Rapid Fill Mug Program Fails (at more ways than you might think)

[Unplugged]

The sad reality is managers think RFID is secure...

I recall the lengthy threads here on RFID security when Magic Bands & the mugs first arrived. I'm curious to what degree is Disney actually concerned over soda theft and what the financials were that drove this whole mess. That is, the cost of stolen product, the lost retail sales of product, and the cost that's gone into solving it. I highly doubt it was the cost, and am sure it was the lost sales of new mugs & 1 time use cups.

It seems to me that Disney has created another situation where the result is not what it seems. That is, they invested in theft prevention. However, many legitimate customers are having issues, thus reducing the product consumption further. These give the appearance that a LOT of consumption has been reduced which they can attribute to theft prevention. In reality, the pendulum has swung into impacting legitimate users. I'm curious if/when this will back fire and reduce mug sales, or have mug sales actually increased significantly since the introduction of the new system?

I fully agree that "cloning soda chips" is a waste of time. For me, I'm bringing a pack of bottles for the fridge next time in case I need a fix.

 

[ford91exploder]

I recall the lengthy threads here on RFID security when Magic Bands & the mugs first arrived. I'm curious to what degree is Disney actually concerned over soda theft and what the financials were that drove this whole mess. That is, the cost of stolen product, the lost retail sales of product, and the cost that's gone into solving it. I highly doubt it was the cost, and am sure it was the lost sales of new mugs & 1 time use cups.

It seems to me that Disney has created another situation where the result is not what it seems. That is, they invested in theft prevention. However, many legitimate customers are having issues, thus reducing the product consumption further. These give the appearance that a LOT of consumption has been reduced which they can attribute to theft prevention. In reality, the pendulum has swung into impacting legitimate users. I'm curious if/when this will back fire and reduce mug sales, or have mug sales actually increased significantly since the introduction of the new system?

I fully agree that "cloning soda chips" is a waste of time. For me, I'm bringing a pack of bottles for the fridge next time in case I need a fix.

Like I said we rent a car and a quick trip to Publix gets us several cases of beverages which ironically we drink out of old Disney cups which stay in our Owners Locker. Easier and cheaper than Disneys RapidFill system

 

[Laketravis]

It seems to me that Disney has created another situation where the result is not what it seems. That is, they invested in theft prevention. However, many legitimate customers are having issues, thus reducing the product consumption further. These give the appearance that a LOT of consumption has been reduced which they can attribute to theft prevention. In reality, the pendulum has swung into impacting legitimate users.

Interesting thought, that Disney has both created and believes it's own bad data.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Can you get friggin' soda in Club Cool?

Only Beverly.

 

[Laketravis]

Disney is good at that. Ever take one of their surveys?

Absolutely. And each time it was pretty easy to determine what answer they were looking for.

 

[tribbleorlfl]

As far as I know (I haven't stayed on-site at Universal yet) they in-park and the resort mugs at Uni are not interchangeable. Your resort mug is same as Disney, only valid in the resort quick service (and at freestyle machine by the pool bar) and the theme park mug is only for the theme park, but can as you say be reactivated each visit.

That is correct, at least it was when we stayed at Cabana Bay 2 years ago.

 

[tribbleorlfl]

I recall the lengthy threads here on RFID security when Magic Bands & the mugs first arrived. I'm curious to what degree is Disney actually concerned over soda theft and what the financials were that drove this whole mess. That is, the cost of stolen product, the lost retail sales of product, and the cost that's gone into solving it. I highly doubt it was the cost, and am sure it was the lost sales of new mugs & 1 time use cups.

It seems to me that Disney has created another situation where the result is not what it seems. That is, they invested in theft prevention. However, many legitimate customers are having issues, thus reducing the product consumption further. These give the appearance that a LOT of consumption has been reduced which they can attribute to theft prevention. In reality, the pendulum has swung into impacting legitimate users. I'm curious if/when this will back fire and reduce mug sales, or have mug sales actually increased significantly since the introduction of the new system?

I fully agree that "cloning soda chips" is a waste of time. For me, I'm bringing a pack of bottles for the fridge next time in case I need a fix.

I agree, the missed revenue was likely the main driver, but the expense from theft was probably significant as well (.10-.15¢ per drink). Another factor would be extra staffing for beverage station attendants, as I recall seeing more CM's keeping an eye on the soda fountains in the years before Rapid Refill than I had seen previously (or since).

All-in-all, it would be fairly easy to make an accurate financial model to quantify how much soda was being stolen, what the total hit to profit was from the increased costs and lost revenue. I seriously doubt they would have pulled the trigger on this capital investment if it didn't make clear, overwhelming financial sense.

In turn, that same financial model would apply to post-RR implementation; I imagine if there was any indication of softening in Revenues and profits, they would be quick to modify (or end) RR.

 

[Laketravis]

I seriously doubt they would have pulled the trigger on this capital investment if it didn't make clear, overwhelming financial sense.....

Like MyMagic+?

 

[Goofyernmost]

Like MyMagic+?

Are you sure that it isn't doing alright and living up to their possibly re-evaluated expectations. We all seem to think it isn't because we are only looking at small portions of the whole package. It was a very much needed upgrade to the system and even though a lot that was promised has yet to go on-line, I don't think it is dead in the water or even a waste of money.

 

[JoeCamel]

Are you sure that it isn't doing alright and living up to their possibly re-evaluated expectations. We all seem to think it isn't because we are only looking at small portions of the whole package. It was a very much needed upgrade to the system and even though a lot that was promised has yet to go on-line, I don't think it is dead in the water or even a waste of money.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Possibly, but it also could be delayed expectations, that will be implemented at some point.

 

[Laketravis]

Are you sure that it isn't doing alright and living up to their possibly re-evaluated expectations......

If they can move the goal post, they can always score a touchdown.

 

[Kingtut]

If you never tell anyone where the goal posts actually are - you can always just say you scored a touchdown ( and it was a VERY exciting one at that)

 

[HauntedPirate]

I'm still wondering why the old FP system "needed updating'? It worked just fine for us. It continues to work just fine in CA.

They implemented FastPass with the stated purpose of getting people out of lines and into shops and restaurants. It allowed them to put off increasing attraction capacity. Then, years later, they started introducing the interactive queues to entertain people... because people were waiting in longer and longer lines, because there was no increase in attraction capacity. Then they roll out FP+, which has made standby lines... even longer... with no real purpose other than removing 90% of the FP distribution machines and confusing people while limiting the flexibility that the old FP system had. And still no increase in attraction capacity. Hmmm... you know, there may be a pattern here.

One other thing I was thinking about: Where in the blue blazes do The Weatherman get off calling these additions "lands", especially "Toy Story Land"? 2 attractions a land does not make. Think about it for a minute and you'll see what I'm talking about - Imagine opening MK with 5 lands, but only 10 attractions.

Edit: Realized that this really has nothing to do with the VapidFill program. My apologies.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Possibly, but it also could be delayed expectations, that will be implemented at some point.

Wasn't there an article recently that said the whole phase 2 aspect (the interaction of the MBs with the attractions) was no longer happening? I vaguely recall reading something along those lines...if I'm wrong, I do apologize It's been a bit of a long morning.

 

[ford91exploder]

I'm still wondering why the old FP system "needed updating'? It worked just fine for us. It continues to work just fine in CA.

They implemented FastPass with the stated purpose of getting people out of lines and into shops and restaurants. It allowed them to put off increasing attraction capacity. Then, years later, they started introducing the interactive queues to entertain people... because people were waiting in longer and longer lines, because there was no increase in attraction capacity. Then they roll out FP+, which has made standby lines... even longer... with no real purpose other than removing 90% of the FP distribution machines and confusing people while limiting the flexibility that the old FP system had. And still no increase in attraction capacity. Hmmm... you know, there may be a pattern here.

One other thing I was thinking about: Where in the blue blazes do The Weatherman get off calling these additions "lands", especially "Toy Story Land"? 2 attractions a land does not make. Think about it for a minute and you'll see what I'm talking about - Imagine opening MK with 5 lands, but only 10 attractions.

Edit: Realized that this really has nothing to do with the VapidFill program. My apologies.

I for one was always puzzled why Disney did not utilize the MB system for Soft Drink dispensers, Then containers would not be an issue at all because the MB would control the entitlement as it does for other things in the world, Both require network connections so there is no benefit there and this would have enabled a combination of Resort and Park beverage entitlements.

 

[ford91exploder]

Interesting thought, that Disney has both created and believes it's own bad data.

IT people have a term of art for that process 'Garbage in, Gospel out'. From the old term Garbage IN, Garbage OUT

 

[ford91exploder]

Wasn't there an article recently that said the whole phase 2 aspect (the interaction of the MBs with the attractions) was no longer happening? I vaguely recall reading something along those lines...if I'm wrong, I do apologize It's been a bit of a long morning.

How can phase II happen, Disney FIRED all the developers and replaced a fraction of them to 'maintain' the system with H1B's working for Cognizant

 

[HauntedPirate]

How can phase II happen, Disney FIRED all the developers and replaced a fraction of them to 'maintain' the system with H1B's working for Cognizant

I believe the new hot DI$ term is "cost-contained". So the developers were "cost-contained", not "fired". And they used Cognizant... ugh...

 

[ford91exploder]

I believe the new hot DI$ term is "cost-contained". So the developers were "cost-contained", not "fired". And they used Cognizant... ugh...

A Turd remains a Turd by any other name.