MyMagic+ Payoff - I Don't Get It

[skater]

Disney can't seem to get the WiFi to work all that well. Makes me wonder how this is going to work (or not work)
Call me a skeptic

This makes me skeptical as well.

 

[dansyr2514]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-daily-disney/os-kalogridis-profile-20130119,0,7657496.story


Referring to the part about my magic....

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-daily-disney/os-kalogridis-profile-20130119,0,7657496.story


Referring to the part about my magic....

And Disney is about to make perhaps its boldest bet in Orlando since opening its fourth theme park: a $1 billion vacation-planning initiative dubbed "MyMagic+," which aims to outfit visitors with wireless wristbands that Disney hopes will drive bigger spending and more frequent visits.

But I thought it was all about an enhanced guest experience and tons of pixie dust!

Thanks for sharing the article.

 

[doconeill]

You don't spend a billion dollars as a public company without a plan to make that money back within a certain amount of time.

Be it 1 year or 10, they are expecting to drive up revenue somehow with it. And not necessarily all of it inside the parks...

 

[bcrook]

But I thought it was all about an enhanced guest experience and tons of pixie dust!

Thanks for sharing the article.

That is a good article. It reinforces a common theme.

Also interesting...
"He takes over at an important time for Disney World, where attendance has been soft in recent quarters."

 

[dansyr2514]

But I thought it was all about an enhanced guest experience and tons of pixie dust!

Thanks for sharing the article.

Lol...of course it ...but you have to schedule your pixie dust 6 mos ahead of time

 

[bcrook]

In the My Disney Experience FAQs there is the piece of information:

"We will only share information about you that is automatically collected through your use of the RF Device with third-parties for their marketing uses if you elect that we do so."

I am assuming everyone is opted in automatically and must opt out. BUT, how much money will they recoup from selling information to third party companies based on their 37 million year attendance at WDW?

 

[doconeill]

In the My Disney Experience FAQs there is the piece of information:

"We will only share information about you that is automatically collected through your use of the RF Device with third-parties for their marketing uses if you elect that we do so."

I am assuming everyone is opted in automatically and must opt out. BUT, how much money will they recoup from selling information to third party companies based on their 37 million year attendance at WDW?

I guess my question is, how much information will they get that would be of use to third parties that they don't already get via room charges, etc?

Is there a market for data for the fact that I reserved a FP+ for 8:00pm on TSM?

 

[bcrook]

I guess my question is, how much information will they get that would be of use to third parties that they don't already get via room charges, etc?

Is there a market for data for the fact that I reserved a FP+ for 8:00pm on TSM?

Good question, but I don't use my KTTW card for any charges. All off site guests don't have a room charge option. This way nearly everyone would have an idea and all that information goes into a data base.

What about outside advertising being pumped in to the My Disney Experience. Companies would probably like that too.

Disney could be making a healthy chunk of change from the third party businesses.

I wonder what kind of third party would be interested in my frequent stops at the Germany beer stand or those grey goose slushies? hmmm? It may or may not be helpful.

 

[doconeill]

Good question, but I don't use my KTTW card for any charges. All off site guests don't have a room charge option. This way nearly everyone would have an idea and all that information goes into a data base.

If they are going to allow off-site guests to set up a "charge account" of sorts, like room charge except not requiring a room, and then make purchases then they'll have more info to use.

If you DON'T use room charge privileges now, you aren't likely to switch now...so there isn't more info to be gained there.

 

[bcrook]

If they are going to allow off-site guests to set up a "charge account" of sorts, like room charge except not requiring a room, and then make purchases then they'll have more info to use.

If you DON'T use room charge privileges now, you aren't likely to switch now...so there isn't more info to be gained there.

That is probably true, but the sensors might still know I am in ESPN sports lounge, sitting in La Cava for two hours, or spending an hour in the lego store. That might be useful. Because I will have the band, even though I won't be charging with it. Maybe. They have to have sensors for a reason. My kids love the idea of the band hooked up to my credit card though.

 

[SA mom]

They could use the magicband to go back to the original ticketing system where you were given a certain amount of rides on each level of attractions. Your basic band would cost a certain amount and then you could pay to add more E-ticket rides.

I certainly hope not, but they could.

How did they arrive at the number 4 fastpasses? Is that the average used in a day?

 

[bcrook]

They could use the magicband to go back to the original ticketing system where you were given a certain amount of rides on each level of attractions. Your basic band would cost a certain amount and then you could pay to add more E-ticket rides.

I certainly hope not, but they could.

How did they arrive at the number 4 fastpasses? Is that the average used in a day?

The number is three, and who knows where that number came from. There is no mention of selling extra e ticket fastpasses, but they would sell millions!

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

They could use the magicband to go back to the original ticketing system where you were given a certain amount of rides on each level of attractions. Your basic band would cost a certain amount and then you could pay to add more E-ticket rides.

I certainly hope not, but they could.

How did they arrive at the number 4 fastpasses? Is that the average used in a day?

I heard somewhere that Disney did research and found that guests needed to experience 9 attractions in a day to be satisfied with their experience. I am sure that part of MyMagic+ will be used to help each park meet is "guest satisfaction quota." We all know people who went to WDW and complained because the lines were too long and they didn't get to ride anything. This will be great for them. However, I would imagine that most of us on the DIS average much more than 9 attractions a day. I feel like with MyMagic+ Disney also wants to curb the habits of the "super users." Those of us who likely use more than 3 or 4 fast passes a day and like to ride things multiple times. The combination of adding FP+ to every attraction, limiting our choices (ie: chose some from column a and some from column b,) and allowing guests to make ride reservations far in advance also means that someone will end up with fast passes for IASW for 9am. It gives Disney much more control over crowd traffic patterns and gives them the ability to direct guests away from more popular attraction towards rides which are either less popular or absorb crowds better.

 

[bcrook]

I heard somewhere that Disney did research and found that guests needed to experience 9 attractions in a day to be satisfied with their experience. I am sure that part of MyMagic+ will be used to help each park meet is "guest satisfaction quota." We all know people who went to WDW and complained because the lines were too long and they didn't get to ride anything. This will be great for them. However, I would imagine that most of us on the DIS average much more than 9 attractions a day. I feel like with MyMagic+ Disney also wants to curb the habits of the "super users." Those of us who likely use more than 3 or 4 fast passes a day and like to ride things multiple times. The combination of adding FP+ to every attraction, limiting our choices (ie: chose some from column a and some from column b,) and allowing guests to make ride reservations far in advance also means that someone will end up with fast passes for IASW for 9am. It gives Disney much more control over crowd traffic patterns and gives them the ability to direct guests away from more popular attraction towards rides which are either less popular or absorb crowds better.

It is a good way to stop that stampede at DHS for Toy Story Mania. So are you saying that more people will be happy and attendance will increase thus recouping the billions spent on this plan?

 

[Friendly Frog]

The choose 1 from column A and choose 1 from column B type of action plan is the exact thing that concerns me. I don't ride a lot of different rides in some parks, I enjoy the ability to get two fast passes for the same attraction in a day. I do like the fact that I could hold fast passes without having to be at a park early.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

It is a good way to stop that stampede at DHS for Toy Story Mania. So are you saying that more people will be happy and attendance will increase thus recouping the billions spent on this plan?

I think that Disney believes that higher guest satisfaction will lead to more return trips. Having more control over crowd traffic will lead to additional savings. And if people are preordering their food, think of how much faster they will be able to turn the tables over.

The problem with TSMM is that it's one of the few rides that everybody will want to fast pass. I feel like getting those fast passes will become like getting a Le Cellier ADR.

 

[jpeka65844]

Am I the only one that wants absolutely nothing to do with any of this?

I mean, it's not that I don't like change. I'm all for it.

But after spending 6 days in the parks with just my kids and deciding after getting off a ride what ride we're going to go on next, I don't have the slightest interest in scheduling rides ahead of time.

And I saw enough people's faces buried in their smartphones on this trip to dread what it will be like when they're a "must" for a touring schedule. Ugh.

I just really really hope (I know they SAY it....) that this stuff doesn't ruin the park-going experience for the spontaneously-inclined guest that could care less about their cell phone while on vacation.

Now get off my lawn.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Am I the only one that wants absolutely nothing to do with any of this?

I mean, it's not that I don't like change. I'm all for it.

But after spending 6 days in the parks with just my kids and deciding after getting off a ride what ride we're going to go on next, I don't have the slightest interest in scheduling rides ahead of time.

And I saw enough people's faces buried in their smartphones on this trip to dread what it will be like when they're a "must" for a touring schedule. Ugh.

I just really really hope (I know they SAY it....) that this stuff doesn't ruin the park-going experience for the spontaneously-inclined guest that could care less about their cell phone while on vacation.

Now get off my lawn.

I haven't really liked what I've heard about MyMagic+ and I AM a planner. I love making touring plans, but it isn't unusual for us to change our plans as we go either.

I am hoping that I will be wrong. I didn't like when they added a no show fee for reservations or decided to enforce return times for fast passes, but was able to adapt without issues so I will cross my fingers about this. Either way, I hope it's rolled out well before my trip so that any bugs can be worked out before I go.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Am I the only one that wants absolutely nothing to do with any of this?

I mean, it's not that I don't like change. I'm all for it.

But after spending 6 days in the parks with just my kids and deciding after getting off a ride what ride we're going to go on next, I don't have the slightest interest in scheduling rides ahead of time.

And I saw enough people's faces buried in their smartphones on this trip to dread what it will be like when they're a "must" for a touring schedule. Ugh.

I just really really hope (I know they SAY it....) that this stuff doesn't ruin the park-going experience for the spontaneously-inclined guest that could care less about their cell phone while on vacation.

Now get off my lawn.

I totally agree, last time I was at the parks I couldn't get over how many were walking around looking at the phones or whatever device. It was amazing to me and it does seem like this will make it worse. I don't like "having" to have your phone either. Most of the time I'm thrilled to leave the phone in the room.