My last WDW survey (I am a panel member) asked if I would like WDW webcams. Duh, didn't WDW have webcams (MK and Epcot)not too long ago that were displayed on this site? Anyone know why WDW pulled the plug?
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What happened to WDW webcams?
- Thread starter ILOVEDISNEY
- Start date
tigsmom
Well-Known Member
Various reasons were given...routine maintenance, security, etc. We may never know. We always loved to watch the activity and seeing what the weather was like.
I think there have been threads on this before. A quick search should turn them up. Maybe you could find an answer there. :wave:
I think there have been threads on this before. A quick search should turn them up. Maybe you could find an answer there. :wave:
no2apprentice
Well-Known Member
The two main reasons I've seen more than others...
1. Disney was worried about other concerns (Universal, etc.) using the webcams to gauge attendance, or do other spying.
2. No ROI. No hard data showing webcams contributed anything to the bottom line. Nice PR, but not enough to justify cost.
While the above may or may not be the reasons, they are the more consistent (and to me, plausible) reasons that I have seen posted.
Just like how many licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop, "the world may never know."
1. Disney was worried about other concerns (Universal, etc.) using the webcams to gauge attendance, or do other spying.
2. No ROI. No hard data showing webcams contributed anything to the bottom line. Nice PR, but not enough to justify cost.
While the above may or may not be the reasons, they are the more consistent (and to me, plausible) reasons that I have seen posted.
Just like how many licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop, "the world may never know."
civileng68
Account Suspended
fact
I know for a fact (yes, you can debate all you want, but I know people who know people and I know for 100% fact) that the reason is your #1. It was because of Universal. WDW will make many public reasons, because they would never admit to that reason.
The attendances were beginning to drop and Universal began pretty personal campaigns towards Disney World, such as "Tired of fairy tales and pixie dust? Come to Universal Studios". When this began happening, things became too personal and WDW did not want Universal being able to watch the cams to see Disney's attendances. Sounds stupid but the two are serious competitors and see each other as such.
Originally posted by no2apprentice
The two main reasons I've seen more than others...
1. Disney was worried about other concerns (Universal, etc.) using the webcams to gauge attendance, or do other spying.
2. No ROI. No hard data showing webcams contributed anything to the bottom line. Nice PR, but not enough to justify cost.
While the above may or may not be the reasons, they are the more consistent (and to me, plausible) reasons that I have seen posted.
Just like how many licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop, "the world may never know."
I know for a fact (yes, you can debate all you want, but I know people who know people and I know for 100% fact) that the reason is your #1. It was because of Universal. WDW will make many public reasons, because they would never admit to that reason.
The attendances were beginning to drop and Universal began pretty personal campaigns towards Disney World, such as "Tired of fairy tales and pixie dust? Come to Universal Studios". When this began happening, things became too personal and WDW did not want Universal being able to watch the cams to see Disney's attendances. Sounds stupid but the two are serious competitors and see each other as such.
civileng68
Account Suspended
Re: fact
Also, on the sites for the cams the message is saying something like they are working on getting them up. Well they are, but not the technical sides. The cameras are there, the wiring is there, however, they are currently trying to figure out a way to let you in and keep "them" out. "Them" being whomever they don't wish seeing the cams. Birdie says there may be some sort of password system and registration. They are trying to make it foolproof without being an annoying system.
Also, on the sites for the cams the message is saying something like they are working on getting them up. Well they are, but not the technical sides. The cameras are there, the wiring is there, however, they are currently trying to figure out a way to let you in and keep "them" out. "Them" being whomever they don't wish seeing the cams. Birdie says there may be some sort of password system and registration. They are trying to make it foolproof without being an annoying system.
civileng68
Account Suspended
Re: Re: Re: fact
I totally agree with you. I dont think they'll ever find a way to do this unless they just stop worrying about Universal (which won't happen, and rightfully so, it's a competitor)
I think they are hoping more than anything that everyone just forgets about it, which is why they keep saying they are working on it. They're hoping it just dies. It won't though.
I totally agree with you. I dont think they'll ever find a way to do this unless they just stop worrying about Universal (which won't happen, and rightfully so, it's a competitor)
I think they are hoping more than anything that everyone just forgets about it, which is why they keep saying they are working on it. They're hoping it just dies. It won't though.
MCO Dreamin
Member
Since1976
Well-Known Member
It's too bad that they took the cams down. If they were worried about attendance being gauged from the cams, why not just point them some place where people could not be seen? Like at the spires of the castle, or a skyline shot of the parks?
Simple!
For now, all we have is this:
http://www.instacam.com/showcam.asp?id=LKBNV&size=S
Simple!
For now, all we have is this:
http://www.instacam.com/showcam.asp?id=LKBNV&size=S
civileng68
Account Suspended
agreed
I agree completely.
I'm sure they also put security issues into it as well with the attendances. HOwever, the main purpose was attendance.
I agree though, it would be nice to maybe put one watching the drop at Splash Mountain or something.
I figure the reason one isnt at the spires to the castle is because it's a stationary picture and it would be a waste of time to put a cam on something that doesnt change at all. I would like anything but that's probably what they're thinking.
I wish they'd put a nice streaming cam facing the castle (above the crowd so that the attendance isnt an issue) and with audio (they have them all over the site about my city) so we could watch Wishes at night. That will never happen though.
I agree completely.
I'm sure they also put security issues into it as well with the attendances. HOwever, the main purpose was attendance.
I agree though, it would be nice to maybe put one watching the drop at Splash Mountain or something.
I figure the reason one isnt at the spires to the castle is because it's a stationary picture and it would be a waste of time to put a cam on something that doesnt change at all. I would like anything but that's probably what they're thinking.
I wish they'd put a nice streaming cam facing the castle (above the crowd so that the attendance isnt an issue) and with audio (they have them all over the site about my city) so we could watch Wishes at night. That will never happen though.
:goodnevil Been waiting for "years" now for them to return!! Really do not know how they could figure out attendance by looking at Spaceship Earth??Maybe the MK one on mainstreet? IF you watched ALL day?? Crossroads at MGM? Hummmm?? Not where the people are!
MISS them! We used to be able to feel better seeing a little bit of home when we got homesick!!
:goodnevil
The WDW Webcams were badly implemented from day 1. The postioning and image quality seemed to show that they were never serious about the project in the first place.
On the attendance front, as has been mentioned here, surely the answer is to install webcams on attrractions or in locations that do not show masses of people.
Besides, I am sure Universal has the resources to put some human intelligence in the WDW parks to gain attendence information, they dont need to be monitoring a postage stamp webcam image LOL.
On the attendance front, as has been mentioned here, surely the answer is to install webcams on attrractions or in locations that do not show masses of people.
Besides, I am sure Universal has the resources to put some human intelligence in the WDW parks to gain attendence information, they dont need to be monitoring a postage stamp webcam image LOL.
civileng68
Account Suspended
good point
Good point Steve. They as you said were probably never serious to begin with. They were crappy cams. Boy, I'd love to see them back, directed at Wishes!
Good point Steve. They as you said were probably never serious to begin with. They were crappy cams. Boy, I'd love to see them back, directed at Wishes!
Since1976
Well-Known Member
I guess that another reason they took down the cams is that they want to encourage people to actually come to the parks, not sit at their desks at the office and watch streaming video. Why pay for something you can get online for free?
Yeah, I know it's silly that a pixelated video could even be compared to the actual experience of walking around the parks, but with attendance being as choppy as it has been, Disney was just trying to cover all the bases.
Yeah, I know it's silly that a pixelated video could even be compared to the actual experience of walking around the parks, but with attendance being as choppy as it has been, Disney was just trying to cover all the bases.
I have taken the WDW site survey, the survey I mentioned when I started this thread was sent to me by Disney a few months ago by e-mail (the message said I would receive further surveys due to my past and current interest in Disney--former Magic Kingdom Club, former Disney Club, go.com, Disney Monogram Bank Credit card, Disney Visa-From Day 1). I participated in the resort "diary" for the 6 days we were at Movies in September 2003. I got a small Disney trinket (antenna topper, pens, keychains, character figure) each day and then a $25 Disney gift certificate in the mail about 6 weeks later. It was really fun doing the diary, expect my wife was not too pleased at the amount of money we spent.
The diary asked about all activities during our stay in Florida even attending those other theme parks. Bottom line I think they were trying to figure out how much each guest spent on Disney property.
The diary asked about all activities during our stay in Florida even attending those other theme parks. Bottom line I think they were trying to figure out how much each guest spent on Disney property.
agdbeanie
New Member
I think that the webcams are down b/c Disney doesn't feel like maintaining them.
The security/attendance reasons given are silly. I'm sure Universal and Disney both have hired intelligence to moniter the competition and if you really want to see what the competition's doing, you're not going to get that on a webcam. They have more money and resources than that. Why pay someone to sit and look at a stationary camera when for a little more (the cost of a ticket) you can send them to moniter the competition in person and see all aspects of the park. Let's be realistic here.
The security/attendance reasons given are silly. I'm sure Universal and Disney both have hired intelligence to moniter the competition and if you really want to see what the competition's doing, you're not going to get that on a webcam. They have more money and resources than that. Why pay someone to sit and look at a stationary camera when for a little more (the cost of a ticket) you can send them to moniter the competition in person and see all aspects of the park. Let's be realistic here.