Big article on the backstory to MyMagic+

[clsteve]

There are other explanations for it coming in on budget, even with the extensions of time.

And, they would be....?

Heck if Disney allowed him access for any reason it was probably because they got terrified.

Terrified is 60 Minutes showing up to talk about SDL, graft and capex outlays.

FastCompany soft interviews.... not so much.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I don't see what legacy has to do with MyMagic+. MM+ is way more than FP+.

I see this over and over again...

It's really...honestly...not. Everything on the magic band that is currently offered is an existing service except prebooked rides.

Keys, tickets, photopass, charging privileges where all in place for a long time...

Without jibits

Now they see your name when you enter a park and you enter a pin when you buy something.

Truly impressive...

 

[Angel Ariel]

Oh I agree that MM+ (other than FP+) isn't really offering anything new, service wise - just packaging wise (MB vs KTTW). I'm just saying that the MyMagic+ system is composed of more than simply FP+ (basically MM+ isn't synonymous with FP+).

Basically, I dislike the whole "well, people dislike FP+ so that means they just dislike change" argument. I actually really liked our MagicBands on our trip in November. They worked flawlessly, they were easier (even without linking a CC)..it was nice to not go digging for a wallet. None of that is make or break...I would use a card if MBs went away for some reason and wouldn't complain. I even like the concept of having FP accessible from the band as opposed to having paper FPs. Just trying to point out that one can like the MyMagic+ while still disliking FP+, because they aren't the same thing.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I actually like the bands too...used them 4-5 times...

But if it gobbled up the capital budget...or a significant portion of it...for more than about a year...then that was a miscalculation...

They are legitimately 5 years behind in IN PARK development now...maybe more.

That's the reality...4 parks plus other guest areas is a great responsibility... And if crowds continue to rise it's gonna get ugly...

Two avatar rides (maybe) and then????

Nothing less than five years out...

good luck with that.

The FP+ system - I believe - was cart before the horse.

At the end of the day...they are still amusement parks...which require amusements of some type.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I actually like the bands too...used them 4-5 times...

But if it gobbled up the capital budget...or a significant portion of it...for more than about a year...then that was a miscalculation...

They are legitimately 5 years behind in IN PARK development now...maybe more.

That's the reality...4 parks plus other guest areas is a great responsibility... And if crowds continue to rise it's gonna get ugly...

Two avatar rides (maybe) and then????

Nothing less than five years out...

good luck with that.

The FP+ system - I believe - was cart before the horse.

At the end of the day...they are still amusement parks...which require amusements of some type.

No disagreement from me on any of this

 

[eXo]

This thread is dominated by one or two people who feel the need to respond and shoot down every single response they don't agree with, often repeating what they already wrote without adding anything new.

lockedoutlogic - you have chosen a cynical world view where everything is a paid for sponsorship and at least 50% of what you read is "spin". You touched on fracking. I happen to be a geologist. Do you have any idea how much "spin" goes into discrediting fracking and trying to make it seem more dangerous than it is? The irony is, those who actually have degrees in the field are automatically discredited if we work for energy companies, simply because all opposition to fracking like to make blanket assumptions that simply by working in the industry we are all brainwashed and incapable of having a objective knowledge of fracking. Rather we are all informed by corporate PR, as if we are a hive mind. The truth is, like any company, a wide variety of folks work for energy companies just as a wide variety of folks work for Disney. You will find some cast members that really like the new system and some who find it a chore. And before you put too much stock in those opinions, keep in mind that long time employees often hate change. Your average employee, in any field, only deals with a small subset of daily operations. When something new is introduced, all they care about is how it effects their "small world". Sometimes the experience doesn't have to be worse, it merely has to be different, to enact a negative viewpoint.

The point is, spin goes both ways. I am reading a ton of "spin" from a very small minority of people on this board who attack every aspect of the fp+ system. What I see is a disgruntled minority who have been visiting Disney for a long time and dislike it when someone messes with their vacation. I have read some incredibly vitriolic posts because X restaurant stopped serving Y dish, and "Gosh darn it, I had that dish every first Tuesday in September at 4:30 pm for the past 20 years". It's crazy. Honestly crazy to see how the smallest change sparks tantrums from some folks.

Let me put this into perspective for you. I went to MK for the first time last October. I am 35. I spent the last 12 years only going to Universal. I liked roller coasters, I liked modern themes, I liked the fact they opened new stuff all the time, etc etc etc. I have always had a huge soft spot for Disney animation and the companies early history, but my perspective of the parks was that they never changed and that they were out dated. Things like 7 years to build a mine train (and how long it takes Disney to do *anything" for that matter) just made it easier to rationalize Disney out of my mind.

When I attended MK for the first time I felt like I had been hit with a ton of bricks. I realized that the place had a certain timelessness to it. I went during the Halloween party, so it was fairly busy, but manageable. I didn't know anything about the reservation system until like 3 days before we got there. We were staying on site at Universal (a week long trip to check out Diagon Alley and HHN) and had budgeted one day for MK. I was able to grab an empty slot to take my wife to eat at Cinderella's castle. I had no fast passes lined up though as the mine train was obviously full and I figured I'd just play it by ear and see how it went.

My trip was great. We didn't get to go to BOG, but oh well. It was just food. I didn't get to ride the mine train, but oh well, it was just one ride. I never felt rushed to run from one end of the park to another, I never felt the need to get in line at a kiosk just to see if a ride slot was open and I never felt like I was missing out on anything either.

it doesn't seem to be a popular opinion around here, but the simple fact is that MK can be enjoyed, even on a holiday party day, without touching a magic band or a fast pass. So I really do not understand the hate for it if I can have a great day without it.

Here is the rude truth. The only people who hate fast passes are the old codgers who have been going so long that they think Disney owes it to them to keep it their way. And guess what. There were people before you who liked it a different way. And eventually magicbands and fp+ will give way to something new and lo and behold, there shall be rioting in the land by all the families who discovered Disney during the magic band era and felt as though it was a key part of enjoying their trip.

I see a severe loss of sight of what is important about Disney in this thread. Disney is a company. they exist to make money. They have an image to protect as well as an investment. Do they spin stuff? Yea, so does everyone else (including those who hate fp+ for arbitrary reasons). But at the end of the day you either pay admission and go or you don't. I'm taking my family in December. My kids have never been anywhere like it. I am excited for them. I am attempting to get fast passes in the morning for them to see how it goes and I'll make use of ADR's to make sure they get character meals. But at the end of the day, if any of those fall through, do you think for one second their experience will be ruined or dampened. Hell no. They are at Disney world for heaven sake. We could walk around and just stare at things and they would be happy. The important part is my family. Not the fast passes. Not the magic bands. Not the reservations. Not the character meals. Last October it was about my wife and I. This December it is about my entire family. Some of you act like FP+ is the antichrist and it is here to destroy Disney. the hyperbole in some of these posts is outstanding fairy tales.

All the "spin" in the world doesn't change the fact that I had a hell of a time there last October and know I will again this year. So obviously your hated fp+/MB system isn't that bad because many of us are having a great time regardless. Maybe its time you bucked up and asked yourself why you go and why something so small pisses you off so much.

At this point I have fallen down the rabbit hole and am reading the same arguments over and over. Do those of you who disagree with the article have anything else to add, or can we just mark you in the "doesn't matter, FP+ is the devil category" and move along?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Oh dear...

This is the part where condescension takes over for debate.

I do know I bring alot on myself. That my fault. I accept it and don't ask that anyone believe me...but I make my case as you attempt to (before u give up)

I think the realistic approach here is to assume the article was written with approval of Disney or on favorable terms. It's mutually beneficial that way... The author gets high level access to one off the worlds biggest and most iconic corporations...and they get Pub in a sphere that they like.

It's not a conspiracy or illegal - it's reasonable.

But what happened here...as almost always...is the "cynics" - like me - get talked down to to just not question Disney or the motive...and then we fire back. Often...I give more snark than Intend and i apologize if that has happened here.

But the forensics usually has the first shot being fired by the "not my side".

I like to debate...I like to give my take...and I like to learn new things/perspectives from other posters...which is quite often the case. This is kinda the "intelliboard" here. It's fun.

I could give room locations and take apart the menus...but it's not as interesting...

I'm a little older than you...and i'm an environmental engineer that works with geologists
Quite often.

That's business/politics...not science/ecology... We'll just leave it alone.

We're not all that different. But in that "pesky" northeast...I know...the debbie downers of the US.

But I took "time off" after college and got real business experience at WDW. It had its good sides and it's bads... And was possibly the weirdest period in wdw history...but ultimately I had to return from neverland.

 

[twebber55]

I see this over and over again...

It's really...honestly...not. Everything on the magic band that is currently offered is an existing service except prebooked rides.

Keys, tickets, photopass, charging privileges where all in place for a long time...

Without jibits

Now they see your name when you enter a park and you enter a pin when you buy something.

Truly impressive...

i agree however we need to see if anything gets developed over the next 10 years or so to see what direction magic bands go

 

[ThurlFan]

Here is the rude truth. The only people who hate fast passes are the old codgers who have been going so long that they think Disney owes it to them to keep it their way.

This could not be more incorrect. The argument is not that FP+ should never have been done, but that the build-out of attractions to support it should have been done first.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

i agree however we need to see if anything gets developed over the next 10 years or so to see what direction magic bands go

See now... I 100% agree...it's a work in progress and I'm very interested if they have a "level 2" or "level 3" in the pipeline to better use the technology....

Other than charging for things that should and currently are in the bloated gate prices.

Thanks for not lecturing me

 

[lockedoutlogic]

This could not be more incorrect. The argument is not that FP+ should never have been done, but that the build-out of attractions to support it should have been done first.

Just to follow up... Since I got specifically fingered in the diatribes...

I am in no way defending or mourning the loss of fast pass...

I liked it fine...but don't have a huge preference of "new" or "old" fastpass.

Now... Original fastpass made the parks better. Period. It brought wait times down almost across the board... Except Peter pans flight and Winnie the Pooh...haunted mansion- where two lines don't work.

But they scraped it because of gift shops. I'm ok with that. But the new system points out the error in park investment.

Tiering at two parks... Which exposes a shortcoming that they will tell us is "for guest benefit"

Bull kaka...not enough stuff for the crowds.

 

[ThurlFan]

Years ago, there was actually a separate forum on the Dis called the Debate Board. Unsurprisingly, it became a fiasco (if not redundant, since pretty much every board hosts its share of debates). Some of us appear to be on repeat, but for the most part it's because new people keep showing up and we'd like to share our views with them (how generous of us!) as well. Believe me, we get just as tired of hearing "Disney is a business" as others do of us saying how three of the four parks are underdeveloped. I agree that MK is amazing, blows people away when they visit. But then when you go to AK, DHS or Epcot it becomes: "where's the rest of it?"

 

[rteetz]

Years ago, there was actually a separate forum on the Dis called the Debate Board. Unsurprisingly, it became a fiasco (if not redundant, since pretty much every board hosts its share of debates). Some of us appear to be on repeat, but for the most part it's because new people keep showing up and we'd like to share our views with them (how generous of us!) as well. Believe me, we get just as tired of hearing "Disney is a business" as others do of us saying how three of the four parks are underdeveloped. I agree that MK is amazing, blows people away when they visit. But then when you go to AK, DHS or Epcot it becomes: "where's the rest of it?"

I disagree when it comes to AK, yes it lacks rides but the details are stunning to me. DHS has always been underdeveloped hopefully they can soon find something with that park. Epcot was once an amazing permanent version of a worlds fair today it's a lot of restaurants and a good fireworks show(my favorite). MK could even use still some more expansion but that park is at least ok for now.

 

[twebber55]

See now... I 100% agree...it's a work in progress and I'm very interested if they have a "level 2" or "level 3" in the pipeline to better use the technology....

Other than charging for things that should and currently are in the bloated gate prices.

Thanks for not lecturing me

I ve followed you on this particular issue and im with you 100%
the KTTW card did pretty much everything the band does except FP+

 

[eXo]

Oh dear...

This is the part where condescension takes over for debate.

I do know I bring alot on myself. That my fault. I accept it and don't ask that anyone believe me...but I make my case as you attempt to (before u give up)

...

But I took "time off" after college and got real business experience at WDW. It had its good sides and it's bads... And was possibly the weirdest period in wdw history...but ultimately I had to return from neverland.

I never said your points weren't valid, rather I was pointing out you have been essentially repeating them for 5 pages. You are fully entitled to your opinion and I'm glad you shared here. I disagree that we have to assume all articles are touched by the hand of Disney. Afterall, some people carry their own biases with them. Maybe he is a superfan and just wanted to see behind the curtain as to how it got developed. Maybe he felt he was being objective but his own love of the product informed his writing. Ultimately though, many of those disagreeing with you are pointing out that he spoke to a wide variety of folks. So it's not just his opinion or outlook being taken into account here. Another person could have written the same article and interpreted the quotes differently. They could have focused more on the delays and the budget and drawn conclusions just from those two alone that it was a failure.

I've seen you mention several times that the MB system is nothing new, it's just a fancy package for preexisting features. Can it not be argued that this could be due to all the pushback that was received? How much can you integrate when you don't have the companies full buy in? It was pitched to have ride interactivity, yet the imagineers dismissed this as a gimmick and ignored it. The initial hurdle was getting the infrastructure in place and tying the business together.

At my company I am not your average geo. I came in during the bubble where most are older than me or are new grads. I had a background in programming before I got my degree, so I came into my position automating daily tasks. I started building databases to store not only E&P data, but also to house op and land data. Why? Because it was all in it's own silo before. The short of it is, I received a ton of pushback. I was changing the status quo. It required a few key execs backing it to push it through and shove it down other departments throats. They were quite happy to have their data only on their machine and inaccessible by anyone else. I happened to pick up GIS skills when I was in college as well. So I started spatializing my databases. Fast forward to now and it is considered standard business practice to have unified spatial data. I didn't pioneer the concept, but I didn't build it out for several companies. And every. single. time. I had to fight tooth and nail against the office folks. People don't like change.

Maybe I sympathize with the Magic Band folks. They were given a task. They dreamed big and they released smaller. They were attacked by nearly every department if you believe that article. They had Iger's subtle threats every step of the way, "It better work....". At the very least they made the keycards "funner". And if your worried about the fact they spent a billion doing it, take comfort in knowing that at least now you have parkwide wifi access and #2, that billion would have gone towards tearing up attractions you probably don't want torn up. Disney rarely spends that kind of money without pissing someone off simply because it is nearly impossible to spend that kind of money and not cause changes.

As far as the fp+ system goes, I think ones experience is totally informed by their expectations. Not having expectations for it, I was fine with it. Had I been doing it for years and was locked into how it used to be, maybe it would have irked me. But I just don't see it as "breaking the park" as some paint it to be.

This could not be more incorrect. The argument is not that FP+ should never have been done, but that the build-out of attractions to support it should have been done first.

That's the imagineers fault. 100%. I really don't see how that can be disputed. They have sole say when it comes to designing the rides. They opted to call it a gimmick and leave it out of the rides. In "avatar land" Rhode's dismissively waved to an area off to the side and claimed that was where magic band's would be useful. They have every opportunity to build more "non gimmicky" support into the actual rides and they are actively choosing to not do it. and since they apparently answer to no one, the blame falls squarely on them. With technology these days it would be very valid to have your picture stored on that magic band. And as you go through the haunted mansion one of the ghosts has your face on it. Or maybe it just says your name. Or maybe it knows where you are from. Or some combination of the above that changes from doombuggy to doombuggy. This isn't pie in the sky thinking, it is very possible. But only the imaginners can enact those changes.

See now... I 100% agree...it's a work in progress and I'm very interested if they have a "level 2" or "level 3" in the pipeline to better use the technology....

The sad truth is they may not be willing to continue that fight. It appears that the imagineers can't be forced to do anything, let alone add magic band interactivity to rides. MK is a test bed for the product. And until it, as you say, does more than just integrate a keycard into a bracelet, then they won't be willing to spend the cash necessary to retrofit the infrastructure of their other parks to work with it. And if all the parks aren't using it, then it makes every R&D dollar spent less effective.

 

[rteetz]

I never said your points weren't valid, rather I was pointing out you have been essentially repeating them for 5 pages. You are fully entitled to your opinion and I'm glad you shared here. I disagree that we have to assume all articles are touched by the hand of Disney. Afterall, some people carry their own biases with them. Maybe he is a superfan and just wanted to see behind the curtain as to how it got developed. Maybe he felt he was being objective but his own love of the product informed his writing. Ultimately though, many of those disagreeing with you are pointing out that he spoke to a wide variety of folks. So it's not just his opinion or outlook being taken into account here. Another person could have written the same article and interpreted the quotes differently. They could have focused more on the delays and the budget and drawn conclusions just from those two alone that it was a failure.

I've seen you mention several times that the MB system is nothing new, it's just a fancy package for preexisting features. Can it not be argued that this could be due to all the pushback that was received? How much can you integrate when you don't have the companies full buy in? It was pitched to have ride interactivity, yet the imagineers dismissed this as a gimmick and ignored it. The initial hurdle was getting the infrastructure in place and tying the business together.

At my company I am not your average geo. I came in during the bubble where most are older than me or are new grads. I had a background in programming before I got my degree, so I came into my position automating daily tasks. I started building databases to store not only E&P data, but also to house op and land data. Why? Because it was all in it's own silo before. The short of it is, I received a ton of pushback. I was changing the status quo. It required a few key execs backing it to push it through and shove it down other departments throats. They were quite happy to have their data only on their machine and inaccessible by anyone else. I happened to pick up GIS skills when I was in college as well. So I started spatializing my databases. Fast forward to now and it is considered standard business practice to have unified spatial data. I didn't pioneer the concept, but I didn't build it out for several companies. And every. single. time. I had to fight tooth and nail against the office folks. People don't like change.

Maybe I sympathize with the Magic Band folks. They were given a task. They dreamed big and they released smaller. They were attacked by nearly every department if you believe that article. They had Iger's subtle threats every step of the way, "It better work....". At the very least they made the keycards "funner". And if your worried about the fact they spent a billion doing it, take comfort in knowing that at least now you have parkwide wifi access and #2, that billion would have gone towards tearing up attractions you probably don't want torn up. Disney rarely spends that kind of money without pissing someone off simply because it is nearly impossible to spend that kind of money and not cause changes.

As far as the fp+ system goes, I think ones experience is totally informed by their expectations. Not having expectations for it, I was fine with it. Had I been doing it for years and was locked into how it used to be, maybe it would have irked me. But I just don't see it as "breaking the park" as some paint it to be.



That's the imagineers fault. 100%. I really don't see how that can be disputed. They have sole say when it comes to designing the rides. They opted to call it a gimmick and leave it out of the rides. In "avatar land" Rhode's dismissively waved to an area off to the side and claimed that was where magic band's would be useful. They have every opportunity to build more "non gimmicky" support into the actual rides and they are actively choosing to not do it. and since they apparently answer to no one, the blame falls squarely on them. With technology these days it would be very valid to have your picture stored on that magic band. And as you go through the haunted mansion one of the ghosts has your face on it. Or maybe it just says your name. Or maybe it knows where you are from. Or some combination of the above that changes from doombuggy to doombuggy. This isn't pie in the sky thinking, it is very possible. But only the imaginners can enact those changes.



The sad truth is they may not be willing to continue that fight. It appears that the imagineers can't be forced to do anything, let alone add magic band interactivity to rides. MK is a test bed for the product. And until it, as you say, does more than just integrate a keycard into a bracelet, then they won't be willing to spend the cash necessary to retrofit the infrastructure of their other parks to work with it. And if all the parks aren't using it, then it makes every R&D dollar spent less effective.

The imagineer only have so much to work with. They routinely get their budgets slashed or not even approved. Many of me have great ideas that we would probably love but the board also loves it's money. The main problem the imagineers had with MyMagic+ was the fact that it distracted people from the theme park. They don't want people on their phones when they could be looking at and experiencing all the incredible details they put in. They also disney like that frog wanted all the FP touch point to look the same. The imagineers wanted them to blend in with the themed areas they were in. I have to agree with the imagineers there.

 

[eXo]

I don't to dominate the topic myself, so I'll try to back off after this and let others have their say. Saying the imagineer's budgets are what limit the magic band capability is a bit hard for me to swallow. The execs WANTED magic band interactivity. There tends to be a trend between what execs want and what gets funded. The article made it pretty clear that the imagineers had personal reasons for not supporting the project. If budget had been a concern, I feel they would have instantly used that as their argument against it as it takes the blame off them.

I truly don't understand where you and others get the idea that magic band interactivity requires looking at your phone. There is zero correlation between looking at your phone and having magic band interactivity. I have seen that same excuse spouted multiple times, yet there is no factual basis behind it. The *only* time you have to look at your phone is to check your fast pass reservation or make them for the first time. Scuttle talking to you on the little mermaid ride requires zero phone use. Integrating magicbands into rides requires zero phone use. And all of this can be hidden in the rides without disrupting the theming.

The gates at the attractions are already installed. Those were the *only* aspects of the magic band that posed a disruption the the theming.

 

[rteetz]

I don't to dominate the topic myself, so I'll try to back off after this and let others have their say. Saying the imagineer's budgets are what limit the magic band capability is a bit hard for me to swallow. The execs WANTED magic band interactivity. There tends to be a trend between what execs want and what gets funded. The article made it pretty clear that the imagineers had personal reasons for not supporting the project. If budget had been a concern, I feel they would have instantly used that as their argument against it as it takes the blame off them.

I truly don't understand where you and others get the idea that magic band interactivity requires looking at your phone. There is zero correlation between looking at your phone and having magic band interactivity. I have seen that same excuse spouted multiple times, yet there is no factual basis behind it. The *only* time you have to look at your phone is to check your fast pass reservation or make them for the first time. Scuttle talking to you on the little mermaid ride requires zero phone use. Integrating magicbands into rides requires zero phone use. And all of this can be hidden in the rides without disrupting the theming.

The gates at the attractions are already installed. Those were the *only* aspects of the magic band that posed a disruption the the theming.

The looking at your phone is for booking FPs, and ADRs that's what upsets the imagineers. The magic band has nothing to do with the imagineers they weren't opposed to that itself they were opposed to the app and what it would do to their theming element. Also wheni was talking about budgets that's in terms of what gets built. NFL had its share of budget cuts that's why the mine train was shortened twice. Also TDO as you know with the pirates refurb doesn't like to take down rides for refurbs. Unlike TDA Who is having a refurb field day for the 60th. TDO barely celebrates anniversaries.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

See now...everytime I point out my humanity to somebody who crosses the border and launches a raid...

I get a bit of a backtrack...

I'll give you credit for mostly standing ground.

But I disagree with your perception take that fastpass is "limited" because evil artists didnt want it.

Disney is as top down as any company you'll find.

Powerbroker CEO, weak lieutenants, basically a puppet board. Only 1-1.5 opinions mattered on implementing the system...and it was based on sales projections (pulled out of the Martian atmosphere...because they aren't tangible)... And the check was cut with fairly little discussion. That's where I stand...I've seen this fish before.

It's been that way for along time - my time...blame evil Mikey for that.

But evil mike LIKED the parks. As in still liked building stuff...it was for his ego...but it benefited us.

I don't think these guys do. I think the bands are just an elaborate repackaging of the point of sale system at this point...combined with the crowd control elements designed to reduce overhead and direct gift shop sales.

That doesn't mean they can't put more into it...and knowing Disney's technology - the fact that it works this good is a miracle...Disney's networking has been downright awful and a huge cost...

I think it's been successful.

But the wifi is a slow, clogged, battery draining nightmare...

The fact I have to shut it off (recommend to everyone) on an at&T i6 - top of the line on the partner network - is telling. Can't book my $200 meal at a $60 steakhouse...Le cellier...I NEED my magic

 

[Andrew015]

That's the imagineers fault. 100%. I really don't see how that can be disputed. They have sole say when it comes to designing the rides. They opted to call it a gimmick and leave it out of the rides. In "avatar land" Rhode's dismissively waved to an area off to the side and claimed that was where magic band's would be useful. They have every opportunity to build more "non gimmicky" support into the actual rides and they are actively choosing to not do it. and since they apparently answer to no one, the blame falls squarely on them. With technology these days it would be very valid to have your picture stored on that magic band. And as you go through the haunted mansion one of the ghosts has your face on it. Or maybe it just says your name. Or maybe it knows where you are from. Or some combination of the above that changes from doombuggy to doombuggy. This isn't pie in the sky thinking, it is very possible. But only the imaginners can enact those changes.

The sad truth is they may not be willing to continue that fight. It appears that the imagineers can't be forced to do anything, let alone add magic band interactivity to rides. MK is a test bed for the product. And until it, as you say, does more than just integrate a keycard into a bracelet, then they won't be willing to spend the cash necessary to retrofit the infrastructure of their other parks to work with it. And if all the parks aren't using it, then it makes every R&D dollar spent less effective.

The Imagineers aren't the ones to blame. Rather, the suits holding the purse strings closed are.