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Disney Mobile Magic apps to be discontinued later this month

psukardi

Well-Known Member
Anyone know why Disney doesn't seem to expose any of their web services to the public. It seems like the only way to get this data is to user their apps - would be nice if I could access it myself without some app that Disney is using for fun & profit
 

wdwmagic

Administrator
Moderator
Premium Member
Original Poster
Anyone know why Disney doesn't seem to expose any of their web services to the public. It seems like the only way to get this data is to user their apps - would be nice if I could access it myself without some app that Disney is using for fun & profit
They want to control the whole experience - which is very understandable. Why would they expose the raw data?
 

psukardi

Well-Known Member
They want to control the whole experience - which is very understandable. Why would they expose the raw data?

Oh I totally get it. Just wish they were more developer friendly. ESPN exposes a ton of raw data and that's part of the Mickey Mouse Club.
 

JimboJones123

Well-Known Member
Will My Disney Experience start working finally?

I am on a Galaxy 3S and still have to wait 2-10 seconds for the next page to load every time I tap anything.

And why cannot I just start with a list of parks instead of fiddling with the tinymap where I touch 3 parks at the same time?

Oh, and the My Disney Experience app sucks.
 

psukardi

Well-Known Member
Ya, they're really cool with it. They don't give you everything - but they give you a large chunk. If you partner up with them, not sure of the process then you get a lot more.

Example:
Public gets - SC Feed , Headlines, Athlete Info and a few other things.
Strategic Partner (Someone like Verizon) - Watch ESPN, Video, Audio, etc.

I guess the point is, there is a large developer community out there that could do great things if you exposed a little bit of it. Security concerns are huge and I get that. The last thing you need is someone finding some flaw in one of the APIs and getting access to a Database and pulling out customer information.

http://developer.espn.com
 

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
Ya, they're really cool with it. They don't give you everything - but they give you a large chunk. If you partner up with them, not sure of the process then you get a lot more.

Example:
Public gets - SC Feed , Headlines, Athlete Info and a few other things.
Strategic Partner (Someone like Verizon) - Watch ESPN, Video, Audio, etc.

I guess the point is, there is a large developer community out there that could do great things if you exposed a little bit of it. Security concerns are huge and I get that. The last thing you need is someone finding some flaw in one of the APIs and getting access to a Database and pulling out customer information.

http://developer.espn.com

Except most of that stuff doesn't actually belong to ESPN though. Scores, news, etc, can be found at other sources. And the Watch ESPN sure as heck ain't free, they build it into the $5 minimum your cable provider pays per month per subscriber.

And WDW operates under a very different content model than ESPN. ESPN, the content is their business. They want/need eyeballs on their properties to make money. The terms specify
  • Branding. All Apps must include an approved ESPN trademark, logo or other intellectual property (each, an "ESPN Mark").
  • Advertising. No advertising or sponsorship of any kind may appear on or be associated with any App (unless included in the Content made available by ESPN).
  • No Charge. All Apps must be offered free of charge to download or otherwise access and may not contain any in-App purchase features.
so you can't do much other than use their content in a different style. But getting you to watch a clip of PTI or Around the Horn might get you to watch their shows, which means more revenue.

WDW, resorts/theme parks are their business. They want people in their doors/turnstiles, not reading about the parks. For them, they care more about the flow of data, doing whatever they can to ensure their content is presented in a positive light. And providing direct access to their park metrics and info doesn't flow with that style. Knowing what the waits are when you are in NYC and not in park eating churros earns them nothing.

And you seeing PTI, or reading an article doesn't threaten their business model, or provide insight to Fox Sports or NBC Sports on how to improve their product that they can't already get. But if someone has an easy way to scrap WDW wait times, well now Universal has a solid way to measure waits/crowds. Since this content isn't available in other ways, I don't see them wanting it free.
 

TP2000

Well-Known Member
What will be the impact to Disneyland? Mobile Magic still seems to be the primary app there. Has anyone heard anything?

And it's junk. Many rides like Soarin' Over California don't even exist on the Mobile Magic app for Disneyland. I abandoned Mobile Magic for Disneyland a long time ago and use 3rd party apps that are vastly better and more informative. And free to use anywhere.

Good riddance to Mobile Magic, truly a junk app from the Mouse.
 

sshindel

The Epcot Manifesto
And why cannot I just start with a list of parks instead of fiddling with the tinymap where I touch 3 parks at the same time?
Not sure about the Galaxy 3S app, but on the iPhone it's as easy as swiping from left to right, or clicking the menu bar at the top left of the app, then going in wherever you need to go. Things to Do, Wait Times, etc.
I used the app extensively at the parks in November, and didn't even realize that the map on the front was clickable until you just mentioned it!
 

RAXIP

Well-Known Member
Disneyland is out of luck until something else is built.
From Disney:

"The Disneyland.com site is a great source of information with a
mobile site available at m.disneyland.com. In addition, Guests may follow Disneyland
Today and DCA Today on Facebook and Twitter for live in-park updates. Guests may
also Ask Otto! their questions at (714) 520 – 7090. He can assist in finding favorite
characters, show time information, attraction wait times and more."
 

Minnie_girl

Active Member
Disneyland is out of luck until something else is built.
75.gif

That kinda stinks....
 

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