What's Still On and What's Now Off

[WondersOfLife]

I think you would be shocked how many people in the united states that don't have smart phones and it isn't because of money.

If Disney actually does this I will gladly come on here and say I was wrong, but I don't see this happening due to the logistics.

If the 1/4th of the amount of people in the U.S. between the ages of 16 and 70.. Maybe even 80, did not have a smart phone, I would be shocked. Disney only needs the other 3/4ths, heck, even half, regardless.

I agree with the second part of your post. I don't think Disney will be able to totally cut out the front desk check-in. But I believe they will try their best to eliminate it as much as possible, and I also believe that a good majority of the guests will know how to handle it that way, too. I'm not saying it's a fact, I'm saying it's my prediction.

 

[VaderTron]

You might want to actually read the posts your replying to... the poster said they called every hour.

I read it. That's why I said, "If they messed up badly, Disney would have compensated with some small freebie. You just have to take control of the situation rather than wait and hope."

The point being, if I called every hour and they said there was no room, and four hours later they said they had a room ready four hours earlier there would have been a request to speak with a supervisor and a complaint lodged. I know Disney messes up. The good thing about them is they usually do something nice when the right person finds out about it.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Even in those cases, you didn't have to go to the front desk. All you had to do was call. If they messed up badly, Disney would have compensated with some small freebie. You just have to take control of the situation rather than wait and hope. They have tens of thousands of daily check-ins. They won't know about your issue until you call.

You might want to actually read the posts your replying to... the poster said they called every hour.

The poster did say they called every hour. However, if they called the front desk, then they technically would have just told them the same thing if they were physically at the front desk in person. That would be a general system/communication error.

 

[ZoneOfTheEnder]

Even in those cases, you didn't have to go to the front desk. All you had to do was call. If they messed up badly, Disney would have compensated with some small freebie. You just have to take control of the situation rather than wait and hope. They have tens of thousands of daily check-ins. They won't know about your issue until you call.

True but after driving from Maine for 3 days it would of been nice if their AP and Text messaging worked.
It will be a challenge going forward if guests have to rely on Disney Tech and when that fails calling and getting a busy signal and calling and getting a busy signal . . . Just more stress.
Glad we are done with Disney

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I read it. That's why I said, "If they messed up badly, Disney would have compensated with some small freebie. You just have to take control of the situation rather than wait and hope."

The point being, if I called every hour and they said there was no room, and four hours later they said they had a room ready four hours earlier there would have been a request to speak with a supervisor and a complaint lodged. I know Disney messes up. The good thing about them is they usually do something nice when the right person finds out about it.

Ah ok. Sorry. I see what you meant now.

No matter what this is going to be very interesting to see.

 

[peter11435]

I've often found their rules on children to be confusing. Someone under 10 can't enter a park by themselves, but someone under 7 can't ride on anything alone without someone at least 14 riding with them. And they are a child from 3-9, but at age 10 Disney considers them an adult for ticketing and dining plan purposes.

Technically anyone under 14 can’t enter the parks by themselves and anyone under 7 can’t ride anything alone.

Supervision and age of responsibility are very different concepts from pricing strategy.

 

[ZoneOfTheEnder]

 

[scottieRoss]

since you all asked. Here are the demographics on Smartphone and any phone in the US

	Any cellphone	Smartphone	Cellphone, but not smartphone
Total	96%	81%	15%
Men	98%	84%	14%
Women	95%	79%	16%
Ages 18-29	99%	96%	4%
30-49	99%	92%	6%
50-64	95%	79%	17%
65+	91%	53%	39%
White	96%	82%	14%
Black	98%	80%	17%
Hispanic	96%	79%	17%
Less than high school graduate	92%	66%	25%
High school graduate	96%	72%	24%
Some college	96%	85%	11%
College graduate	98%	91%	7%
Less than $30,000	95%	71%	23%
$30,000-$49,999	96%	78%	18%
$50,000-$74,999	98%	90%	8%
$75,000+	100%	95%	5%
Urban	97%	83%	13%
Suburban	96%	83%	13%
Rural	95%	71%	24%

source:https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile/

 

[lewisc]

An increasing number of services require an app capable device; ride-share for example. Other services work best with an app capable device but might also work with a computer such as ordering from Amazon.
Almost all people visiting WDW, at least one person in their group, own a smartphone.
Doesn't change the fact that Disney needs an available alternative. CMs with iPads. Self-service kiosks. At least one location in every resort and at least one location in the parks. One in each park isn't enough.
Why?

1. Has anyone ever left their smartphone in their room?
2. Has anyone ever dropped their device, leaving unusable.
3. Has anyone found the waterproof lanyard case isn't really? or A water proof phone isn't really.
4. Battery doesn't last as long as needed?
5. WDW WiFi isn't as bad as it used to be but...
6. International guests...US data is $$$. There are $$$ for receiving calls and texts (roaming charges). I don't think Disney wants to send texts or call international cell numbers. Some countries the person calling (or texting) pays a fee not included in any international plans. They theory is the person calling is benefiting by being able to reach the person and should pay some of the costs.

Disney is guest friendly. Disney needs an alternative to guests who don't have devices available. Does anyone remember the guest experience CMs stationed in DHS. Something like that would work. Social Distancing might suggest kiosks or fixed locations with CM separated by plastic guards

 

[marni1971]

Almost all people visiting WDW, at least one person in their group, own a smartphone.

That’s a bit of a sweeping generalisation.

 

[ZoneOfTheEnder]

That’s a bit of a sweeping generalisation.

Don’t worry folks . . . Disney will sell you one of four model smartphones that you choose which ones to add to your vacation reservation (new charge and/or way to increase pricing) adds more $ for Disney. Plus all traceable with a self destruct if you share an honest opinion (slight shocks when you think the wrong way).
Hidden benefit Disney Tech isn’t always reliable so more time troubleshooting tech vs enjoying your vacation (can reduce time in the parks).
Super hidden feature . . . Proximity warning if you get to close to other guests escalating to being escorted away.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

My parents have a smartphone, but have no idea how to use My Disney Experience, let alone Boarding Groups or mobile ordering.
And we are Canadian with no data plan in the US.

 

[ZoneOfTheEnder]

My parents have a smartphone, but have no idea how to use My Disney Experience, let alone Boarding Groups or mobile ordering.
And we are Canadian with no data plan in the US.

For the past 4 years the My Disney Experience AP is only useful when you have a strong and connect WiFI signal. We found that it was unable to connect and trying to make dining reservations was very spotty.
If we get Disney Meals Ready to Eat (D-MREs) dispensing stations that could solve that issue?

 

[VaderTron]

Wow, that’s kind of rude. My husband and I have smart phones (we’re young 30-somethings, so of course we do), but we often toy with the idea of ditching them for the dumb phones just to help us limit our screen dependence, save some money, and set a better example for our children on appropriate screen time. So because we might choose to better our lives (in our opinion, at least - we don’t assume it’s better for everyone), we’re not allowed to go to Disney? Just because people CHOOSE a different lifestyle from the mainstream doesn’t mean they should be punished for not keeping up with it, especially for such an arbitrary reason. Oh you don’t spend hundreds of dollars a month on a smart phone plan and data? Well, now you can never take your kids to Disney, sucks to be you.

Please note, this is not directed solely at you. There have been several comments that are sparking this....

What is with everyone and having low-to-no troubleshooting skills? When did people start operating on such a binary thinking process? So you want to reduce your screen time. Fantastic idea. Why don't you show your children how self-control works and reduce the time spent on it? To totally get rid of something is usually a last resort and means that someone has an addiction (completely emptying your life of access to alcohol if suffering from alcoholism is an example). But that is an extreme measure taken for an extreme problem. If you don't see the need for everyone having a smartphone, why not just keep one in the family? Others can use it for games/internet/texting/etc. It can be a 'family phone' sort of like the old landlines in homes were not considered personal but shared in the household. You decide you completely want to do without a phone? Ok. Your smartphone's apps and internet and many other features will still work on Wifi even if you have the phone service disconnected. You can still use it in the parks for that sole purpose if you see no value in having a smartphone for any other reason.

The point is, there are solutions. We just can't come to a complete standstill whenever a roadblock stands in our way. If Walt allowed the first hurdle he encountered to impede his progress we would be in a "Disney"-less world.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I'm sure WDW will (continue to) push people to using their smartphone more and more. But they obviously can't make that mandatory, especially when their own infrastructure sometimes has issues.

And so, I would guess, they would have Guest Relation CMs about with a touchpad as they stand behind plexiglass. Sort of what DHS was doing with the rope-drop BG roundup. Only with a lot more plexiglass.

 

[UNCgolf]

as they stand behind pexiglass.

I read this typo as "pixieglass" and briefly wondered if Disney was creating some new special glass they could then sell to everyone as part of Disney magic.

 

[Lilofan]

I'm sure WDW will (continue to) push people to using their smartphone more and more. But they obviously can't make that mandatory, especially when their own infrastructure sometimes has issues.

And so, I would guess, they would have Guest Relation CMs about with a touchpad as they stand behind plexiglass. Sort of what DHS was doing with the rope-drop BG roundup. Only with a lot more plexiglass.

Who is ever in the plexiglass business will find new found riches since all establishments I have seen has them all over the place.

 

[George]

since you all asked. Here are the demographics on Smartphone and any phone in the US

	Any cellphone	Smartphone	Cellphone, but not smartphone
Total	96%	81%	15%
Men	98%	84%	14%
Women	95%	79%	16%
Ages 18-29	99%	96%	4%
30-49	99%	92%	6%
50-64	95%	79%	17%
65+	91%	53%	39%
White	96%	82%	14%
Black	98%	80%	17%
Hispanic	96%	79%	17%
Less than high school graduate	92%	66%	25%
High school graduate	96%	72%	24%
Some college	96%	85%	11%
College graduate	98%	91%	7%
Less than $30,000	95%	71%	23%
$30,000-$49,999	96%	78%	18%
$50,000-$74,999	98%	90%	8%
$75,000+	100%	95%	5%
Urban	97%	83%	13%
Suburban	96%	83%	13%
Rural	95%	71%	24%

source:https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile/

I walk around with a rotary dial phone. Kind of a home made mobile phone if you will. However, I haven't gotten one phone call since I unplugged it in 2003 and I'm starting to wonder if the darn thing works.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Who is ever in the plexiglass business will find new found riches since ever establishment I have seen has them all over the place.

Indeed, many grocery store are installing them to protect their cashiers.

 

[ZoneOfTheEnder]

I'm sure WDW will (continue to) push people to using their smartphone more and more. But they obviously can't make that mandatory, especially when their own infrastructure sometimes has issues.

And so, I would guess, they would have Guest Relation CMs about with a touchpad as they stand behind plexiglass. Sort of what DHS was doing with the rope-drop BG roundup. Only with a lot more plexiglass.

There is another solution.
A tablet that is WiFI capable or a tablet that is cellular able. The tablet should probably support Bluetooth as well. The cellular option for a tablet is much cheaper than a smartphone and they support APs like MyDisneyExperience.