Spirited News and Observations and Opinions ...

[tomman710]

It starts with the one question so many of us are truly interest in: Where does it answer question 1.b - what happens to a consumer who opts out? The answer kind of implies that MyMagic+ only ensures that everything is stored in one place. But stating the enhancements gained for those who opt in is not an answer to the question for the disadvantages that might fall on those who opt out.

The attachment does answer that question in the first paragraph where it says (and I am paraphrasing here) that guests can choose whether or not to opt in (and then it goes on) BUT GUEST WHO DO CHOOSE MYMAGIC WILL EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING!! In essence it says, yes you have a choice, it doesn't implicitly state what those who don't opt in get, but it does say what those who do opt in get ... therefore by doing that we can infer that everything the "Opt-Inners" get will not be given to the "Opt-Outters" ... no fastpasses, no luck with ADRs, etc ..

UNRELATED SIDE NOTE: If these "trolls" that come on this thread are indeed paid by Disney, all I have to say is ... "really?" Are you (Disney) really hiring such terrible writers, ones who can't subvert with coherence or intelligence but are so blatantly plants? .... Oh wait ... Disney blowing money on truly idiotic and brainless ideas ... ... ok ... nevermind.

 

[Virtual Toad]

This is a very polarizing subject. You're either totally against it, or you see no issue to worry about. Guess which camp I'm in?

Would somebody mind telling me why this is a bad thing?

This isn't a simple question, but I can try to tell you why it bothers me.

First, it totally changes the dynamic of the theme park vacation, introducing technical hurdles and roadblocks to what is supposed to be a carefree experience, or, as someone else put it, an escape from the real world. Way too much hassle and planning.

Second, it creates an environment which can and may lead to a vastly different experience between haves and have nots, or opt-ins and opt-outs. Artificially lengthening wait times and then selling a service to alleviate the "problem" is tantamount to extortion. No thanks, I'm not interested.

Third, as to the privacy concerns, sure, it's Disney, they're harmless, they promise this is a benign thing. Okay, fine, but there's an awful lot of money to be made with this technology. Introducing flashy wristbands (reminds me of the Silly Bands fad actually) in a theme park environment is a great way to get the public-- and our children-- to see RFID tracking in a non-threatening way.

But what happens when Disney sees the profit involved (if they haven't already) in selling this technology for use elsewhere once the public is "comfortable" with it? What happens when your child's school district demands that your son or daughter wear an RFID tracking device at all times on school property? As a society, are we comfortable with outfitting our kids with what amounts to house arrest bracelets?

Conspiracy theory or not, that's a feasible scenario, and yes, as a parent and an American citizen this technology troubles me on a deeply emotional level. And perhaps that's why (IMHO at least) people are uncomfortable with the use of this technology by a company that used to preach hope and omtimism for the future.

I'm not an expert on all things but as a consumer, I know what I feel. And this just doesn't feel right to me.

I doubt the family in the Carousel of Progress would tout the wonders of RFID tracking as one of the amazing technologies they've come to love.

 

[jakeman]

UNRELATED SIDE NOTE: If these "trolls" that come on this thread are indeed paid by Disney, all I have to say is ... "really?" Are you (Disney) really hiring such terrible writers, ones who can't subvert with coherence or intelligence but are so blatantly plants? .... Oh wait ... Disney blowing money on truly idiotic and brainless ideas ... ... ok ... nevermind.

I think you missed a post:

Trolls, language and plants.

Guys, this thread is becoming harder and harder to keep open.

Trolls will always exist, and will come into forums to deliberately try to wind you up and cause havoc. This happens on every forum, and is very difficult to eliminate. Whenever identified I take action to try to minimize the impact of trolls. However, you can help by NOT engaging with obvious trolls - arguing with them just amplifies their behavior. The best course of action is to simply ignore.

...

Third, can we please stop the accusations that that anyone who does not agree with an opinion is some kind of paid plant. These constant accusations make the site very unattractive to any new members who may wish to join in the conversation, and is not helpful to our community.

 

[briandoc]

But what happens when Disney sees the profit involved (if they haven't already) in selling this technology for use elsewhere once the public is "comfortable" with it. What happens when your child school district demands that your son or daughter wear an RFID tracking device at all times on school property?

This is a great idea. Now to make them non-removable like Lohan's ankle bracelets but cool enough that kids won't balk at being forced to wear them. i think we could have a winner here.

 

[tomman710]

I think you missed a post:

No, I don't think so ... I think you missed my point. I neither called anyone out or a name. I merely said if anyone is paid to derail a thread it seems like Disney could find better.

 

[flynnibus]

Rep. Markey's letter was professionally written and contained valid questions. It clearly was Iger who showed Rep. Markey no respect.

The Congressman's letter could be boiled down to 'I heard in the paper... and the paper said this.. and the paper said that..' - it referenced nothing but the Times article and referenced it countless times. I bet that is what they took offense too.. that the Congressman purely on a newspaper article felt it was necessary and appropriate to grandstand and send a letter asking for details... that Disney claims were right out in the open to start.. and if you just talked to us, we would have happily helped you with.

I think using the Times as his 'source' of all his knowledge.. is what ed Iger off.

 

[djlaosc]

Except Iger isn't turning into the Hulk... Rather he sorta curls up and explodes out while transforming into MICHAEL EISNER. He's Eisnering up!

Reading this I am waiting for someone to make a Pokemon animation (if there isn't already one out there)

"Iger is evolving..."

 

[flynnibus]

Thank you!!! Every question asked, in a respectful manner, was totally ignored by Iger... So, he is hiding something... Plus, if the answers were so obvious, then how come Disney hasn't given us the full details of everything? Cause they are hiding something... Iger has been called out, and he acted immature and disrespectful... His reign as CEO cannot end fast enough...

The detailed responses were in the addendum - that you didn't have when you wrote this.. yet it was referenced by the letter. Once again.. incomplete information.. yet people are ready to lash out with it.

 

[tomman710]

The Congressman's letter could be boiled down to 'I heard in the paper... and the paper said this.. and the paper said that..' - it referenced nothing but the Times article and referenced it countless times. I bet that is what they took offense too.. that the Congressman purely on a newspaper article felt it was necessary and appropriate to grandstand and send a letter asking for details... that Disney claims were right out in the open to start.. and if you just talked to us, we would have happily helped you with.

I think using the Times as his 'source' of all his knowledge.. is what ed Iger off.

That's a very valid point and it seems like could have been solved if he just included in his letter something like "The Times article prompted us to conduct our own research into your online privacy policies to which we could not find answers to the following ..."

 

[flynnibus]

There is no way this is the end of it, unless there is an attachment that Monty asked for in the other thread that actually answers the questions... Which Iger failed to do as he whined... And if anyone manages to get their hands on that attachment, posting it would be much welcome...

See http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/congress-questions-next-gen.858932/page-22#post-5299777

 

[PhotoDave219]

In all the comments I've seen though, I've yet to see anyone explain why having Disney "track" you at WDW is a bad/dangerous thing, or what it is we have to worry about?

IMO.... (and this is my opinion, so dont tell me I'm wrong or so help me, I will go to the MK today....)

It comes down to individual privacy, freedom and the ability to do what you want without being watched.

Granted, Disney is a business and they can do what they want, but for most of us, Disney is an escape. We want to get away from our daily lives. I don't want to go to the parks (like in an hour, for example) and have the mouse house take me for advertising purposes based on what I'm doing. I want to be left alone in the parks so I can converse with whatever lady friend I happen to be with.

Also, I don't want my purchases tracked. No, I don't feel that information will be useful and be used to cater to me one bit. I feel it will be continued justification that will empower management to continue to do other things I don't like and erode the guest experience more than it already has.

I dont want my credit card/personal on file, attached to a device I can just tap to spend money. What if there's another receiver in the area or attached to the device, ala credit card skimmers at gas pumps. Also, there are hackers out there that love breaking into computers. I'd rather not have to deal with that kind of BS simply because I went to WDW.

Bottom line, I just dont want to feel like I'm being watched 24/7 while I'm at WDW. Its Big Brother-ish 1984-style and it makes me feel uncomfortable. Thats the big part of it.

And with that, I will go to the happiest place on earth.

 

[flynnibus]

I just don't see why comments have been made about making the thread bigger than Sotto's.

Simple... he wants his own 'Eddie Sotto' centralized thread... and this is his play at it. The one stop shopping for spirit's thoughts on the 'World...

 

[rael ramone]

I guess it's more important to look at what Disney elected not to respond to versus what they actually did respond to.

Here's more fuel to add to the fire:

They had until Feb 14 to respond to this. Plenty of time to, say, reevaluate the program (w/ an emergency BoD meeting if necessary), and make a response that for the under 13 crowd all the Mouse Arrest band does is act as admission media, FP+, and room entry (kinda like KTTW does). (You might even be able to claim that was the intent all along). Do that,and Markey goes away (all they would have is media & guest revolt to deal with).

Instead they whipped it out over a long weekend and doubled down...

Doesn't the datamining on the over 13 crowd (plus all the phase closings they think this program will create) give them a return on the 1.5+ capex?

Or do they see that this whole thing is only worth it IF they harvest the kids data?

 

[flynnibus]

Secondly he was doing what he was elected to do he is Co-Chairman of the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus.

You are confused on what the Caucus is - he wasn't elected to it - he created it. It's a 'birds of feather' type of unit in the House to advocate for their items of interest. It's not committee and no one is elected to it, they opt to participate and associate with it.

 

[Captain Chaos]

All of us have an "I woulda" reaction to this. Considering what reputation that Disney is at least marginally trying to maintain, righteous indignation, (a trait that so many of us posters seem to worship) maybe is the right way to approach it. I guess we will have to wait to see. What I think this does is say to the Honorable Congressmen, that they do not feel that any of this is necessary, so it is up to you to prove that we are doing something wrong. Go for it, just don't assume guilt. None of us should be doing that.

Here is the thing, the letter sent to Iger did not accuse them of wrong doing, did not assume guilt... Several simple questions were asked about NextGen, many of them being the same ones we have asked here... There was nothing disrespectful or accusatory about that... Instead of answering politely and calmly and easing everyone's mind, Iger agreed to send a letter that was rude, disrespectful, and didn't answer anything... He danced around the subject, still hasn't said how much your vacation will be affected if you opt out and didn't ease anyone's concerns over tracking or child privacy... He came off as a man losing it... Maybe he should leave now if the stress of being a CEO is getting to him...

 

[flynnibus]

It reminds me of an adage: If the facts are on your side, pound the facts. If the law is on your side, pound the law. If neither the facts nor the law are on your side, pound the table.

Love it

 

[Bcakd]

I know. I feel like suggesting that new members have a waiting period (yeah, like guns) where they can't post immediately and there's a limit to the number of posts a newbie can have in one day or on one thread etc ...

There's no coincidence that this is happening. Or where it is happening.

Why are you being so tough on "New Members"? We come to this site because we have questions and we join because we like to feel free to talk about Disney with other people who share our interest. If you continue to talk down to new members, I can assure you there will be no one will want to join. If talking about why we love WDW, or Disney in general, is irritating to you, WHY are you on this site?

 

[Captain Chaos]

Why are you being so tough on "New Members"? We come to this site because we have questions and we join because we like to feel free to talk about Disney with other people who share our interest. If you continue to talk down to new members, I can assure you there will be no one will want to join. If talking about why we love WDW, or Disney in general, is irritating to you, WHY are you on this site?

Because a lot of the new members who have shown up here the last few days have one purpose: to derail threads, cause arguments, and get the discussion off topic... Few have come here with the intentions you described lately... It isn't fair to punish all new members cause I'm sure most are not here to cause problems... But, if setting up a system where new member posts have to be reviewed and moderated for a period of time to make sure you aren't here to cause problems, then so be it... A lot of the nonsense would have been avoided this weekend, especially since previously banned members keep coming back just to stir the pot... The anger should be directed at new members who make it bad for the lot, not to someone who wants to suggest a way to stop the nonsense some of the new members are causing...

 

[briandoc]

Why are you being so tough on "New Members"? We come to this site because we have questions and we join because we like to feel free to talk about Disney with other people who share our interest. If you continue to talk down to new members, I can assure you there will be no one will want to join. If talking about why we love WDW, or Disney in general, is irritating to you, WHY are you on this site?

I want to hit Like on this post but am hesitant.

 

[flynnibus]

That's a very valid point and it seems like could have been solved if he just included in his letter something like "The Times article prompted us to conduct our own research into your online privacy policies to which we could not find answers to the following ..."

Sure.. the Rep. could have said 'in light of the times article dated XBZ, ' but instead he took the Times article as a source of truth and (apparently) did no direct research of their own. In their defense, most of that text was NOT talked about in this community either, so it's not like it was front and center. But like many things.. it's not necessarily the facts that may rub people.. but how they go about it. The Congressman took a high profile, 'look at me' type of approach while standing on jello while trying to call Disney out as being coy or obscure about the program. He took an interrogative stance.. without doing his basic homework (wonder if he posts on wdwmagic?? a common trait here too).. and the Disney lawyers said 'RTFM'