MyMagic + Officially Announced

[Ilyo]

I seem to be the minority here, but I think this is a great idea!

I understand the whole idea of a relaxing vacation and not having everything planned...but in recent years I have found the current system to be the reverse! We just got back from a week at Kidani Village and visited 3 of the parks...essentially if you are not up by 6am..kids fed and in the park by opening you are looking at 120min line-ups for most popular rides...and ones like Toy Story, if you are not in by 10 or 11 all fast passes are gone for the entire day! How is that relaxing?? Luckily as a DVC owner, I get to visit fairly frequently and so any ride we don't hit, we will simply do next time...but for a family that plans for a year or more for one big visit only to find they can't get on many popular rides it must be devastating.

Now they can plan their days at the park, what character breakfast their kids will get to eat at and guarantee themselves at least a few of the popular rides all from the comfort of their home. And then combine that with easy walk in with a wristband, easy payment system at concession stands and stores...combined with a personal experience for their kids with animatronic characters calling them by name! Sounds good to me! Hopefully it all works as intended.

Just my thoughts...hahaha

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I seem to be the minority here, but I think this is a great idea!

I understand the whole idea of a relaxing vacation and not having everything planned...but in recent years I have found the current system to be the reverse! We just got back from a week at Kidani Village and visited 3 of the parks...essentially if you are not up by 6am..kids fed and in the park by opening you are looking at 120min line-ups for most popular rides...and ones like Toy Story, if you are not in by 10 or 11 all fast passes are gone for the entire day! How is that relaxing?? Luckily as a DVC owner, I get to visit fairly frequently and so any ride we don't hit, we will simply do next time...but for a family that plans for a year or more for one big visit only to find they can't get on many popular rides it must be devastating.

Now they can plan their days at the park, what character breakfast their kids will get to eat at and guarantee themselves at least a few of the popular rides all from the comfort of their home. And then combine that with easy walk in with a wristband, easy payment system at concession stands and stores...combined with a personal experience for their kids with animatronic characters calling them by name! Sounds good to me! Hopefully it all works as intended.

Just my thoughts...hahaha

You can't really compare going Christmas week to anyone else's vacation.

 

[ShesAPirate]

You can't really compare going Christmas week to anyone else's vacation.

Agreed. I always go off-peak, and really never have any issues with 2 hour queues. I'm the furthest thing from a park commando, and always seem to get on the rides I want to go on without crazy wait-times.

I don't mind planning my dining in advance, but I don't really want to plan out my rides in advance, too.

 

[Ilyo]

Well it was the week after xmas haha...but I was just there in August as well (hotter then hell I must say!) and the experience was the same...not as busy of course...but still couldn't get on Rockin Roller coaster, Tower of terror or Toy Story!

I just like the idea of not having to "rush" my vacation away running to get fast passes and into the park first...when I can know walking in that I am eating where I want and getting on a few of the rides...

 

[Ilyo]

Agreed. I always go off-peak, and really never have any issues with 2 hour queues. I'm the furthest thing from a park commando, and always seem to get on the rides I want to go on without crazy wait-times.

I don't mind planning my dining in advance, but I don't really want to plan out my rides in advance, too.

And that is great if you have the flexibility to go during the slow times...but many families don't have that luxury and end up having to take the vacation during the busy times...again this is not always my experience as I frequent the parks....but I can definitely feel for those that do!

I like it! hahaha

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I would like to know if this is onsite customers only who buy a package or if it is for everyone. Many people stay offsite and/or are locals. Some information seems to be missing from this blog.

Call me paranoid, but something about this doesn't sit right with me. I don't know why. I'm nowhere near a conspiracy theorist or someone who's constantly thinking 'Big Brother is watching', but... that was the first thought that came to my head when I read about this. Not that I have anything to hide. It just seems a little creepy to me.

Here is a link to the NY Times article published today. Those staying off-site or who live in Florida can preregister for a wristband to use.

Personally, I think that this is a fabulous idea. I love the fact of having everything organized into one form of media. Before becoming a DVC member, I loved the Key to the World card and how it was both my park pass and room key. The option was also there to charge purchases and use it for the dining plan. Now that I own DVC, there's more media to keep track of and the wristband option would change that. I think it's a good thing. Less to worry about.

As far as the "Big Brother" theory, I did initially think of that while reading the article above. However, what are they really tracking? What attraction I go on and when? If I like one character over the next? What restaurants I eat at? None of that is going to affect me once I return to the "real world" other than the fantastic memories inside my head.

Look at some of the examples listed in the article:

Did you buy a balloon? What attractions did you ride and when? Did you shake Goofys hand, but snub Snow White? If you fully use MyMagic+, databases will be watching, allowing Disney to refine its offerings and customize its marketing messages...

MagicBands can also be encoded with all sorts of personal details, allowing for more personalized interaction with Disney employees. Before, the employee playing Cinderella could say hello only in a general way. Now  if parents opt in  hidden sensors will read MagicBand data, providing information needed for a personalized greeting: Hi, Angie, the character might say without prompting. I understand its your birthday.

The data will also be used to make waiting areas for rides (scene ones in Disney parlance) less of a drag. A new Magic Kingdom ride called Under the Sea, for instance, features a robotic version of Scuttle the sea gull from The Little Mermaid that will be able to chitchat with MagicBand wearers.

How cool would all of this be? It means more personalization of a guest's park experience. Disney has been trying to do this for years now. How much do we like it when a cast member says "Happy Birthday" to us because of a birthday button? I can't count how many times I've read a touching story here on the DIS about something special that was done for a couple's anniversary. It's the little experiences like this that keep guests happy and coming back for more. I'm all for it.

No where does it say that guests will be forced to use the MagicBand. In fact, based on the fact that the article said those not staying on-site could pre-register for a band shows that there will be another option available, the traditional paper ticket media. How long that option will last is another question to ponder.

Similarly, Disney never stated that you are forced to use the band to plan every aspect of your vacation. On the contrary, it publicly stated on the Disney Parks Blog that you can plan as much or little as you like using the new system:

We know that some people like to plan every aspect of their Disney vacation in advance while others like to plan very little, letting their day unfold spontaneously. No matter where guests fall in that spectrum, My Disney Experience gives them the flexibility to plan as much or as little as theyd like to create the exact Disney experience they want.

All in all, I think that this is a great use of technology. Track me all you want, Disney. Make my vacations even better than they already are when I see you.

 

[AndyPok1]

I don't believe that FP+ will be available 180 days out like dining. Not that there's really a difference between 2-months and 6-months when it comes to spontaneity, but...

 

[Mike2023]

So I am one of the ones who really likes this idea. Yes, I tend to plan my trips WAYYYYY in advance, so I can see how the "spontaneousness" of it might suffer. But, they are saying you will be able to make changes on the day of.

For those that say this is going to increase standby lines I say, how so? This should have no effect on the stand by line because from what I understand the "FastPass" pool will remain the same. Yes, it will be harder to get a traditional FP, but it should have little effect on the stand by wait time. I guess its possible that the 20 - 40 extra minutes used per day that used to be spent getting FP could now be spent waiting in lines, but I think that would have little effect in overall waits.

I'm also sure that FP as it is now will go away completely in time once this is rolled out fully. There is no reason for Disney to maintain 2 different infrastructures and logistically it makes little sense to keep the Legacy FastPass system in place.

The next 2 to 3 year will be very interesting when it comes to technological changes.

FUN TIMES!!!!!

 

[Mike2023]

I don't believe that FP+ will be available 180 days out like dining. Not that there's really a difference between 2-months and 6-months when it comes to spontaneity, but...

From whats going around it sounds like it could very well be 180 days in advanced.

My guess is different resort class or something will have different timing. So say your staying on property in a deluxe resort, you will have first crack at 180 days out. Then maybe the mods have 100 day out or something.

From what I have read, the 2 months mark will be for magic your way ticket holders and AP holders or something not staying at a disney run hotel.

Disney is going to want to increase bookings and this is a way to encourage people to stay on property for sure.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm kind of sitting on the sidelines getting a chuckle out of this one.

On one hand I enjoy the introduction of new technology. I can see how this will help those that are planners. OTOH, it probably won't affect Val & I because we simply don't plan our visits any longer. Perhaps a nice meal one night but that's the extent of our planning. I can't tell you the last time we actually got a Fast Pass - perhaps 10 visits ago?

Some folks are dreading having a wrist band. I haven't seen anything that says you have to have one. I also haven't seen anything that says its permanently attached to your wrist and must be worn there. How about if I just put it through a belt loop? Or my camera strap? Or maybe just leave it in my pocket?

I'm really not worried about Disney tracking me in the parks and resorts. I'm there. They know I'm there. No mystery. Do I care if they know I walked right past the character meet and greet without going in? No, I don't care if they know. Actually maybe its good they do know that. Hmmmm.

But I am enjoying reading the discussion and everybody's "worst case".

 

[mad madam mim78]

I'm pretty excited! I mean I do feel sorry for the uninformed people. There are still people who don't know what fastpass is. I on the other hand will make sure I know what's up before I go so I will be able to utilize it to its fullest. It could be pretty awesome. Only time will tell. Until then I'll troll the boards till I get this thing 100% figured out.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I hope this is not up and running before we go.

I hate to be negative before having all the facts, but nothing about this sounds good at all .

I already hate having to plan out my meals before we go, that is my LEAST favorite part about WDW. I wish I could just walk up to a restaurant and ask the wait and then decide to eat there or not.

This sounds awful for those with little ones who have to be extremely flexible or change their plans at the drop of a hat, and I really don't feel comfortable with my child (or me for that matter) wearing/carrying anything with some sort of tracking device in it.

There is no way in H-E double hockey sticks that I am going decide what I want to ride and when I want to ride it 60 days before my trip. We plan what park we will go to, but never what rides, and often we change our minds based on the weather or what we are in the mood to do.

I love the feeling of wandering and exploring in the parks, if this squashes all spontaneity out of our vacation this next trip could be our last.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Some folks are dreading having a wrist band. I haven't seen anything that says you have to have one. I also haven't seen anything that says its permanently attached to your wrist and must be worn there. How about if I just put it through a belt loop? Or my camera strap? Or maybe just leave it in my pocket?

I'm really not worried about Disney tracking me in the parks and resorts. I'm there. They know I'm there. No mystery. Do I care if they know I walked right past the character meet and greet without going in? No, I don't care if they know. Actually maybe its good they do know that. Hmmmm.

Exactly, Jeff. It's optional.

I hope this is not up and running before we go.

I hate to be negative before having all the facts, but nothing about this sounds good at all .

I already hate having to plan out my meals before we go, that is my LEAST favorite part about WDW. I wish I could just walk up to a restaurant and ask the wait and then decide to eat there or not.

This sounds awful for those with little ones who have to be extremely flexible or change their plans at the drop of a hat, and I really don't feel comfortable with my child (or me for that matter) wearing/carrying anything with some sort of tracking device in it.

There is no way in H-E double hockey sticks that I am going decide what I want to ride and when I want to ride it 60 days before my trip. We plan what park we will go to, but never what rides, and often we change our minds based on the weather or what we are in the mood to do.

I love the feeling of wandering and exploring in the parks, if this squashes all spontaneity out of our vacation this next trip could be our last.

No where in any of Disney's press releases did the company state you are forced to use the MagicBand. The program is optional, not mandatory. In fact, as mentioned in an earlier post of mine, Disney said you can use it as much or little as you want to:

We know that some people like to plan every aspect of their Disney vacation in advance while others like to plan very little, letting their day unfold spontaneously. No matter where guests fall in that spectrum, My Disney Experience gives them the flexibility to plan as much or as little as theyd like to create the exact Disney experience they want.]

Once more, this is not only to "reserve" or "plan ahead" experiences on your vacation. Instead it is to personalize your time in the parks:

Did you buy a balloon? What attractions did you ride and when? Did you shake Goofys hand, but snub Snow White? If you fully use MyMagic+, databases will be watching, allowing Disney to refine its offerings and customize its marketing messages...

MagicBands can also be encoded with all sorts of personal details, allowing for more personalized interaction with Disney employees. Before, the employee playing Cinderella could say hello only in a general way. Now if parents opt in hidden sensors will read MagicBand data, providing information needed for a personalized greeting: Hi, Angie, the character might say without prompting. I understand its your birthday.

The data will also be used to make waiting areas for rides (scene ones in Disney parlance) less of a drag. A new Magic Kingdom ride called Under the Sea, for instance, features a robotic version of Scuttle the sea gull from The Little Mermaid that will be able to chitchat with MagicBand wearers.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Exactly, Jeff. It's optional.



No where in any of Disney's press releases did the company state you are forced to use the MagicBand. The program is optional, not mandatory. In fact, as mentioned in an earlier post of mine, Disney said you can use it as much or little as you want to:



Once more, this is not only to "reserve" or "plan ahead" experiences on your vacation. Instead it is to personalize your time in the parks:

I think the differentiation being missed here is how much it would/could affect frequent guests vs first-timers/infrequent guests.

People who may be members of an online fan community that visit every year (or many times each year) won't "suffer" if they can't get a FP+ for Toy Story; they can get it on their next visit.

However, for the other group (first-timers/infrequent guests), they will have to choose between EITHER the old system or FastPass+. It also sounds as if as of a certain point (when full rollout is complete) there will only be the new ticket media (whether it's a bracelet, lanyard, keychain, etc). If that's true, first-timers and infrequent visitors could definitely run into issues. Now, they're issues that could be solved by planning on, say, a site like this but it could still affect them. Especially when it comes to park-hopping.

It almost seems as if the discussion should be revolving around the utilization of the technology and not the shape of the device.

- Dave

 

[WebmasterMike]

MagicBands can also be encoded with all sorts of personal details, allowing for more personalized interaction with Disney employees.

This is a falsity. RFID is not encoded. It is static with a unique number, that Disney uses as a UUID field in the "Master Database." Any data changes are made in the master database.

Sounds like I will be bringing my RFID readers and software with me to see what all I can see when we are out there next month.

 

[Mike2023]

This is a falsity. RFID is not encoded. It is static with a unique number, that Disney uses as a UUID field in the "Master Database." Any data changes are made in the master database.

Sounds like I will be bringing my RFID readers and software with me to see what all I can see when we are out there next month.

Yes, you are correct to point out how the technology works, but the point that the poster was trying to make is still the same.

Disney will be able to store and reference loads of personal information regarding its guests that they are hoping will increase guest satisfaction and allow them to market more meaningful products to them.

 

[jcb]

Sounds like I will be bringing my RFID readers and software with me to see what all I can see when we are out there next month.

This reminds me when i used to bring my police scanner. I sometimes miss the analog days.

 

[WebmasterMike]

This reminds me when i used to bring my police scanner. I sometimes miss the analog days.

Jack, you can borrow my IDEN analyzer if you want to listen to the digital radios at WDW. (FYI they are moving away from the Nextel phones and over to the new Sprint Push-to-Talk phones) Nextel will be no more by 2015.

My fancy scanner

 

[WebmasterMike]

Yes, you are correct to point out how the technology works, but the point that the poster was trying to make is still the same.

Disney will be able to store and reference loads of personal information regarding its guests that they are hoping will increase guest satisfaction and allow them to market more meaningful products to them.

I was referring to the specific, misleading statement in the article and not the position of the OP's post.

 

[jcb]

Jack, you can borrow my IDEN analyzer if you want to listen to them at WDW.

My fancy scanner

That doesn't look like it is off the shelf from Radio Shack.