I am really having a hard time trying to write this up. I'm not going to be able to sell it to you guys, if I cant sell it to myself first.
The fact of the matter is this: For most people that frequent these boards, have been to disney a few times, and know how to use the current system to suit our own touring needs, a new infrastructure system will never be better then some amazing and brand new lands and attractions. I've tried really hard, pulled out all the stops with my imagination, and it just wont cut it. ESPECIALLY knowing that its going to make my touring much harder.
However, I do maintain that our demographic is at best 10% of the overall visiting population, and Disney does not intend to have us jumping up and down with excitement. Their target is the 80% of visitors that really have no idea how to tour disney, and are frequently frustrated when they visit. (I often wonder what the missing 10% is when I talk that we are 10, they are 80.... need to work on my stats.)
So I invite you to sit back, relax, and view my following comments as "not what its going to do for ME" but more like, "whats it going to do for that newb down the street that has never been, or has not been for about 2 or 3 years".
All of my previous posts have mostly been 'whats it going to do for Disney', and why they want it more then putting in new attractions. Are we all agreed that DISNEY THINKS its going to make them a lot of money? I think lots of you believe it wont actually do so, but I have my serious doubts about that assumption. Some seriously gifted people hashed this out over the last several years, and convinced the big D to spend a billion. I know y'all want it to fail, to be canned, whatever, but logically speaking, at least in my mind, that is most likely NOT going to happen. Could, but maybe not likely.
If there is nothing else I am certain about, I will tell you DISNEY thinks this is going to make them a lot of money. There is something else I am pretty certain about, and that is that Disboarders typically dislike change intensly, unless its adding more attractions at Disney (and even then, the complaints dont stop - the new expansion is a cop out, disney cut corners, ect). Even when Disney updates an attraction, the number of threads that pop up saying 'this change sucks' is amazing. I am not trying to get anyones dander up, I just want to point it out. We can be truthful to ourselves, right?
Speaking about being truthful to ourselves, I should say I am a pretty mellow person. Laid back mostly. I spent 2 days back in March at the big D, and managed to check out the MK and the new expansion. And, I very much enjoyed it. I thought the theming was good, and was impressed by Gastons tavern. I thought the VOTLM was good, a typical Disney ride, but not mind blowing. (Yes, the roof in the "under the sea' room was wierd and badly done, but on a whole, pretty good.) But then I dont find Winnie the pooh mind blowing either. I just like the emmersion into the 'magic', the fine details
that are typically a disney standard. I never even got to Raphunzels bathroom, to my everlasting regret. Anyways, its the emersion of 'magic' that I really love about Disney, and that is what I want to talk about. How this new system could bump it up to a whole new level. Now, if you thought the new area was terrible, and that it sucked, then you need to know that my standard is a lot lower then yours, or at least different. What I have to say will most likely be of no interest to you.
And, another side note: I do find the HP Que mind blowing, and the attraction amazing. If disney added 2 or 3 more of these type attractions at the parks, I cant argue that this infrastructure is better. I cant. But, I can argue that joe vacationer will be amazed and impressed by the new infrastructure, and will have a better vacation because of it. So thats all I am going to try to do, try and get you to see what Joe Vacationer may get out of the system..
That said, I am going to ask you to set aside your point of perspective, close your eyes,and envision this from a totally different point of view, the disney newb (come on robo, you can do it!).
Stretch out with your feelings luke......
First off, you have to do a couple of things.
1) View this from the perspective of the average Disney goer, not someone who has been to Disney 10 times in the last year, or even 10 times over the last 10 years. Someone who has a family of 4, with 2kids that are say 6 and 10 (I have no idea if this is a common demographic, but just play along, you are all now sporting a family of 4)
2)Then, you have to imagine the IT Utopia, where there are no glitches, no complications, nothing that will stop the computer system from doing exactly what its capable of doing. (keep your eyes closed doconeill.....)
3)Also, imagine if you will, that 80% or more of all Disney goers are not only happily buying their tickets in advance, but filling in fun little interactive forms so Disney can send them their perfect itinerary day, does not matter if they are off site or onsite, everyone who wants to be on board gets on board.
I know, I know, its hard to swallow. Close your eyes again, and try harder.
(I heard you swear at me.)
Now what I imagine could be in the realm of possibility: I imagine a system that purchasing your disney ticket will be a lot like doing your cruise documents, a couple of fun and interactive pages, where you only have to fill in minimum information, Disney characters and short video clips encourage you along the way when you are filling it in, and there are several easy options that could be preselected. (goofy is telling you that your 6 year old is going to love barnstormer ,see he is pointing to it!)
OK, This trip document needs to be filled 60 days in advance (or more) and you get maybe a ticket price discount if you fill it in by a certain date. Minnie emplores you "lets save some cheese Mom2rtk! in her squeaky little annoying voice) There will also be simple options like premade plans, or advance search options where you can detail your itinerary.
The non planners are not actually planning, they are just clicking on boxes, which parks do you want to go too. which characters would you like to meet, do you want to sleep in or start early, ect, ect. 15 minutes tops. And, its phased like the
disney cruise document so you can do a single section at a time, walk away from it, come back when you want. You can change your plan as much as you want, up to, say 1 week before you leave on your trip.
Then, in the mail, comes your lovely magic band bracelets. Tiny tim, your son, has a pirate one, little nell, your daughter has a Cindy one, your Darling wife has Cruella, and you choose to be GRUMPY. Before you leave for your trip, either you or your TA print out your itinerary. Off you go to Disney World
Part 2 to follow
Please hold all tomatos until I finish, I realize I am putting myself out there.
omg, I cant believe I am going to push the post button.
and that readers digest post is worth laminating and mailing to disney hq. I say we pay for a copy each, and ill stump up for a clown to ride through the offices on a unicycle with a "release more information" sign. They can't ignore that surely 
I had that kind of trouble several years ago with 
