Resorts test ticket vending machines

[mousermerf]

The Contemporary Resort and Pop Century are both being fitted with a single ticket vending machine. The Contamporary's can be found on the 4th floor concourse and Pop's in Classic Hall. The machines can be used to purchased 1 to 10 day MYW tickets with a credit card.

 

[Mickeyman819]

NIFTY. I like the idea. Havent the parks been outfitted with these also?? I remeber seeing a post somewhere that had pictures of something of that nature pertaining to machines like this.

 

[WDWCP]

The Contemporary Resort and Pop Century are both being fitted with a single ticket vending machine. The Contamporary's can be found on the 4th floor concourse and Pop's in Classic Hall. The machines can be used to purchased 1 to 10 day MYW tickets with a credit card.

Someday, years from now, all we'll have to do is to create a mental command to buy a ticket while we're actually going through the turnstiles at the park entrance and the ticket we "Thought" about will automatically be purchased and the money drafted from whatever account we mentally commanded the system to take it from!!!

 

[pat in the hat]

Someday, years from now, all we'll have to do is to create a mental command to buy a ticket while we're actually going through the turnstiles at the park entrance and the ticket we "Thought" about will automatically be purchased and the money drafted from whatever account we mentally commanded the system to take it from!!!

:lookaroun


Will the tickets look the same?

 

[Billy6]

Just the Ticket and Tranportation center has been outfitted with automatic ticket things..I think...I know that Blizzard Beach has one too..(used it last month)..

 

[Master Yoda]

Any word on if they plan to let you purchase or renew APs or apply discount codes at these machines?

 

[Budke]

Someday, years from now, all we'll have to do is to create a mental command to buy a ticket while we're actually going through the turnstiles at the park entrance and the ticket we "Thought" about will automatically be purchased and the money drafted from whatever account we mentally commanded the system to take it from!!!

Sounds like part of the plot to "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom" by Cory Doctorow. It is available free for download from the author's website. http://craphound.com/down/download.php

 

[mousermerf]

Any word on if they plan to let you purchase or renew APs or apply discount codes at these machines?

Yes - the answer is no, no, and no.

 

[bgraham34]

I am surprised it took this long to start.

 

[ThreeCircles]

I can understand the new automated ticket machines at the parks. They counter the long lines at the park ticket windows and allow guests another option in avoiding those long lines.

But at the resorts? I guess it doesn't seem as practical there. Since you can purchase almost any type of ticket at each resorts' Guest Service counter, where the lines may be long but not *that* long, I guess it doesn't seem like they would be as beneficial at those locations.

 

[Jekyll Baker]

But at the resorts? I guess it doesn't seem as practical there. Since you can purchase almost any type of ticket at each resorts' Guest Service counter, where the lines may be long but not *that* long, I guess it doesn't seem like they would be as beneficial at those locations.

Kinda like using your credit card at the gas pump, instead of going into the store to pay - some people don't like the human contact

 

[Master Yoda]

I can understand the new automated ticket machines at the parks. They counter the long lines at the park ticket windows and allow guests another option in avoiding those long lines.

But at the resorts? I guess it doesn't seem as practical there. Since you can purchase almost any type of ticket at each resorts' Guest Service counter, where the lines may be long but not *that* long, I guess it doesn't seem like they would be as beneficial at those locations.

I guess it depends on when you get there. I have never purchased tickets at the resort but I have noticed that the line is always quite long. If another option exists to avoid the line and I know what I want I would take said option. The only problem you run into with the automated machines is when you get behind someone that has no clue what they are doing and holds the entire process up.

 

[DisneyRoxMySox]

Does this mean that Disney will be cutting jobs? Or is it just an additional way to buy tickets?

 

[FigmentFreak]

Just the Ticket and Tranportation center has been outfitted with automatic ticket things..I think...I know that Blizzard Beach has one too..(used it last month)..

I just returned from WDW yesterday and we stayed at Contemporary, there is an automated ticket machine set up and working next to the DVC desk outside the Concourse steakouse.

 

[slappy magoo]

The only problem you run into with the automated machines is when you get behind someone that has no clue what they are doing and holds the entire process up.

With any luck, these people will be online at Guest Services so they can have questions answered anyway, and not online at an automated kiosk where they're forced to fend for themselves.

Case in point: Working in NYC, you'll often see tourists waiting to get a Metrocard with tons of questions, from "Which card is best for me to use" to directions to specific points of interest. They can't ask a machine those questions. I can go to an automated vending machine, be in and out in less than a minute, whether I'm using cash or a credit card. Buying my monthly NJ Transit rail pass takes a wee bit longer, but again, there's nobody there to answer questions about transfers or when is it peak and when is it off-peak and stuff like that. People with those questions have to go to a vendor. So most likely, the only people who will use machines will be people who already know what they want. Plus, if the layout of the machine is anything like Metrocard's or NJ Transit's, it's incredibly easy to figure out what you're getting.

 

[Master Yoda]

Does this mean that Disney will be cutting jobs? Or is it just an additional way to buy tickets?

If I had to guess I would think that the use of automated machines would allow them have fewer ticket vendors on staff. However Disney might be thinking along the lines of prevented maintenance. If they can add these ATM's and relieve some of the burden on the existing system they won't have to hire and train additional castmembers when business picks up. I think it will also improve guest experience as well by removing or at least shortening yet another line. If the system ever expands to renewing and purchasing AP I'll definitely use it.