Verizon's "Mobile Magic" Launching in November

[Exprcoofto]

EDIT: Here is some more information from the Disney Parks Blog. It also notes about the new Mobile Disney Parks website coming soon.

Earlier this year, we announced our first official Disney Parks mobile application – Mobile Magic. Now, we’re sharing details and screen shots.

You’ll recall that Mobile Magic is bringing attraction wait times, FASTPASS return times, extensive information on character locations and more for Walt Disney World and Disneyland theme parks to your Verizon Wireless phone. Development work has been ongoing but the team recently offered a walkthrough of the app and it’s looking great.

Attraction wait times on your Verizon Wireless device will be unique. There’s been an investment in the backend infrastructure to support Mobile Magic and offer actual wait times based directly on Disney Parks information.
As for FASTPASS, you’ll be able to check if it’s still available for specific attractions. And if FASTPASS is available, the app will deliver information about the next return time. So, if you can still get a FASTPASS, the application will show, for example: FP: 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Also, mobile maps are GPS-enabled. While wandering the parks, your location will be indicated by a white circle. Then it’s simple to scroll through content and find it on the map via a “getting there” option. The map zooms out and allows you to see your location and exactly where the character greeting or restaurant can be located.

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It’s important to note that actual wait times, FASTPASS return times and detailed character appearances are only available in the park you are in. When you’re out of the park or on the soon-to-be-launched mobile Web site, you’ll see scaled-down wait time descriptions (now – moderate – high demand) FASTPASS availability (yes – limited availability – not available) and the list of character appearances will be limited.

If you are not a Verizon Wireless subscriber, you can still use your mobile phone to access select information via text and on the Disney Parks Mobile Web site. It’s just better from our friends at Verizon Wireless.

There’s more to this offering but we wanted to share these screen grabs and let you know that the app is coming soon. So, how’s it looking?

Of course, there are some official details you should know about: The downloadable Mobile Magic application for Verizon Wireless subscribers is available for purchase. Message and data rates also may apply. Coverage not available everywhere. Availability subject to handset limitations. If you’re under 18, get your parent’s permission first.

Saw this on another website, claiming it is from the Cast Member Portal site, but they weren't 100% on it.

Disney Parks-Verizon Mobile Magic coming in November
10/23/2009

Wireless subscribers that puts a personal tour guide right in the
palms of their hands.

Disney Parks-Verizon Mobile Magic utilizes GPS technology to provide
valuable information to Guests such as attraction wait times,
character locations and theme park maps.

The mobile application is available for download and purchase
beginning in November for $9.99 per six months of service. To purchase
the application, Guests can text MAGIC to 2777 from their Verizon
phone.

Mobile Web sites, m.disneyland.com or m.disneyworld.com, also will
allow Guests with a browsing-enabled phone to access limited Disney
park information such as park hours, entertainment schedules and
dining information.

If Guests experience functionality issues with their phone or the
application, they should use the “Click-to-Call” function on their
mobile phone or call Verizon Customer Care by dialing 661 from any
Verizon phone or 1-800-922-0204 from any other phone.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Not too keen on the price set up. I'd rather have a one time fee (or no fee at all). 6 months is relatively random as most people don't go multiple times in a 6 month period.

 

[EpcoTim]

Yes, let's encourage more mindless people to stare down at their cell phones as the walk aimlessly into people.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

I think it might be cool to check out, even if most of the information is stuff I committed to memory long ago.

For $10, I would give it a shot on my upcoming March trip.

Just think, cheaper than parking and it lasts six months!

 

[VT GAL]

Yes, let's encourage more mindless people to stare down at their cell phones as the walk aimlessly into people.

You sir are 2 for 2 and completely correct!!!!!

It is CRAZY!!!!

 

[danv3]

So far, neither m.disneyworld.com or m.waltdisneyworld.com seem to work.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Ummm... yeah... no. I have Verizon and I can definitely say I will not be using this. What's with the long term sign up? Why not make it available as a one time thing and charge $2 a day or something (or, as RSox said, make it free)? As for the sites, I think most people will contact guest relations rather than checking a website for dining or park info.

All in all, I really don't see practical applications for this. :shrug:

 

[Rob562]

This what everyone keeps asking about. Live wait times, interactive maps, dining info, all in the palm of your hand. They announced it a year ago, and it's pretty much exactly as they said (though pricing info wasn't available back then). An application for Verizon customers, with some-but-not-all info available to web-enabled phones on other carriers.

Live wait times with data straight from Disney would be the main benefit for me.

-Rob

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Yeah...Disneyland Paris does this for free...:shrug:

 

[TubaGeek]

I like the idea, but I won't be using it, methinks.

 

[xtimMOOthyx]

I'm kind of bummed by the price, considering this is the first time they have done something official like this for the Parks. Maybe make it free for the first year and then add a one-time fee of 9.99. Clearly they aren't marketing this to the families that visit the parks once every 2 or 3 years...

 

[Phonedave]

I'm kind of bummed by the price, considering this is the first time they have done something official like this for the Parks. Maybe make it free for the first year and then add a one-time fee of 9.99. Clearly they aren't marketing this to the families that visit the parks once every 2 or 3 years...

I don't understand why it would not be for somone that goes once every 3 years.

So you drop $10 and activate it when you go. You are spending thousands to go to WDW, so you spend $10 more for this feature. If it's that big a deal, pass on a turkey leg and soda and you are ahead of the game.

Now, the question is, where will the Verizon corporate lounge be located.

-dave

 

[Phonedave]

Not too keen on the price set up. I'd rather have a one time fee (or no fee at all). 6 months is relatively random as most people don't go multiple times in a 6 month period.

I would hazard a guess that 6 months for $10 is a well researched price point.

6 months is going to cover most people who are seasonal Florida residents.

6 months is also two "easy" payments of $10 per year for a resident. $10 is really a non-issue for most people. People drop that on coffee.

-dave

 

[Figment1986]

Yeah...Disneyland Paris does this for free...:shrug:

Universal Orlando has wait-times for cell phones for free as well :shrug:

 

[DisneyWall-E]

I kind of like the idea but it won't make me switch to Verizon any time soon. I'll stick to my web-enabled phone for now.

 

[DMC-12]

Swing and a miss...

The mobile application is available for download and purchase
beginning in November for $9.99 per six months of service. To purchase
the application, Guests can text MAGIC to 2777 from their Verizon
phone.

People dont want subscription based apps :dazzle::dazzle: :brick:

I 'might' pay the one time fee of $9.99 for the app itself.. (if I were on Verizon)... but yeah.. no, I'll pass. :shrug:

 

[RSoxNo1]

Despite my apprehension about the subscription fee, I'll be downloading this for my upcoming trip.

I'm optimistic that the program is worthwhile, but I'm guessing it won't have everything I'd be looking for:

1. Up to the minute wait times
2. Up to the minute fastpass distribution times
3. Upcoming show times
4. GPS location, and walking distance to specific attractions
5. Location of the nearest bathroom

 

[Zummi Gummi]

If the app can give live wait times and live fastpass distribution times, I would pay for it. That alone would save a lot of time. Although, I'm a bit confused. Are they saying the WDW mobile site will offer this same information? If it does, then there's no reason to get the app, since I can just access the mobile site on my blackberry.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Also...why is this only on Version? Why not other networks? Seems kinda silly.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

If the app can give live wait times and live fastpass distribution times, I would pay for it. That alone would save a lot of time. Although, I'm a bit confused. Are they saying the WDW mobile site will offer this same information? If it does, then there's no reason to get the app, since I can just access the mobile site on my blackberry.

From what I'm reading, the mobile site will only have limited park information such as park hours, attraction and show info, dining information, etc. Live Stand-By/FastPass times, park maps and character greeting locations appear to only be accessible through the app.