Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[truecoat]

I think they could probably sue you for discrimination if you didn't. Already facing a GAC lawsuit, better to let the weasel drivers have their boos. Is it possible to get a ticket or a DUI for driving one of those things loaded? They can give you a DUI for riding a bicycle drunk so why not.

It depends state to state. A powered wheelchair is usually considered an extension of a person or a replacement for their legs. This is the reason they might get a pass if they are drunk and driving (walking). It's also possible to get a scooter prescribed and paid through insurance, this would then be a medically necessary device for ambulation. The thing is, many are just paid for privately because they aren't medically necessary (as deemed by Medicare). So, until they start tagging who is really disabled or not, they will prob keep drinking and driving....over your toes.

 

[PeterAlt]

Maybe "Superior Twerking Skills" too.

Not to mention tweaking skills too. You must have the three "t" skills:

- tweeting
- twerking
- tweaking

I predict the work twerk will soon officially be part of the English language and will be part of the dictionary!

 

[dupac]

Jobs in analytics in Disney are huge right now. If you can run ANOVA or have database knowledge, they want you.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Maybe "Superior Twerking Skills" too.

Especially if you want a job at WDI.

 

[misterID]

What's of interest here is that Ms. Reif Cohen isn't just another analysis as she's one that for many years is cited as a source of interpretation of Disney's quarterly financials. It's a not so subtle quote to the people at the Mouse and I'd bet has caught the attention of people up the food chain.

My favorite quote fromthe announcement that Transformers brought in more guests and profits to USO where they said they were continuing to invest in their parks because "attractions bring in guests"?

""We're making these investments because we really like the business," [Steve] Burke said."

That's the difference between TDO and UNI.

 

[alphac2005]

My favorite quote fromthe announcement that Transformers brought in more guests and profits to USO where they said they were continuing to invest in their parks because "attractions bring in guests"?

""We're making these investments because we really like the business," [Steve] Burke said."

That's the difference between TDO and UNI.

Burke, who as we know has a history at Disney, knows exactly what he's saying and there have been several instances of subtle, little nuanced answers that are pure swipes at TDO just like what you're quoting above.

 

[Funmeister]

Years ago when Al Weiss explained how "Destination Disney" (NextGen) was going to work there was a HUGE transportation element that seems to have been cut. In his words he explained how sections of planes would be reserved for people going to WDW. They would be able to talk to fellow guests on the plane about what to do...where to go...what reservations, etc. They were alos going to have technology to be able to contact a WDW representative from the plane to make or change reservations for dining or shows. Not sure wht happened but it seems like this aspect never made it off the drawing board. A bit much in my opinion but was part of the original vision.

 

[PeterAlt]

Years ago when Al Weiss explained how "Destination Disney" (NextGen) was going to work there was a HUGE transportation element that seems to have been cut. In his words he explained how sections of planes would be reserved for people going to WDW. They would be able to talk to fellow guests on the plane about what to do...where to go...what reservations, etc. They were alos going to have technology to be able to contact a WDW representative from the plane to make or change reservations for dining or shows. Not sure wht happened but it seems like this aspect never made it off the drawing board. A bit much in my opinion but was part of the original vision.

I don't think the transportation element has been permanently cut. It's just that NextGen turned into such a huge colossal undertaking that the transportation element had to be moved to the back burner and 9/11 didn't help either.

 

[Funmeister]

Why need a dedicated and coordinated section of an airplane when those people can now connect online in flight?

Well, you are correct in 2013. Al originally spoke about this around 1997. He also said that a huge partnership with a specific airline was about to be announced and nothing. They envisioned totally themed Disney experience from the minute you were picked up from your house to driving to the airport to landing.

 

[GoofGoof]

Anyone see the story on the main page about FP+ testing for Swan and Dolphin? According to the update they will begin testing soon and will be the first non-Disney property to use the system. What I found interesting is they are not giving out magic bands or allowing advanced FP+ reservations. Guests of the Swan and Dolphin will only be allowed to use the FP+ kiosks in the park. I know many speculated that FP+ would become a Disney hotel only perk. Is this the first sign of that or is it just related to testing? I guess we'll need to wait until next year to find out if that becomes permanent. The testing goes into January.

 

[ford91exploder]

Jobs in analytics in Disney are huge right now. If you can run ANOVA or have database knowledge, they want you.

And there is part of their problem, ANOVA is analysys of variance, More years ago than I care to admit was running MANOVA which is MULTIPLE analysis of variance ie looking for WHICH is the determining factor from a variety of factors much more complex and powerful technique.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Naturally, two parking lots are closed behind Cirque at DTD for Valet parking so the mouse can make money off the abysmal Disaster that is parking these days

 

[nor'easter]

The Queen of England is the monarch of Canada, so there's that for making them part of Europe (or at least a nominal colony of a European state).

You really should confine your comments to something you understand. Canada is not a colony, not even a nominal one. Those shackles were thrown off long ago.

 

[Cousin Huet]

Anyone see the story on the main page about FP+ testing for Swan and Dolphin? According to the update they will begin testing soon and will be the first non-Disney property to use the system. What I found interesting is they are not giving out magic bands or allowing advanced FP+ reservations. Guests of the Swan and Dolphin will only be allowed to use the FP+ kiosks in the park. I know many speculated that FP+ would become a Disney hotel only perk. Is this the first sign of that or is it just related to testing? I guess we'll need to wait until next year to find out if that becomes permanent. The testing goes into January.

I hope this goes to Shades of Green too......we are going in a few weeks again for quick weekend trip to see some of the holiday stuff and are trying out Shades of Green for the first time after 13 years in the service. I have been VERY PLEASANTLY SURPRISED so far and it looks like it is going to be a great experience. Only drawback is that we wont have those pre fast passes booked since our Magic Bands from September are not of use at that resort. I have a feeling that we wont be able to get our usual fast passes due to the new program and we really liked the MM+ -experience in September as it worked really well for us. If they add to the non-Disney resorts I hope it is Shades of Green next as we would like to start staying there regularly if it goes well.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Anyone see the story on the main page about FP+ testing for Swan and Dolphin? According to the update they will begin testing soon and will be the first non-Disney property to use the system. What I found interesting is they are not giving out magic bands or allowing advanced FP+ reservations. Guests of the Swan and Dolphin will only be allowed to use the FP+ kiosks in the park. I know many speculated that FP+ would become a Disney hotel only perk. Is this the first sign of that or is it just related to testing? I guess we'll need to wait until next year to find out if that becomes permanent. The testing goes into January.

Honestly, that, to me, sounds more like how we will find out how non-Disney resort people will be included. If anything to me it is an indication of the inclusion of off-site guests. Sorry, I know that sounds redundant, but, you know what I mean, I think.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Anyone see the story on the main page about FP+ testing for Swan and Dolphin? According to the update they will begin testing soon and will be the first non-Disney property to use the system. What I found interesting is they are not giving out magic bands or allowing advanced FP+ reservations. Guests of the Swan and Dolphin will only be allowed to use the FP+ kiosks in the park. I know many speculated that FP+ would become a Disney hotel only perk. Is this the first sign of that or is it just related to testing? I guess we'll need to wait until next year to find out if that becomes permanent. The testing goes into January.

I think it is more a reflection of the system's poor design that is not yet ready as well as Disney's forgetting to include Starwood in the initial development and deployment, which was reported on in the past.

 

[GoofGoof]

Honestly, that, to me, sounds more like how we will find out how non-Disney resort people will be included. If anything to me it is an indication of the inclusion of off-site guests. Sorry, I know that sounds redundant, but, you know what I mean, I think.

Well they are included, but if included means no bands and no advanced FP reservations I'm assuming a lot of off site guests won't be happy. Maybe they roll out the bands and reservations in a later phase of testing or maybe they decide to keep it a perk for resort guests only.

 

[GoofGoof]

I hope this goes to Shades of Green too......we are going in a few weeks again for quick weekend trip to see some of the holiday stuff and are trying out Shades of Green for the first time after 13 years in the service. I have been VERY PLEASANTLY SURPRISED so far and it looks like it is going to be a great experience. Only drawback is that we wont have those pre fast passes booked since our Magic Bands from September are not of use at that resort. I have a feeling that we wont be able to get our usual fast passes due to the new program and we really liked the MM+ -experience in September as it worked really well for us. If they add to the non-Disney resorts I hope it is Shades of Green next as we would like to start staying there regularly if it goes well.

The good news is lines are lighter in November (except for Thanksgiving week) so you may not need FP as much. Plus they will still have regular FP while supplies last.

 

[choco choco]

Jobs in analytics in Disney are huge right now. If you can run ANOVA or have database knowledge, they want you.

This has been prevalent in many industries. The problem is that it leads to data glut and completely incorrect or inconsequential conclusions. I see it all the time in my field, which is scientific research. We have all this fancy equipment nowadays that spits out info at the press of a button. Scientists go in and do these incredibly sophisticated analyses, come out with reams of data.

Me: Why did you do this test?
Them: Because um....

They then proceed to form a conclusion based on the data they have just gotten. Then work backwards and claim this is what they were looking for all along. And you see the problem...instead of an experiment guided by a fundamental question, coming up with a hypothesis and testing their hypothesis, they randomly accumulate all this data, and then try to back engineer a justification for doing it, often by placing emphasis on all the wrong things.

I suspect this Data Mining project at Disney is the same thing. Instead of starting at a fundamental problem that needed to be solved, Disney looked at their data and started a project to address a nonexistent problem.

Ok so you can do an ANOVA test. Why did you do an ANOVA test? What does the average represent? What does the variance represent? Why does it matter that there's a variance in averages?

 

[Goofyernmost]

Well they are included, but if included means no bands and no advanced FP reservations I'm assuming a lot of off site guests won't be happy. Maybe they roll out the bands and reservations in a later phase of testing or maybe they decide to keep it a perk for resort guests only.

I really was never concerned about the Bands. That was for charging to room accounts and more or less a novelty. I was, and still am, concerned about if offsite was going to be excluded from even being able to get any FP privilege. I, for a fact, would hate to have to get FP's in advance. I do not plan that much, never have and don't intend to start now. Lack of FP+, even though I hate FP in principle, would be the proverbial straw the broke the camels back and would mean the end of a 30 year relationship with WDW.