Destination: Disney News

[Safari Steve]

The first of many automatic photo locations for the new Destination: Disney! program has been installed at the Magic Kingdom entry plaza. The location is comprised of a large green cylinder which contains a camera and a 2' wide "spot" on the pavement where D: D! guests can stand to have their picture taken in front of the MK Railroad station. The picture will be available for viewing on the TV in their resort room, and a physical copy can also be purchased. Several other locations will be added soon. I'm not sure when the service will officially commence, but it seems like it's coming soon.
More information to come!

 

[Bob O]

I would much perfer this time/effort/money be spent on new attractions rather than more opportunities for disney too loot their guests wallets!!!

 

[Barb]

What is this Destination: Disney! program, and what does it do??
Thanks!

 

[pheneix]

>>>I would much perfer this time/effort/money be spent on new attractions rather than more opportunities for disney too loot their guests wallets!!!<<<

That is exactly what I am thinking. The amount of money that is being blown on milking guests wallets and "keeping them on property" (which has a snowballs chance in hell of working in real world application. Someone who wants to go to Universal Studios already had it planned into their trip anyway) could have been spent on luring new guests to WDW that would have an entirely new wallet to draw from.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Steve, I am curious too ! Please tell more about the DD program

 

[Douglas Dubh]

If you go to Jim Hill's site (link below), there's a couple of columns that explain the basic idea. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to do a direct link.

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/main/index.htm

 

[Barb]

Thank you for the link. I guess I had heard about some points of this program before. It's all very interesting. But I do agree in part with Bob O. Why are they dropping so much money on this program when the parks so obviously need the attention more, mainly EPCOT. It seems to me that they need to get their parks in order before they start some new fancy program to get people there. They need to get their priorities straight.

 

[Safari Steve]

In a company this big, there are lots of projects going on simutaneously. Don't think of this as an "instead of..." Think of this as an "In addition to..."

 

[Zurg]

Souds kinda cool, like a cross between the Kodak Photo playground and the mainstreet photograpgers. What the hey I use both every trip so this sounds like fun.

Big rides are cool and with Mission Space and maybe a new coster at AK re rumors at wdwmagic.com & screemscape there seem to be some in the works. I on the other hand love the little attention to detail stuff and this counds cool.

I like you point Steve in addition to...

 

[Bob O]

NO Steve, with the current management it is a give or take situation and not a give/give situation. They added this with the sole intent to remove more more out of guests pockets while doing little to add to the guests enjoyment of the park. This money could have been spent much better on adding something for guests to see or do rather than just devising more ways for us to part with our money. The company pr line just doesnt cut it anymore!!!
And if you read the link on Jim Hill's web site this program has had to have cost disney many millions of dollars to put into place, with the construction/testing etc. Nowwouldnt have that money been better spent putting in a replacement for the Hunchback show as a example???

 

[gbxxxi]

Great job, Steve! I couldn't agree with your past post more!

I look forward to your information! Keep it up!

Thanks!

Mark

 

[manning]

Hey Bob, I understand that when you stand on that spot and say cheese a big mouse will show up.

I like the idea. I will now know where to stand when DW takes my picture. With my camera.

 

[Buzz2001]

Safari Steve - are these cameras replacing the folks that ask you for a photo opp when you enter a park?

Bob O - how do you know what they are or aren't doing? Do you work for Disney?

 

[Safari Steve]

No, the idea isn't to replace the walk-around photographers. The program also includes PDA-like plush characters that will talk to you about different things as you walk through the park, but those will not replace our tour guides. It's just a way to enhance the experience for the guests who use the program (while being as unobtrusive as possible to the rest of us. (the one in the entry plaza is pretty odd if you see it, but it's painted green and off to the side behind a tree. Others should blend in better.)

 

[KNWVIKING]

... I enjoy your factual post very much, but on this board you are beating a dead horse. If Disney says "yes",the answer should have been "no",if they say "white", it should have been "black". The experts on this board know so much more about running a mega-billion $$$$ company then ME ever will.

 

[All Aboard]

Opportunity costs aside (i.e. what WDW could have done with the money otherwise) I think this sounds like a fairly neat idea. Not sure who gets to use it, but if it's free to get the photos on your room TV, we'll probably give it a shot.

Now, about those folks that try to get you to pose for a photo at the park entrances. I really dislike being "pitched" each and every time I walk in a park. Sometimes I try not to make eye contact or intentionally walk fast. I really wish I didn't have to do that. It's a little like avoiding the "carny's" as you walk through a midway at the Fair. They really do a tough sell. "Here, could I get you all to group together just like that?" as they try to position you. I really wish WDW would just get rid of those photographers.

 

[jlambrig]

Steve,

thanks for the info, I am loking forward to finding out more about this.

And thanks also for speaking your mind. Highly appropriate response.

Same goes to KNWVIKING, well said.

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

gcurling: well said! You know, I've never met another guest who wouldn't take a picture of our party in front of the (insert kodak photo spot of choice here) if asked politely.

 

[KNWVIKING]

... like telemarketer's. At least they aren't rude or obnoxious and I imagine the photo's they do take are of a much higher quality then most pic's taken by guests with personal cameras.

 

[HB2K]

The photographers have their place. I just wish they would let you come to them for photos vs. proactivly selling them.