Idea: Better Guide Maps

[ajt5027]

[FONT=&quot]I tend to believe that the idea of interactive park maps is encompassed into some of the NextGen technologies Staggs was talking about. Maps that you can have on your smart phone (probably iPhone first) providing interactive queue updates and fastpass information in real-time. Maybe even expanding it to have real-time traffic like Google maps. “Looks like Adventureland’s pretty crowded, lets hang a right and go to Tommorwland.” Should be simple if everyone is using his or her smart phone to navigate right? Plus you’ll have all your ride and dining reservations on there. Not to mention to the ability to click a restaurant on the map and make last-minute reservations. Thoughts?[/FONT]

 

[celtic20]

I say put the phone down. It's bad enough people are missing out on things in the real world because they are staring at thier phones, but to have them looking down at thier phones while navigating the parks?

 

[SuperSaint]

I would guess having extra descriptions on the map only costs more to make because of extra paper (and technically ink). I'm only making a generalization here, but I'm pretty sure anyone going to Disney World for the first time has some sort of idea of many of the rides and attractions there. I don't think the average tourist is driving down the street, sees the Disney World entrance, and says "Hey, kids, this looks neat, who wants to check it out?"

I think there's enough information available through cast members, maps, word of mouth, schedules, and just the flow of the park (what is crazy popular) for first timers to find out. Plus, it's a bit more magical if you don't know much about what you're going to experience.

I say, leave 'em the way they are and enjoy the adventure.

 

[Foolish Mortal]

I think they're o.k the way they are now. Except Idol just won't get off the Studios Map :brick:

 

[Scuttle]

They kind of messed with this in the early 90's. I have an old epcot book and it's kind of like you mentioned. It has pictures of the attractions and short menu descriptions. Actually a very cool guide map!

 

[Rinx]

It's like technical writing. It needs to be written so that the most clueless people and biggest idiots can follow it. Sad but true. Many people don't even know how to use maps or read them so it has to be simple and to the point. Too many descriptions will be overwhelming and cause even more confusion.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Incidentally, folks have to stop thinking WDW put descriptions in their maps to HELP its visitors --

The descriptions were put into the map when they specifically needed a way to emphasize the names of the Corporate Sponsors for each of the attractions -- Once the sponsorships started to disappear a decade ago, so did the descriptions.

As to the Guide Books, they weren't free -- you paid for them at the souvenir stands. And for those people staying in the WDW Resorts, you get a full guidebook in your room packet with decent descriptions of the rides, the intensity ratings, what's new, what's classic, and what's special....including maps.

 

[Mansion Butler]

I say put the phone down. It's bad enough people are missing out on things in the real world because they are staring at thier phones, but to have them looking down at thier phones while navigating the parks?

Why is that worse than a paper map?

And while I'd rather look at my surroundings than stare at my phone (most of the time), if someone else doesn't, so?

 

[Tigger#1]

http://www.florida-project.com/magic-kingdom-guidebooks-guidemaps/1984

I had to laugh when I found this. If they tried to do it today the blurb for every store in the shopping section would be "The same stuff you can find in every other store." :lol:

That is a shame they used to have stuff worth buying at Disney. We were there in 87 and I loved the hat shop in Adventure Land. I was looking forward to buying a cool hat when we went back with the kids in 2002 it was gone

 

[Krack]

As to the Guide Books, they weren't free -- you paid for them at the souvenir stands. And for those people staying in the WDW Resorts, you get a full guidebook in your room packet with decent descriptions of the rides, the intensity ratings, what's new, what's classic, and what's special....including maps.

As far back as I can remember (1982ish), they were.

 

[MichWolv]

The little guide books they passed out instead of maps were far superior. Actually had layout diagrams of each of the Epcot paviolions, and each pavilion had its own page with the layout and description of attractions, shops, and stores. The current park maps make it easier to see the big picture, I suppose, but far harder to actually learn anything.

And they could bridge the gap with terminals scattered around the parks that could provide additional information about the park beyond what's on the map. Maybe they could call them WorldKey terminals, or something like that. And maybe they could let you book dining reservations using the terminals as well.

Oh well.

 

[rct247]

I'm only making a generalization here, but I'm pretty sure anyone going to Disney World for the first time has some sort of idea of many of the rides and attractions there.

You would be VERY VERY surprised.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I seem to recall a post not too long ago saying that Tokyo Disneyland's parks still use guidebooks similar to what MK used to have.