Spirited News & Observations II -- NGE/Baxter

[lazyboy97o]

I don't see how even the complete failure of NextGen will improve the chances of an increase in resource allocation towards attractions, both existing and future. That would require a wider change in the mindset regarding Disney's view of Walt Disney World, its attraction and its place in the market.

 

[Lee]

@WDW1974 @Lee

So now that we are a little more into all "this" ... I go back to my original question with a slight modification ... how successful or unsuccessful does this need to be to get money pumped back into the parks (attractions wise)? I assume if it is unsuccessful enough they may need something to divert attention ... I guess either way ... my question is now with testing underway is there any correlation of MM+ to park additions?

I don't think there is necessarily a correlation, at least not in a good way.
If MM+ were to totally crash and burn, I could see Burbank becoming a bit more conservative in their spending as a result. They have a ton riding on thus stuff.

If it works out great... I don't see any change. Things are in the pipeline now that will likely happen regardless of MN+'s success or failure.

 

[Genie of the Lamp]

I know it may seem like I might cause a thread drift here, but since it's spirited news, I'll drop this in:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/02/18/2479849/hk-disney-turns-first-profit-since.html

HK Disneyland finally turns in its first profit. What lead to this? Gee wiz, new attractions. Which also brought along increased guest spending and hotel occupancy rates (yeah I know it's only by 1% or what Iger would say is "up a hair"). I'll let you folks read and analyze the rest of the article points now.

 

[ParentsOf4]

The DVC member website is now down unexpectedly. I tried logging in but it locked my account after 3 tries. I called DVC member services and they confirmed it was related to the MM+ upgrade. The person I spoke with commented that they have been running into a lot of MM+ issues. When I asked for more information, he backed off, almost as if he already had said too much.

It should be an "interesting" transition over the next few months.

 

[njDizFan]

Too bad the tree huggers killed the one type of fire suppression system that could help in these types of situations. Halon. But the environmentalists killed it and now we have no direct suitable replacement for combating fires in confined spaces with sensitive electrical gear.

Well that is a bit simplistic...it's not like a few "tree huggers" got together and had this fairly benevolent system outlawed. This substance has been recognized as harmful by many different agencies for over 25 years(including the EPA). And according to the research there are over 20 current direct replacement models. They do require some different installment and maintenance techniques and have both advantages and disadvantages.

http://www.facilitiesnet.com/firesa...as-Clean-Agents-And-Water-Mist-Systems--10303

I sorry about this drift here and don't want to go into a ing match with the master of debate but labeling agencies and individuals and tree huggers because they care about the protection of a persons health and environmental issues is unceccesary.

But hey Asbestos worked pretty well too...

 

[flynnibus]

Well that is a bit simplistic...it's not like a few "tree huggers" got together and had this fairly benevolent system outlawed. This substance has been recognized as harmful by many different agencies for over 25 years(including the EPA).

It was banned because of it's ozone depletion - not because it was unsafe. So your abestos jab is offbase at the least... It along with CFCs and more were banned because of the impact on the ozone layer.. rather than dealing with the chemical in a limited application. Imagine if we just banned burning hydrocarbons as fuel... rather than trying to manage it's use.

And according to the research there are over 20 current direct replacement models. They do require some different installment and maintenance techniques and have both advantages and disadvantages.

Lots of potentials - yet none have exceeded or directly met halon's benefits. Many of the alternatives carry their own environmental impacts.. they just haven't been banned by treaty like CFCs were.

 

[Tiggerrules]

The DVC member website is now down unexpectedly. I tried logging in but it locked my account after 3 tries. I called DVC member services and they confirmed it was related to the MM+ upgrade. The person I spoke with commented that they have been running into a lot of MM+ issues. When I asked for more information, he backed off, almost as if he already had said too much.

It should be an "interesting" transition over the next few months.

I got in but this was on the front page.

Attention Members!We're experiencing technical difficulties in displaying your personal information on this page. We've already fixed some of the issues and are currently addressing the others. Please know we're aware of the problems—and we're working to correct this situation as soon as possible.

 

[Tiggerrules]

The DVC sites format has changed some also.

 

[DougK]

I got in but this was on the front page.

Attention Members!We're experiencing technical difficulties in displaying your personal information on this page. We've already fixed some of the issues and are currently addressing the others. Please know we're aware of the problems—and we're working to correct this situation as soon as possible.

This message has been there for weeks.

 

[Todd H]

And I say anything more than 10 minutes is waaaay too much for that overrated example of what Disney opts to build in WDW in the 21st century.

It was so very...plastic. And cheap feeling. My son thought it was OK but after riding it once he was ready to ride something else.

This trip was a real eye opener after visiting Universal last year. Any pixie dust I had in my bloodstream is long gone now. Thought about doing a trip report thread but it wouldn't be pretty. Probably send some here into convulsions.

 

[tracyandalex]

So based on the new MM+ info:

If we have an AP band, then we each need an additional band or card for the hotel and if we should want to go to MNSSHP we each need an additional band for that too? So for our trip in October I might have to carry 9 bands/cards/tickets (assuming everything was rolled out by then)? I say I cause mom always gets stuck carrying everything, lol. So which tracker will have our dining reservations on it?

In our experience the Disney WiFi is sketchy at best. We have AT&T and sometimes it works good and other times not so much. In December I actually ended up turning the WiFi off while in the parks and used the 4G or whatever because it was faster. The app was good when I could get it to load and we did not experience any wait time discrepancies at least that we noticed.

I get that this is a large and complex undertaking, but it seems to me that some of the components were not thoroughly tested before being rolled out or Disney really sucks at anticipating capacity and such. To me it makes Disney look bad because it seems like what has actually been rolled out seems half baked (wasn't sure I could use the other word!) at best. Shouldn't such a large and complex system have had large scale and through testing before being rolled out to guests? Does anyone know how much testing of the other non-band components was done?

 

[COProgressFan]

If we have an AP band, then we each need an additional band or card for the hotel and if we should want to go to MNSSHP we each need an additional band for that too? So for our trip in October I might have to carry 9 bands/cards/tickets (assuming everything was rolled out by then)? I say I cause mom always gets stuck carrying everything, lol. So which tracker will have our dining reservations on it?

Doesn't that sound like a great addition to your vacation? See, just like they said, MM+ makes your vacation easier and more relaxing!

Seriously, however, one would hope they will finally figure out the logistics of all of that. The ultimate goal of the bands would be that the information is all linked together, which you would expect them to figure out eventually. It sounds like they haven't gotten there yet.

But even if they are able to do so, without paper tickets it could just be a nightmare when things go wrong. For instance, if you were to use a Not So Scary paper ticket at 4pm it would let you through. If you were there at 3:58, however, it wouldn't. And the CM could easily figure out why. But what if you showed up at 4pm with just a band and the system used a day off your hopper? All because your watch isn't synced with Disney's clock which might be 2 minutes behind. Poor you when you can't into Epcot the next day because your ticket shows no days left.

Factor in similar issues with linking APs, dining credits, etc., and there are lots of inconveniences and time wasted at Guest Relations to resolve potential issues like this.

 

[Tiggerrules]

And I say anything more than 10 minutes is waaaay too much for that overrated example of what Disney opts to build in WDW in the 21st century.

We rode it in November, asked my grand-daughters (who are in the target age range for the ride) if they wanted to go again since the wait was 15 minutes. They said "Nah, let's ride something else".

 

[Belowthesurface]

Sorry, I'll take a stab and tell you I can't convince you. I'm not a liar or a corporate shill and, therefore, there is no way I can find for why FP should exist on many of the attractions it already is on, let alone messing with something that has worked just fine the way it is since 1971.

It's stupidity and it will make almost every attraction at every park a hassle and create the very lines it aims to eliminate (well, that and the new revenue stream).

But I have a question for you: do you enjoyed baking?

I love to bake.

There is no one in Ops who is happy or even able to act happy about the amount of FP being added.

Most replies sound defeated and convey that things aren't going to be as simple like they used to or should be.

 

[Belowthesurface]

The official company answer: everyone has their personal favorite rides (must do rides). For 95% of people tea cups is not in the top 3. For those other 5% they can now reserve a spot on their favorite ride in advance and be guaranteed not to have to wait in line. It was really hard for me to type that with a straight face. The real answer IMHO, which has been referenced around here by many, is they are creating a larger inventory of FP+ reservations so when the popular rides run out you still get something. There is no reason to have FP for this ride so that's the only logical answer.

Perceived value.

 

[Belowthesurface]

Simple, because when they break out FP+ they have to have some alternative locations to send them too, when the main attractions get hit with demand. Maelstrom, is another that had a FP for a while. I have been going to Epcot for 30 years and have never seen more then a 5 minute line there. But, for a while at least, it had a FP.

This does not answer how it's a good idea.

 

[GoofGoof]

Perceived value.

Kinda, but more like deceived value

 

[Belowthesurface]

So I've been taking a little break lately from active posting, because the braggadocio exhibited by certain posters -- well, by one certain poster -- has gotten a bit out of hand. Not that I should be surprised; after all, this individual has always seemed to possess a surplus of... vanity.

I don't want to name names, so I'll just take some inspiration from an early '70s hit -- and wager that the subject of the following editorial knows exactly who it is I'm talking about!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

You logged onto the forums like you literally owned the place
You knew that women and fanbois would kill just
To catch a glimpse of your face
You had one eye in the mirror as you read their latest praise
And all the ’bois dreamed that they’d be your minion
They’d be your minion, and…

You’re so vain, you probably think this post is about you
You’re so vain, I’ll bet you think this post is about you
Don’t you? Don’t you?

You PMed me several weeks ago when I was still quite a noob
Well you said that you really admired my wit
When I would make fun of rubes
But then you marked the posts you “liked” and none of them were mine
I had some dreams, now they’re tears in my Dole Whip
Tears in my Dole Whip, and…

You’re so vain, you probably think this post is about you
You’re so vain, I’ll bet you think this post is about you
Don’t you? Don’t you? Don’t you?

I had some dreams, now they’re tears in my Dole Whip
Tears in my Dole Whip, and…

You’re so vain, you probably think this post is about you
You’re so vain, I’ll bet you think this post is about you
Don’t you? Don’t you?

Well I know you went up to Tokyo Disney because you gushed on the boards
Then you took a transatlantic DCL cruise
And you attended the Emmy Awards
You live a Top One Percenter’s life
And half the time you’re with
Some Disney exec or the wife of a blogger
Wife of a blogger, and…

You’re so vain, you probably think this post is about you
You’re so vain, I’ll bet you think this post is about you
Don’t you? Don’t you? Don’t you?

You’re so vain, you probably think this post is about you
You’re so vain, you probably think this post is about you

Tacky and creepy. Just stop.

 

[Goofyernmost]

This does not answer how it's a good idea.

It's a good idea for them, gives them something to give away to make it all warm and fuzzy!

 

[Belowthesurface]

It's a good idea for them, gives them something to give away to make it all warm and fuzzy!

Problem is, many Guests are not as stupid as Disney thinks they are. You can feel the frustration and disappointment in the parks.