Gowalla Integration to be Phased out of WDW

[SyracuseOrange]

Facebook bought location-based service Gowalla this weekend. If any of you don't know, Disney parterned with Gowalla to offer exclusive pins & items that you could only unlock in Walt Disney World. Now that Gowalla will cease to exist, Disney will lose out on this part of their "next gen" developments. So what will they do next?

Have any of you ever used Gowalla in the parks? I'm a Foursquare person myself, so I never did. I'd love to hear thoughts. Will this be missed?

 

[zulemara]

I've only used foursquare also so no, not missed.

 

[kennygman]

Don't use any of that stuff myself.

 

[ScorpionX]

Never heard of Gowalla.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

What sad news! I always liked those gowallas in Animal kingdom!

 

[Slugger]

I used to use Gowalla a lot until they came out with version 4. Version 4 ruined the app for me and I switched to Foursquare. I would love to see Disney work with Foursquare and off stuff by checking in places.

 

[kennygman]

Don't flame me, but I don't get those "check-in" things like Gowalla, Foursquare or even on Facebook. Do I really want people to know where I am all day long, every day?

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Don't flame me, but I don't get those "check-in" things like Gowalla, Foursquare or even on Facebook. Do I really want people to know where I am all day long, every day?

I agree, and why do people think we care where they are all day? I just don't get it. :shrug:

 

[Bairstow]

+

=

?

 

[SyracuseOrange]

What sad news! I always liked those gowallas in Animal kingdom!

Did you earn any special Disney items from it?

 

[Clever Name]

I agree, and why do people think we care where they are all day? I just don't get it. :shrug:

It's part of the "Me" generation. It can help people with low self esteem feel a little better about their lot in life. :wave:

 

[SyracuseOrange]

It's part of the "Me" generation. It can help people with low self esteem feel a little better about their lot in life. :wave:

...not quite.

:brick:

 

[trr1]

Don't flame me, but I don't get those "check-in" things like Gowalla, Foursquare or even on Facebook. Do I really want people to know where I am all day long, every day?

I agree, and why do people think we care where they are all day? I just don't get it. :shrug:

I also agree
I have had so many people ask me to join one of these social networks. I dont know how much longer I can resist without offending my friends and family.

The only one that I belong to is LinkedIn it is a way to Build a professional network for job opportunities.

 

[TP2000]

Don't flame me, but I don't get those "check-in" things like Gowalla, Foursquare or even on Facebook. Do I really want people to know where I am all day long, every day?

I don't play those reindeer games either, and I've never understood the concept. I don't care where other people are, and quite frankly I doubt anyone cares where I am at any particular moment. (For the record, I am currently in my home office, but I'm about to go to the supermarket and the dry cleaners. Film at Eleven!)

Why would anyone waste a precious moment staring at their iPhone when they went to all the hassle and expense of going to Disney World??? :veryconfu

There's also the issue that whenever I see the title of this thread I think it is involving a juice drink of some sort.

 

[maxairmike]

The location based social networks are very game-like. You would be surprised at some of the battles over mayorship for a location that go on. Hey, when there's a free Frosty at stake, something's gotta give! But seriously, they really are kind of like a game for most people. It is also a great marketing tool because it lets your friends know where you are, what you might be buying, any specials that the business is offering, etc. (I bet you know what I do for my job now :lol: )

For a business like Disney, seeing someone checking in on Foursquare at a park on their Facebook news feed brings immediate recognition of the business and may put it at the front of the viewer's mind, spurring them to check out a vacation package "just because," or something else that might snag some kind of revenue down the line, if not immediately. I would be very surprised to see Disney not utilize Foursquare, and now Facebook Deals and Check-ins in the very near future.

Oh, and did I mention it can actually be kind of a fun "game?"

 

[SyracuseOrange]

The location based social networks are very game-like. You would be surprised at some of the battles over mayorship for a location that go on. Hey, when there's a free Frosty at stake, something's gotta give! But seriously, they really are kind of like a game for most people. It is also a great marketing tool because it lets your friends know where you are, what you might be buying, any specials that the business is offering, etc. (I bet you know what I do for my job now :lol: )

For a business like Disney, seeing someone checking in on Foursquare at a park on their Facebook news feed brings immediate recognition of the business and may put it at the front of the viewer's mind, spurring them to check out a vacation package "just because," or something else that might snag some kind of revenue down the line, if not immediately. I would be very surprised to see Disney not utilize Foursquare, and now Facebook Deals and Check-ins in the very near future.

Oh, and did I mention it can actually be kind of a fun "game?"

Me too, actually. I was about to explain the benefit that it brings to a company, but you did it for me. And for users, most people do view it as just a game and a fun way to compete with their friends, but it has very tangible benefits too. I've gotten many free appetizers, desserts, or drinks at restaurants just for pressing a button. And I've gotten 10-20% off at certain stores, again...just for pushing a button. So bash it all you want, but Foursquare is a GREAT way to save money with very little effort involved.

 

[Monorail Lime]

I never heard anything about Gowalla except for an advertisement about the WDW badges in the DVC member magazine. It only caught my attention because I was surprised that anyone would attempt to compete with the juggernaut that is foursquare. My doubts are now validated! :lol:

 

[tecowdw]

Don't flame me, but I don't get those "check-in" things like Gowalla, Foursquare or even on Facebook. Do I really want people to know where I am all day long, every day?

Amen! My thoughts exactly...I don't care where you are all day!
:ROFLOL:

Honestly, I don't get the point either but I don't tweet or facebook either.

 

[Jdlay]

I used to use Gowalla a lot until they came out with version 4. Version 4 ruined the app for me and I switched to Foursquare. I would love to see Disney work with Foursquare and off stuff by checking in places.

Agreed, version 4 ruined it for me too. I found it useless for anything other than a Facebook posting tool.i don't like it's integration with Facebook. I quit using it.

 

[TP2000]

For those keeping track... I'm now back home from the supermarket and the cleaners. I may be ordering pizza for dinner tonight, but that's not confirmed. Stay tuned.