The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[Goofyernmost]

i believe that is semantics.

disney's real problem is they don't have fresh or enticing offerings at the other three theme parks to hold a guest's attention. i don't want to speak in broad generalities, but it stands to reason that if you're doing a theme park-oriented central florida vacation, the magic kingdom will be included. what guests do on the other days, which recently, has been visiting universal studios instead of epcot, DHS, and AK, is what i believe they are hoping to avoid with this ticket.

the average vacation to disney has to be in the 4 days-to-a-week range (@ParentsOf4, any data on that?). maybe you could argue the average DVC member is a little longer. but what you're essentially posing to the consumer is this: give us a guaranteed day (doesn't have to be a full day, but you're incentive for it to be with no park hopping ability) at each park, we'll give you a discount. i believe that internal hope is that if a DVC family, who is probably used to doing some days that do not involve the parks (pool day, miniature golf, DTD, etc.), will look at each other and go, "wanna go to universal?" they'll ultimately come to the conclusion : "nah, i've had enough theme parks for one trip." disney then gets the added bonus of spreading out the crowds and goosing attendance figures at the other parks.

again, that's my read on it. i don't think disney care as much about keeping you there a full day (though they'll take that, too) as much as they care about you hopping on I-4 for any period of time.

That is very true, if, you only focus on those that have been there before and usually more then once. Granted there are a lot of them, but, there are far more folks that are making a first trip. Everything, to them, is fresh, so that argument really doesn't hold water. WDW, in particular has become a "must do" for many families. A right of passage. They are, I believe the target audience that Disney is focusing on. However, they also don't have the allegiance to Disney that the chronic guest has, so running up the road to Uni is not seen as any problem. Capturing them is the challenge and their systems are geared to be doing just that.

 

[doctornick]

Yeah I believe he meant if you leave your phone in its current state and don't update anything, functionality will remain the same.

Much like how apps still work on my ancient first generation iPod touch because I decided to stop updating its OS and Apps in order to keep it functioning at a level that it's hardware could still handle.

I don't follow the tech stuff that closely, but my wife has an iPhone and we use Facetime a decent bit to talk to other folks. Then one day it stopped working. The only way to get it to work was to get the new iOS.

That was definitely a loss of functionality to us. If it wasn't for that, we would not have updated the OS since it was working fine for our purposes otherwise.

 

[Cesar R M]

What I meant was don't update your OS in the first place, then none of that happens.

You don't have to update your OS, therefore you don't have to update your apps. You can't have one without the other though, to complain about that is silly as that's generally how it works on the desktop side as well. Except when it comes to desktops folks are still happily running a 2003 OS.

actually.. a lot of apps stop working when they connect to the store and demand to update and then said update needs the OS updates.
all for supposed "new functionality".

 

[Cesar R M]

Video of the new paint the night parade

I dont know you guys, but I think it looks fantastic.

 

[AEfx]

What I meant was don't update your OS in the first place, then none of that happens.

You don't have to update your OS, therefore you don't have to update your apps. You can't have one without the other though, to complain about that is silly as that's generally how it works on the desktop side as well. Except when it comes to desktops folks are still happily running a 2003 OS.

And that is simply incorrect. I have had apps that would not function until updated to their newest version because of some required change they had to make to the app due to an iOS update. In order to update the app to retain existing functionality, one must have the new OS.

It's not worth arguing about, though. Apple has it's lifestylers just like Disney does.

 

[stevehousse]

I dont know you guys, but I think it looks fantastic.

I am very curious to know what 2 new floats will be added to DLs version?!? I did find it odd there wasn't a Princess float, just Belle only...I can see them maybe adding that. Anyone else have any ideas or know what they are yet!

 

[stevehousse]

And that is simply incorrect. I have had apps that would not function until updated to their newest version because of some required change they had to make to the app due to an iOS update. In order to update the app to retain existing functionality, one must have the new OS.

It's not worth arguing about, though. Apple has it's lifestylers just like Disney does.

This has happened to me as well! It's not very often that it does, but there are certain apps and games that won't function without an OS update. I think maybe 3-4 apps total in the 3 years I have had my iPhone.

 

[AEfx]

actually.. a lot of apps stop working when they connect to the store and demand to update and then said update needs the OS updates.
all for supposed "new functionality".

Not even, though. When iOS8 hits, I am sure I will log in and see 30 apps that need to be updated that day. A good portion of them are just to be compatible with the new OS, not even to add some new feature. Often this breaks the old version, so you either ditch the app or do the upgrade train.

I can put it this way - Apple certainly does nothing to encourage longevity in it's product lifespan. They are also supposed to be premium products, but they have the same average 1-year warranty as everyone else - which folks will say "hey they are like everyone else" as justification, but we are supposedly paying for their top quality design, manufacturing, etc. iPhones are sturdy devices, my 4s is going strong (after I replaced the battery myself for $8, instead of paying Apple $80), but I certainly won't ever sign another 2-year contract to get another one.

When it finally becomes useless because of the lack of optimization of OS updates, I'll probably go back to a "feature" phone, if I can't find a deal on an Android device that has such luxuries as an SD slot, a universal USB connection, and doesn't have a company breathing down my neck all the time wanting me to do everything the way they want me to (you like your legal pad background in your Notes app? TOO BAD, we want it stark white - you can't keep it!).

 

[baymenxpac]

If they just wanted you on property for 4 days why not just offer a $95 discount on the regular 4 day pass? It's more than just that. With a 4 day pass how many people would spend 2 days (or more) at MK and split time at the other parks or not visit them at all? MK is overcrowded. The other parks not so much. Why do you think they charge more for a 1 day ticket to MK?

They could fill out the other parks with rides and attractions to spread crowds but that will take time. Gimmicks like this help artificially spread the crowds. They can't guarantee people will stay in the park a full day, but if they leave they can't hop to another park so the guest is paying for a full day whether they use it or not.

i think we definitely agree on your above point, and probably the overall sentiment in general. i just happen to think this is a universal-fighting measure as well, because (and you'd need good, quantitative and probably qualitative research on this to prove it) i think a good amount of DVCers visit more than once a year and buy annuals with their discount. by offering a less costly option like this, maybe it's just worth it to essentially buy the four days (one at each park) and then say, "okay, enough theme parks" and do something else if you're down there for longer than the four days. then the DVCer who has a greatest hits attraction list can do everything the want at the parks and it makes universal tickets a bigger expenditure decision (instead of the thinking, "well, we have the annuals already, which are already paid for, so universal isn't costing that much anyway). i know that last point seems counter-intuitive, but it's how many americans spend money.

just a working theory to do disney's thinking on this.

 

[Mike S]

Video of the new paint the night parade

Amazing. Anyone know how long we have to wait for a new night parade at Magic Kingdom? It's really getting sad how other Disney parks are kicking our butts in nearly every way nowadays. Why no love for Florida?

 

[fosse76]

Wonder how the UNI foamers will take this, but some of UNI's research has shown that people visiting DA feel it has too many shops and not enough attractions (how many minutes before the Twits who never read a word here will have this and be ROTFLTFAO while ignoring the pesky fact that UNI execs are concerned about this?)

I would somewhat agree that it needs at least one additional attraction and perhaps a little more entertainment. That said, considering how well done the entire area is designed, it's almost forgiveable. I'm assuming UNI execs expected a near-double increase in guest spending once DA opened, since they now have TWO Harry Potter areas, as if they expected different people to experience each section. We all know they had an increase in attendance, but that isn't necessarily going to cause an increase in the spending by guests who would have gone regardless of DA.

I know I'm very much looking forward to the ice cream. Much more so than the shops (although I do think I should have an interactive wand in my hands! ... Tohmmmmy ... Tohmmmmy ... tell me you got that!?!!)

I enjoyed watching people "try" the interactive wands, some more successful than others.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Not even, though. When iOS8 hits, I am sure I will log in and see 30 apps that need to be updated that day. A good portion of them are just to be compatible with the new OS, not even to add some new feature. Often this breaks the old version, so you either ditch the app or do the upgrade train.

I can put it this way - Apple certainly does nothing to encourage longevity in it's product lifespan. They are also supposed to be premium products, but they have the same average 1-year warranty as everyone else - which folks will say "hey they are like everyone else" as justification, but we are supposedly paying for their top quality design, manufacturing, etc. iPhones are sturdy devices, my 4s is going strong (after I replaced the battery myself for $8, instead of paying Apple $80), but I certainly won't ever sign another 2-year contract to get another one.

When it finally becomes useless because of the lack of optimization of OS updates, I'll probably go back to a "feature" phone, if I can't find a deal on an Android device that has such luxuries as an SD slot, a universal USB connection, and doesn't have a company breathing down my neck all the time wanting me to do everything the way they want me to (you like your legal pad background in your Notes app? TOO BAD, we want it stark white - you can't keep it!).

As someone who has installed OS betas with very few breaks it seems like you've just chosen a lot of poorly written apps. Even then, you're ranting about something that applies to all computers as if it is something unique to Apple. Android L is going to change everybody's user interface too. So did Windows 95. Software gets updated and it's not just because. But like with computers we're at the point where phone hardware lasts longer.

 

[AEfx]

As someone who has installed OS betas with very few breaks it seems like you've just chosen a lot of poorly written apps. Even then, you're ranting about something that applies to all computers as if it is something unique to Apple. Android L is going to change everybody's user interface too. So did Windows 95. Software gets updated and it's not just because. But like with computers we're at the point where phone hardware lasts longer.

I have an old spare laptop from 1998 that turns on just fine, all the programs that were originally installed on it still work just fine, and I can use it freely without being updated. I often use it for word processing. None of the programs on it suddenly have stopped working because a newer version has come out, demanding that I update my software to continue using what I have already been using.

Apple does absolutely everything it can to force obsolescence. Lightning cable, anyone?

 

[RSoxNo1]

Not even, though. When iOS8 hits, I am sure I will log in and see 30 apps that need to be updated that day. A good portion of them are just to be compatible with the new OS, not even to add some new feature. Often this breaks the old version, so you either ditch the app or do the upgrade train.

I can put it this way - Apple certainly does nothing to encourage longevity in it's product lifespan. They are also supposed to be premium products, but they have the same average 1-year warranty as everyone else - which folks will say "hey they are like everyone else" as justification, but we are supposedly paying for their top quality design, manufacturing, etc. iPhones are sturdy devices, my 4s is going strong (after I replaced the battery myself for $8, instead of paying Apple $80), but I certainly won't ever sign another 2-year contract to get another one.

When it finally becomes useless because of the lack of optimization of OS updates, I'll probably go back to a "feature" phone, if I can't find a deal on an Android device that has such luxuries as an SD slot, a universal USB connection, and doesn't have a company breathing down my neck all the time wanting me to do everything the way they want me to (you like your legal pad background in your Notes app? TOO BAD, we want it stark white - you can't keep it!).

Apple did make it a point in the 9/9 presentation to discuss how apps designed for ios7 will work in ios8. They claimed there would be no issues.

 

[fosse76]

Whether you like the IP or not, what Disney is doing with Avatar at DAK is the right approach. If the land and attractions are well-executed, people will love it. If not, everyone will blame the IP.

Disney needs to take similar steps to fix DHS.

I am of the firm belief that Avatarland will not bring additional people to the resort, but rather cannibalize the other parks. It MIGHT slow down the exodus for day trips to UNI, assuming people are sacraficing a day at DAK to go to UNI instead.

 

[Bairstow]

I am of the firm belief that Avatarland will not bring additional people to the resort, but rather cannibalize the other parks. It MIGHT slow down the exodus for day trips to UNI, assuming people are sacraficing a day at DAK to go to UNI instead.

And what are you basing this prediction on?

 

[Mike S]

And what are you basing this prediction on?

Probably the idea that the parks are "mature" and can't possibly bring in new guests

 

[lazyboy97o]

I have an old spare laptop from 1998 that turns on just fine, all the programs that were originally installed on it still work just fine, and I can use it freely without being updated. I often use it for word processing. None of the programs on it suddenly have stopped working because a newer version has come out, demanding that I update my software to continue using what I have already been using.

Apple does absolutely everything it can to force obsolescence. Lightning cable, anyone?

Your post and a few others got me curious. Hello from a vintage 2008 iPod touch running iOS 4.2.1. Some service based apps are not working, but that is the big difference between a computer today, especially a smartphone, and one from 1998. I'm guessing if it has a built in Internet connectivity it is via a dial-up modem and the software that primarily goes online is just the web browser, something that is not going to properly load all pages and full of security holes. Turn on the phone's Airplane mode and everything that works will likely continue to soldier onwithout those pesky free updates because they are the functional equivalents of the type of non-connected software on that old laptop.

You're really picking some bad examples of forced obsolescence. The Lightning cable replaced an 11-year old cable. It is smaller and has fewer parts than the 30-pin cable, meaning less pieces that can break and a potentially longer life. USB is hoping to make a similar change to Type-C in the near future. Despite the change Apple 30-pin connectors continue to work just fine for those devices.

 

[AEfx]

You're really picking some bad examples of forced obsolescence. The Lightning cable replaced an 11-year old cable. It is smaller and has fewer parts than the 30-pin cable, meaning less pieces that can break and a potentially longer life. USB is hoping to make a similar change to Type-C in the near future. Despite the change Apple 30-pin connectors continue to work just fine for those devices.

No, in this case it was simply to force obsolescence of every cable/connector/device that interacts with an iPhone. And to get you to replace all your spare chargers with their $50 ones. It simply reenforces the point that Apple makes decisions like this based on getting you to buy more/treat things as disposable. There was no technical reason for Lightning Cable, other than Apple wanted to clear the slate and kill off manufacturers that provided accessories for their products. This is why the EU is enacting laws that cell phones must have standard USB port - Apple could have very easily moved to that, but they didn't because they wanted to make their own special snowflake connector that ends up costing the consumer more.

I get it - a bunch of you folks are Apple fans. Everything they do is just brilliant and amazing. I have their products, and am on my way out of using them - because I have gotten over the cache of them, and they simply don't have the superiority they once did. When I do upgrade my phone, this last "event" sealed that deal - the stats on the iPhone 6 were terrible - bested on almost every level by the current batch of Android devices on things that actually matter, like camera quality and screen resolution. But like WDW, it doesn't matter how bad it gets - they will still have the pixie dusters all over them oohing and ahhing.

 

[ABQ]

You're really picking some bad examples of forced obsolescence. The Lightning cable replaced an 11-year old cable. It is smaller and has fewer parts than the 30-pin cable, meaning less pieces that can break and a potentially longer life. USB is hoping to make a similar change to Type-C in the near future. Despite the change Apple 30-pin connectors continue to work just fine for those devices.

Not to digress too much, but the absolute best thing, for a user like me, about USB Type C is one of the things I truly love about the lightning cable connector. I never attempt to plug the lightning in upside down. For some reason, I always get the USB wrong on the first attempt. Makes no difference what side of the connector has a little USB logo on it, it's always upside down the first time. Grrrrr.