The Orlando Sentinel today published a telling article about the future of MyMagic+ as it rolls out (likely without MagicBands) to any other Disney parks and resorts around the globe -- and probably will effect further upgrades (or changes over time) at WDW. Read into it what you may, but I see a mixture of the crazy budget that it costs to implement versus the benefit along with an understanding that WDW is truly a different beast than the other resorts due to its massive scale.
I am still not sure everyone wants to be tied to their phone for ride reservations at the park on vacation. I still also think that the whole concept has taken a good thing (meal reservations, fastpasses, etc.) and made it way more complicated than it needs to be on vacation. I have to think that while it has had its uses, it has not paid off for Disney in that many increased merchandise sales (part of which, I think would say has more to do with the generic and repetitive nature of the offerings from store to store than whether or not MM+ has added any shopping time and efficiency into the day-- since more time would not make me buy the same souvenir I saw at the last shop).
Anyway, here is the OS article and link: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...-disney-magicbands-phones-20160408-story.html
by Sandra Pedicini Orlando Sentinel
MagicBands adorn the arms of millions of Walt Disney World visitors, giving them quick access to FastPasses, hotel rooms and credit-card accounts.
At the Walt Disney Co.'s other theme parks, guests will someday likely enjoy similar conveniences through the swipe of a smartphone rather than a flick of the wrist.
The MagicBand, a microchip-embedded bracelet that serves as a ticket, credit card, hotel key and FastPass, is a feature of the MyMagic+ program that debuted in 2013 at Disney World. Ever-evolving smartphones, however, can likely perform similar functions in other parks, Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger told stockholders last month. For example, Shanghai Disney Resort won't distribute the bands when it opens in June.
Walt Disney World MagicBands are the RFID bracelets integrated with Disney's MyMagic+ program, used by guests for park admissions, reservations, dining, purchases and more.
"Because technology keeps moving onward and improving, we're looking at all different ways to expand the program, both in Orlando and our other parks around the world," Iger said at last month's shareholder meeting. "It won't necessarily be through physical MagicBands, since mobile technology and personal mobile devices can offer a lot of the functionality that a lot of the bands we created offer."
Overall, the billion-dollar MyMagic+ — which includes the My Disney Experience website and app and the ability to reserve rides up to two months in advance — continues evolving. On Sunday, changes go into effect to make ordering FastPasses more efficient. Guests will be able to reserve more than three FastPasses per day on their phones.
After using the first three passes selected on My Disney Experience, visitors can obtain additional ones in the app rather than only at kiosks. You can still only order three FastPasses per day in advance. Visitors also will be able to select just one or two; until now, they have had to take three, even if they didn't want that many.
MyMagic+ is meant to increase customer loyalty — and spending — by making visits more efficient and personalized. So far, it is not at Disneyland or other Disney parks.
Guests don't have to wear MagicBands to take advantage of the program's other features, including the My Disney Experience site. Passholders receive the bands free and other visitors can purchase them.
More than 18 million guests have used the wristbands, with more than 100 designs including basic colors and pictures of characters. Disney also sells MagicBand accessories. It is developing "next-generation" bracelets, such a slimmer one that launched last year.
"MagicBands were an instant hit with our guests and will continue to be an important part of the Walt Disney World experience," the company said in an emailed statement.
A few weeks ago, people wearing MagicBands started seeing their names on screens in "It's a Small World." More "personalized moments" will follow, Disney said.
Disney cruise ships have also been using the bands.
The company has not said how much it spent overall on the MyMagic+ program. The initial rollout took longer than expected, and there has been analyst and online speculation that the project went over budget.
"I think it's a small piece of the larger goal of just improving guest satisfaction and increasing guest spending," Strickland said.
spedicini@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5240
I am still not sure everyone wants to be tied to their phone for ride reservations at the park on vacation. I still also think that the whole concept has taken a good thing (meal reservations, fastpasses, etc.) and made it way more complicated than it needs to be on vacation. I have to think that while it has had its uses, it has not paid off for Disney in that many increased merchandise sales (part of which, I think would say has more to do with the generic and repetitive nature of the offerings from store to store than whether or not MM+ has added any shopping time and efficiency into the day-- since more time would not make me buy the same souvenir I saw at the last shop).
Anyway, here is the OS article and link: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...-disney-magicbands-phones-20160408-story.html
by Sandra Pedicini Orlando Sentinel
MagicBands adorn the arms of millions of Walt Disney World visitors, giving them quick access to FastPasses, hotel rooms and credit-card accounts.
At the Walt Disney Co.'s other theme parks, guests will someday likely enjoy similar conveniences through the swipe of a smartphone rather than a flick of the wrist.
The MagicBand, a microchip-embedded bracelet that serves as a ticket, credit card, hotel key and FastPass, is a feature of the MyMagic+ program that debuted in 2013 at Disney World. Ever-evolving smartphones, however, can likely perform similar functions in other parks, Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger told stockholders last month. For example, Shanghai Disney Resort won't distribute the bands when it opens in June.
Walt Disney World MagicBands are the RFID bracelets integrated with Disney's MyMagic+ program, used by guests for park admissions, reservations, dining, purchases and more.
"Because technology keeps moving onward and improving, we're looking at all different ways to expand the program, both in Orlando and our other parks around the world," Iger said at last month's shareholder meeting. "It won't necessarily be through physical MagicBands, since mobile technology and personal mobile devices can offer a lot of the functionality that a lot of the bands we created offer."
Overall, the billion-dollar MyMagic+ — which includes the My Disney Experience website and app and the ability to reserve rides up to two months in advance — continues evolving. On Sunday, changes go into effect to make ordering FastPasses more efficient. Guests will be able to reserve more than three FastPasses per day on their phones.
After using the first three passes selected on My Disney Experience, visitors can obtain additional ones in the app rather than only at kiosks. You can still only order three FastPasses per day in advance. Visitors also will be able to select just one or two; until now, they have had to take three, even if they didn't want that many.
MyMagic+ is meant to increase customer loyalty — and spending — by making visits more efficient and personalized. So far, it is not at Disneyland or other Disney parks.
Guests don't have to wear MagicBands to take advantage of the program's other features, including the My Disney Experience site. Passholders receive the bands free and other visitors can purchase them.
More than 18 million guests have used the wristbands, with more than 100 designs including basic colors and pictures of characters. Disney also sells MagicBand accessories. It is developing "next-generation" bracelets, such a slimmer one that launched last year.
"MagicBands were an instant hit with our guests and will continue to be an important part of the Walt Disney World experience," the company said in an emailed statement.
A few weeks ago, people wearing MagicBands started seeing their names on screens in "It's a Small World." More "personalized moments" will follow, Disney said.
Disney cruise ships have also been using the bands.
The company has not said how much it spent overall on the MyMagic+ program. The initial rollout took longer than expected, and there has been analyst and online speculation that the project went over budget.
"I think it's a small piece of the larger goal of just improving guest satisfaction and increasing guest spending," Strickland said.
spedicini@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5240
