RFID survey - Pricing Options

[ArtieJim]

I was stopped by a CM on my way out of Epcot one night back in October to take a survey on site. There were little computers set up just past SSE on the left side if you're walking out. Mostly had to do with what I did there, where I ate, how I felt about the prices of things. I wonder how they felt about my response to the prices questions. I just being honest.

 

[alphac2005]

I wish they'd put these resources, and this time and energy, into attractions and magic for everyone to enjoy, not piece-mealing the experiences and creating a caste system within the parks. I may be a "commie", but I think that if a family is rich or poor, that when they take their kids into those gates their kid should be able to have the full experience. Money and class are such factors in daily lives, that it's very nice to have a place where it's not. Sure, maybe you can't buy as many souvenirs, or eat in fancy restaurants, but the moment they take a ride and give people a different experience based on what they paid, on the same ride, that's where I have an issue.

Extremely well said.

 

[kashmir]

I think Disney should make the Park Hopper automatic for people staying at their resorts. That would be a nice perk, and seems reasonable that you are staying there and you buy admission to the parks (plural), it should cover any parks you want to do that day.

And lastly, Attractions are another story, different from all the add ons. The details at Disney are what separates it from the rest, but the attractions are what make the place. And those should be on an equal playing field for everyone inside the park walls.

I like the idea of Resort Passhoppers, but wonder if that would simplify or complicate the situation. People buy their tickets separately from resort reservations for various reasons - so I wonder how that could work.:shrug:

 

[WDWRLD]

From what I have been reading, the RFID stuff will not be a pay a extra cost thing. It will have your names on it and be used for in ride and character meet and greets. I understand that if you want to add on Photos that cold be a extra cost as well as other things. I thing this is a great new technology and could be very useful. For example if they tied it into your dining experience, say your allergic to something that could be noted or your child likes a unusual condiment with their chicken nuggets. How magical for them would it be if when they ordered the wait staff would say "Mickey told me you liked Ranch dressing with your nuggets" even before they asked for it.
No with that said there are also huge advantages for Disney too, they will have ways now to track every move you make. Know exectly how much time you spend in your room, parks, shopping, playing games and much other info as well. This could be very helpful, imaging that they track how many people are at HS at closing and with their information from who has come into the park and who has left they know that there are X number of guests that will be soom going back to PoP Century. They could plan out the busses better.

 

[flavious27]

Everyone does get the "full experience" when they go through the gates. What is being talked about here are above and beyond type of experiences. I would imagine if a family did not know about the M&G interaction and saw a family in front of them having the interaction there would be someone from Disney willign to sell them the package pretty quickly.

We have to remember that Disney is a for-profit entity and as such they are supposed to look for ways to increase profits. I for one, like the fact that I may be able to customize my family vacation based on what I am capable and willing to spend and have a different experience from another family. Should I feel bad if I can afford that experience and another family cannot?

Yes disney is a for profit corp, but they can sell more by having using these tools included. Interactive M&Gs can turn into guests not having a problem dropping $50 or $60 on an interactive pooh or Eeyore stuffed animal. Giving guests almost immediate access to the pictures on photopass will mean that they will have more printed out and they could have an option that disney can have anything printed and ready by check out time. Using rfid and mobile devices can also help to move guests to attractions that are not as busy. Along with that, they can offer micro and instant sales.

This technology helps the guest experience, but it helps the bottom line even more. If they gave customers the choice to pay for it, the only money they will being in will be on the less than 15% of guests that will pay.

 

[Princess_L]

Sorry to sound silly, but what's RFID?

 

[flavious27]

Sorry to sound silly, but what's RFID?

its an emerging technology, no reason to sound silly asking about it. basically rfid are tiny computer chips that have information stored on them. when a reader passes over that chip, the reader will try to read the information on it. the paypass credit card machines that you see use this technology, their is a tiny chip in the credit card that is read and the payment is made the same as swiping the card. shipping companies and warehouses are starting to use this technology because it is better than just a barcode scanner.

We are discussing ways that this tech could be used in various application at wdw and other disney parks. I dropped a reply on eddie's forum about alot of what can be done, I am not going to repeat it word for word. But basically what we see happening is that either the key to the world card or a bracelet will have a rfid chip in it. now all of your information will not be on that chip, but rather an unique number that will correspond with a profile you would have setup.

So what can be done is that when you or your kids see a character, your chip will be read either by the CM spotting or the character themselves. they will get your name and maybe age, there could also be an alert if it is your birthday or you are on a special trip at wdw. so the end result is that the character can address you or your kids by name, they can use other information to make the interaction more personal.

another use is that photopass photographers can take your picture and have them tagged to your profile, so you can order the pictures at a kiosks/shop or on your smartphone.

beyond those two applications is where we all start to go off on our own blue sky dreams. i can see disney giving you alerts when you enter the park (rfid chip would be read when you go through the turnstile); these alerts can be for fastpass, events, sales/promotions, and or dinning reservations.

now there are going to be a few many people that are going to be concerning about disney tracking them as they walk through the parks, and it is understandable. disney could use that information to build a profile on your shopping, eating, and ride habits. it could be for your benefit, but it will be 100% for disney's. I am willing to bet a 7 night stay at the gf that when disney does roll this out, that they will let guests opt out. really it shouldn't bother you but this kind of tracking can bother some people.

 

[Princess_L]

Thank you so much! That does sound interesting.

 

[flavious27]

Thank you so much! That does sound interesting.

if they build it ...