O'Sentinel - NextGen - 1/17/10

[WDW1974]

It seems, like everything else going on at WDW right now, that only time will tell just how successful this project will be.

Only time will tell. Yeah ... so all of us who knew say DCA, DSP and HKDL were going to be major disasters needed to wait and hold our opinions?

Those of us who thought a billion dollars on an internet venture (recall Go.com) or a few billion for a cable channel no one watched (FOX Family) or on a pair of pro sports teams or on all sorts of regional ventures (from DisneyQuest to Club Disney to Mickey's Kitchen) ... we should have just waited for their failures to offer opinions?

I like to be bold and brash and show some balls by making predictions and offering opinions based on factual knowledge plus reasoned analysis ... and if I'm wrong, so be it.

It's a whole lot better to question something on Sunday than to Monday Morning Quarterback.

And without any proof to the contrary, there's no reason to throw out the same gloom and doom scenario over and over again. And no, I'm not a "fanboi," so any proponents of that term can quit while they're behind. I'm just willing to allow event to play out and for results to happen before I make a judgment.

There can't be any PROOF to anything here. The largest use of the tech currently at WDW is for costuming ... where it seems to be a huge success. But it in NO WAY makes for a more magical WDW vacation.

Technology without layered, immersive storytelling is simply COLD. Unless you feel warm and tingling at the Apple Store. I don't.

My biggest concern is privacy issues and being tracked like its 1984 all across WDW. My second biggest concern is that Disney has a very sad track record going back two decades now of latching onto technology and placing it above story and selling it as revolutionary.

NEXTGEN is simply taking everything from Kim Possible to FastPass to DDP to Pal Mickey to Magic Your Way to DME and expanding it exponentially ... personlizing things because Disney sadly believes that todays fanbois need to be stimulated constantly (resisiting the urge to toss in a WDI joke because THe Mom sees all when I'm posting!) ... not only is FP not enough, but queues need to either not exist or have interactive features because kids today can't simply stand and wait in line ... besides, if they're playing on their iphones they might as well be playing with some Disney content.

That's where this is all going. And while some of it may well be great, I can't help but think they're trying to reinvent the Disney theme park experience (well, since that's the EXACT language used at a high-level gathe... oops, I'm not supposed to know about that ... yet I do, how strange is that?) ... Yet, everyone still seems to love things like Mansion, Small World, ToT, Peter Pan, Splash Mountain, KS, AA etc ... things that immerse you ... that take you to another time and place through story FIRST and techonlogy second and only as a means for telling story. Why are attractions like TT and MS so COLD? Because there is no story ... it's all tech.

So ... while the ideas I've heard may well be kewl (If they happen), none of them are as cool as adding a major new land to MK or DAK or EPCOT with immersive attractions that take you into the story, rather than make you part of the story ... (is that Cindy in the mirror wishing Brittany magical dreams before lights out at the GF? ... is that ... nope, that's it for now).

Oh, but I'll look forward to your opinions on things around 2020 (if the planet, WDW and you still exist!)

 

[WDW1974]

Thanks for that link. Why couldn't we find that EE? :hammer:

Well, according to how I'm reading that chart, Franklin's the top dog in the project, with MacPhee reporting to him (or someone under him) and Franklin reports to Staggs.

Nick Franklin has had a wide range of responsibilites at Disney ... and he came from Strat Planning, also where Staggs came from (and a unit that was HATED by virtually every creative in every other division of TWDC).

He's most recently worked in Asia where he has been involved with Disney's HK and Shanghai projects, but for years was working on DRE ventures in Japan, Singapore and S.Korea that all fell through. I recall hearing from my fave Disney gadfly that his only success was bringing Cirque to TDR.

So, I certainly wouldn't expect him to be in tune with what fanbois want, but rather with what Wall Street wants and how to better leverage Disney vacations across various platforms using the tech now available.

That sure doesn't sound as magical as hearing about a new pavilion in FW, a new continent at DAK or a new E-Ticket at MK.

Hell, that doesn't even sound as magical as a new bathroom in Tomorrowland!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Nick Franklin has had a wide range of responsibilites at Disney ... and he came from Strat Planning, also where Staggs came from (and a unit that was HATED by virtually every creative in every other division of TWDC).

He's most recently worked in Asia where he has been involved with Disney's HK and Shanghai projects, but for years was working on DRE ventures in Japan, Singapore and S.Korea that all fell through. I recall hearing from my fave Disney gadfly that his only success was bringing Cirque to TDR.

So, I certainly wouldn't expect him to be in tune with what fanbois want, but rather with what Wall Street wants and how to better leverage Disney vacations across various platforms using the tech now available.

That sure doesn't sound as magical as hearing about a new pavilion in FW, a new continent at DAK or a new E-Ticket at MK.

Hell, that doesn't even sound as magical as a new bathroom in Tomorrowland!

Well, that is sadly not surprising.


However, I am curious to know how much influence MacPhee will have in propagating the use of the tech...Is he just supervising, or actively saying "Add this here...Build this", and the like.

...And what's WDI's role? So far, this is seemingly corporate, and I KNOW WDI is in on it. Somewhere....lively.:lookaroun

 

[lebeau]

As for personal recognition, there could be a display screen on rides for the CM so they could welcome you personally - "Hello Smith family. Welcome aboard the POTC ride." Something as simple as that would make the parks a little more personal and enjoyable. It doesn't all have to be talking characters.

Maybe it's just me, but that sort of thing creeps me out. I don't like when someone who is a stranger to me knows my name without me giving it to them. :lookaroun

 

[KevinYee]

Well, what if there's an option to turn off all the creepy orwell tracking? I'd opt to turn it off, I'm sure... at least most of the time.

 

[CaptainMichael]

Well, what if there's an option to turn off all the creepy orwell tracking? I'd opt to turn it off, I'm sure... at least most of the time.

Earlier, it was inferred that in the beginning it would be an optional ticket option that you (of course) pay more for.

Needless to say, I wouldn't pay for it.

~I wonder if my armband will work in the Wizarding World of Marvel?~

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Well, what if there's an option to turn off all the creepy orwell tracking? I'd opt to turn it off, I'm sure... at least most of the time.

And this begs the question...What could Disney do with the information they get off of you besides ATTEMPTING to make money off you? :lol:


Maybe this is my optimism speaking, but I could care less if Disney knows my buying patters. :lookaroun I'm smart enough to not be suckered into their commercialism.

 

[CaptainMichael]

And this begs the question...What could Disney do with the information they get off of you besides ATTEMPTING to make money off you? :lol:


Maybe this is my optimism speaking, but I could care less if Disney knows my buying patters. :lookaroun I'm not stupid enough to be suckered into their commercialism.

I could see them using the data to justify closing an attraction, etc because the forecasted number of guests don't use it. Like the Poly torch lighting, etc.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I could see them using the data to justify closing an attraction, etc because the forecasted number of guests don't use it. Like the Poly torch lighting, etc.

Poly Torch Lighting came back, BTW.

You would think that they would not need RFID to monitor those things. Look at what they already do.

 

[CaptainMichael]

Poly Torch Lighting came back, BTW.

You would think that they would not need RFID to monitor those things. Look at what they already do.

But RFID would go a step further and link all of your activities together to see how often you did something compared to others. Right now, turnstiles can't do that.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

But RFID would go a step further and link all of your activities together to see how often you did something compared to others. Right now, turnstiles can't do that.

That might work to our benefit, then! :ROFLOL:


*looks at MILF, Tiki Room...*

 

[CaptainMichael]

That might work to our benefit, then! :ROFLOL:


*looks at MILF, Tiki Room...*

They could track me standing on the Adventurers Club steps.:lookaroun

 

[MousDad]

Again, the price isn't just for WDW but global.

My guess is that the 1.5 Billion is a multi-year forecast/budget that will include eventual development and implementation into every park worldwide, with WDW being the prototype (and as such receiving only a proportional piece of the 1.5 B).

I just don't see it even remotely making sense that WDW will receive anything more than a small percentage of that number for actual implementation. But that's just my guess.

But it doesn't really matter anyway, because as far as online fanboys go, whatever WDW is going to get will from hence and forevermore be compared to the 1.5 billion number anyway. :lol:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

They could track me standing on the Adventurers Club steps.:lookaroun

EXACTLY.:lookaroun:lol:


"Ok, everyone...stand here. For a few hours. That'll show 'em!"

 

[CaptainMichael]

EXACTLY.:lookaroun:lol:


"Ok, everyone...stand here. For a few hours. That'll show 'em!"

The only drawback is that they do "Celebrate Tonight" right across from it. They'd probably skew the results to say we were watching that abomination.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

The only drawback is that they do "Celebrate Tonight" right across from it. They'd probably skew the results to say we were watching that abomination.

What is "Celebrate Tonight"?


Maybe they can track the way you are facing?! :lol:

 

[CaptainMichael]

What is "Celebrate Tonight"?


Maybe they can track the way you are facing?! :lol:

You are a terrible fanboi! It's only the second coming of nighttime entertainment, ZOMG! Stiltwalkers, djs, limbo, Miley...can't go wrong!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

You are a terrible fanboi! It's only the second coming of nighttime entertainment, ZOMG! Stiltwalkers, djs, limbo, Mileyy...can't go wrong!

I had a feeling. :hurl:

 

[wm49rs]

Only time will tell. Yeah ... so all of us who knew say DCA, DSP and HKDL were going to be major disasters needed to wait and hold our opinions?

Those of us who thought a billion dollars on an internet venture (recall Go.com) or a few billion for a cable channel no one watched (FOX Family) or on a pair of pro sports teams or on all sorts of regional ventures (from DisneyQuest to Club Disney to Mickey's Kitchen) ... we should have just waited for their failures to offer opinions?

I like to be bold and brash and show some balls by making predictions and offering opinions based on factual knowledge plus reasoned analysis ... and if I'm wrong, so be it.

It's a whole lot better to question something on Sunday than to Monday Morning Quarterback.



There can't be any PROOF to anything here. The largest use of the tech currently at WDW is for costuming ... where it seems to be a huge success. But it in NO WAY makes for a more magical WDW vacation.

Technology without layered, immersive storytelling is simply COLD. Unless you feel warm and tingling at the Apple Store. I don't.

My biggest concern is privacy issues and being tracked like its 1984 all across WDW. My second biggest concern is that Disney has a very sad track record going back two decades now of latching onto technology and placing it above story and selling it as revolutionary.

NEXTGEN is simply taking everything from Kim Possible to FastPass to DDP to Pal Mickey to Magic Your Way to DME and expanding it exponentially ... personlizing things because Disney sadly believes that todays fanbois need to be stimulated constantly (resisiting the urge to toss in a WDI joke because THe Mom sees all when I'm posting!) ... not only is FP not enough, but queues need to either not exist or have interactive features because kids today can't simply stand and wait in line ... besides, if they're playing on their iphones they might as well be playing with some Disney content.

That's where this is all going. And while some of it may well be great, I can't help but think they're trying to reinvent the Disney theme park experience (well, since that's the EXACT language used at a high-level gathe... oops, I'm not supposed to know about that ... yet I do, how strange is that?) ... Yet, everyone still seems to love things like Mansion, Small World, ToT, Peter Pan, Splash Mountain, KS, AA etc ... things that immerse you ... that take you to another time and place through story FIRST and techonlogy second and only as a means for telling story. Why are attractions like TT and MS so COLD? Because there is no story ... it's all tech.

So ... while the ideas I've heard may well be kewl (If they happen), none of them are as cool as adding a major new land to MK or DAK or EPCOT with immersive attractions that take you into the story, rather than make you part of the story ... (is that Cindy in the mirror wishing Brittany magical dreams before lights out at the GF? ... is that ... nope, that's it for now).

Oh, but I'll look forward to your opinions on things around 2020 (if the planet, WDW and you still exist!)

Wow, someone is in a lather today.

First of all, where exactly did you state HKDL was going to be a disaster? And how exactly do you define disaster? Please, enlighten us.....

Secondly, just how is making bold and brash predicitons the same as using facts and analysis when you're making the predicitions without benefit of either?

Third, I have no issue with anyone offering opinions or making predicitions. In case you haven't noticed (and judging by your response you haven't), this is a site where all kinds of opinions are welcomed, even encouraged. Even ones that maybe contradictory to your own.

Fourth, I have no idea what this project will lead to (and quite frankly, neither do you). Which is why we're all offering our opinions here. But let's not mistake opinions for fact, and let's not decide that someone who doesn't agree with us is either a "fanboi" or less than "kewl," to use your venacular.

Finally, I could care less what your opinions are, just as you feel the same about mine. So let's forget about 2020, shall we? A poor attempt on your part to feign interest.......

 

[raven]

Why are attractions like TT and MS so COLD? Because there is no story ... it's all tech.

MS doesn't need a story. They tell you exactly what you will be doing in the breifing room. And why do you need a story on TT? You are in a vehicle testing facility. No story needed for that. And again, the preshow lays it all out for you. If that weren't enough, I think the guest count on those attractions show that it doesn't matter.

Well, what if there's an option to turn off all the creepy orwell tracking? I'd opt to turn it off, I'm sure... at least most of the time.

You can. If you don't want to do it, don't. Everything will still be the same as it's been for years if you choose not to participate in the program. That's the beauty of it. It's a choice.