Michael-DVC
New Member
Just wanted to pass along that if you are staying on property and elect for the Magic Bands. They will be ship to you by Disney and no cost to you.
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
MyMagic+ 'Mobile Lobby Experience' uses iPads to check-in guests curbside
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
flavious27
Well-Known Member
Why not just upgrade the computers and update the software in the lobby? And or add kiosks that print out ktw cards and packets for those that have preregistered on their smartphones?
dreamfinder
Well-Known Member
So then, what was the point of the iPad? Seems like it would have been faster if that CM had just been at the empty check in desk doing the same work for you without you traipsing around the lobby.
Or is it just cool to stand in front of the empty desk with an iPad and make the customer go through two hip interactions instead of one traditional one?
It's about helping to reduce the overall wait time, while improving face to face interactions. Much the same way that many banks now have a manager or someone else who greets you when you walk in the door, it's about making sure you go to the right place. If you already did online check in, then can make sure you get directed to the correct podium. If they can queue up your checkin, say for if they do hand you a box of pre-printed wrist bands when you check in, they can already have someone staging your box of bands instead of having the CM who checks you in having to go dig it up. Or by being able to complete half the checkin process on the way over to the desk, so all that you do need to do is sign when you get there. Staying concierge level? Now the CM can make sure to send you right to the concierge desk instead of having you wait twice. If that first CM can help to triage the guest check ins, they may end up being much more effective there, than if they were actually at a desk.
And rather than going a completely automated method, you still have the ability to interact with a CM, making sure that any questions you do have are answered. Unfortunately, simply restaffing all the desks I don't think is likely to happen. Now that the flow of guests are so heavily segmented, it's not worth it to keep them all staffed. Alot of guests do seem to be coming via DME, just watch the lobby area during your next trip. The lines definitely grow when DME does a drop off, and then they disappear until the next bus shows up.
flavious27
Well-Known Member
I worked at a bank that used greeters and managers when lines got long, they caused lines to get longer. The people that did not get angry over an employee waiting for someone else and or running back and forth was that one customer.
Checking into a hotel isn't that complicated of an operation as long as the computers are running and the software uses as little input as possible. With guests making reservations online, that cuts down on what is needed to be inputted into the computers. For returning guests and those that don't have questions, put in kiosks and have a greeter there to interact with the guests as the guest sets the pace.
This is the problem when upper management makes decisions without having any knowledge of how the process is done.
Checking into a hotel isn't that complicated of an operation as long as the computers are running and the software uses as little input as possible. With guests making reservations online, that cuts down on what is needed to be inputted into the computers. For returning guests and those that don't have questions, put in kiosks and have a greeter there to interact with the guests as the guest sets the pace.
This is the problem when upper management makes decisions without having any knowledge of how the process is done.
luv
Well-Known Member
Have two lines. One line for people who want to complain about the room they have been given, ask questions about tickets, have maps explained to them, etc. One line for "Here's your keys. Have a magical day."
And have the night audit pre-key at least the repeat guests, if not everyone.
Although, I really think that in this day and age, keys could be loaded into a box on the wall, by the door of the room. The computer could assign that box a code and send it to the guest, who could poke the code in and retrieve keys without having to go to a desk.
And have the night audit pre-key at least the repeat guests, if not everyone.
Although, I really think that in this day and age, keys could be loaded into a box on the wall, by the door of the room. The computer could assign that box a code and send it to the guest, who could poke the code in and retrieve keys without having to go to a desk.
Uncle Lupe
Well-Known Member
Maybe they realize that the personalizing of the magic band is going to lengthen the normal check in process. So they are trying to be proactive and do what they can to cut down check in times. Is the picking/selling of the magic band still planned?
luv
Well-Known Member
They're still advertising it, so I think it's still in the works!
I do think it will slow down the check-in process, explaining how it will work at turnstiles, rides and such. It takes time at park entrances.
I hope they put some of the poles in the hotels, so people can practice on them before actually checking in. They could have them at the ropey things wile people wait in line. They had practice ones at Epcot for people who switched APs to the RFID cards.
bhg469
Well-Known Member
But iPads are so cool and everybody loves them.So then, what was the point of the iPad? Seems like it would have been faster if that CM had just been at the empty check in desk doing the same work for you without you traipsing around the lobby.
Or is it just cool to stand in front of the empty desk with an iPad and make the customer go through two hip interactions instead of one traditional one?
Tom
Beta Return
If it starts with "i", I won't own it.
I agree that they should install practice pods around property. The last thing we need is any sort of system slowing down cranial deficient guests who already can't handle turnstiles.
It ain't just practice that is needed. We were there in February, and the RFID cards worked fine the first day. The next day, first my card didn't work, then another of our cards didn't work. It had nothing to do with how well we were able to hold the cards up to the poles.
Uncle Lupe
Well-Known Member
I would like to see DME give you the packet for your resort while waiting for the bus. Then when you arrive you are greeted at curbside by a CM with the iPad. Sign the iPad for charging your credit card. Then the CM will activate the card or Magic Band, give you a fast lesson on how it work, then tell you your room number and send you off in the general direction. Only bad thing about it done at curbside is the weather better not be raining when you arrive at the resort.
JungleTrekFan
Active Member
Guarantee it wasn’t your card, It was the readers. In busy locations the computers can’t handle the amount of information it needs to process and will shut down the touch to pays. The computer then needs to be reset for them to turn back on, which is time consuming and typically seen as intrusive to cast.
The technology itself did go down sometimes when it was first implemented but IT reviews all the information they can to fix them, and it has improved the technology over these past couple months.
Also i still love the guests that believe that the touch to pay can read their card from a foot away, especially when they wave it real fast. You would be surprised how (to be nice i’ll say) “relaxed” people are on vacation.
luis71091
Member
I saw this going on last weekend at the wilderness lodge, and I was impressed. There were about 2-3 CMs waiting for guests to pull up to the lodge. They met them, greeted them, and checked them in on the iPads. After the check in they led the guests to a check in counter in the lobby where they recieved their info. It was fast, efficient, and personable. It's nice to not have to wait in line after flying or driving for hours. I'm all for it!
flavious27
Well-Known Member
Why wait to get onto property? Just have a CM or two walk down the aisle. When you get off the bus, either go to your room and get ready for the magic or talk to someone about the new system.
Or better yet, have a real ticket and transportation center. Anyone that takes a train or plane will be directed to a new ttc. You get checked in on the bus over, they print your cards up there. When you arrive you get talk to someone if you want to. Your luggage is deposited and then transported to your room, like what they do for DCL. Also, require that all reservations made online or over the phone have all of the guests information inputted and verified by the customer before they get to wdw.
Darth Sidious
Authentically Disney Distinctly Chinese
Bobby is finally tying together his Apple board membership and Disney.
They have been doing some other things with Apple products as well. I had my tickets scanned via iPhone at a turnstile-less gate at AK in January.
They have been doing some other things with Apple products as well. I had my tickets scanned via iPhone at a turnstile-less gate at AK in January.
I might have been "subjected" to this last year at the WL. My DH and I never even got to the front door and were met by a CM who knew our name. Then we went into the lobby, went over a 3-second spiel, and were sent off with our package. It made us feel very uncomfortable and rushed to say the least. We vowed that when we go back this year we are going to the desk whether they like it or not. Don't get me wrong, CM was nice enough; it just didn't feel "Disney" enough, to us anyway. I like being at the desk and having my questions and other needs met there and no, we not new to DW - we have been going every year since 1998.
Tigger1988
Well-Known Member
They've been testing this for while. We experienced this last April at Boardwalk. Greeted immediately after walking in the doors, escorted to a chair in the lobby and the CM did all the work. Very fast, efficient and didn't have to stand in any lines.