Spirited News and Observations and Opinions ...

[flynnibus]

But we know your in denial over the selling of the data.

Not in denial - I'm awaiting facts - not assumptions that fly in the face of known reality. You're speculating what the future is and claiming it as fact today. I'm just glad people like you aren't responsible for things I rely on to work and for my safety.

 

[awoogala]

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/media/park-experience-terms-and-conditions.html
tells you simply that you may not use the app, without giving implied consent for everyone, including minors, in your party.
that is still my main issue. Luckily I don't have a smartphone, but for everyone who does, they have just signed their kid up for direct marketing.

 

[unkadug]

So...if you don't have a smartphone you cannot go to WDW anymore?

 

[Figments Friend]

-

Nah....we just get to have a old-school experience.
I have no issues with that.
I like old school....

What i do not like is what i have been hearing about NexGen. It truly is the end of the World as we know it...
( goes to play a certain R.E.M. song....)

 

[crispy]

-

Nah....we just get to have a old-school experience.
I have no issues with that.
I like old school....

What i do not like is what i have been hearing about NexGen. It truly is the end of the World as we know it...
( goes to play a certain R.E.M. song....)

I'll go to Universal and feel fine.....

 

[djlaosc]

By sending you discounts and offers via their sponsors based on what you do while at WDW.

Driving by a GM/Chevy Dealership after your trip to WDW? Your smartphone and/or email will get offers sent from those friendly sponsors of Test Track (and other sponsors). Rode test track quite a few times on your trip? Instagrammed it? Tweeted to Disney about it? You'll love the special offer they give you by offering you a free test drive of one their Chevy cars for a few hours at your local dealership and then they'll deposit more Fastpass+ credits into your account so that you can remain brand-loyal when you visit WDW again.

Here's a thought at 1:30am - what if they started doing it the other way as well?

For example, having a GM/Chevy car would get you an extra FP every day of every trip that you had the car for, with an extra one for Test Track every time you went to Epcot?

Or employees of GM/Chevy (or other sponsors) could get extra Fastpasses as well?

Obviously, that would involve collecting a whole lot more data, but sponsors could be interested in doing something like this...

 

[awoogala]

Here's a thought at 1:30am - what if they started doing it the other way as well?

For example, having a GM/Chevy car would get you an extra FP every day of every trip that you had the car for, with an extra one for Test Track every time you went to Epcot?

Or employees of GM/Chevy (or other sponsors) could get extra Fastpasses as well?

Obviously, that would involve collecting a whole lot more data, but sponsors could be interested in doing something like this...

they have left room for anything. that is the big issue. there is no definition of who gets what. (although employees usually get into a vip lounge, then escorted straight to front of line already)

 

[djlaosc]

they have left room for anything. that is the big issue. there is no definition of who gets what. (although employees usually get into a vip lounge, then escorted straight to front of line already)

Maybe VIP Lounge/escort employees could be part of the 10% that are rumoured to be cut?

 

[Lee]

Not in denial - I'm awaiting facts - not assumptions that fly in the face of known reality.

I think we can safely assume what Iger is thinking, based on his quote:

"If we could sell your behavior to an advertiser -- I am actually pretty bullish about what technology is going to allow in terms of behavioral tracking. I think we are going to have information to sell to marketers."

 

[SirLink]

I think we can safely assume what Iger is thinking, based on his quote:

Colour me SHOCKED!

A certain someone calling me out on this as well oh well.

 

[ChrisFL]

You know the thing that REALLY gets me about this whole idea is that we have a lot of smart people here, who are very familiar with all things Fastpass and ADR and the parks and resorts...yet I don't know about everyone else but we've got 3-4 threads and 86 pages on this one... the whole thing is still confusing to me.

If its confusing to us, we know what the average guest's vacation IQ is (meaning in their "element" at home they're fine, but on vacation, they don't tend to want to think much), I think this will be very confusing to them.

I really think I might spend a day just sitting around the parks seeing the kinds of things people are doing with these wristbands and the CM interactions about them

 

[scpergj]

I think we can safely assume what Iger is thinking, based on his quote:

Frightening, isn't it??

 

[spacemt354]

You know the thing that REALLY gets me about this whole idea is that we have a lot of smart people here, who are very familiar with all things Fastpass and ADR and the parks and resorts...yet I don't know about everyone else but we've got 3-4 threads and 86 pages on this one... the whole thing is still confusing to me.

If its confusing to us, we know what the average guest's vacation IQ is (meaning in their "element" at home they're fine, but on vacation, they don't tend to want to think much), I think this will be very confusing to them.

I really think I might spend a day just sitting around the parks seeing the kinds of things people are doing with these wristbands and the CM interactions about them

I agree. I tried to read this thread but the arguments going back and forth make this entire announcement seem so confusing. I think this http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymagicplus.htm link provides all the information I want to know at this time. It's organized and concise.

I don't think it will be so confusing. Sure, new comers to Disney might have a tough time adjusting, but return guests, especially in this tech savvy world we live in, I feel will have an easier time adjusting to the apps and technology quickly. They might not take full advantage of the perks, but I really don't see the doomsday scenario that some of the posters are suggesting. That's just how they wish to interpret it. I don't agree, but either philosophy, good or bad, is jumping to conclusions because most of this technology hasn't even been released yet.

Then once it has been, the opinions can start to chime in. Until then I think trying to find information on this thread and others regarding NextGen is going to be very frustrating and confusing, because people think they know it all, but in reality nobody has all the answers, nor can they predict the future.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

I think we can safely assume what Iger is thinking, based on his quote:

Can you say resignation?

 

[TalkingHead]

If its confusing to us, we know what the average guest's vacation IQ is (meaning in their "element" at home they're fine, but on vacation, they don't tend to want to think much), I think this will be very confusing to them.

All you need to know is that FP machines had to be staffed with CMs to explain to guests how to retrieve a FP...

Ok, that's inserting a ticket in a slot, and a FP ticket is spit out. You return at the specified time.

That required having a CM stationed at the FP machines to make sure that process ran smoothly.

Can't imagine why Park Ops are concerned about NextGen.

 

[alissafalco]

I agree. I tried to read this thread but the arguments going back and forth make this entire announcement seem so confusing. I think this http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymagicplus.htm link provides all the information I want to know at this time. It's organized and concise.

I don't think it will be so confusing. Sure, new comers to Disney might have a tough time adjusting, but return guests, especially in this tech savvy world we live in, I feel will have an easier time adjusting to the apps and technology quickly. They might not take full advantage of the perks, but I really don't see the doomsday scenario that some of the posters are suggesting. That's just how they wish to interpret it. I don't agree, but either philosophy, good or bad, is jumping to conclusions because most of this technology hasn't even been released yet.

Then once it has been, the opinions can start to chime in. Until then I think trying to find information on this thread and others regarding NextGen is going to be very frustrating and confusing, because people think they know it all, but in reality nobody has all the answers, nor can they predict the future.

Reading that link is giving me a headache.

 

[spacemt354]

Reading that link is giving me a headache.

What's confusing about it?

 

[Tigger1988]

Reading that link is giving me a headache.

Why? It's not rocket science.

This board amazes me sometimes. Complaining that Disney is dumbing down everything in the parks. Now complaining that something is too "complicated" for tourists.

 

[alissafalco]

What's confusing about it?

It's not confusing its just giving me a headache.

 

[Kuhio]

Brooks Barnes's New York Times article (which has been in the top ten most-viewed and most-emailed articles since yesterday) has brought this issue to the attention of many people who would otherwise have no interest in theme park issues -- people like many of my "non-Disney" friends. And its content has raised a number of ethical and legal questions to readers who have more familiarity with media and legal issues than the average Disney guest, or the average poster on an internet forum.

Several things stand out for those I know who have read the article (and who, at my prompting, have also read Barnes's previous reporting on Disney):

(1) The author's work reads like covert PR for Disney. There's something about his discussion of the issues that doesn't sound like it's coming from an objective reporter -- the tendency to raise one or two negative implications in an ostensible effort to provide a different viewpoint, but in a fashion that minimizes the likelihood that the reader will focus on or seriously consider them. One regular Times reader (who had not read any of the discussion of the issue on this board) remarked that yesterday's article, in particular, just doesn't "read" like a typical Times piece.

(2) Specifically, it's odd that the potential legal issues involved with Disney's new scheme are so manifold -- yet given such cursory attention. Even if Barnes himself has no legal background, it would seem almost inconceivable that a Times reporter would feel that the issue could largely be addressed by providing two competing opinions from StitchKingdom posters. One friend was incredulous that the author didn't solicit an opinion from a legal authority, and relied instead on Jayne (who is "creeped out") and Pam (who thinks "it sounds awesome").

When I consulted with someone with a legal background, he thought it likely that Disney's unprecedented data mining scheme has already drawn the attention of those with an interest in privacy, security, and speech issues... and that no one should be surprised if a much closer (and unflattering) analysis of MyMagic+ appears in a legal publication in the near future.