NextGen's Effect on DVC

[nadira36]

Oh the planning involved with DVC vs paying OoP isn't really going to change. In fact DVC takes away so many choices that the planning time for the next 4 vacations took me all of an hour vs the weeks to month to choose 1 resort for ONE vacation. lol Plus instead of wondering each year if we're going at all, now we know. :good vibes

In the past we've never had park hoppers b/c it wasn't worth it to us, so I'd plan which park for which day based on where we wanted to eat - but once in the parks we only ever get a FP once or twice. The experience is so much more important to us than rides.

Of course my OLDest is only 5 right now and was only tall enough for the 40in rides last trip so I'm sure things will change, but even as a kid going to WDW my sister and I would happily wait in the 2 hour space mountain line three or four times a day. Just because that was the ride we liked best. We also waited in the sky tram line just to cross the world because it was there. It was never strategic planning, we may not have ridden the rides to their maximum potential, but we had fun. I want that for my girls. When they see Dumbo and want to ride, we say yes - even if the line is an hour and in the sun (happy that'll change). PLanning FPs even a day in advance will take away the opportunity for my little girls to make those choices to stop and watch the ducks crossing the road, to stop and eat a MIckey bar NOW because they saw one. INstead we'll have to check our watch (I don't even OWN a watch). I'll have to buy a watch just to go to WDW!!


I'm sure the bigwigs are aware of the opinions and will make it so my worst nightmare doesn't come to pass, but I have to say I don't like the sounds of this at all.

 

[dd08]

nadira - If you just bought 2 days ago, I believe you have 10 days to cancel the contract.

 

[nadira36]

Thanks for letting me know. I'll talk to DH about it. Though he says I always over react, so I'm sure he'll want to go ahead now that we've finally decided to purchase.

After all Since I was 5 years old there are only 6 years that I haven't been to the world. And each time one of those years comes up I end up depressed So this year, since we can't go, we decided we'd purchase. Of course, if we did cancel our contract, then we could afford to go this year after all...But then that would mean the 3, yep three, trips we plan next year would become one.

Oh I am so torn now. But this isn't Eisner so the point now is to make guests happy and increase spending. Return DIsney to it's once glorious status. Iger won't mess things up now. Will he? In the past 5 years I've noticed the deals and specials becoming fewer and smaller. And prices going up. And since we travel in Sept predominantly maybe we won't notice that big of a difference?

 

[DeeCee735]

As part of the NextGen implementation, and in conjunction with the Magic of Disney, guests will no longer need to use the restrooms for the duration of their trip.

 

[dd08]

As part of the NextGen implementation, and in conjunction with the Magic of Disney, guests will no longer need to use the restrooms for the duration of their trip.

No way this is true.

More likely you will have to pay each time you want to use the restroom. This way you still have access to the facilities (The Mouse does like his parks clean after-all), but this will ensure you only use them when you REALLY need to go. No more unnecessary trips to the restrooms.

 

[Missyrose]

Thanks for letting me know. I'll talk to DH about it. Though he says I always over react, so I'm sure he'll want to go ahead now that we've finally decided to purchase.

After all Since I was 5 years old there are only 6 years that I haven't been to the world. And each time one of those years comes up I end up depressed So this year, since we can't go, we decided we'd purchase. Of course, if we did cancel our contract, then we could afford to go this year after all...But then that would mean the 3, yep three, trips we plan next year would become one.

Oh I am so torn now. But this isn't Eisner so the point now is to make guests happy and increase spending. Return DIsney to it's once glorious status. Iger won't mess things up now. Will he? In the past 5 years I've noticed the deals and specials becoming fewer and smaller. And prices going up. And since we travel in Sept predominantly maybe we won't notice that big of a difference?

I don't think you should base your decision about a very large DVC purchase on a possible program that hasn't been announced and any "details" that people have thrown around message boards are just pure speculation.

Either you want DVC for what it is, or you don't (plain and simple).

 

[keishashadow]

As part of the NextGen implementation, and in conjunction with the Magic of Disney, guests will no longer need to use the restrooms for the duration of their trip.

perfect guests of the future

Ok, silliness aside, I think it will be their intention to extend this to DVC members. However, I won't hold my breath that the interfaces will work correctly with our reservation numbers. (Anyone tried to book an ADR online at the 180+10 point using a DVC reservation number recently?)

as well as many who booked thru CRO too issue still not fixed

Not only rides, but the idea seems to be to add FP to parades and firework viewing areas, too. The NexGen bracelets are reported to replace the KTTW cards, too, thus act as room keys, tickets, soft drink dispensers (refillable mugs), and other things.

As such, we will get them, at least for the room access part. Also, APs could possibly be stored on them, so you wouldn't want to loose them. These are the more immediate uses for the DVC community.

I get my dogs implanted with a tracking chip jik they go missing, as long as Disney doesn't decide to include this in the program i'm good with it.

Disney patented versions of the advance FP over the years, mostly tied into level of resort stay. jmho but I expect to see it included in final version down the road and hope they remember the loyal DVCers

 

[bnk1120]

As part of the NextGen implementation, and in conjunction with the Magic of Disney, guests will no longer need to use the restrooms for the duration of their trip.

Very funny!

 

[gmi3804]

Based on the educated rumors going around about what NextGen will offer, so far it seems to be a combination of the RFID tags which will replace KTTW cards, coupled with advance online planning of park itineraries and FP opportunities for those who wish to partake of those planning features.

I doubt Disney's motives behind NextGen are as nefarious as you're implying. Why on earth would Disney want to "track" you, other than to add your vacation habits to a huge number of other data collected from the countless other guests in order to help determine staffing, hours, etc., which will ultimately make for more pleasant vacation experiences for their guests? Can't they essentially already "track" you now as you use your KTTW card to access your room and enter parks?

 

[tjkraz]

Even without RFID, they could already track your movements if they were so inclined. If you put park tickets and credit card on your Key to the World card, they can track you all over property. They know when you enter your hotel room. They know when you enter a park. They know when you get Fastpasses. They know when and where you eat lunch. They know what souvenirs you purchase.

Even without that KTTW integration there are other paths. If a credit card is used to make the reservation or simply attached to the room charge account, it could be linked back to all purchases. All scheduled meals can be tracked via ADRs. Passholder information could go back years.

Not saying Disney does any of this...just that the means already exist even without RFID.

As for RFID, potential applications are endless. Could be something as simple as opening the hotel room door (which they are already doing on DCL) or paying for a churro. RFID could replace PhotoPass, including on-ride photos taken at multiple points during attractions and seamlessly linked to the rider's account.

The RFID can store basic information regarding the guest such as a first name and some of the guest's park touring history. We've seen some demos of the NextGen talking Mickey Mouse character which can address guests by name and even carry out a conversation. Imagine Mickey Mouse walking up to a small child and actually saying "Hi, Billy! I hear you rode Test Track yesterday. Was it fun?"

Attraction-specific applications are also limitless. There has been talk of Small World receiving an upgrade where guests can design their own electronic "dolls" and see them singing and dancing on a display--along with the "dolls" created by other guests in the same boat--during the ride finale. If you think about attractions with some current email or card data storage system (on board videos from Spaceship Earth, coasters from Sum of All Thrills, etc)--those could be linked to the RFID chip without any other guest interaction.

If Disney is able to maximize the potential of this technology, it will give them a product unlike anything else in the industry.

 

[jennypenny]

I guess I don't really mind the idea of NextGen (except for wearing that stupid bracelet--should look nice at V & A's). What scares me is Disney's track record with IT. On our last trip to BCV, we ended up with SIX sets of rooms keys and triple the dining credits we were supposed to get. Even on our DCL Alaska cruise last June the keys to my kids' room were deactivated every night of the cruise. Each morning we had to go to guest services and get new keys for that cabin.

I hope they improve their IT dept in conjunction with the upgrade.

 

[NeedMorePoints]

JennyPenny, I agree. WDW needs to pay more attention to its IT problems. I have had similar problems with keys, system wide crashes and wireless connections. Concentrating on these problems first would help my vacation experience.

 

[Anal Annie]

Not only rides, but the idea seems to be to add FP to parades and firework viewing areas, too. The NexGen bracelets are reported to replace the KTTW cards, too, thus act as room keys, tickets, soft drink dispensers (refillable mugs), and other things.

As such, we will get them, at least for the room access part. Also, APs could possibly be stored on them, so you wouldn't want to loose them. These are the more immediate uses for the DVC community.

Personally, I don't want to WEAR anything, especially a bracelet of any sort.

 

[gmi3804]

IT is certainly one issue, but I think the bigger issue is that the CMs we deal with in the front line are ill equipped or unable to deal with many issues that come up that aren't according to plan. The vast majority of them are exceedingly pleasant and seem to genuinely care, but throw a minor wrench into the mix and they seem to short-circuit. Just my experience.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Did anyone else see the photos posted a while ago? If this is what it's going to look like I might enjoy preplanning...after all I am still a park commando! someday I'll be a relaxed DVCer I hope!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=44108058&postcount=63

If you look closely at the bottom photo it describes the new photopass+ so I'm assuming what's shown in the photos is the coming reality

 

[Sammie]

Personally, I don't want to WEAR anything, especially a bracelet of any sort.

my understanding is the bracelet would be optional at additional cost. Everyone else would simply use their resort ID card.

 

[Anal Annie]

my understanding is the bracelet would be optional at additional cost. Everyone else would simply use their resort ID card.

Long as the bracelet is optional but we can still have the same perks with our resort ID's... I just realllllly don't want to have to wear this freaking big ugly bracelet NOR do I want to be jipped on any perks if I don't want to wear one.

 

[Sammie]

Long as the bracelet is optional but we can still have the same perks with our resort ID's... I just realllllly don't want to have to wear this freaking big ugly bracelet NOR do I want to be jipped on any perks if I don't want to wear one.

Some of the perks will have a cost associated to them, according to rumors I have read, however I have heard the bracelet is an optional purchase, that will make the experience easier.

With the resort ID unless you get a lanyard, you are going to be constantly getting your card out, numerous times which increases the chances of loosing it.

Of course at this time, nothing official has been released.

 

[jrtoastyman]

Disney may be greedy, but they aren't stupid. They'd have to know there would be a spectacular uprising if they shafted the people that actually committed to come there regularly. I doubt we'll get special treatment, but I have every reason to expect that we'll be treated the same as other Deluxe guests, since DVC units are marketed as Deluxe properties.

Definitely taking a wait and see approach on this, but I suspect that the concerns about it requiring us to plan every single moment are overblown -- and even if it were to allow that level of detail, most people wouldn't take advantage of it. Remember, there are still tons of people that don't know about the need to get ADRs in advance or even understand how FP works. My guess is that the FP system remains in place, but we're permitted with NextGen to schedule 1 or 2 things a day.

The thread has been a riot to read, though!

 

[ftballfan7]

The fast-pass related RFID perks would be an interesting way for DVC to increase the value of direct sales points over re-sale points, perhaps extending the perk to those who bought direct and not to those who purchased re-sale. I doubt they would do this, but it seems to fall in line with the theories that this will be used to increase onsite stays and decrease the need for deep discounts and free-dining offers. Other than those who do no research and therefor don't know any better, I don't know why anyone would by direct right now for existing resorts.