Motley Fool reports lots and lots spent on My Magic+ in 2013

["El Gran Magnifico"]

It is something that very, very easily will become obsolete. The technology will require continued reinvestment, an area where Disney has a poor track record and this is doubly true since there is no direct revenue stream.

So....You're suggesting they go back to "E" tickets....WOW.....Go back inside the cave.....

 

[lazyboy97o]

So....You're suggesting they go back to "E" tickets....WOW.....Go back inside the cave.....

Good job making stuff up.

 

[WhatJaneSays]

Access control you say? Do we deal in similar business?

Getting people into places they pay to be in?

More like keeping people out of where they don't belong/keeping people where they do belong (law enforcement and jail related). I've moved on to something less depressing thankfully, event management and the logistics thereof.

 

[bhg469]

More like keeping people out of where they don't belong/keeping people where they do belong (law enforcement and jail related). I've moved on to something less depressing thankfully, event management and the logistics thereof.

ahh not quite the same I do event ticketing and access.

 

[Lee]

You know what else lowers wait times? More attractions that could have been built for the price of this lol

This.
A waste of billions...

 

[Biff215]

Agree the cost seems excessive but that's not for me to be concerned with. I really like all the features of MM+. I likely spend more as using the band becomes a bit too easy at times, clearly one of their goals.

I really enjoy reserving FP in advance, and I'd even be fine with having to do it the night before or day of (60 days out is a bit much, but still better than dining). I don't miss having to run across the park to get FP for my family for hours later, just to fumble with all of the cards and then run back.

We just came back from 10 days in WDW and our longest wait in a standby line was about 15 minutes. We were able to tour at a leisurely pace given the length of our trip, but we managed to do everything we wanted and many things 2-3 times. Riding Toy Story 4 times with no wait in 2 visits to DHS was unheard of before FP+ (and the third track of course). We did at least 5 FP a day thanks to the ability to use the app.

I might trade it if all that money were spent on new attractions, but let's be honest, that would have never happened.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

You know what else lowers wait times? More attractions that could have been built for the price of this lol

Although thats true, if MyMagic+ wasn't created, the money spent on it wouldn't have gone to other attractions.

 

[ford91exploder]

I don't know about profitable, but it will definitely save money. It may take years, and it is able to infinitely evolve overtime. The MM+ is not something that can easily become obsolete.

You don't work in tech do you, A system 3 years old is ALREADY obsolete as some components are already in the 'end-of-life' state and will shortly be only available on the secondary market, programming libraries have changed since implementation. etc, etc, ad infinitum. It takes no insider knowledge this is simply the state of the industry.

 

[DManRightHere]

You don't work in tech do you, A system 3 years old is ALREADY obsolete as some components are already in the 'end-of-life' state and will shortly be only available on the secondary market, programming libraries have changed since implementation. etc, etc, ad infinitum. It takes no insider knowledge this is simply the state of the industry.

No, I don't work in tech. Yes, any system when finally released to the public is already on some level obsolete.

Maybe what I am really trying to get across is plainly MM+ is something that can be constantly updated, without having to majorly shut down the service to workd on it. That is why I say it can not easily become obsolete.

 

[bhg469]

No, I don't work in tech. Yes, any system when finally released to the public is already on some level obsolete.

Maybe what I am really trying to get across is plainly MM+ is something that can be constantly updated, without having to majorly shut down the service to workd on it. That is why I say it can not easily become obsolete.

You said it will definitely save money. I just don't understand how they can do any saving in this regard.

 

[DisneyFans4Life]

We have enjoyed using MM+ and FP+. We usually go a few times a month and my wife always makes our FPs for us as soon as the system lets us. It's great that everything from our resort reservation to any ADRs we have are all lumped into one easy to use app and then on top of that, we can also use the app to book additional FPs for more ADRs. I especially like being able to use my band to get into the resort, my room, the park, and attractions. My only complaint is that the rubber bands can be a pain in the hot summer months. The new bands are a bit better because they're more flexible, but I think I'd prefer a nylon type strap. What would be even better is if the MB technology could be integrated with smart watches...then I wouldn't need to even wear a MB.

 

[wdisney9000]

MM+ is a winner for Disney. We may not like it...but Disney sure does. They may have gone over budget but the long term benefits made this a no brainer.

Have they made any announcement that MM+ as we know it in WDW will be installed in any of the other parks? I havent seen anything. If not, how can they consider it a win? I know Shanghai uses a Legacy system. Why dont they have MM+? Why doesnt DL, DCA. TDS, DLP?

It also cut costs for things we don't even think about....like no more paper tickets (i.e. the old FP system, eventually no more plastic room keys, on and on - things we don't really give a second thought to - but just the paper costs to print out the old FP and the system upkeep of those kiosks was substantial)...

I would think that the cost of producing the magic bands, the cost of the shiny box it gets mailed in, the personaliztion of names on the band, the fact that they send you a new one for each trip and the cost of having spare bands (the grey ones) on hand for malfunctioning bands, would definitley cost the same if not more than the old plastic KTTW cards. And then compare the cost of maintenance on the Legacy machines (basically printers) VS the maintenance of the entire MM+ and the cost of needing MASSIVE tech support and constant upgrades, I would think it definitely costs more.[/QUOTE]

 

[csmat99]

How is that hyperbole. Day guests (locals) get access to the system the morning we arrive at the park. You guys have been hogging all the FP+ for 60 days before I get a shot at FP+s. Oh sure, I could have booked a hotel room 12 miles from my house at an exorbitant rate 61 days before I plan on visiting so that I can get 3 FP+s and plan out one day at an amusement park. You do realize that that is insane, right?

Logical locals only go to Epcot, and that is to drink. We go to Universal to actually ride rides. Oh, and we drink in the new lovely Disney Springs, too.

And I'm pretty sure TDO is absolutely on board with this, considering their current capacity issues. Self inflicted, of course.

I understand where you are coming from but WDW has never really wanted to appeal to locals. It will never be like how Disneyland is driven by the local market. As soon as WDW didn't need the locals to help in off season they started to take away perks and actually discourage them coming to parks. Because locals aren't buying that 40 stuffed Anna doll and 20 light sticks that whirl.

 

[csmat99]

You said it will definitely save money. I just don't understand how they can do any saving in this regard.

It's not about saving money. It will make more money. Like another poster has mentioned the convenience of charging things with the bands have people spending more. You also have all the data mining and tracking that go along with the bands. And people only get free bands when they stay onsite everyone else buys them. One of many reasons Anaheim didn't want it because most of their people are locals and the bands would of been a big pain.

 

[DManRightHere]

You said it will definitely save money. I just don't understand how they can do any saving in this regard.

We already know about the replacement of FP. No physical products or hardware has to be purchased or maintained. I believe each station had 1-2 CM's throughout the day. Those positions are gone as well as the maintenance staff for the FP machines.

We also know guests can bypass the check in process for resort hotels, this can reduce staff.

The park entry system is also simplified. No moving parts or turnstiles. Another reduction in maintenance.

I really thought that park entry would start to go self service, or at least for resort guests. Just a couple CM's watching a group of entry points.

This part I am just taking a stab at. I did a poll awhile back, and the folks here on the forum voted about 75% that MM+ is an improvement over the old ways. I still think the entire system is generally improving guest experience at the parks. If you have happier customers, they are more inclined to spend money.

 

[jakeman]

How is that hyperbole. Day guests (locals) get access to the system the morning we arrive at the park. You guys have been hogging all the FP+ for 60 days before I get a shot at FP+s. Oh sure, I could have booked a hotel room 12 miles from my house at an exorbitant rate 61 days before I plan on visiting so that I can get 3 FP+s and plan out one day at an amusement park. You do realize that that is insane, right?

Logical locals only go to Epcot, and that is to drink. We go to Universal to actually ride rides. Oh, and we drink in the new lovely Disney Springs, too.

And I'm pretty sure TDO is absolutely on board with this, considering their current capacity issues. Self inflicted, of course.

This is a false statement, and you've been around here long enough to know it.

It's been repeatedly demonstrated that day of fastpasses are routinely available for all but a very small handful of attractions.

Pulling up today at 10:15 a.m. ET at MK, FPs are available for all attractions except for Mine Train. DAK is everything but Dinosaur. Epcot is everything but Frozen. MGM everything is available.

 

[peter11435]

This is a false statement, and you've been around here long enough to know it.

It's been repeatedly demonstrated that day of fastpasses are routinely available for all but a very small handful of attractions.

Pulling up today at 10:15 a.m. ET at MK, FPs are available for all attractions except for Mine Train. DAK is everything but Dinosaur. Epcot is everything but Frozen. MGM everything is available.

And the only reason you can't get dinosaur is because it is closed for refurb.

 

[xdan0920]

or get comp passes through work.

Comcast in the habit of giving out Disney park tickets these days?

 

[ford91exploder]

Have they made any announcement that MM+ as we know it in WDW will be installed in any of the other parks? I havent seen anything. If not, how can they consider it a win? I know Shanghai uses a Legacy system. Why dont they have MM+? Why doesnt DL, DCA. TDS, DLP?

I would think that the cost of producing the magic bands, the cost of the shiny box it gets mailed in, the personaliztion of names on the band, the fact that they send you a new one for each trip and the cost of having spare bands (the grey ones) on hand for malfunctioning bands, would definitley cost the same if not more than the old plastic KTTW cards. And then compare the cost of maintenance on the Legacy machines (basically printers) VS the maintenance of the entire MM+ and the cost of needing MASSIVE tech support and constant upgrades, I would think it definitely costs more.

[/QUOTE]

Remember this was sold to the BoD as a SUBSTITUTE for building attractions and would give far better ROI by optimizing the utilization of existing attractions as opposed to building NEW attractions, Unfortunately UNI has shown far better financial results doing it the old fashioned way yes by actually BUILDING STUFF, Where Universal is adding to top line revenues, Disney is reduced to cutting, cutting and yet more cutting. Only one path is sustainable and it's not the one Disney is following.

 

[twebber55]

You don't work in tech do you, A system 3 years old is ALREADY obsolete as some components are already in the 'end-of-life' state and will shortly be only available on the secondary market, programming libraries have changed since implementation. etc, etc, ad infinitum. It takes no insider knowledge this is simply the state of the industry.

so are you saying the old system was obsolete and needed to be replaced?