WDW Virtual Visit?

[Main Street USA]

On the rides, indeed.

As for the background music, it's a good idea to go to the IRC and download your own, then you get to have your choice. I thought about including it, but not only would the site cost me ton of money to run, it's an annoyance to most when music is automatically played when visiting a site. I know it is to me on most occasions.

Working on Tomorrowland...........

 

[wowmo]

I know what you mean about websites where music just starts playing, when you are looking for information especially - it's annoying.

But indeed for visitors who want to experience WDWVirtualVisit at a more "heightened" level, maybe you can give users the option to click to launch an external radio directly from the website? I for one would like that - most people don't know how to download music or irc and it's just more complicated.

If you were worried about bandwidth costs, couldn't you use Shoutcast - which is free I believe. If you wanted to really get fancy, you could create a playlist for each area of the park - the hub, tommorowland, etc, using sound and music from that area.

That's great that you took pictures of the rides.

 

[Laura]

Just checked out the hub - very cool!

 

[DanStat]

Wow!

That's an awesome site! I like it. The layout is really...relaxing.

 

[Number_6]

I have a question. When you are done with everything for MK, are you considering updating the Hub area for the modifications made to the hub and the changes on the stage for Cinderellabration? I know that would make it alot more work, but I was just curious.

 

[joshwill]

awsome site, but i keep trying to bump into a wall or something and it wont let me :hammer:

 

[Main Street USA]

I have a question. When you are done with everything for MK, are you considering updating the Hub area for the modifications made to the hub and the changes on the stage for Cinderellabration? I know that would make it alot more work, but I was just curious.

I may be updating the areas as they change, but I'm really not sure yet. If I lived near Orlando, it'd be a piece of cake, but with only one yearly visit, it makes it real tough. What you've seen of the hub is actually, currently, going to be the worst area as far as photos of the rehabs done recently.

As for the music, it really is best to leave it to the "guest" as far as how they get the music. It's too difficult to try to please everyone in this department.

Heck, you'll still get the video...and trust me............you've never seen ride video like this...........it'll be worth the wait.

 

[wowmo]

I may be updating the areas as they change, but I'm really not sure yet. If I lived near Orlando, it'd be a piece of cake, but with only one yearly visit, it makes it real tough. What you've seen of the hub is actually, currently, going to be the worst area as far as photos of the rehabs done recently.

As for the music, it really is best to leave it to the "guest" as far as how they get the music. It's too difficult to try to please everyone in this department.

Heck, you'll still get the video...and trust me............you've never seen ride video like this...........it'll be worth the wait.

Can I ask, is this new video? I thought you were using the existing video on this web site for those who are members. I'd be great if there's new video - and if you host it - I believe there are some places where data transfer is about a dollar a gig - so maybe you can have an Amazon.com / paypal DONATE NOW button that people can give a buck - 5 bucks - whatever, to help cover there and other members' bandwidth costs. I certainly would do it - and given the number of disney fantatics there are who would appreciate the video and entire site, I think you would have a lot of donations and a lot of funds to help cover expenses.

As you look to update the site with more features that are expensive to implement, you can always have a "fund drive" so to speak. What you are doing is great for the disney community - and not being a member of wdwmagic and not looking to incur monthly costs I'd rather give the money directly to you...!

Keep up the amazing work...

 

[TheOneVader]

Can I ask, is this new video? I thought you were using the existing video on this web site for those who are members. I'd be great if there's new video - and if you host it - I believe there are some places where data transfer is about a dollar a gig - so maybe you can have an Amazon.com / paypal DONATE NOW button that people can give a buck - 5 bucks - whatever, to help cover there and other members' bandwidth costs. I certainly would do it - and given the number of disney fantatics there are who would appreciate the video and entire site, I think you would have a lot of donations and a lot of funds to help cover expenses.

As you look to update the site with more features that are expensive to implement, you can always have a "fund drive" so to speak. What you are doing is great for the disney community - and not being a member of wdwmagic and not looking to incur monthly costs I'd rather give the money directly to you...!

Keep up the amazing work...

My host charges only $.50 per GB, so it really wouldn't be that expensive. I think donations would cover it, that is, if you find people willing to donate.

 

[Kwit35]

Well, I think the site is awesome! I go often to look around. Since you live so far away, would you accept photos from other people? I mean what if some of the regulars were to go to to certain parts of the parks and do 360 degree shots for you? Would that speed up the process? Just wondering.
Again, awesome site!

 

[wowmo]

My host charges only $.50 per GB, so it really wouldn't be that expensive. I think donations would cover it, that is, if you find people willing to donate.

With the cost of a trip to disney being 1000+, I would bet 1000 people would easily give a dollar each. I don't think anyone who's truely using the site and viewing video wouldn't donate a dollar or a few to fly to disney on their home computer. For those of us who can't afford to go to disney right now this is a blessing. Hell, I know I personally would donate a few dollars more to give the gift of giving someone else a "Virtual trip to disney".

By the way - that might be a way to fundraise for money to the site - even on your ebay page - for like $3 dollars or whatever, people can give someone else - a family member, a friend an email that is sent announcing they have been giving the gift of a virtual gift to disney. I'm sure people would also do that for their kids - it can be an e-card...

I like the idea of the donation because it's kind of an honor system - those who can't afford to donate won't, those who can and want to will, and could cover the cost of video etc. You can even fundraise before you put the video on with a thermometor to reaching your goal...but I have no doubt people would easily do it, given disney fantatics.

 

[mikei22a]

wdwvirtualvisit.com

wdwvirtualvisit.com is absolutely awesome. you have done an acceptional job! thanks for sharing.

 

[Main Street USA]

Thanks again for the compliments, everyone.

As for the video, yes, it's very new, and I promise, you've never seen anything like it. It will most likely be hosted by wdwmagic.com, and require membership here to view.

As for donations, it's something I've considered, but have shyed away from so far. It is, however, a way to keep the site completely free, and at the same time allow people to help if they choose to do so. Right now, the t-shirts are the best way to donate.

I may implement the donation idea in the future, but right now the site is really cheap to run. The videos are the main concern when it comes to bandwidth, and I really don't have any idea what it will take to show them directly from WDWVV. Once I get the first one completed and up on the site, I'll know pretty quick. I really want to keep them at a pretty large physical size, and in a way it's a necessity based on the way they're shot.

As for photos from others to help out, I'd definitely consider that, but I'll tell you, it's tough to get exactly what I need without taking the pictures myself. Right now I'm covered for the entire MK, I may need a few replacement shots here and there, but as of now I don't have any idea.

I'm still considering Epcot for the future, but haven't yet decided if it's something I'll be willing to undertake. MK was HUGE undertaking, and Epcot is much larger than the MK.

Again, guys and gals, thanks for your feedback, ideas, and compliments on the site!

 

[wowmo]

Thanks again for the compliments, everyone.

As for the video, yes, it's very new, and I promise, you've never seen anything like it. It will most likely be hosted by wdwmagic.com, and require membership here to view.

As for donations, it's something I've considered, but have shyed away from so far. It is, however, a way to keep the site completely free, and at the same time allow people to help if they choose to do so. Right now, the t-shirts are the best way to donate.

I may implement the donation idea in the future, but right now the site is really cheap to run. The videos are the main concern when it comes to bandwidth, and I really don't have any idea what it will take to show them directly from WDWVV. Once I get the first one completed and up on the site, I'll know pretty quick. I really want to keep them at a pretty large physical size, and in a way it's a necessity based on the way they're shot.

As for photos from others to help out, I'd definitely consider that, but I'll tell you, it's tough to get exactly what I need without taking the pictures myself. Right now I'm covered for the entire MK, I may need a few replacement shots here and there, but as of now I don't have any idea.

I'm still considering Epcot for the future, but haven't yet decided if it's something I'll be willing to undertake. MK was HUGE undertaking, and Epcot is much larger than the MK.

Again, guys and gals, thanks for your feedback, ideas, and compliments on the site!

Wow, Epcot possibly too! That would be incredible. I'm sure a ton of people would donate to help you cover the cost of such a trip. Speaking of which - have you considered putting four digital camera pointing in every direction on a stick, and use a remote to take a picture with them all at the same time?

Maybe if you are going to update the different areas of the park (i.e. the castle) it makes sense to have a forum where you can communicate with volenteers to assess what your needs are and communicate. I'm sure there are people always going to the park - and by framing shots exactly like your existing ones - using them as a framework, different areas might be able to be more easily updated.

Speaking of - why not harness the power of the disney community? If people have snapshots of different areas, maybe there could be a camera icon on each page where people can view and upload shots of that specific place? i.e. "CLICK THE CAMERA TO GET A BETTER LOOK!" I only say that because sometimes i.e. the Magic Kingdom, you don't get the feel of the space as well as you might get in a snapshot where you can lookup, etc and the resolution and images could be larger. It could be like you are taking virtual snapshots on your virtual trip to disney, and make the experience even more immersive. When you click the camera, you get a better view of the area taking shots for your virtual photo album. Or maybe as someone suggested earlier, maybe you could have a 360 degree photo bumble at certain points that people could click on an icon to view. Volenteers could take these for you.

I'm sure the Disney community, if harnessed properly, could really make significant contributions to the WDWVV Space, as well as donations for all your efforts, costs for video space, and future trips and updates.

 

[FigmentJedi]

Regarding people who don't have a Premium account and not being able to access videos, I suggest looking for attraction videos around the net. That's how I'm handling it, though I still need some videos of rides from Frontierland and Fantasyland...

 

[HennieBogan1966]

So in order to view any of the videos, I'd have to be a Premium member here correct? Otherwise, I'll only be able to use the virtual visit stills?

 

[Main Street USA]

So in order to view any of the videos, I'd have to be a Premium member here correct? Otherwise, I'll only be able to use the virtual visit stills?

I don't know about the videos yet. If I end up having them here on WDWmagic, then yes, you'll need to fork over the 5 bucks to see them. If they're on my iste, they'll be free.

 

[HennieBogan1966]

So there aren't any available on your site at this time, correct? I've got it saved on my favorites and like what you've created. Just looking forward to the videos.

 

[wowmo]

Found your solution for video hosting...

http://www.ourmedia.org

Paid by the folks at Archive.org - it's free media hosting (video, audio) for life. Video files can be as big as you want them to be, there is no traffic limits, and you may link from other web site. They are doing this because they believe in their mission - there are no strings attached.

By the way, wdwmagic only allows 200mbs transfer a day for paying members, so if your videos will be big for VIRTUAL VISIT, it would really stop people from seeing more then 3 or so ride videos....they wouldnt be able to explore the park.

 

[Main Street USA]

http://www.ourmedia.org

Paid by the folks at Archive.org - it's free media hosting (video, audio) for life. Video files can be as big as you want them to be, there is no traffic limits, and you may link from other web site. They are doing this because they believe in their mission - there are no strings attached.

By the way, wdwmagic only allows 200mbs transfer a day for paying members, so if your videos will be big for VIRTUAL VISIT, it would really stop people from seeing more then 3 or so ride videos....they wouldnt be able to explore the park.

Thanks for the option. I'll be sure to look into that. I've been back and forth for about a month now trying to decide what to do with the vids. They'll be pretty large files, so...anyway, we'll all know on the 11th what I've decided I guess. The TTA will be open for business!