The Spirited Sixth Sense ...

[jlsHouston]

Outsourcing/Offshoring is a tool, just like a million others. As long as you use it correctly, provide proper oversight, mange expectations with them, etc, it's a good tool. If you don't, well, you get what you pay for.

However you are aware of the annoyance some of us have when we call customer service for say AT&T? And we are talking to people in India? Especially if your DSL is AT&T that is who you are going to be talking to WHEN you get a live body in technical support to answer.... I know customer service/tech support probably has nothing to do with software development...
Not to say tech support in India is any less competent than the tech support WDW has been providing for the MM+ issues right here in the good ole USA of course.

 

[Hakunamatata]

If the loss of the detail is seamless is it really a loss? If the engine still looks like a steam engine, and smoke still puffs out from the top, and it still goes "choo choo", does it matter whether it is running on steam or if just retains the illusion that it is? Do we care that castle isn't really made of rock, or that second story of main street isn't tall enough, or that presidents in the HoP aren't actually the resurrected bodies of dead presidents? Its all an illusion in a theme park, so if the effect is the same and they aren't actually letting guests run the engine and see the inner workings, does the fuel source really matter?

I'm not really in favor of the change. I have 3 train enthusiasts in my immediate family. They will be less impressed. But they also go to train museums and railroad excursions to get their fix of the real thing. They go to WDW for the overall illusion and fantasy. If the illusion is maintained and the downgrade isn't perceived, is it really a downgrade?

TDO could spend brazillions of dollars on new attractions or parks, fix the yeti, can pandora land, cure cancer and HIV, save the endentured orcas down the road, convince the obese to walk instead of ride, ban strollers, flog bloggers, and tar and feather lifestylers, and people would find a lightbulb burned out and gripe about it.

 

[sshindel]

However you are aware of the annoyance some of us have when we call customer service for say AT&T? And we are talking to people in India? Especially if your DSL is AT&T that is who you are going to be talking to WHEN you get a live body in technical support to answer.... I know customer service/tech support probably has nothing to do with software development...
Not to say tech support in India is any less competent than the tech support WDW has been providing for the MM+ issues right here in the good ole USA of course.

I do. It all comes down to the quality of the experience in the end of the day. I've dealt with some REALLY bad offshore resources. I've had some REALLY good ones as well. One that I was on the phone with this morning is truly top notch.
I'm also willing to bet that we could find plenty of terrible customer service reps here right in the good old USA.

Like I said, I'm not really talking to the patriotic aspect, I do understand the downfalls of shipping our jobs across seas. My point is really that the final quality of the product always needs to rest on the shoulders of the company that has chosen to use the tool of outsourcing. End of the day, you can't blame the outsourced people, it's your job to ensure they are providing the quality product that you are paying them for.

 

[lebeau]

TDO could spend brazillions of dollars on new attractions or parks, fix the yeti, can pandora land, cure cancer and HIV, save the endentured orcas down the road, convince the obese to walk instead of ride, ban strollers, flog bloggers, and tar and feather lifestylers, and people would find a lightbulb burned out and gripe about it.

I'd be happy if they stopped jacking up prices or built an attraction that interested anyone in my family. I wouldn't dream of them doing both at the same time.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

TDO could spend brazillions of dollars on new attractions or parks, fix the yeti, can pandora land, cure cancer and HIV, save the endentured orcas down the road, convince the obese to walk instead of ride, ban strollers, flog bloggers, and tar and feather lifestylers, and people would find a lightbulb burned out and gripe about it.

Unfortunately well never know if you are right.

 

[jlsHouston]

If the loss of the detail is seamless is it really a loss? If the engine still looks like a steam engine, and smoke still puffs out from the top, and it still goes "choo choo", does it matter whether it is running on steam or if just retains the illusion that it is? Do we care that castle isn't really made of rock, or that second story of main street isn't tall enough, or that presidents in the HoP aren't actually the resurrected bodies of dead presidents? Its all an illusion in a theme park, so if the effect is the same and they aren't actually letting guests run the engine and see the inner workings, does the fuel source really matter?

I'm not really in favor of the change. I have 3 train enthusiasts in my immediate family. They will be less impressed. But they also go to train museums and railroad excursions to get their fix of the real thing. They go to WDW for the overall illusion and fantasy. If the illusion is maintained and the downgrade isn't perceived, is it really a downgrade?

Well good point..people like me would never know what is powering the train without being informed. Wouldn't know the trains power source was changing without forums and info being shared. Personally I think when details are altered that were part of the originality of an attraction it's kind of a sad thing and it's okay for people to express themselves about the loss. But you do have to watch it doesn't turn into pathological complaining around here I gather...

 

[marni1971]

TDO could spend brazillions of dollars on new attractions or parks, fix the yeti, can pandora land, cure cancer and HIV, save the endentured orcas down the road, convince the obese to walk instead of ride, ban strollers, flog bloggers, and tar and feather lifestylers, and people would find a lightbulb burned out and gripe about it.

Nah. Most sane people would be more inclined to accept it.

Not including the bits after the Yeti...

 

[Hakunamatata]

Nah. Most sane people would be more inclined to accept it.

Not including the bits after the Yeti...

Yes they would......

 

[alphac2005]

Pirates of the Caribbean would be just as good with static figures and two dimensional sets.

Static, nah, just make 'em cardboard cutouts like those standees that you can find in shops of famous people.

 

[lebeau]

Yes they would......

Good things come to those who are willing to settle for over-priced mediocrity. Well, actually, mediocre things come to those who are willing to settle for over-priced mediocrity. Mediocre things at high prices.

But people willing to pay high prices for mediocre things tend to be happier. Becuase they don't know any better. And ignorance is bliss. That's why pixie dusters are always so gosh durn happy!

 

[lebeau]

Static, nah, just make 'em cardboard cutouts like those standees that you can find in shops of famous people.

My kids got Furbys for Christmas. I'm no expert, but they seem more advanced than most of the animatronics at Disney World these days. Got em at Amazon for $40. Just sayin'.

 

[Gomer]

Well good point..people like me would never know what is powering the train without being informed. Wouldn't know the trains power source were changing without forums and info being shared. Personally I think when details are altered that were part of the originality of an attraction it's kind of a sad thing and it's okay for people to express themselves about the loss. But you do have to watch it doesn't turn into pathological complaining around here I gather...

I understand the right to be upset. Upon reading the reports I was initially very disturbed by the change. My gut reaction was to complain to my wife that they were ruining a classic. My post reflects my thoughts after some consideration though. Why do I enjoy the train? What are my expectations of the attraction and Disney World in general? In the end, does this change have any tangible effect on my enjoyment of the attraction?

I'm not trying to defend Disney here. I'm just trying to question what really constitutes a downgrade or a loss, and question whether the news of this change resulted in us noticing something that may have been completely seamless otherwise. If that is the case, is it worth the anger? Just a question...not a judgment.

 

[sshindel]

My kids got Furbys for Christmas. I'm no expert, but they seem more advanced than most of the animatronics at Disney World these days. Got em at Amazon for $40. Just sayin'.

True, but turn one on for 10-12 hours a day, set it to run 7 days a week. How many Furbys will we end up going through by the end of 1 year? I'm guessing those things would burn out pretty quickly. Also, you'd likely be insane listening to a Furby for 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

[lebeau]

True, but turn one on for 10-12 hours a day, set it to run 7 days a week. How many Furbys will we end up going through by the end of 1 year? I'm guessing those things would burn out pretty quickly. Also, you'd likely be insane listening to a Furby for 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

They seem to have been going 24-hours a day 7 days a week since 12/25. And yes, they have probably driven me insane.

 

[sshindel]

They seem to have been going 24-hours a day 7 days a week since 12/25. And yes, they have probably driven me insane.

 

[jme]

@Spirit - what are your thoughts on USJ looking to open a second gate, possibly in the same area as TDL?

 

[ford91exploder]

Right, but if use outsource that much the experts will end up hiring those same individuals.

The problem being outsourcers have a different goal than the companies doing the outsourcing, ie deliver just enough service to meet contractual requirements, Whereas a GOOD IT department is looking to add value to the bottom line.

I was Dir of Eng for a small outsourcer for 7 years and I know of what I speak.

 

[ford91exploder]

TDO could spend brazillions of dollars on new attractions or parks, fix the yeti, can pandora land, cure cancer and HIV, save the endentured orcas down the road, convince the obese to walk instead of ride, ban strollers, flog bloggers, and tar and feather lifestylers, and people would find a lightbulb burned out and gripe about it.

But in that case the majority of us would laugh at the post, Problem is we have thousands of dead bulbs and other maintenance issues contributing to bad show these days.

 

[ford91exploder]

I understand the right to be upset. Upon reading the reports I was initially very disturbed by the change. My gut reaction was to complain to my wife that they were ruining a classic. My post reflects my thoughts after some consideration though. Why do I enjoy the train? What are my expectations of the attraction and Disney World in general? In the end, does this change have any tangible effect on my enjoyment of the attraction?

I'm not trying to defend Disney here. I'm just trying to question what really constitutes a downgrade or a loss, and question whether the news of this change resulted in us noticing something that may have been completely seamless otherwise. If that is the case, is it worth the anger? Just a question...not a judgment.

I assure you this change will not be seamless, Think of a aircompressor for a jackhammer for the sound of the power source and the stench of diesel exhaust for the smell.

 

[sshindel]

The problem being outsourcers have a different goal than the companies doing the outsourcing, ie deliver just enough service to meet contractual requirements, Whereas a GOOD IT department is looking to add value to the bottom line.

I was Dir of Eng for a small outsourcer for 7 years and I know of what I speak.

That is not always true, and that is up to the people who deal in vendor management to weed out. A good outsourcer always needs to be aware of it's reputation. One of our vendors started giving us crappy work, we stoped using their resources. They lose money, their competitor gains.
Sure, it's out there, and I know it too, I consulted as well for an unscrupulous vendor, but just like there are employees that are set to give you less than 100% and collect a paycheck, there are vendors that will do it as well.