I'm curious to see the impact of this as well. While I've noticed some guests being, umm, "challenged" at use of the old machines, it never really reached a problem that I experienced. And the CM's stationed every few machines was enough to keep things moving. What are locals' opinion of the old machines? Do you agree or disagree?
(Rant mode on)
The reason I ask is b/c it absolultely frickin' drives me crazy at Disneyland that we feel we need to station a CM at every single turnstile gate. And then Disneyland, b/c we wouldn't possibly want to pay more CM's, we only generally keep open half the number of entrance turnstiles there are. So you've got these giant lines of people stretching into the Esplanade toward DCA waiting to get into Disneyland and only half the gates open. From a customer service point of view, let alone from a "Disney" point of view, that just sends such a horrible message and makes no business sense. You want your customers in there ASAP, go spend that money NOW, right away! Every minute they're in line outside the gates means they're not spending money inside the gates.
Our ticket systems are not even as complicated and yet a CM has to stand there, take my ticket, push it through the machine for me because I'm an idiot, then hand it back to me. I could probably do it faster in some cases. And if we follow Florida's method, we could instead station a CM every few gates and let EVERY gate be open, thus providing better service.
Now someone pointed out that DL's system may be considered friendly than FL's "do-it-yourself" system. I personally disagree since the FL CM's are relieved from having to care about your ticket. They (theoretically) then have really nothing to do BUT greet you as you come in, except for those guests that get stuck and do need help.
(rant mode off)
