Disney launching new parks app this summer

[Disney Irish]

Not sure if you saw my correction on a subsequent post. I wasn’t speaking of unplugging from technology (Which I do prefer at DL) I was thinking of unplugging as in relaxing or unwinding.

I know, I saw that and was responding with that definition of "unplugging" in mind. My point still stands, today theme parks are about more engagement not less. This leads to more people and more ways for them to engage in the "magic" of the specific park. Its an industry wide change and Disney is no different.

 

[mickEblu]

I know, I saw that and was responding with that definition of "unplugging" in mind. My point still stands, today theme parks are about more engagement not less. This leads to more people and more ways for them to engage in the "magic" of the specific park. Its an industry wide change and Disney is no different.

They ve always been about engagement. It’s just more fun/ pleasant/ relaxing to do something when you don’t feel like you re in ant farm. Or when you re not getting rammed by a stroller. Or when you don’t have to come up with a game plan to cross the street.

EDIT: you say you re keeping my interpetation of unplugging in mind but your point about encouraging folks to find more magic (thru technology) says otherwise.

 

[VJ]

I'm told that there's a lantern in the Peter Pan's Flight queue that will interact with this app when it launches, so I assume more interactive elements like that will be popping up around the park a la World Showcase Adventure. Sounds pretty cool to me.

 

[Disney Irish]

They ve always been about engagement. It’s just more fun/ pleasant/ relaxing to do something when you don’t feel like you re in ant farm. Or when you re not getting rammed by a stroller. Or when you don’t have to come up with a game plan to cross the street.

I understand Disney has always been about engagement, but this is different. They are trying to figure out even more ways for guests to be engaged. For example look at the new queue at Peter Pan in MK, which is suppose to be more interactive.

 

[mickEblu]

I understand Disney has always been about engagement, but this is different. They are trying to figure out even more ways for guests to be engaged. For example look at the new queue at Peter Pan in MK, which is suppose to be more interactive.

You said you re keeping my interpetation of unplugging in mind but your points about encouraging folks to find more magic (thru technology) say otherwise.

 

[Phroobar]

I was at Knotts on friday and rode the Calico Mine Train. There was this girl in the next car over that was constantly texting during the entire ride. She never looked up to see what was going on. It was sad. At least the rest of the people were attempting to film the ride with their iphones which was just as annoying.

 

[Disney Irish]

You said you re keeping my interpetation of unplugging in mind but your points about encouraging folks to find more magic (thru technology) says otherwise.

By providing more engagement it provides ways for Disney to target more customers. More customers leads to not being able to "unplug" and relax because of larger crowds.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Yeah that’s prettty much where I’m at. I still enjoy it (I think) but it’s a little overwhelming.

A good friend who lives in Playa Del Rey and is a big Disneyland fan has recently accepted a job offer in NYC. We've been texting about visiting Disneyland together one day in few weeks before he leaves California. ONE DAY. Just thinking about visiting DLR for a single day gives me anxiety.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

A good friend who lives in Playa Del Rey and is a big Disneyland fan has recently accepted a job offer in NYC. We've been texting about visiting Disneyland together one day in few weeks before he leaves California. ONE DAY. Just thinking about visiting DLR for a single day gives me anxiety.

Best bet is to check the AP blackout calendar and aim for a day when only the Signature passes are open.

 

[mickEblu]

A good friend who lives in Playa Del Rey and is a big Disneyland fan has recently accepted a job offer in NYC. We've been texting about visiting Disneyland together one day in few weeks before he leaves California. ONE DAY. Just thinking about visiting DLR for a single day gives me anxiety.

Lol. I would suggest going on a Saturday In July. Deluxe APs and lower are blocked out. Not to mention a lot of summer tourists may be skipping DL this year for next year.

 

[mickEblu]

By providing more engagement it provides ways for Disney to target more customers. More customers leads to not being able to "unplug" and relax because of larger crowds.

Lol. The lengths you will go to to avoid saying “oh I misinterpreted what you said” is fascinating. Besides, you have it backwards. Disney isn’t creating an interactive lantern to attract more guests. They re putting it there to occupy and entertain the hordes that are already there and get ready for more guests that are inevitably coming because of SWL and other attractions.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Best bet is to check the AP blackout calendar and aim for a day when only the Signature passes are open.

Good idea! I think he has a Signature pass. Thanks.

 

[Disney Irish]

Lol. The lengths you will go to to avoid saying “oh I misinterpreted what you said” is fascinating. Besides, you have it backwards. Disney isn’t creating an interactive lantern to attract more guests. They re putting it there to occupy and entertain the hordes that are already there and get ready for more guests that are inevitably coming because of SWL and other attractions.

But I didn't misinterpret what you said. I just don't think you get my point. But that is ok.

I understand you are looking at this from "unplugging from the world" "relaxation" point of view, not unplugging from tech.

 

[Curious Constance]

Good idea! I think he has a Signature pass. Thanks.

Can he get you a 40% off ticket?

 

[Disney Irish]

They re putting it there to occupy and entertain the hordes that are already there and get ready for more guests that are inevitably coming because of SWL and other attractions.

This is where I think you were missing my point. With SWL comes more engagement, which leads to more people. There are going to extra interactions the guest has within the land besides just the attractions. This is the new level of engagement that is coming to theme parks. The "be part of the story within the land" aspect is going to be huge. Its going to make Potter look weak.

This was the point I was trying to make.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Potter World will still be awesome after Star Wars Land opens.

 

[dweezil78]

Yeah that’s prettty much where I’m at. I still enjoy it (I think) but it’s a little overwhelming. It’s getting harder and harder to find that “perfect” day. I would say of the 16 or so times I visit the park a year that maybe only 1-3 of them are days where I could see a single day guest getting proper value for their ticket.

Any day (even the busiest) you can arrive for rope drop (and have a good strategy/plan) will give you solid value even if you pay full price. That is where most people go wrong. Arrive too late and you’re screwed.

That is one reason why I love the change of pace at WDW. You can book FPs for any time of the day and they never run out for the day because they come and go as people change their plans around.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Can he get you a 40% off ticket?

I hope so!

 

[mickEblu]

Any day (even the busiest) you can arrive for rope drop (and have a good strategy/plan) will give you solid value even if you pay full price. That is where most people go wrong. Arrive too late and you’re screwed.

That is one reason why I love the change of pace at WDW. You can book FPs for any time of the day and they never run out for the day because they come and go as people change their plans around.

True but I’m not talking relay race ride count in the middle of an ant farm. I’m talking about having a pleasant day at a moderate pace. I guess it comes down to what your definition of value is. I’ve done the all day thing multiple time when we take non APs and it’s a long exhausting day. MaxPass helps but I wouldn’t recommend single day park hoppers for most guests. Anyway I’m not the most patient person in the world and crowds are starting to get to me. I also have a 2.5 year old with me on every visit so there’s that.

 

[dweezil78]

True but I’m not talking relay race ride count in the middle of an ant farm. I’m talking about having a pleasant day at a moderate pace. I guess it comes down to what your definition of value is. I’ve done the all day thing multiple time when we take non APs and it’s a long exhausting day. MaxPass helps but I wouldn’t recommend single day park hoppers for most guests. Anyway I’m not the most patient person in the world and crowds are starting to get to me. I also have a 2.5 year old with me on every visit so there’s that.

Yeah man, having a little one with you pretty much squashes any chance at a relaxing day at the park. IMO how chill your day at DL is influenced 80% (or more) by who you are with and 20% how busy it is! Chill company = chill day. Little kids and/or other stressed out/grumpy/high strung people will change the vibe completely.