When they opened they had merchandise that was themed to sports or music, but at some point Disney decided it was cheaper to just make generic stuff that they could sell at all three.
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Major remodel coming to All Star Sports food court...
- Thread starter WDW1974
- Start date
When they opened they had merchandise that was themed to sports or music, but at some point Disney decided it was cheaper to just make generic stuff that they could sell at all three.
My guess is that they will have some temporary set up so you can refill the mugs, but I don't know that for certain.
englanddg
One Little Spark...
Heh...not even $5. That's only 5% cost! It's more like 1.5% cost, if not less.
The cost per ticket win goal at CEC (one of the largest companies that do tickets for merch) is a final cost, to include merch cost, of 1.2 to 1.4 tickets per token. Some stores tweak that even lower, closer to 1. So, if you use that math and assume an average per token cost of 25 cents, to get a 10 ticket item which costs less than a penny per unit to the purveyor, you spend 2.50 cents in tokens. And that assumes that you ONLY do ticket games. This is why non ticket games are littered throughout the floor.
englanddg
One Little Spark...
There are more modern pinball games that distribute tickets and use effects. They do allright. Never among a top player. The top games are always the "skill" light games...like Cyclone, Racetrack, etc...youknow, basic games where you have a series of lights, and need to "stop" the light at just the right time to win the jackpot.
That and Coin drop games (which I've not seen at Disney) like Smokin' Tokin and Simpsons are also massive token eaters.
It has to do twofold...like a slot machine, the length of the game is so short that people can play a lot of "plays" back to back in a very short period of time. So, like slot machines, it's not uncommon to see people drop $20 worth of tokens back to back into a game.
By being so "fast paced", the player doesn't consider the money they are spending, as they are stuck in the "high" of "Ooohhh...almost got it, got to try again"...
Pinball games have a longer gameplay, and therefore, carry less interest.
Clever Name
Well-Known Member
Pinball machines require extensive maintenance on a daily basis. They must be keep scrupulously clean and all the bumpers and other mechanicals much be kept in top notch condition. Many arcade operators don't have the knowledge, tools, chemicals or skills to properly maintain pinball machines. As a result, the machines deteriorate quickly.
I have never seen a pinball machine in a Disney arcade that I would consider to be in playable condition.
englanddg
One Little Spark...
I wouldn't say daily, but at least once a week the whole unit should be pulled apart and cleaned and maintained. But, that really holds to some extent for any machine. Coin mechs, at least, both drop and ramp, should be scrubbed at least once a week to prevent coin jams, etc. Though, Disney went with cards...as has Dave and Busters (though at D&B you still trade for coins for many of their games)...
As far as tools, it doesn't take much to maintain a Pinball machine properly. A Happ Controls catalog, and a basic toolkit with some specialty cleaning chemicals that won't damage or scratch the plastic, works fine.
Clever Name
Well-Known Member
Back in my day, tobacco smoke was a big problem for pinball machines. As you know, the machines require a lot of airflow and tobacco smoke is very sticky. Even in arcades where smoking was banned, more than enough smoke from other parts of the building would gum up a pinball machine quickly.
But even without smoke, other air and light quality problems can cause havoc with machines. Temperature extremes, lack of concise humidity control, inadequate air filtration (i.e. too much dust and other particulates) and improper lighting (the wrong light bulbs can severely damage any machine) are some of the most common problems.
In most pinball establishments it's easy to tell if the proprietor knows his stuff. You can take a quick look at the location of the machine(s), survey the room lights and look at the machine legs. Nine times out of ten that will tell you all you need to know.
FloridaRes
Active Member
Yes, you will be able to refill in the Arcade space
englanddg
One Little Spark...
Oh yes. In a smoking environment, I'd agree. Daily maintenance is required!
And, especially with older machines, I completely agree! I did a short stint as a machine tech for bars, to make some extra money, and the tar/smoke buildup just destroyed the machines at a rapid pace. I even tried using low temp hot glue to try and seal the glass, which helped with spills, but not the smoking...it doesn't matter, as the unit can't be completely sealed, or it won't work properly.
I've done maintenance on older and newer ones, and the newer designs that have come out are far more tolerant of these issues, though temp and lighting is still a concern (sensors and the rubber bumpers acting properly)...
Luckily, most of my career I was in a kids place, no smoking, and no smoking near it! Didn't stop drink spills, but the seals on the newer units (the Simpsons and Invasion from Mars units were my favorite designs) had a very good seal on them, so unless you let it fester, it wasn't a major issue. Plus, it wasn't a corrosive (which alcohol is) it was soda (which is just as bad, but easier if you clean regularly...I'd have my attendants wipe down the games every 30 minutes minimum, and a detailed wipe every night...
englanddg
One Little Spark...
Actually IN the arcade?
That, is just a dumb idea, probably made by someone who has never run an Arcade.
At least make them walk outside to refill. Refill stations are difficult to keep clean, and nothing you want within a few feet of your games.
FloridaRes
Active Member
All the games will be removed, the space will be used for grab and go food and drink. No Arcade games at Sports during the rehab.
englanddg
One Little Spark...
disney4life2008
Well-Known Member
Virtual Toad
Well-Known Member
We had the same experience at POP a few weeks ago. They've changed their menu to include more "exotic" items. Which may sound good on paper (maybe to entice people to sign up for the dining plan?) but in reality disgusting is exactly the word I'd use to describe the end product.
I waited 20 MINUTES for an undercooked flatbread that was basically inedible. A friend had some sort of shrimp dish that was equally subpar.
Not sure if it's the inexperience of the cooking staff, inferior ingredients or a totally unrealistic view of what quick service dining should be, but I strongly urge anyone to stay away from the new exotic stuff. Order the burger and fries. At least that's still somewhat edible.
Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
Oh i am sure they will....whenever they get around to building the *Gansta Rap Building* at All Star Music...
Expansion, ya know...
Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
I like your thinking.
Agree, this would have been a nice plus to the merch offerings.
Perhaps when these Resorts first opened they did this?
I know Music does indeed have a dedicated section selling a selection is Disney CDs...park music, Disney Channel stuff, newer or currant movie soundtracks, and the like.
MOXOMUMD
Well-Known Member
My daughter would save some allowance ($10) to get an arcade card and I told her when it's gone, it's gone. I never let her play the coin games which seemed like a ripoff. (The drop a coin in the dump truck which never dumps.) Even when she was almost out of card credit we would walk in and make a loop of the arcade. It's amazing how many unsupervised kids would leave their tickets hanging and run off to another game or lose single tickets on the floor. If I saw a ticket belonged to them I gave it back but if no one was around, finder's keepers. Alas those days are over now that the arcades are going ticketless. I do like the different arcade card designs as I have a collection of around thirty. Last trip we got a Wreck It Ralph.
Back in the day you could trade your tickets in for actual Disney character merchandise too. I got a set of international Mickey/Minnie dolls but now all arcade merchandise comes from The Oriental Trading Co. I noticed a few things my daugher chose had the OTC logo on it. I asked the attendant and he danced around the subject and said yes by not saying yes. I also have noticed since the inclusion of the free arcade voucher in the vacation packets a majority of the games have had the points needed to play raised.
Back in the day you could trade your tickets in for actual Disney character merchandise too. I got a set of international Mickey/Minnie dolls but now all arcade merchandise comes from The Oriental Trading Co. I noticed a few things my daugher chose had the OTC logo on it. I asked the attendant and he danced around the subject and said yes by not saying yes. I also have noticed since the inclusion of the free arcade voucher in the vacation packets a majority of the games have had the points needed to play raised.
