Just can't take it anymore, I have to chime in too.
In theory, there are tremendous benefits that COULD result in increased revenue and profit performance at WDW with thoughtful and successful implementation of the MagicBand system. And, since I am far from being an insider, in fact I'm nothing more than a long-time visitor that is crazy enough to go back now and again, I'm not basing what I have to say on anything but my own opinions.
Want me to visit WDW and spend more time and money shopping? Want more money out of my wallet, period? Use the MBs to manage the logistical side of bus transportation. Install some readers (if you haven't already) at the bus stops at the resorts...and you'll be able to get people where they want to go in a shorter period of time. How about when guests are exiting the parks? Use those readers under the MK train station to proactively allocate buses based on the number of guests that are exiting, and whether or not they arrived by bus (for instance...I hate the buses so much that we've just stopped flying to WDW and instead drive so we can have the use of our car), and get people back to their resort. Maybe if you save enough of the guests time, they'll stop in the restaurants/food courts/gift shops, or even switch to the Downtown Disney bus and head out for more shopping and dining.
Another way to get me to spend more money...make the bands with better chips (or whatever they're called) in them...either a bit bigger, or heck, maybe even put them in multiple locations on the band. When we were there last year, I had to take the crazy thing off more often than not to get it to work well. Who knows, maybe I'm just not coordinated enough, but it was just so damned awkward. Of course, ours never actually worked for charging...and I guess since I spent a WHOLE LOT LESS than usual, I should be thankful.
In any case, if we go back it'll be interesting to see if they are any better this time.
Now...all that being said...are you listening WDW?...if you REALLY want to get more of my money, then respond in some significant way to what's happening up the road. Go big or go home. For the first time ever, our next plan involves going to Universal. I've even become a fan of Kings' Dominion as of late, just cause it's closer to home, clean, fun, and affordable, but out of all of the big trips I've ever taken to vacation in or near theme parks, most have all been to go to WDW. Been going since 1978. More times than I can even count anymore. And I really love the place, love the memories that we've made, and love taking my DD there (of course, she is now their target demographic)...but, I want more. WDW keeps charging more, and I want more for that. In the absence of that, now our vacations will be split. And, let me tell you straight up, if Uni is as good as we think it might be, I could easily see our future trips bringing less and less time at WDW and more at the other parks around there.
Anyway, it seems to me that we're stuck with the pile of crap called MM+, MB, NGE, etc. It's not gonna go away...they have too much into it now financially, and unfortunately, investing in this kind of tech in a world where technology continues to become obsolete at a mind-numbing pace, is just poor decision making on their part. There's just no good way for them any longer to be able to afford to keep this beast running AND simultaneously invest large sums of cash into groundbreaking, awesome attractions. Well, at least that's my take on it. I agree with
@ParentsOf4 that it'll be at least a year until we see if it's positively impacting revenue...but I bet until then we'll hear on those conference calls that Iger and Rasulo will continue to politely dodge the questions.
I think I either need a break from this until
@WDW1974 decides to return, or I need to have a really strong drink. Maybe both!! Nah, I'll keep reading, as I still have plenty of popcorn handy. Just had to jump in with my two cents.
