Originally Posted By Fe Maiden <<Make people happier in lines, out of lines quicker, and into shops more. Yes, I'm serious.>> So they're going to make it possible for me and my family to stand in line less, but when I do have to stand in line make it that much more enjoyable in the hopes that I'm having such a great time I might be compelled to buy something to remember my vacation. Oh and also want to come back sooner rather than later. I'm with you, this makes no sense at all.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>.If they spend $1B and turn nothing out, then yes they are due criticism, we are far from there yet<< Yes, but this is the extent of the project so far. This is it. There will be other "pluses", of course, perhaps for the resorts, but for the parks? This is where the money is going... and it's not yielding anything thematic. Or of substance, for that matter. Huge issue.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>. So they're going to make it possible for me and my family to stand in line less, but when I do have to stand in line make it that much more enjoyable in the hopes that I'm having such a great time I might be compelled to buy something to remember my vacation. Oh and also want to come back sooner rather than later. I'm with you, this makes no sense at all.<<< That's the idea, as foolish as it is... All about getting you into the Main Street Walmart Mall! ;-)
Originally Posted By vbdad55 just got this is DVC news blurb- re: Wireless internet being installed in all resorts including DVC for future use with Next Gen... Cloud processing etc. "According to one source, service is available now throughout most of Bay Lake Tower with other resorts at various stages of implementation. Disney is reportedly considering multiple access speeds with the slowest service complimentary and higher speeds offered for a fee. The basic complimentary service may be necessitated by Disney's "NextGen" technology initiatives which aim to enhance the theme park experience via web-enabled technologies and smartphone apps. Meanwhile, guests hoping to stream video programming or use other cloud-enabled services during their resort stay will appreciate added bandwidth provided by a paid tier.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 "Free wi-fi service confirmed (by Tim Krasniewski, published Friday, 14 October 2011 19:30) Multiple sources are confirming that Walt Disney World has begun offering free wireless Internet service at several resorts including all of the Disney Vacation Club destinations. Free wi-fi service is now available at all of the Deluxe and DVC resorts including: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s Beach Club Resort "
Originally Posted By dshyates That discription sounds a lot like the utopian shopping experience promised when I got my "Kroger Kard". As of yet all I have gotten is suggestions to by different brands of the stuff I buy already.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<so I can;t see how we can criticize what for the most part is still in development. DO you know what iphone 8 will do ?>> Your comparing apples to oranges. The iphone 8 is a phone. It is tangible. No one, not even Disney has been able to explain what NextGen is. The only tangible outcomes of NextGen so far are RFID refillable mugs and a proposed Merlin character hanging out in the Firehouse at MK. One is a phone, the other is "secret yet to be realized" technology. AND it is not as if Disney is the premier entity in the world for technology. I can see Apple investing money into the future of the iphone. I find it hard to grapple with Disney investing $1B USD in a vague technology, this quite frankly is out of "their" realm. Espically when you consider they can't even get the Yeti to work properly because of the "lack of technology". And as someone else pointed out there are still cardboard cutouts in Snow white's Scary Adventure. It is a bit much to stomach. We should start a new thread titled, "Disney from cardboard to RFID chips".
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <The iphone 8 is a phone< the iphone 8 is nothing yet.. it is a twinkle in R&D's eye - nothing more. If one doesn;t think R&D money has to be set aside and committed for projects that sometimes do not have a 'product' yet, then you're not around future technology enough in a corp setting. Is Cloud a product ? Can you hold it in your hand ? really, plenty of things to criticize Disney about, not like we have to start on items that are not even developed or relased yet- geez Louise. Hey I hear that new E ticket in 2066 really sucks..
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<If they spend $1B and turn nothing out, then yes they are due criticism, we are far from there yet>> That's the part I disagree with. If Disney has allocated the money for NextGen then it is fair game to criticism. At this point, in terms of the parks at WDW, it is triage! At some point you have to question the logic behind allocating $1B USD toward some "yet to be realized" technology when Fantasmic has no Sorcerer Mickey OR Dragon because the lift is broken. Bad Show!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I'd hate to tell you how much money corporations have tied up in future development of things around ' data privacy' - 'cloud' ' metrics' etc.. none of which have defined products- just part of a development mission not all monies are earmarked for commodities
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>the iphone 8 is nothing yet.. it is a twinkle in R&D's eye - nothing more.<<< Apple works at least 5 products ahead... so... it's in Cupertino... SOMEWHERE. LOL. And iCloud is awesome. ;-)
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<just got this is DVC news blurb- re: Wireless internet being installed in all resorts including DVC for future use with Next Gen... Cloud processing etc.>> WDW should have done this 10 years ago! It has been extremely embarrasing that virtually every Hotel and Motel outside of Disney has expanded wireless internet access and Disney doesn't. From my room at the Best Western Hotel in DTD I was picking up wireless internet access from 7 Hotels. When the wireless internet service at my home hotel went on the fritz I simply connected to the Regal Sun Hotel's wireless internet service. Plus, for many of these Hotels and Motels off property, the wireless internet service is free. Heck, Chicago has free internet service, many airports have free internet service. Disney charges for their internet service. Talk about being late to the dance!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<I'd hate to tell you how much money corporations have tied up in future development of things around ' data privacy' - 'cloud' ' metrics' etc.. none of which have defined products- just part of a development mission>> My arguement isn't how much money companies are allocating toward vague, yet to be realized technology. You simply don't have to maintain the farm BEFORE you invest in "perks". It is inexcusable that right now Fantasmic has NO sorcerer Mickey or Dragon because the lift broke. You don't let "techies" run your company into the ground. The Disney Company is an Entertainment Company first and formost. Not a Technologies Company. Companies have to fulfill their most basic products prior to coming up with vague, intangible technology that may not ever see the light of day.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Bottom line: Disney would not be allocating one billion dollars to develop Next Gen technologies unless their future use would directly and measurably enhance profitability. Next Gen will be Disney's better mousetrap. And your wallet will be the mouse.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>You don't let "techies" run your company into the ground. The Disney Company is an Entertainment Company first and formost. Not a Technologies Company. Companies have to fulfill their most basic products prior to coming up with vague, intangible technology that may not ever see the light of day.<<< Bob Iger doesn't know that.
Originally Posted By Manfried Disney is an entertainment company, yes. But they are trying to get ahead, instead of lagging behind, in the new ways to present entertainment.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Disney is an entertainment company, yes. But they are trying to get ahead, instead of lagging behind, in the new ways to present entertainment.<<< That's fine. But they need to stop putting all their efforts into that, and focus on new entertainment, especially for their parks.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<Disney is an entertainment company, yes. But they are trying to get ahead, instead of lagging behind, in the new ways to present entertainment.>> Yup, and that explains why Fantasmic has NO Sorcerer Mickey OR Dragon right now because the lift broke. I guess not having a replacement lift or getting your hands on a back up lift is an example of how Disney plans on getting ahead in presenting entertainment.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<Bob Iger doesn't know that.>> Me thinks Disney is very confuzzled.
Originally Posted By dshyates I don't for a second believe that the impetus for NextGen had anything to do with enhancing the guest experience.
