Disney to launch NextGen 'My Disney Experience' app for iPhone, iPad and Android

[RSoxNo1]

Just got back from WDW and the app was "ok". Biggest issue we had was trying to check park hours for future days. It seemed to "cache" the hours and then not bother updating them. Specifically what happened:

* On Monday, checked park hours for Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday (trying to see what was EMH).
* On Tuesday, checked park hours for Wednesday/Thursday/Friday. Wednesday showed the Tuesday hours, Thursday showed Wednesday hours, etc.

The hours seemed to "cache" and didn't update based on the day but the number of days forward. Very odd.

The good thing is, this is hopefully a Beta Test period, and hopefully they're monitoring threads like this for these issues.

What's also odd, is that I've been seeing adds for Mobile Magic on TV, but not My Disney Experience.

 

[Scar]

@TSoxNo1, it was also interesting that the ads inside the WDW Transportation Buses were all for Mobile Magic. Strange.

 

[Polydweller]

@TSoxNo1, it was also interesting that the ads inside the WDW Transportation Buses were all for Mobile Magic. Strange.

Not really. Disney still has the deal with Verizon and the ads are Verion ads. That app will disappear early 2013, until then Verizon will continue trying to sell its service via these ads.

 

[Polydweller]

The good thing is, this is hopefully a Beta Test period, and hopefully they're monitoring threads like this for these issues.

They may be, but if you want bug issues addressed it really will be more effective to send the bug reports to them directly.

Most interesting is how some of us are not having some of these issues. For example, I've never been locked out and had to re-enter my login info. Obviously a strange bug since some people are having that problem and Disney would undoubtedly like to hear from people who are. So write them, it's a better way to help everyone than just writing it here and hoping they see it.

 

[RSoxNo1]

They may be, but if you want bug issues addressed it really will be more effective to send the bug reports to them directly.

Most interesting is how some of us are not having some of these issues. For example, I've never been locked out and had to re-enter my login info. Obviously a strange bug since some people are having that problem and Disney would undoubtedly like to hear from people who are. So write them, it's a better way to help everyone than just writing it here and hoping they see it.

Who would the point of contact be on something like this. I plan on asking questions at Guest Services in a couple of weeks.

Also, I can't even get into the App today.

 

[BrightImagine]

I'm not sure if this is worth a separate thread, but I think a log of bugs and desired/expected enhancements should probably be tracked.

I have not gotten to use the app at WDW yet, but here are my requests so far - in the hopes that someone will see them.

- Ability to browse all features on the map (attractions, dining, entertainment etc.) at once would be a huge help for usability. I understand why it is the way it is... but as a frequent visitor and a person comfortable with technology, I want to be able to touch anything on the maps and pull up information.

- Ability to bring up existing dining reservations tied to my login. I believe this was already listed above, but I was surprised it wasn't there.

- Organization... some character meet & greets are listed under "Characters" and some are under "Entertainment." I think this was particularly with the Epcot characters.

- Search is not great... I searched for "Marie" and got nothing, even though Marie's meet and greet was listed in Epcot.

I want to end on a positive note so... I love the beautiful maps. They contain so much detail, especially in the renderings of resorts. I also have been enjoying marking favorites as I browse.

 

[RSoxNo1]

@missbunny

The maps certainly do look great. I agree with everything you said, and I wanted to highlight the Character schedules as well. This could be a huge perk of the app, especially when there are last minute changes to the characters that could be included on the app. Additionally, the app could also be flagged when they extend park hours by an hour. All of these things are possible once the infrastructure is in place.

 

[Polydweller]

Who would the point of contact be on something like this. I plan on asking questions at Guest Services in a couple of weeks.

Also, I can't even get into the App today.

Why not send to them? That way the programmers get the info directly. Guest services may or may not pass the info along and the level of accuracy is somewhat uncertain. The best way to get problems addressed remains contacting Disney app support directly.

As far as getting in today, again I'm having no problem at all with the app today.It sounds like it might be specific to your device. If you haven't already, to a restart of your device and if that doesn't work try in this order, delete the app, restart your device, then reinstall the app. Sometimes one has to be a bit drastic to get bad data out of an iOS device.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Why not send to them? That way the programmers get the info directly. Guest services may or may not pass the info along and the level of accuracy is somewhat uncertain. The best way to get problems addressed remains contacting Disney app support directly.

As far as getting in today, again I'm having no problem at all with the app today.It sounds like it might be specific to your device. If you haven't already, to a restart of your device and if that doesn't work try in this order, delete the app, restart your device, then reinstall the app. Sometimes one has to be a bit drastic to get bad data out of an iOS device.

I think you misunderstood my post, I asked "WHO would the point of contact be on something like this?"

The issue of not being able to get into the app was on my own device, however the issue was the exact same issue that a friend of mine has also had. You select the app and it just brings you to an all black screen. I resolved it by rebooting my iPhone.

 

[mhochman]

I'll chime in to add that I downloaded the new app the day it was available and left for WDW on Aug 5, spending 10 days there. I used the app off and on because I experienced the same issues other were reporting, primarily the lack of wait time refreshing. I went back to the "old" app for more accurate info. Sometimes I was able to force a wait time refresh by force quitting the app, but sometimes the old wait times still came back after the force quit. I think this suggests that the wait times are not refreshing on the server and that the issue is not that the client (the app on the phone) is not refreshing. I'll add that, in my opinion, the app caused a significant drain on my battery, but it's possible that I was just using the phone more frequently than usual so that I could use the app(s). I think this new app shows a LOT of promise, but if you're going down before it's updated I would definitely rely on the older app if accurate information is essential to your planning.

 

[Polydweller]

I think you misunderstood my post, I asked "WHO would the point of contact be on something like this?"

The issue of not being able to get into the app was on my own device, however the issue was the exact same issue that a friend of mine has also had. You select the app and it just brings you to an all black screen. I resolved it by rebooting my iPhone.

Woops, sorry, I did misread that. They do have an app support link. I tried to look on the Disney site to get the point of contact, it is on there. Of course they require flash and I'm away fom my computer with only my iPad for a few days. If I can figure out how to get it I'll pm you but you may be at guest relations before that. You could try Disney Interactive which does most of their end user programming.

Glad the rebooting helped. I find that anytime an app crashes I will have to restart (reboot) at some point shortly after. Eventually some app hits the area of bad data left behind in memory by the crash of another app and doesn't work right.

Again, sorry about the misread.

 

[tdpolo26]

any rumors on when the android version will be heading to google play

 

[rani8600]

any rumors on when the android version will be heading to google play

i would really like to know this myself. There were original rumors that it was going to be the end of this month, but the end is today and its still not here. Disappointing as i was hoping to be able to use it for my trip starting tomorrow.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I think it would also be nice to have a "select a location" within a park and it would give you the quickest route.
(Especially if it could update during parade times). I know that the majority of people on this forum can do this in our sleep but for the casual/first timers, this could be helpful.

Also, I wish Disney Transport was linked to this.
Give approximate wait times at the resorts/theme parks for when the next bus will arriving.
And/or you can check in and request a bus.

 

[bhg469]

i would really like to know this myself. There were original rumors that it was going to be the end of this month, but the end is today and its still not here. Disappointing as i was hoping to be able to use it for my trip starting tomorrow.

Also since there are several million more android devices than I phones. Java development is more common also. It seems like companies are often short sighted and forget there are more mobile operating systems in the world. My guess is they don't want to pay another person.

 

[Rasvar]

The good thing is, this is hopefully a Beta Test period, and hopefully they're monitoring threads like this for these issues.

What's also odd, is that I've been seeing adds for Mobile Magic on TV, but not My Disney Experience.

it's not really Beta but it is not the primary app yet. Mobile Magic is still the production platform app. The thing is driving some of the IT folks crazy. There is going to be a lot more functionality added. The Andriod version is a little more problematic than the IOS version because of the multiple platform issue. What they are trying to do is get it to the level of Mobile Magic's functionality and stability before it replaces Mobile Magic. I prefer the interface to Mobile Magic's but I am using it on an iPad. I have not seen it on the iPhone and am waiting for the Android phone version. Eventually, it will integrate with your resort reservations and dinning reservations and dining plan status along with Fastpass +. I've heard they are also going to try to integrate the ability to see how much you have charged to your room. Not sure they really want to do that. It might scare people from spending money. This is far from the max of what the app is projected to do.

 

[G00fyDad]

I am excited for this because I was not able to get the mobile magic on my phone.

Why not? Are you using a Windows or Blackberry phone?

 

[RSoxNo1]

it's not really Beta but it is not the primary app yet. Mobile Magic is still the production platform app. The thing is driving some of the IT folks crazy. There is going to be a lot more functionality added. The Andriod version is a little more problematic than the IOS version because of the multiple platform issue. What they are trying to do is get it to the level of Mobile Magic's functionality and stability before it replaces Mobile Magic. I prefer the interface to Mobile Magic's but I am using it on an iPad. I have not seen it on the iPhone and am waiting for the Android phone version. Eventually, it will integrate with your resort reservations and dinning reservations and dining plan status along with Fastpass +. I've heard they are also going to try to integrate the ability to see how much you have charged to your room. Not sure they really want to do that. It might scare people from spending money. This is far from the max of what the app is projected to do.

Thanks for the info. Forgive my ignorance, but you seem to be speaking as an authority on this. Where are you getting your information?

Also, are you having issues with refreshing wait times/fastpass times and getting logged out?

 

[wdwmagic]

any rumors on when the android version will be heading to google play

Android version is being released in September.

 

[disney1077]

Why not? Are you using a Windows or Blackberry phone?

It was not compatible with my phone. No I have a samsung.