Disneyland: Strangely resistant to technology / new advances?

[countofmc]

Just got back from another trip, had fun as always. Just a general random observation is that the park seems strangely resistant to newer technologies and other newer things. These are NOT complaints, just more general curious musings on my part.

People have commented on the most obvious thing, the lack of WDW style wristbands. At the very least, I find it odd they don't at least add the option of loading fastpasses and/or some kind of in-park payment option to AP cards.

I'm also wondering if there are ways to solve the bottlenecks at security and the entry gates. I wonder if DL would ever consider adding airport style scanners for bags and just have everyone walk through the metal detectors. I think this would make things go faster than having CMs checking through people's bags, and probably more secure too.

As for the entry gates, I find the process of a CM physically scanning your ticket and you walking through a turnstile to be a bit archaic. I'd love to see the kind of system you find in more modern metro stations where you scan your ticket, and the entry gate opens. They could still have CMs there to help if something goes wrong, but a more "automated" system would probably speed up entry.

And this is probably the OCD in me coming out, but I find the push button faucets in every park bathroom to be really weird. I only see these in really old city park bathrooms and such. Disney has obviously refurbished all the bathrooms since the toilets and paper towel dispensers work on sensors now. I have absolutely no idea why they didn't do the same with the faucets, they have this at the hotels but not in the park. I'll be honest, it is a bit icky to wash my hands while continuously pushing that thing that thousands of others have probably pushed.

I'm sure there are some other things I'm not thinking of right now. Obviously attendance at the parks keeps going up so Disney is doing something right, so maybe minor stuff like this is no big deal to them. Again, not complaints as these things don't really take away my enjoyment of the parks, but I think implementation would slightly enhance the overall experience.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Here is my take:

People have commented on the most obvious thing, the lack of WDW style wristbands. At the very least, I find it odd they don't at least add the option of loading fastpasses and/or some kind of in-park payment option to AP cards.

Many would argue that the Magic Band at WDW is a failure and that system does not work for DL style touring. Luckily TDA recognized this and but the brakes on before an Anaheim rollout. It is widely reported that FastPass+ which is APP based is coming very soon to DL.

I'm also wondering if there are ways to solve the bottlenecks at security and the entry gates. I wonder if DL would ever consider adding airport style scanners for bags and just have everyone walk through the metal detectors. I think this would make things go faster than having CMs checking through people's bags, and probably more secure too.

This a VERY new thing for DL...I think they have to strike a fine balance between security and turning into the TSA and think they are doing a decent job. The fact that the metal detectors are still under just pop up tents and not something more dressed up or permanent leads me to believe there is larger picture still being worked out with security and bet you will see changes with the Eastern Gateway project implementation.

As for the entry gates, I find the process of a CM physically scanning your ticket and you walking through a turnstile to be a bit archaic. I'd love to see the kind of system you find in more modern metro stations where you scan your ticket, and the entry gate opens. They could still have CMs there to help if something goes wrong, but a more "automated" system would probably speed up entry.

Speed up entry and reintroduce the ability for the fragrant ticket fraud and abuse that was rampant with the multi day tickets. With SO many newbies to the park each day, an automated system would slow thing down, not speed them up in my observation. I love new technology but personally HATE self checkout stations at stores!

And this is probably the OCD in me coming out, but I find the push button faucets in every park bathroom to be really weird. I only see these in really old city park bathrooms and such. Disney has obviously refurbished all the bathrooms since the toilets and paper towel dispensers work on sensors now. I have absolutely no idea why they didn't do the same with the faucets, they have this at the hotels but not in the park. I'll be honest, it is a bit icky to wash my hands while continuously pushing that thing that thousands of others have probably pushed.

This simply comes down to dollars and sense. You will see new faucets in new areas but there is no financial gain to remodel the current ones. I once got to talk to a head Entertainment Lighting Designer and I asked why they still use so many old theatrical lighting fixtures all over the park which are huge inefficient power hogs when there is much more efficient LED technology now. He responded that everything they do at the parks is looked at through a cost benefit lens...and that since they pay very little for their power with their utility contract there is no cost benefit to upgrade existing fixtures. All NEW installations are using the latest technology, but is is not worth it to upgrade just to upgrade.

 

[SMD]

As much as I think it would be convenient to be able to use the app or my AP for FPs, adding a CM with a scanner to the return instead of just reading a slip of paper would really create a bottleneck. Knowing that I have to keep track of a paper FP, I just bring somewhere to put it.

I would not want to put my bag on a airport like x-ray machine. In the airport, at least the people in the area have been checked for a boarding pass. At DLR anyone can enter the esplanade. If there's any sort of delay with the bags going through or you being delayed meeting the bag anyone could grab it when it's out of your control. If anyone has an issue with the amount of time bag check takes, plan more time.

The CMs at the gate are doing more than scanning tickets. People are activating their tickets at the gate and non-rev guests are also signed in there. They also have to let strollers, ECVs and wheelchairs through. It doesn't take any longer for them to just scan a guest through than it does for a guest to figure out the gate by themselves. This isn't like a subway station where the commuters know the system. It's like a whole train full of tourists trying to figure out how to pass that gate.

There used to be a sign by the sink that said to sing a song while washing, I think it was IASW or Twinkle, Twinkle. I never had an issue with the water shutting off too soon. I hit the button with the back of my hand, wet my hands, use soap, hit the button with the back of my hand and rinse and it's plenty of time with the water running. I guess if I was concerned about germs on the back of my hand, I'd use a handiwipe on the button before washing.

The other thing that most people complain about is WiFi. It's hard enough finding a bench to sit on now or a seat after ordering food as CS. The last thing DL needs is to become an internet cafe for people who think it's cool to telecommute from the parks.

 

[lalasmama]

The last thing DL needs is to become an internet cafe for people who think it's cool to telecommute from the parks.

Holy cow, if that was a possibility, I would never show up at my office again. "Sorry boss, I'm working from Disneyland again today!" I suppose it could get kind of noisy when I'm on the phone with patients, though. Ugh. My dream job--being able to telecommute from Disneyland each day!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Rumor mill has it Magic/Tragic Bands darn near put the whole Disney Co in budgetary crisis just to get FL working and they were rescued by the shocking hit in Frozen. A can of worms they have decided not to open in DL. Our "modified" system should be coming soonish though as stated above. DL has to tie your personal ID to every ticket. In FL they use fingerprints, in CA photos. I don't expect to see a full subway style system because I don't see the payoff for Disney as all lines would still have to be staffed for ID verification anyway. (And making sure no one sneaks in!) RFID tech for FPs is rumored to be how the new system will work though so we could see some front gate ticket procedure changes then. As for the faucets- me too! But apparently it's not worth it to Disney to replace them. On the bright side I've never run into a faucet I can't get to turn on like with auto faucets!

The longer Disney waits to integrate IT in the parks the happier I am. Disney IT is awful and adding more chances for them to screw up my vacation does not make me very happy. Dining reservations that don't "populate" on time, ditto for special events, website that crashes so often I have the crash pages memorized, horror story trips of the people who get dud magic bands, etc- Disney can keep their IT! (Even just using the new disabled access system could be a challenge as sometimes the CMs had trouble getting a signal to issue the ride time. Just an example of Disney IT failing while in the parks at something anyone else would have fixed in testing.)

 

[hsmamato2]

As a person who dislikes the new IT stuff for WDW (who the heck wants to plan so many details 6 months ahead of time!?!) I am looking forward to some old school park visits on our upcoming trip. I don't like MB (house arrest ankle bracelet anyone?) I don't like MDE (force you to plan 6 months ahead where and what you want to eat on any given day,and then mess up the res. you were forced to make by losing it online? no thanks) Decied what you want to ride,and what time, 4 months ahead of time with MDE( OMG how am I supposed to uber plan that much detail for teenagers???) nope, I prefer park visits without all that mess. And I've been through the wringer numerous times with Disneys faulty IT stuff...what a hassle.

 

[gottalovepluto]

And a Disney IT fail just this morning for me... Tried to make lunch reservations for a party of 1, no availability until dinner. Tried for a party of 2, same thing. When I said I'm a party of 3 all lunch times became available. So Me, Myself & I will apparently be having lunch. The sad part- I knew exactly how to get around this specific IT error because it has been discussed so much on this board by other solo travelers.

 

[Kindermouse]

And a Disney IT fail just this morning for me... Tried to make lunch reservations for a party of 1, no availability until dinner. Tried for a party of 2, same thing. When I said I'm a party of 3 all lunch times became available. So Me, Myself & I will apparently be having lunch. The sad part- I knew exactly how to get around this specific IT error because it has been discussed so much on this board by other solo travelers.

Well I hope the three of yous have a great lunch lol

 

[bumbershoot]

and/or some kind of in-park payment option to AP cards.

No one has THAT. Disneyland, disneyworld, USH, USF...you can only charge to a card/band if you're staying onsite. And it's charging to the room, not to the band/card, really.

People have commented on the most obvious thing, the lack of WDW style wristbands.

I comment positively on that! MBs are rotten. FP+, as it was implemented, is rotten.

I wonder if DL would ever consider adding airport style scanners for bags and just have everyone walk through the metal detectors. I think this would make things go faster than having CMs checking through people's bags, and probably more secure too.

Because airport security is so fast and efficient?

I'd love to see the kind of system you find in more modern metro stations where you scan your ticket, and the entry gate opens. They could still have CMs there to help if something goes wrong, but a more "automated" system would probably speed up entry.

Metro stations are as efficient as the users. Metro stations at rush hour times tend to be populated by people who know what they are doing. Stations in less rush-hour-y times or areas are populated with tourists who have NO clue what they are doing. And that's what Disney has; many, many first time users who don't know what they are doing.

The longer Disney waits to integrate IT in the parks the happier I am. Disney IT is awful and adding more chances for them to screw up my vacation does not make me very happy.

YES.

I have the crash pages memorized

"Stitch ate your page!"

house arrest ankle bracelet anyone?)

Baby/toddler plastic bangles. Might as well hook us up to those ropes that daycares in metropolitan areas use to keep all the kids together while walking outside.

 

[Comicbookmommy]

I really like having a CM scan in our tickets. They almost always smile at us and say have a nice/magical day, and it just gives it that personal vibe right from the beginning I think it'd feel colder if we just walked in by ourselves.

But I get where you're coming from with your preferences.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I really like having a CM scan in our tickets. They almost always smile at us and say have a nice/magical day, and it just gives it that personal vibe right from the beginning I think it'd feel colder if we just walked in by ourselves.

But I get where you're coming from with your preferences.

I much prefer the DL method to the WDW method of you holding out your wrist band and scanning your fingerprint. No personal touches, just an added no privacy creepy factor.

 

[JABRacingOne]

As a WDW vet my biggest complaint about DLR is scheduling. When you are used to being able to make your plans 180 days in advance at WDW I get stressed when the DLR schedules are posted a mere 30 days or less in advance. If the MM+ system were adopted at DLR they would have to have there schedules out much earlier which I would like. I really like the legacy past pass system though...

 

[bumbershoot]

f the MM+ system were adopted at DLR they would have to have there schedules out much earlier which I would like.

1. There's just no need to plan so early for Disneyland.

2. It's not like WDW has been adhering to what they say 181 days out. With the extra paid hours showing up or changing 90 days out, parks opening early and ruining PPO ADRs, etc, they aren't helping people perfectly.

 

[mom2rtk]

As a WDW vet my biggest complaint about DLR is scheduling. When you are used to being able to make your plans 180 days in advance at WDW I get stressed when the DLR schedules are posted a mere 30 days or less in advance. If the MM+ system were adopted at DLR they would have to have there schedules out much earlier which I would like. I really like the legacy past pass system though...

WDW hasn't been so good about getting final hours out much more than a month or two ahead of time recently either. You still have to plan your end of things. But you have to keep watching and be ready to swap things around based on the "final" hours and schedule that comes out late in the game. So frustrating to lots of guests.