Spirited News and Observations and Opinions ...

[cbconglom]

Ain't nothing trashy about Ashley Benson in a bikini.. Wait, what was this thread topic again?

lol ok ok got me there

 

[the.dreamfinder]

yeah, have to say it looks pretty trashy

I agree, I'm kinda surprised that its director took that project considering his pedigree. It's nice to know James Franco will probably be making an out if himself twice this March.
But I'm intrigued by how the trailer handles its premise.

 

[Captain Chaos]

lol ok ok got me there

The movie does look pretty stupid though...

 

[WDW1974]

There were a number of people who asked the question of the consequences of the opt out repeatedly (I remember @Lee doing this).

The thing that still boggles my mind though is have they considered the consequences for those people who might not voluntarily opt out, but never get a true opportunity to opt in. Like guests from foreign countries who don't speak English very well?

Iger just talked about how foreign visitors helped the numbers at WDW. The British should be able to figure out how to use this complicated system. But what about the family from Japan, Germany, Italy or Brazil? Those people who are the reason why WDW has park maps in many different languages and even offers the Ears to the World. How are they ever going to be able to participate?

I have watched (and helped) enough tourists who were trying to buy public transportation tickets from a vending machine in the city I lived in before they started to have larger screens where you could choose a language, to know how difficult the simplest things are in another language. Will those new fastpass kiosks come in many different languages? The current fastpass machines don't require any further translation besides the simple explanation that is in the (foreign language) guide maps.

This is exactly why this system is doomed the way it is, unless the courts simply let Disney do whatever it wants.

There is just no way, CMs are going to be trained and capable of explaining the technology and datamining aspects ... or conversely will the typical guest be able to offer informed consent? Even good old red-blooded Americans? Will they understand the implications of what they are agreeing to or will it be like my example from 100 pages ago of the airport car rental kisok with its 33-page contract you have to agree to in order to drive off in a brand new Subaru Lagacy (I think you can buy a brand new Legacy with a one page contract, wonder why the rental agency needs 33 ...)

I'm sorry, but when people go to WDW they tend to shut their brains off to start with. But even if you didn't, how the hell do you know what rights you are giving up to Bob Iger and Co just to experience four parks that all seen better days and could have used $2 billion in improvements?

 

[cbconglom]

I agree, I'm kinda surprised that its director took that project considering his pedigree. It's nice to know James Franco will probably be making an out if himself twice this March.
But I'm intrigued by how the trailer handles its premise.

I bet Disney is excited they are doing a wizards of waverly place reunion show as this classy selena gomez trailer debuts

 

[Rasvar]

That's just the point.

When this thing (if, maybe), this system is fully implemented, I don't see any way of 'opting out'. You either 'opt in' or, very likely, you don't visit WDW.

I truly believe and have stated over and over that the entire 'opt in' language is simply kneejerk legalese to try and calm a growing storm. No one has either asked or, certainly, no one from Disney has explained just how people will be able to not 'opt in' while still experiencing everything WDW has to offer.

It really seems like either the Mouse datamine you and your family or go elsewhere. Why can't they simply be honest and upfront about it and then see what the courts say about that?

It's just like Winn-Dixie. If you don't opt in, you pay more for less. There is not a single company that is up front about this data collection because there are no regulations forcing it. Good luck getting any in the current political climate. State of Florida isn't going to jump in. California regulations might make it harder to do in DLR.

They will never be upfront about it unless they have to. The legal and legislative systems are so far behind dealing with these systems that the courts will be unable to offer relief either. Opt out is really going to be just that, opt out of going to the parks. Too many people don't care about these issues and the ones that do are too under financed to win the battles.

 

[WDW1974]

I swear the fact that people are not more concerned about this makes me fear for the future. I guess it is true now that in the eyes of the public corporations should be above the law.

Absolutely, that's all part of the massive offshoring of jobs that started in the 90s mixed with the post 9/11 bunker mentality mixed with letting everyone on Wall Street who caused the 2008 collapse to keep doing the same old things. Business should have fundamentally been forced to change ... that didn't happen. Wall Streeters should have gone to prison. That didn't happen. ...Instead we blamed people who bought houses that were too expensive for their tastes.

But I don't want to veer off. The problem is way too many people in the USA believe that companies should be able to do whatever they want (they have an incorrect and naive view of capitalism in context with democracy) ... and Disney is certainly one of the most admired BRANDS out there. Of course, I wonder why no one has ever bothered to take a film crew when they've chartered a jet to head down to Haiti to go 'hire' more 'essential workers' ... I know, I know ... no Americans want to be housekeepers or landscapers or cooks ... well, except for the ones Disney chased off by offering no upper mobility whatsoever.

Yes, it's a mess. But it's a red, white and blue one!

 

[WDW1974]

Very interesting point. MagicCuff. I like that better than MagicBand, which sounds like a play on Lap-Band.

Yes, but to be fair, the average WDW guests could use a lap-band if not the full gastric bypass.

But that stigma of a band ... well, it may stick and again not in a way Disney would want.

 

[nytimez]

Yes, but to be fair, the average WDW guests could use a lap-band if not the full gastric bypass.

I couldn't help but think of this when you mentioned the "JUICY" rear end earlier...

 

[WDW1974]

Alas, this in an epidemic in the age of Honey Booboo. I've done some recent cruises where even on formal/elegant night (note the downgrade on some lines) where the code is no longer strongly enforced. Either no manager has the power or the nerve to deny these people access. Just becoming a nation of Honey Booboos.

Maybe. But I'm going to fight the fight until my last breath.

The idea that we're all supposed to become a nation where the LCD rules and trash is the aspiration just isn't me.
If I am seated on semi-formal night on my next DCL voyage next to folks dressed in shorts and sandals and tees, I am going to point it out to management and drive my point home ... and they can either ask those people to dress properly or keep sending free alcohol to my table. ...Even buzzed, I am still a classy Spirit ... ask @Lee .

 

[Darth Sidious]

I think that Eddie, like everyone who has passed through 1401, is great at the political game (some better than others to be sure). I don't agree with his assessment of Iger though. I don't see any real reverence for the past or the Disney Legacy. What I see is a top Wall Street style manager who only gets passionate about technology.

Staggs would be a disaster for Disney and more of the same. And Lasseter has no desire to hold a position beyond what he currently does. He also wouldn't really be qualified for a top two position, although I could make an argument for him. ... But, either way, it won't be those guys running the company.

Yeah, I've heard it's more the whole Spielberg connection direction... wonder what that spells for their intentions and focuses. I could guess a few different things I think it signals. I can easily make a case against Iger, trust me. That being said I suppose it is a little hometown pride in me rooting for the guy (Long Island).

 

[WDW1974]

Wasn't this initiative hatched under Rasulo's reign? I seem to remember discussion here about how Staggs would have to inherit and figure out how to execute the NextGen project when he took over for Rasulo.

Yes.

This was pushed by Nick Franklin (one of Jay's longtime flying monkies) when DRE basically ceased to exist and Nick had nothing in his portfolio. He and Jay hatched this around 2008-09 ... but it's important to realize that Jay isn't known for his depth ... and that Tom had plenty of time to put the brakes on this and didn't.

They have spent an obscene amount of money on datamining and tour planning.

If you want to know when they first even asked if they had issues (beyond the ones OPs has been telling them for years) relating to the public's perception of MyMagic+ it was when some information was leaked to me and I dropped it into this thread.

Yep, those bigwigs are earning their pay every day while us losers are posting on fan sites. They are so much smarter than everyone here. Even Phil Holmes. They can see things we can't (like a heightened sense of reality from purified Pixie Dust heated to 185 degrees and smoked!)

 

[WDW1974]

It's just like Winn-Dixie. If you don't opt in, you pay more for less. There is not a single company that is up front about this data collection because there are no regulations forcing it. Good luck getting any in the current political climate. State of Florida isn't going to jump in. California regulations might make it harder to do in DLR.

They will never be upfront about it unless they have to. The legal and legislative systems are so far behind dealing with these systems that the courts will be unable to offer relief either. Opt out is really going to be just that, opt out of going to the parks. Too many people don't care about these issues and the ones that do are too under financed to win the battles.

I largely agree. ... But the 12-and-under part is absolute and Disney is squarely aiming at them.

And I already know of a few legal eagles who would love nothing better than to take Disney to court over this ... that queue is already starting to fill with no interactive features at all.

 

[Rasvar]

Maybe. But I'm going to fight the fight until my last breath.

The idea that we're all supposed to become a nation where the LCD rules and trash is the aspiration just isn't me.
If I am seated on semi-formal night on my next DCL voyage next to folks dressed in shorts and sandals and tees, I am going to point it out to management and drive my point home ... and they can either ask those people to dress properly or keep sending free alcohol to my table. ...Even buzzed, I am still a classy Spirit ... ask @Lee .

Oddly enough, DCL is one of the cruise lines that I have not been on. I need to have the option to be fleeced in the casino a couple of days on each cruise. I'm curious if the higher cruise prices on DCL brings a higher level of cruiser.

 

[M.rudolf]

Yes, but to be fair, the average WDW guests could use a lap-band if not the full gastric bypass.

But that stigma of a band ... well, it may stick and again not in a way Disney would want.

Why you got to bring up weight, I told you I was working on it

 

[TalkingHead]

Yes, but to be fair, the average WDW guests could use a lap-band if not the full gastric bypass.

I was hoping someone would find the punchline there. Knew I could count on you!

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Sorry you were sick. Those girls probably took good care of you, though!

As to the suicides, yes, I know. I was there when the CM threw himself off the roof of the Contemporary about a dozen years ago and landed on the beamway. That was the same weekend, the husband and wife had a fight after dinner at the Poly and he never made it back to the room at the GF ... but washed ashore 36 hours later. That was a fun weekend ... and both stories were reported. I have no info on this, but haven't put any questions out ... I believe it was at 210 CP.

Actually my car was sick but as it turns out it wasn't a suicide it was a murder: http://www.cfnews13.com/content/new.../01/Celebration_murder_victim_identified.html

 

[SirLink]

In your opinion...

If I run a movie theatre and start upgrading my facilities to show only 3D IMAX movies, you can opt out of using the glasses if you don't want the enhanced experience, but there's no requirement for me to maintain the outdated experience just to keep your paranoias about 3D [or maybe about IMAX] satisfied.

Disney doesn't owe you anything. They've come up with a program that they believe enhances the guest experience. If you choose to opt out because you don't "like" it, too bad. It's the same as those who bemoan the loss of Horizons, if you don't like it being gone that may very well leave you with a less enjoyable experience... Oh well.

But if a person can't view 3D at all due to medical reasons - guess what I come less and less to your cinema and go to another chain that offers the ability to watch 2D...and if you believe Disney came up with this program to satisfy guests needs -then your wrong - whole point is to more easily collect data, siphon more money away(try to at least) and better deployment of staff so they don't have to overstaff...but please as a Consumer, any business that wants me, has to do freaking cartwheels, there is so much more entertainment options around - why would I want to pay for a stale experience when I could do other things...

 

[alphac2005]

I don't see how they could. People give far more private information to Facebook everyday then Disney will be collecting with this system and the government hasn't shut down Facebook yet.

However, this is dealing with the privacy rights of children. Children are not to have accounts under 13 on Facebook along with many other sites and where they can have access, they are to have parental consent. Now, whether a parent lies about their age to start-up an account on Facebook or elsewhere is another story, which is actually being addressed in COPPA 2.0.

The framing of the issues with the NextGen+ is children's privacy and access. How corporations are data mining to death children in all honesty is disgusting. The targeted advertising and manipulation to make your child a lifelong customer of XYZ business is just so over the top right now and what Disney is doing here is all a part of the problem. It's called cradle to the grave consumerism.

 

[ParentsOf4]

They have spent an obscene amount of money on datamining and tour planning.

Don't forget Disney's $2B annual advertising budget.

When initially pitched, it's very possible NextGen's original <$1B budget spread out over several years was sold as a way to make Disney's much larger advertising budget more effective.