Disney outlines first details of $1 billion “NextGen” initiative

[Browntggrr]

Future visitors to Walt Disney World will be able to reserve ride times from their home computers and bypass hotel check-in desks once they arrive at the resort, the head of the Walt Disney Co.’s global theme-park division said during an investors conference Thursday.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2011/02/disney-outlines-first-details-of-1-billion-nextgen-initiative.html

[Avatar]

Good to hear some news coming out of that division. They have been working on this stuff for many years and at some point we should see some of their work first hand. I do believe the GM form EPCOT got moved about a year or so ago to head that division.

On a personal note, I would like to say I have for the past two years checked in at our Disney resort online and when we arrived at the resort went to a marked On-Line area (which I have never seen a line for) gave our name and showed ID, they then handed me a already prepared envelope that had everything we needed to get started on our vacation.

Second thought. Disney charges all guest at their resorts (Deluxe, Moderate, Value) a $10..00 per 24 hour use for internet access. If they plan for guest to reserve online then they better think about lowering that price or they will need to allow online service to a site specific site to reserve Fast Pass tickets from every room like they do now with Disney Photo Pass.

[XGatorHead 8904]

There are risks. Former company officials have questioned whether technological advances would boost attendance or guest-spending enough to justify the billion-dollar price tag — or whether advance-planning by some guests could spoil the experience for those who do not pre-plan and arrive at a park only to find the most popular attractions already booked.

The highlighted section was my first thought as I read this. Don't get me wrong, I love using Fastpass and have been able to use it successfully to my advantage my past few trips to WDW, but allowing people to reserve times way before they even get to the parks could add a whole new level of frustration to many visitors. At least with Fastpass everyone pretty much has an equal opportunity to get them, given that you have to be in that park that day in order to put your ticket into the machine.

I'm not sure that I'm 100% behind this new idea of Disney's.

[The Interpreter]

I, for one, am 100 percent totally against pre-planning rides and experiences for an entire day. I do NOT want to pre-plan my day at an amusement park. If I am going to do that, I may as well stay home. I am into spontaneity and serendipity, not planning...at 2:06 p.m. today I will have fun by doing X whereas at 4:06 p.m. we shall do y. No, thanks.

[Dieseltech20]

I agree with ya on that 100% Terp.

[CoastersRZ]

I agree. Although, I am all for the streamlining of the check in process at the hotels. Although, it is pretty streamlined already. Disney is quite the expert at moving people efficiently. And the whole experience from arriving at the Orlando Airport to getting to the hotels is quite stress free. Even the fact that your room key to your hotel room is the same as your theme park tickets makes things a lot easier.