GoofGoof
Premium Member
Now that I have had a chance to digest all of this here are some thoughts:
1) first and most important, this was an awful lot of money to spend for what we are getting. I would have much rather seen them spend $1.5B on fixing up the parks, transportation, or something new. I don't think this is a highly debated point. I haven't really heard anyone say they thought this was money well spent.
2) on the issue of tracking my location in the parks using the wristband, I could care less. I doubt anyone will be actively tracking individuals anyway unless maybe a kid goes missing or a crime is committed. They don't have enough CMs for crowd control and maintenance at the parks (with potential layoffs comimg) are they suddenly going to go on a hiring spree to hire people to watch which line I am in or where I am eating. Doubtful. If they do, again I say who cares. Anyone with 2 eyes and 2 legs is free to follow me around the parks (just not into the new tangled restrooms - even I have my limits
)
3) on the issue of selling personal data, I am on the fence now. I admit that you guys made some compelling arguments that it will be too tempting not to sell at least some of the data to 3rd parties. Still not guaranteed to happen, but I concede that it seems likely. For me the real question is what data will be sold? Will it be generalized market data? For example if someone wants to know how many males ages 18 to 34 drink coffee in the morning vs orange juice then NextGen could provide it. That I am good with, no issue at all. Will the data sold be more personalized? For instance will they sell my name, e-mail address and/or physical address to third party vendors? How will that work within the privacy policy? Will using the wristband be equal to consent or will I have to uncheck some boxes when signing up to make sure I don't get targeted? For me I am OK with getting some targeted direct advertising as long as its not Disney selling my info to some sketchy marketing firm that collects mailing lists. If I get ads from respectable partner companies for legit products I am good with that. For example if I get a cafe mocha every morning at the Starbucks in the MK and then I get home and Starbucks sends me coupons in the mail or via e-mail that's fine with me. I guess I am just so conditioned to accept this with all of the online sites today that it doesn't bother me anymore. I know I'm walking a slippery slope with the sketchy vs respectible partners thing and once the cat is out of the bag it's hard to put it back (plus once the money starts to flow it will be hard to stop) and that's why I'm still on the fence. I need some more info to decide.
4) FP+ doesn't seem great to me. I don't mind the planning ahead part as much as some but I am definitely not going to like it if the lines get longer. I like some of the additions like reserved parade and fireworks spots in theory. I have to see it in action to be sure.
Overall, I have to say if you consider the money spent a sunk cost then I'm luke warm at best which seems to be a whole lot more positive than most people around these parts. I see a few positives. I like the idea of having the scanners replace the old gates, room keys and FP machines and having all of it linked on one card/wristband. I like some of the interactive elements too. I think WDW might be able to use some of the data collected to better understand its guests likes and dislikes which could be a positive.
1) first and most important, this was an awful lot of money to spend for what we are getting. I would have much rather seen them spend $1.5B on fixing up the parks, transportation, or something new. I don't think this is a highly debated point. I haven't really heard anyone say they thought this was money well spent.
2) on the issue of tracking my location in the parks using the wristband, I could care less. I doubt anyone will be actively tracking individuals anyway unless maybe a kid goes missing or a crime is committed. They don't have enough CMs for crowd control and maintenance at the parks (with potential layoffs comimg) are they suddenly going to go on a hiring spree to hire people to watch which line I am in or where I am eating. Doubtful. If they do, again I say who cares. Anyone with 2 eyes and 2 legs is free to follow me around the parks (just not into the new tangled restrooms - even I have my limits
3) on the issue of selling personal data, I am on the fence now. I admit that you guys made some compelling arguments that it will be too tempting not to sell at least some of the data to 3rd parties. Still not guaranteed to happen, but I concede that it seems likely. For me the real question is what data will be sold? Will it be generalized market data? For example if someone wants to know how many males ages 18 to 34 drink coffee in the morning vs orange juice then NextGen could provide it. That I am good with, no issue at all. Will the data sold be more personalized? For instance will they sell my name, e-mail address and/or physical address to third party vendors? How will that work within the privacy policy? Will using the wristband be equal to consent or will I have to uncheck some boxes when signing up to make sure I don't get targeted? For me I am OK with getting some targeted direct advertising as long as its not Disney selling my info to some sketchy marketing firm that collects mailing lists. If I get ads from respectable partner companies for legit products I am good with that. For example if I get a cafe mocha every morning at the Starbucks in the MK and then I get home and Starbucks sends me coupons in the mail or via e-mail that's fine with me. I guess I am just so conditioned to accept this with all of the online sites today that it doesn't bother me anymore. I know I'm walking a slippery slope with the sketchy vs respectible partners thing and once the cat is out of the bag it's hard to put it back (plus once the money starts to flow it will be hard to stop) and that's why I'm still on the fence. I need some more info to decide.
4) FP+ doesn't seem great to me. I don't mind the planning ahead part as much as some but I am definitely not going to like it if the lines get longer. I like some of the additions like reserved parade and fireworks spots in theory. I have to see it in action to be sure.
Overall, I have to say if you consider the money spent a sunk cost then I'm luke warm at best which seems to be a whole lot more positive than most people around these parts. I see a few positives. I like the idea of having the scanners replace the old gates, room keys and FP machines and having all of it linked on one card/wristband. I like some of the interactive elements too. I think WDW might be able to use some of the data collected to better understand its guests likes and dislikes which could be a positive.