Disney Tackles Major Theme Park Problem: Lines

[WDWKOOK]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/business/media/28disney.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha26

 

[mrsR123]

Really interesting article; thanks for posting. These "nimble" reactions to demand sometimes require additional staff; I wonder how often they'll be willing to keep someone on stand by for such occurences.

The ride level monitoring doesn't bother me in the least, but the wristband is a little creepy. (I know that possible development is being discussed in another thread, too.)

 

[Disco]

Yeah, load balancing doesn't necessarily mean additional labor. You take the manpower from attractions that are down and put them into the packed ones.
Wardrobe would be the biggest hindrance in implementing this though.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I will reserve judgment, and hope for solutions.
However,

1) If they implement the wristbands, I will protest.
2) At least as described.
3) An RF band can be read from several feet away.
4) Thus, a crook can get your info by walking past you.
5) Then, your credit card can be used and sold immediately.
6) By the time you are done for the day, the card can be max'd out.

NOTE: Although bad for a credit card, the card can be stopped and you are out no money. If done with a debit card, you can be ruined. Even if your bank refunds your account loses,
. . . your account is out of money for days
. . . you can be penniless for a week or so
. . . your checks bounce and you bounce-check charges
. . . you can have you credit rating ruined

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I will reserve judgment, and hope for solutions.
However,

1) If they implement the wristbands, I will protest.
2) At least as described.
3) An RF band can be read from several feet away.
4) Thus, a crook can get your info by walking past you.
5) Then, your credit card can be used and sold immediately.
6) By the time you are done for the day, the card can be max'd out.

NOTE: Although bad for a credit card, the card can be stopped and you are out no money. If done with a debit card, you can be ruined. Even if your bank refunds your account loses,
. . . your account is out of money for days
. . . you can be penniless for a week or so
. . . your checks bounce and you bounce-check charges
. . . you can have you credit rating ruined

and from time in the trenches...i can attest that credit fraud/ theft/ loss is a very significant problem at WDW that you will never hear about....

i applaud any attempt at creating a more productive environment for the MASS population...as opposed to their usual quest to create even more ridiculous "premium" packages that are meant for those that are "bored" with 90 dollar tickets and 40 dollar 6 oz filets...but no personal information should be on any type device.

Not everything has to be "smart" technology. If it's just redistributing lines and cutting down on frustration...then there is a happy medium between Back to the Future Part II and Marcelline, Missouri 1910.

my take

 

[lockedoutlogic]

But i don't defend debit cards....those are for trips to the post office, groceries, and gas...

It's 2010...put it on a VISA and have the discipline to pay it 3 weeks later.
The fact that nobody is required to do so anymore has gotten us into this mess in the first place.

 

[mrsR123]

But i don't defend debit cards....those are for trips to the post office, groceries, and gas...

It's 2010...but it on a VISA and have the discipline to pay it 3 weeks later.
The fact that nobody is required to do so anymore has gotten us into this mess in the first place.

I think a large proportion of the debit card users don't understand the difference between them and regular credit cards. People really need a regular credit card for travel purposes; I agree, debit is for traditional point of sale stuff that one used to write a check for.

 

[cmanuli]

Thats very interesting, it will also be interesting to see what other new ideas they come up with to aleviate lines.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://www.wdwnewstoday.com/2010/12/30/disney-world-unveils-plans-to-reduce-wait-times/

From Bonnie McCarthy of WalletPop.com:

In an era lived at the speed of 4G, the Imagineers at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., have spent the past year establishing systems and park controls designed to prevent long lines and agonizing wait times from thwarting the buzz at the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

If successful, their efforts will mean more fun for the price of admission — as well as more time to shop (read: spend money) and eat (more money). Everybody wins.

In the article, “Disney Tackles Major Theme Park Problem: Lines,” New York Times reporter, Brooks Barnes, revealed that Disney World’s new, high-tech nerve center hidden beneath Cinderella’s Castle, “uses video cameras, computer programs, digital park maps and other whiz-bang tools to spot gridlock before it forms and deploy countermeasures in real time.” Score one for progress!

For example, according to Brooks, if computers monitoring the number of guests waiting to ride Pirates of the Caribbean indicate a spike from green to yellow, “the center might respond by alerting managers to launch more boats.” Cool.

Similarly, the center may send costumed characters to distract … err, entertain, folks waiting in line or direct a mini parade to entice guests into a more unpopulated area. Pied pipers of fun (and crowd control) so to speak.

The command center also keeps an eye on restaurant and gift shop lines and will advise managers to open more registers or hand out menus to waiting guests in order to speed things up. Anyone who’s ever languished in line should appreciate the effort. Phil Holmes, vice president of the Magic Kingdom, flagship Disney World park told the Times, “These moments add up until they collectively help the entire park.”

In fact, Disney World has reported that since the new command center has gone into effect, the average number of rides per admission has increased from nine rides-per-visit to 10. Mama likes.

Although Disney has been using technology for years (analyzing data, Fast Pass systems and weather satellites), Mickey’s new Bat Cave demonstrates an increased commitment to modernization. Thomas O. Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts told the Times, “It’s not about us needing to keep pace with technological change. We need to set the pace for that kind of change.”

Brooks points out that Disney is already experimenting with smart phone apps that can help visitors find where their favorite Disney princesses and characters are currently appearing in the park, and they have also added 87 video game stations to the highly trafficked waiting area for Space Mountain.

In the future, new wrist-band technology containing individual Disney preferences, identification and credit card information may further grease the wheels of wait times and provide a more personalized experience. “Picture a day where there is memory built into these characters — they will know that they’ve seen you four or five times before and that your name is Bobby,” said Bruce E. Vaughn, chief creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering in an interview with the Times. “Those are the kinds of limits that are dissolving so quickly that we can see being able to implement them in the meaningfully near future.”

Definitely something to think about if you’ve been considering reserving one of those new budget-friendly rooms scheduled to open at Disney World in 2012. Hold on tight to your mouse ears and buckle up, the future is gonna be a wild ride — with much shorter lines.

 

[WDWKOOK]

http://www.wdwnewstoday.com/2010/12/30/disney-world-unveils-plans-to-reduce-wait-times/

From Bonnie McCarthy of WalletPop.com:

In an era lived at the speed of 4G, the Imagineers at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., have spent the past year establishing systems and park controls designed to prevent long lines and agonizing wait times from thwarting the buzz at the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

If successful, their efforts will mean more fun for the price of admission — as well as more time to shop (read: spend money) and eat (more money). Everybody wins.

In the article, “Disney Tackles Major Theme Park Problem: Lines,” New York Times reporter, Brooks Barnes, revealed that Disney World’s new, high-tech nerve center hidden beneath Cinderella’s Castle, “uses video cameras, computer programs, digital park maps and other whiz-bang tools to spot gridlock before it forms and deploy countermeasures in real time.” Score one for progress!

For example, according to Brooks, if computers monitoring the number of guests waiting to ride Pirates of the Caribbean indicate a spike from green to yellow, “the center might respond by alerting managers to launch more boats.” Cool.

Similarly, the center may send costumed characters to distract … err, entertain, folks waiting in line or direct a mini parade to entice guests into a more unpopulated area. Pied pipers of fun (and crowd control) so to speak.

The command center also keeps an eye on restaurant and gift shop lines and will advise managers to open more registers or hand out menus to waiting guests in order to speed things up. Anyone who’s ever languished in line should appreciate the effort. Phil Holmes, vice president of the Magic Kingdom, flagship Disney World park told the Times, “These moments add up until they collectively help the entire park.”

In fact, Disney World has reported that since the new command center has gone into effect, the average number of rides per admission has increased from nine rides-per-visit to 10. Mama likes.

Although Disney has been using technology for years (analyzing data, Fast Pass systems and weather satellites), Mickey’s new Bat Cave demonstrates an increased commitment to modernization. Thomas O. Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts told the Times, “It’s not about us needing to keep pace with technological change. We need to set the pace for that kind of change.”

Brooks points out that Disney is already experimenting with smart phone apps that can help visitors find where their favorite Disney princesses and characters are currently appearing in the park, and they have also added 87 video game stations to the highly trafficked waiting area for Space Mountain.

In the future, new wrist-band technology containing individual Disney preferences, identification and credit card information may further grease the wheels of wait times and provide a more personalized experience. “Picture a day where there is memory built into these characters — they will know that they’ve seen you four or five times before and that your name is Bobby,” said Bruce E. Vaughn, chief creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering in an interview with the Times. “Those are the kinds of limits that are dissolving so quickly that we can see being able to implement them in the meaningfully near future.”

Definitely something to think about if you’ve been considering reserving one of those new budget-friendly rooms scheduled to open at Disney World in 2012. Hold on tight to your mouse ears and buckle up, the future is gonna be a wild ride — with much shorter lines.

Thanks for adding this to the thread.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for adding this to the thread.

You're welcome.

 

[Minnie321]

I agree that I would never want my personal info or credit card on a wrist band, but I think they may be onto something with the wristband. It would not be a bad idea if you could purchase them when you check in and put a specificed amount of money on them and deduct from it until it is gone. It would be a great idea for older kids that go off on their own - put money on it, put it on their wrist, and they have less of a chance to lose it than cash. May even be fun for younger children to feel big and buy their own drink with their wrist band. But no way would my credit card ever be on a wrist band - Disney would then have to realize I can vacation other places if they ever tried to make that a required thing. And for another reason - when I go on vacation it is a cash only deal that I save for - If I can't do it on cash we are not going - no vacations on credit cards!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Actually it is not going to be a wristband. They will have a medical professional and implant it into your body. This will be especially important for repeat Guests, so it only has to be done once.

And along with this, they will do a single barefoot measurement of a child at the start of a trip, and when they go on an attraction with a height restriction there will be either a green or red light for them. Since it would be stored in the computer, each trip will take a new measurement until they qualify for all attractions.

 

[yitbos96bb]

But i don't defend debit cards....those are for trips to the post office, groceries, and gas...

It's 2010...put it on a VISA and have the discipline to pay it 3 weeks later.
The fact that nobody is required to do so anymore has gotten us into this mess in the first place.

You're best bet are the AMEX Traveler Check cards. Protections of Travelers Checks with the convenience of credit card.

 

[yitbos96bb]

1) Any personal information would be encrypted otherwise Disney would be open to major legal action.

2) Stealing Encrypted information from an RFID really isn't an easy thing to do and depending on the encryption sceme used, may be impossible to do. Movies and TV make it look easy, but really its not. Data in transit is much harder to steal than Data at Rest... I'd worry more about Disney's servers being hacked than information being stolen this way... Provided of course its sufficiently encrypted.

I will reserve judgment, and hope for solutions.
However,

1) If they implement the wristbands, I will protest.
2) At least as described.
3) An RF band can be read from several feet away.
4) Thus, a crook can get your info by walking past you.
5) Then, your credit card can be used and sold immediately.
6) By the time you are done for the day, the card can be max'd out.

NOTE: Although bad for a credit card, the card can be stopped and you are out no money. If done with a debit card, you can be ruined. Even if your bank refunds your account loses,
. . . your account is out of money for days
. . . you can be penniless for a week or so
. . . your checks bounce and you bounce-check charges
. . . you can have you credit rating ruined

 

[wtccheermom]

I will reserve judgment, and hope for solutions.
However,

1) If they implement the wristbands, I will protest.
2) At least as described.
3) An RF band can be read from several feet away.
4) Thus, a crook can get your info by walking past you.
5) Then, your credit card can be used and sold immediately.
6) By the time you are done for the day, the card can be max'd out.

NOTE: Although bad for a credit card, the card can be stopped and you are out no money. If done with a debit card, you can be ruined. Even if your bank refunds your account loses,
. . . your account is out of money for days
. . . you can be penniless for a week or so
. . . your checks bounce and you bounce-check charges
. . . you can have you credit rating ruined

We do it at Great WOlf and have never had a problem with it. It was actually very convenient to have room key and charging privileges all linked to the bracelet.

 

[rutgers1]

Right now, you can charge things to your room key. I am not sure what the difference would be if the same privileges were extended to a bracelet. As others said, I think kids would particularly benefit from this. I imagine there would be a limit to how much could be charged to it.

I definitely wouldn't want a load of personal information and credit card information attached to it, but I doubt that is where they are going with the idea anyway.

 

[Mama_Dis]

I'm sorry, but am I the only one who felt the most shocking part of that article was that the average guest only makes it to 10 rides a day!?!?

10 rides by lunch maybe

 

[Disco]

I'm sorry, but am I the only one who felt the most shocking part of that article was that the average guest only makes it to 10 rides a day!?!?

10 rides by lunch maybe

LOL, I did until I thought back on my last DL trip and guess how many rides I did? Yep 10.
Really kinda spooky. Glad it's up from 9!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm sorry, but am I the only one who felt the most shocking part of that article was that the average guest only makes it to 10 rides a day!?!?

10 rides by lunch maybe

With the exception of Magic Kingdom...you'd actually be hardpressed to find 10 things to "ride" (and watch) in the other WDW parks.

EPCOT is kinda a different animal...so while there is plenty to do...it's hard to apply simple numbers to it.

but mgm and animal kingdom don't really offer much more than ten...and that's with everything.

lets count:

studios
star tours
the indy show
american idol
lights motors action
midway mania
little mermaid
playhouse disney
tower
rock n roller coaster
muppetvision
beauty and the beast

yeah...that about covers everything...and that's 11

animal kingdom
kilimanjaro
Flights of wonder
i guess you can count the train
festival of the lion king
tough to be a bug
kali
everest
CTX
triceratop spin
primeval whirl
nemo show

??? that's 11


so that number is not surprising...cause that is the only thing you realistically can do.

and besides...the number of rides/shows attended is not the problem from disney's standpoint...it's that wait times aggrivate customers and affect them in their other daily activities...and you know what that means?
they will probably spend less...and that is the primary goal. the other is to get you to fly back again.

any other consideration is not relevant.

so they want you happy so you shop....where the money is made


here would be their ideal park if you let them (and let's face it...we have been letting them):

2 rides
2 shows
5 eateries
100 shops
50 character greets/ photopass ops
25 "have you heard the secret?" DVC info desks/ tour peddlers
stroller/ wheelchair rental.


there you go...the accountants...errr...i mean "magical" plan. Walt's vision 2.0