News and observations from the past month

[flynnibus]

You may be concerned with dangling things like a lanyard

I "may be" because I look at things like a manufacturer.. and not just an individual customer. I have to analyze systems not just for the ideal case, but for all use cases. You don't want to mandate customers wear something.. that in turn is going to be a safety hazard on the very rides you are putting guests onto.

The classic neck laynard alone doesn't work because it can't reach the readers. So you'd have to use a zip cord or something in addition. You can't move the readers up because of the previously described scenarios. Plus, moving door lock readers would have been a costly thing.

while others might just want it loose in the pocket or on their key chain (if you manage not to lose your keys in the real world - why would this be so much more of a concern in a theme park?)

One word... 'cycles' - something you think about in interaction design and manufacturing.

Putting the thing on a watch band is exactly the same principle as the current colored band (so I really can't see the objection there) but with me picking the style, size, and material.

The issue with the design right now is the same as you have with watches. The component portion of the watch is not flexible and making one size fit all is difficult. There may be design constraints on the current size or antenna design that makes it prohibitive from making the components into a interchangeable dongle that could be inserted into different housings. But that would be my design... a module you could pop into a carrier that make it convenient for the wearer.. so make the wrist bands in kids, womens, mens, etc.. and pop the module in. Hence the expensive part is uniform and interchangeable.. and the physical carrier is customizable. But without knowing the design constraints its hard to judge from afar..

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I think they should have many options. Rubbery phone cases, lanyards, keychain fobs, etc.

 

[Bairstow]

I think another major advantage of the bracelet form factor is that it makes it easy for guests to check themselves and their children and make sure they have the device with them.

Also, since from Disney's point of view one of the systems best features is the way guests don't have to pull anything out of their pockets to make a purchase (so using a band doesn't "feel" like using a credit card) having the device in a keyfob design would defeat this feature.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I think another major advantage of the bracelet form factor is that it makes it easy for guests to check themselves and their children and make sure they have the device with them.

Also, since from Disney's point of view one of the systems best features is the way guests don't have to pull anything out of their pockets to make a purchase (so using a band doesn't "feel" like using a credit card) having the device in a keyfob design would defeat this feature.

A lot of people HATE the sweaty rubbery band on their arms and stow them in a pocket/purse anyway.

That said, what if Disney stopped trying to manipulate people into spending money through "Jedi Mind Tricks" and simply made compelling merchandise again. I know, what a novel concept. Right?

 

[ford91exploder]

They could just put it in an ankle bracelet. That seems to work OK for The Sheriff's Office.

They are after all the same thing only we call Disney's the 'Mouse Arrest' band...

 

[ford91exploder]

I "may be" because I look at things like a manufacturer.. and not just an individual customer. I have to analyze systems not just for the ideal case, but for all use cases. You don't want to mandate customers wear something.. that in turn is going to be a safety hazard on the very rides you are putting guests onto.

The classic neck laynard alone doesn't work because it can't reach the readers. So you'd have to use a zip cord or something in addition. You can't move the readers up because of the previously described scenarios. Plus, moving door lock readers would have been a costly thing.



One word... 'cycles' - something you think about in interaction design and manufacturing.



The issue with the design right now is the same as you have with watches. The component portion of the watch is not flexible and making one size fit all is difficult. There may be design constraints on the current size or antenna design that makes it prohibitive from making the components into a interchangeable dongle that could be inserted into different housings. But that would be my design... a module you could pop into a carrier that make it convenient for the wearer.. so make the wrist bands in kids, womens, mens, etc.. and pop the module in. Hence the expensive part is uniform and interchangeable.. and the physical carrier is customizable. But without knowing the design constraints its hard to judge from afar..

What was wrong with the RFID media already used for KTTW card?, Plus after the trip you could salt them in your luggage in case it became misdirected. Ours always lived in one of those waterproof card holders on a lanyard.

 

[kittybubbles]

THAT'S the straw that broke the camel's back?

Nope, it was just one 'little' thing, but then all these little things added up.

We probably averaged a few days maybe every three months. Little things like tigger not bouncing but being stuck in the up position lasting more than three visits...the bus arriving at AK w/ an announcement reminding us to experience the newest attraction Expidition Everest.

But really the last straw was that this year, if we renewed our APs...well this year would have seen a rather large increase in price since there is no longer a child price so our daughters ticket really shot up in cost.

Not sure when/if we will visit again, but instead of being AP holders, we will wait until they offer a good deal for multi-day FL res tickets or maybe just go to the MK one day for one of the parties when we can go from 4pm to midnight for less than a one day ticket.

 

[dreamscometrue]

You don't want dangling things that get caught on something.. because they get pulled, they then get broken...

That's what she said.

 

[dhall]

Interesting, @PhotoDave219 report is one of the first reliable reports that NGE features are working correctly, Could the read/room charge issues be load related as in TDO did not provision adequate bandwidth to the data center which is probably in Burbank or NYC.

I would completely buy that: I"d imagine they were told they needed a certain amount of bandwidth & they pushed back on the integrator to make due with less (for less money), or to make sure that the equivalent of "Billy Bob's Baud Bucket" was their vendor of choice.

 

[ford91exploder]

I would completely buy that: I"d imagine they were told they needed a certain amount of bandwidth & they pushed back on the integrator to make due with less (for less money), or to make sure that the equivalent of "Billy Bob's Baud Bucket" was their vendor of choice.

Ah like Cogent/L3 - cheap best effort bits...

 

[RSoxNo1]

Because they need to. Epcot only has...what, 10 rides? Of those, only 4 had regular Fastpass distribution. And of those only 2 are consistently busy enough to ever need it. But its hard to justify the benefits of FP+ for only 2 rides; hence the need to put it everywhere.

Same holds true for DHS and AK. Gotta love FP+; its all just a shell game aimed at tricking first timers.

Right... this is why the current #s/math doesn't work in any park other than MK. The way to do this is to allow 1 advanced booking per guest, per day. Then once guests are in the park they can utilize the in park kiosks or their smart phone to make normal Fastpass reservations based on the current distribution rules (less any Fastpass+ reservations made in advance).

 

[RSoxNo1]

A better system? Hardly...
How about offer more, and improved attractions to spread the guests out? Fix Imagination. Replace the horrible Lion King thing in The Land pavilion. Do SOMETHING with Wonders of Life pavilion! Open World Showcase earlier. Add a damn country already, and put a flipping attraction in it, for a change.....
Long lines at Soarin', solved!

Yeah, also adding attractions would solve the "Fastpass+ Problem" in Epcot. Soarin' Over the World wont' solve the problem, they need to replace low demand attractions like Imagination or Ellen's Energy Adventure with higher demand attractions and add new attractions where there aren't attractions?

 

[RSoxNo1]

Guests should also have the option to skip the car design process if they so desire. I just have a question for our Test Track cast members, will your pass only retain a single Test Track car on it?

I'd also like to see the ability to design your car before your trip if you want. Presumably some of the add ons like It's a Small World will be done in the queue, but could be done at home as well.

 

[Bairstow]

Guests should also have the option to skip the car design process if they so desire. I just have a question for our Test Track cast members, will your pass only retain a single Test Track car on it?

I'd also like to see the ability to design your car before your trip if you want. Presumably some of the add ons like It's a Small World will be done in the queue, but could be done at home as well.

Has anyone tried going through the main design queue, then coming back through single rider without designing a car?
I'd be curious if the ride always loads up your last-designed car, even if you've already ridden.
I bet it would.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Has anyone tried going through the main design queue, then coming back through single rider without designing a car?
I'd be curious if the ride always loads up your last-designed car, even if you've already ridden.
I bet it would.

I've had it load a car from the previous trip, although it was a generic car so I'm not sure if that's the default.

 

[doctornick]

Yeah, also adding attractions would solve the "Fastpass+ Problem" in Epcot. Soarin' Over the World wont' solve the problem, they need to replace low demand attractions like Imagination or Ellen's Energy Adventure with higher demand attractions and add new attractions where there aren't attractions?

Like in the empty buildings that already exist (WoL pavillion, empty Japan show building, etc.)....

 

[JenniferS]

Has anyone tried going through the main design queue, then coming back through single rider without designing a car?
I'd be curious if the ride always loads up your last-designed car, even if you've already ridden.
I bet it would.

It did for my nephew.
I was in a separate car (obviously), but he was all excited because his previous car loaded up.

 

[nytimez]

Sources tell me they're going with rectal implants next.

 

[Bairstow]

What would work is what I've seen restaurant people use, a clip on with a retractable string with a card attached. Know what I'm talking about??? Waiters use them to access the registers under their name to make transactions. Clip on to your waist with no difference in the person size or whatever. You can extend the card(in this case a small RFID chip) by way of a cord with an automatic retraction system. That would solve the safety issue and reaching a scanner issues. Cheap and durable, I bet waiters don't get new ones very often. I wish I can find a picture of what I'm talking about. http://www.amazon.com/Retractable-BLACK-Reel-Badges-Individually/dp/B0019N3RDY That's pretty much what I'm talking about.

Not durable (or waterproof) enough.
Ever given one of these things to a kid?

 

[flynnibus]

What would work is what I've seen restaurant people use, a clip on with a retractable string with a card attached. Know what I'm talking about???

Yes, that's what I meant when I said "So you'd have to use a zip cord or something in addition"

They are common place for any place using badges or swipe cards.