Leland Wykoff Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 The New York Times reports Disney Parks will introduce new technology allowing guests to wear a bracelet which will expedite payments, track guests and mine information about behaviors, called MyMagic+ the system will be introduced this spring. The rubber Magic Bands will function as room key, park ticket, FastPass, credit card, and schedule or reserve parade seats, character visits (and tell the character the visitors name so they can be greeted personally), and like a frequent flier loyalty program card. Collectable charms and Magic Band accessories will be developed to generate additional sales and speed guest adoption of the technology. Disney expects MyMagic+ to cost between $800 million and one billion dollars. Enhancing the guest experience is paramount to the project. Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/business/media/at-disney-parks-a-bracelet-meant-to-build-loyalty-and-sales.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130107&_r=0 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedarPointer Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 NextGen is so lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 And I`d have to assume that Disney see the potential to more than earn back the initial upfront cost of the program. In order to facilitate this initiative, Disney has installed free WiFi at the Walt Disney World complex, a 40 square mile area. I have to admit that the idea of having a Disney character say your kids name and wish them Happy Birthday is beyond cool and will certainly sell the magic and create a memory to last a life time. And as the article points out, it will allow Disney to collect information about their guests and their patterns, which will be useful in so many ways. From future park attractions, to amending show times, to park operating hours, staffing, and so much more. It will be cool to see what comes out of this. My one fear is that in the future, when you plan a trip to Walt Disney World, you will schedule your entire park visit, before even stepping foot in the park. That takes some of the spontaneity out of a visit to an amusement park if the entire day is all mapped out before even walking into the place. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedarPointer Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 That's what I don't like. If they had NextGen initiatives that fit into the parks well (Haunted Mansion queue is a perfect example of this not being done- Space Mountain queue is an example of doing it right) and weren't so creepy (George Orwell is rolling in his grave), I wouldn't mind it as much. But the whole xPass/FP+ thing is a mess. Between adding it to rides that should not have a FP line (Spaceship Earth, Imagination, Seas, Haunted Mansion) and forcing you to schedule much of your vacation months in advance (dining reservations, anyone), they've gone a bit far. A centralized FP system is a great idea, but scheduling set times might not be the right answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleHenry Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 This isn't Orwellian. No one is forcing them to wear the wristbands when they leave the park. Hell, no one will be forcing them to wear them IN the park either. If they don't want to use the system, they don't have to. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketingExpress Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 If I had to pick one company in the industry that I would trust to do something like this and do it correctly it would be Disney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
standbyme Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I do find it mindboggling that if the government announced a tracking program like this there would be an outcry heard like never before...but let Disney announce it and people not only will be lining up for the chance, but they will even spend more money to add trinkets to their tracking bracelet! My one fear is that in the future, when you plan a trip to Walt Disney World, you will schedule your entire park visit, before even stepping foot in the park. That takes some of the spontaneity out of a visit to an amusement park if the entire day is all mapped out before even walking into the place. I agree completely...know when to say when. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Using the seatbelts was optional for adults the year they were installed at Cedar Point. Buying ride tickets was once optional at many parks, with free gate admission. Terp, just sayin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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