I think we have just started to see the tip of the iceberg on what Disney thinks it can do with technology. It has also been obvious that Disney has been looking for the next big thing to build attractions around since they have tended to shy away from attractions that are AA based. I think they are also positioning themselves for the next generation of guests who are more technology savvy. My 20 year old son who has grown up with XBox, iPods, DVR's, computers and smartphones is much less impressed with the classic Disney attractions than I was at his age. I think Disney realises that the company who can tap into that niche can position itself to be the theme park leader in the coming decades.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I think they are also positioning themselves for the next generation of guests who are more technology savvy. My 20 year old son who has grown up with XBox, iPods, DVR's, computers and smartphones is much less impressed with the classic Disney attractions than I was at his age. I think Disney realises that the company who can tap into that niche can position itself to be the theme park leader in the coming decades.*** Tap into it how though? I mean, sure the AA's are dated at this point...duh. Disney hasn't put any effort into updating the things! They were cool back in the day, but in this day and age they need to be more impressive and more immersive. Imagine what a billion dollars or so in amazing e-tickets would do if they decided to go with today's robot technology to really make the show scenes totally life-like. Instead we get "Cinderella will know your kids' name". Sorry, but that's more creepy and 1984 than anything else in my book. And no new rides. *sigh*
