Over a billion for Magic Bands, that is awesome!!!!!!!

[Shaden]

Silly, impraticle, expensive ideas!! Like the electric light or horseless carriage.

Can't you see the amazing possibilities here? This technology is going to completely change the way people visit theme parks. What is going on now is just the tip of the iceberg, just like the original electric lights and horseless carriages. And both of those and lots of people standing around going, "Ridiculous! Waste of money!"

I liked how it improved my experience this September and can't wait for what is to come.

yur right disney has a lot of plans for the future .... squeeze every last cent out of guests .. that is what MB is about. dont forget when u were testing a very small group of people were involved ... your experience is not likely transferable

 

[LaurLaur04]

All I can say is I had a friend go to Disney as a first timer last week and they had magic bands. They absolutely loved them. They aren't that bad of an idea once they get the kinks ironed out.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I am sorry about my sarcasm everyone, but a guy needs to vent. I bought into the Disney Vacation Club in the year 2000. I thought at that time "Wow look at what Disney has done in the past 10 years, just imagine what will happen in the next 10, I can't wait!!!."

Hmmmmmmmmmm what did happen from 2000-2010? Everest, Philharmagic, some crappy stunt show at the Studios, Toy Story Mania, Saratoga Springs, DVC add on's at a bunch of the other resorts. Thats really about it. If I listed everything that happened between 1990-2000, the list would go on for miles.

Then I hear a billion dollars into this crap, and things like microchips on refillable mugs and it irks me. A billion dollars is a billion dollars. That is alot of money even to Disney. I love how efficient transportation like the Monorail will never expand because its to costly. But there is tons of money for devices that track where you have been, and how much you have spent $$$$$$$$.

Remember Walt Disney had the mentality of "if you build it they will come". The all mighty dollar was the icing on the cake but it was not the be all and end all for him. Walt wanted to see what the Disney company could do. Even Michael Eisner has a bit of this in him. But this new guy Iger, he is what is wrong with America now. Its all about "whats in it for me so I can be worth even more $$$$$$". I am financially well off myself. I have enough money, I don't understand people like this who are financially well off who want more and more and more.

~I have to admit, this is an excellent post! This post conveys your message and offers readers more insight than your previous message of wishing failure upon Disney Magic Bands.

~With that said, I do believe you were just "venting" -- in light of your DVC membership. You are still "winning," since you purchased back in 2000. I'm pretty sure prices for "points" have substantially increased since then. So, while your frustration with the parks is more than justified -- I suspect you're doing way better than those of us who continue pay Disney's current prices.

~Iger is a media guy, who has done wonders for the Disney Brand and Disney's bottom line. Eisner definitely reigned supreme over the theme parks. Eisner had an answer for Universal before they could ask! I agree with you to an extent, but the changes you are referring to have little to no impact on what direction Disney opted to take regarding the parks. Universal's wildly successful WWoHP served as a catalyst for the recent upgrades and improvement in the parks.

~At least now, we have some projects in the works to look forward too, so I'll take it! Especially, given how successful Disney has been in simply promoting their seasonal cupcakes! Limited Time Magic for this week is the Jack Skellington cupcake. I'm sure they'll be very popular, lol!

 

[Rumors Rocks]

Magic Bands are only a small portion of the Next Gen upgrade. There is more RFID and NFC in use in Room keys, AP's, Attractions (Test Track), and other Pay methods. Magic Bands may die, but the infrastructure and methodology is here to stay.

 

[Mickeywdw1254]

The wife and I are seasonal pass holders and just got back from testing the Magic bands for staying at the all star sports resort. We really enjoyed using the bands as it acts as an all in one and you could get through your entire vacation without having to fumble around with multiple cards (room key, park ticket, debit/credit card & fast passes). We had no problem using them or the MDE app when selecting and modifying our fastpass+ selections. One suggestion I would make is that the app send an alert or notification as each fastpass+ selection time comes up just as an additional reminder in case you get side tracked and forget. Other than that, I don't understand all of the backlash over the use and function of the magicbands.

 

[soar2014]

While I am not a complainer in general, and I do understand having new ideas that cause fresh technology to be pumped into the experience, I still think having a working monorail would justify paying room rates for the MK resorts. (Which BTW would not cost one billion)

 

[flashcal]

The idea and suggestion that the magic bands from concept to execution cost a billon dollars is ridiculous. The fact that people are all up in arms about is even more ridiculous. It's just too bad that this board has become nothing but a whirlwind of hate and mean spirited lies.

It's time for all the complainers to just plain stop gong and abandon Disney for the people who just plain enjoy without picking every stinking thing apart. Really, won't you be happier to not be so mad all the time about absolutely everything? There'll be more room for the lack of you which would be great considering how flipping crowded it is.

Today's crowds for instance were as bad as I have ever seen. It's not even the holidays or summer and it's packed. Nobody will miss you. Low attendance my rear end.

 

[mikek]

actually seems the whole project might be closer to 1.5 billion. (not just magic bands but everything). --see orlando sentinel article linked below.

from the article seems disney's polling finds most everyone loves it when they try it.

Wall street loves it- thinks it will make them gobs more money. And there's a good point they have to keep the stock holders happy. But I always can't help but think American companies/CEO's are too beholden with short term things to make share-holders happy and dont look long term. But i wouldn't argue that 1.5b is a short term play either.

Will be interesting to see what this enables down the road.

Personally I'm on the fence. I think there will be some great stuff from what they have said, do i think what's on the table in public so far is worth 1.5B of happiness/magic/fun for guests that new attractions could make? Not really. So for me I'll have to see what else this can do once they lay this foundation.

The argument that there is no slow period anymore and the parks are always crowded is a good point so people are happy to part with their cash at WDW. But on the flip side- maybe things wouldn't be so crowded if there were 1.5 billion worth of more rides for them to spread out on?

Only time will tell.

Disney must win over wary fans to make MyMagic+ work

 

[mikek]

So far the only thing I have found that I don't like about the MB is this. I got my band 2 weeks ago for my upcoming stay in nov. I'm a pass holder and it's ready connected to the band. Yesterday I was with some friends who do not have a magic band. The problem is very frequently we would grab a fast pass for one ride and go ride another while we wait for our return time. Well come to find out MB bands cannot get fast passes like everyone else does. The CM said all I have to do is go online and make it but the app would not let me select that day. It seems your only able to make a fast pass plus days in advanced. So I was left without one while everyone else had a fast pass.... Someone solve/explain that one...

While it stank for you, I think that's just growing pains during this transition. Eventually everyone, even day guests will have RFID cards or bands and will be in the fastpass+ system.

 

[dansamy]

I hope some of that $1.5b will include bringing the back end systems into this century.

 

[mikek]

I hope some of that $1.5b will include bringing the back end systems into this century.

My cousin's new husband's friend knew a guy who's mailman went to disney and a bus driver told him the were looking at juicing the budget to 1,500,025,995 to get the monorails automated:
secret monorail upgrade plans

 

[PuppyJonathan]

Can someone catch me up with the Monorail talk? Is it because of all the breakdowns recently?

 

[tjkraz]

The idea and suggestion that the magic bands from concept to execution cost a billon dollars is ridiculous. The fact that people are all up in arms about is even more ridiculous.

Unfortunately, the numbers really are that big. Disney has admitted as much in its quarterly earnings calls with shareholders.

It's not just the Magic Bands themselves. We're talking about 3+ years worth of enhancements to all of Disney's Online systems, replacing door locks on 30,000 hotel rooms, adding touch-to-pay readers at all cash registers, new FastPass terminals in the parks, the RFID FastPass touch sensors at attraction entrances, touch-to-enter theme park gates, interactive elements in attraction queues, and a whole lot more.

While the price tag sounds high, it has the potential to really set Disney apart from others the in the industry. Readers of this site (and similar ones) hear about all of the growing pains involved in implementing these new systems. Looking down the road a bit, once the system is operating smoothly Disney's web-based systems and all of this MagicBand tech will be unlike anything else people will find at Universal, Sea World, Six Flags, Busch Gardens, etc.

I would much rather see Disney proactively spending money to do this technology transition properly. That's better than falling behind others and/or nickel and diming the project over a much longer period of time.

 

[tjkraz]

Hmmmmmmmmmm what did happen from 2000-2010? Everest, Philharmagic, some crappy stunt show at the Studios, Toy Story Mania, Saratoga Springs, DVC add on's at a bunch of the other resorts. Thats really about it. If I listed everything that happened between 1990-2000, the list would go on for miles.

I'll add a few to your list:

- Primeval Whirl
- Triceratop Spin
- Stitch's Great Escape
- Monster's Inc Laugh Floor
- Mission Space
- Soarin
- Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Turtle Talk
- Gran Fiesta Tour
- American Idol
- Finding Nemo - The Musical

Several attractions have had significant refurbishments over that time with new content added like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth and Playhouse Disney. New movies at several Epcot pavilions. Innoventions has added new exhibits including Sum of All Thrills.

There are a number of interactive games available at the parks like Agent P's World Showcase Adventure and Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom.

Outside of your specific 2000-2010 window are Star Tours 2, Test Track 2, the new Fantasyland additions and Circusland at MK.

Not all of those are "E" Ticket attractions, of course. But it's not quite as dire as the 4 attractions + DVC resorts you sited in your post.

One or two more "E" Tickets in recent years would have eased the pain for guests considerably. Toy Story Mania is a borderline D / E Ticket. Take that out and it's been about 8 years since Soarin and Everest were built.

Disney's biggest enemy in recent years has been Universal's spending spree. But given what USF started with, the investments were needed. They've been the ones playing catch-up with Disney. But it's past time Disney started answering with some new development of its own.

 

[Mickeywdw1254]

Actually, you can make and modify your fastpass+ selections the day you are at the park however by that time you are limited on what time slots are still available for each ride. Another thing I noticed was that when we showed up for our designated time the wait in the fast pass plus line was quicker than in times pass using the old fast pass system. I think when ppl are able to plan them out it spaces them out more and they probably allocate the availability for each time slot differently. It was a really smooth experience for us.

 

[Mickeywdw1254]

I'll add a few to your list:

- Primeval Whirl
- Triceratop Spin
- Stitch's Great Escape
- Monster's Inc Laugh Floor
- Mission Space
- Soarin
- Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Turtle Talk
- Gran Fiesta Tour
- American Idol
- Finding Nemo - The Musical

Several attractions have had significant refurbishments over that time with new content added like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth and Playhouse Disney. New movies at several Epcot pavilions. Innoventions has added new exhibits including Sum of All Thrills.

There are a number of interactive games available at the parks like Agent P's World Showcase Adventure and Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom.

Outside of your specific 2000-2010 window are Star Tours 2, Test Track 2, the new Fantasyland additions and Circusland at MK.

Not all of those are "E" Ticket attractions, of course. But it's not quite as dire as the 4 attractions + DVC resorts you sited in your post.

One or two more "E" Tickets in recent years would have eased the pain for guests considerably. Toy Story Mania is a borderline D / E Ticket. Take that out and it's been about 8 years since Soarin and Everest were built.

Disney's biggest enemy in recent years has been Universal's spending spree. But given what USF started with, the investments were needed. They've been the ones playing catch-up with Disney. But it's past time Disney started answering with some new development of its own.

Not to get off topic but don't forget Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: Play It. Granted it wasn't a lasting attraction but it was worth going to the park just for that attraction to try and get in the hot seat... which I was able to do 3 times. (Toots own horn)

 

[Bob Roberts]

I'll add a few to your list:

- Primeval Whirl
- Triceratop Spin
- Stitch's Great Escape
- Monster's Inc Laugh Floor
- Mission Space
- Soarin
- Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Turtle Talk
- Gran Fiesta Tour
- American Idol
- Finding Nemo - The Musical

Several attractions have had significant refurbishments over that time with new content added like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth and Playhouse Disney. New movies at several Epcot pavilions. Innoventions has added new exhibits including Sum of All Thrills.

There are a number of interactive games available at the parks like Agent P's World Showcase Adventure and Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom.

Outside of your specific 2000-2010 window are Star Tours 2, Test Track 2, the new Fantasyland additions and Circusland at MK.

Not all of those are "E" Ticket attractions, of course. But it's not quite as dire as the 4 attractions + DVC resorts you sited in your post.

One or two more "E" Tickets in recent years would have eased the pain for guests considerably. Toy Story Mania is a borderline D / E Ticket. Take that out and it's been about 8 years since Soarin and Everest were built.

Disney's biggest enemy in recent years has been Universal's spending spree. But given what USF started with, the investments were needed. They've been the ones playing catch-up with Disney. But it's past time Disney started answering with some new development of its own.

That is quite the impressive list from 2000-2010. Soarin and Mission Space are the only attractions worth noting, and one of the above was just a transplant from CA.

Now lets list what happened from 1990-2000

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney's Boardwalk
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Rock and Roller Coaster
Splash Mountain
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
Disney's Eagle Pines and Ospry Ridge Golf Courses. (EP has been demolished and Ospry has been leased to 4 seasons, yeah current team Disney!!!!!! Thanks again)
Blizzard Beach
Swan and Dolphin
Disney Vacation Club
Disney Vacation Club Resort (OKW)
Dixie Landings and Port Orleans French Quarter
All Star Value Resorts
Celebration Florida
Disney Cruise Line
Walt Disney World Speed Way
Coronado Springs
Illuminations
Fantasmic
Downtown Disney West Side
Disney Quest

These are just some of the major things that happened at WDW during this time period. If I wanted to scrap the pot like you and add minor attractions like Stich and Triceratops Spin (Woo Whoooo!!!!!!! A real home run). This list would go on and on and on.

Disney is the only company I can think of that can milk everything for what it is worth, charge more, nickel and dime everything to death. And still get away with it.

 

[tokon]

Actually, you can make and modify your fastpass+ selections the day you are at the park however by that time you are limited on what time slots are still available for each ride. Another thing I noticed was that when we showed up for our designated time the wait in the fast pass plus line was quicker than in times pass using the old fast pass system. I think when ppl are able to plan them out it spaces them out more and they probably allocate the availability for each time slot differently. It was a really smooth experience for us.

I was told by two different CMs on the phone that you can only get 3 FPs per day per park using the Magic Band, and that you can't get any with your paper (or plastic) annual pass if you link it to your MB. Can anyone confirm this? If so, no testing for us. Heck, we have 3 FPs before lunch. We're not the leisurely stroll thru the park family - I'm the dad running to Space Mountain for FPs while the kids ride Thunder Mountain.

 

[tjkraz]

That is quite the impressive list from 2000-2010. Soarin and Mission Space are the only attractions worth noting, and one of the above was just a transplant from CA.

Now lets list what happened from 1990-2000

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney's Boardwalk
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Rock and Roller Coaster
Splash Mountain
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
Disney's Eagle Pines and Ospry Ridge Golf Courses. (EP has been demolished and Ospry has been leased to 4 seasons, yeah current team Disney!!!!!! Thanks again)
Blizzard Beach
Swan and Dolphin
Disney Vacation Club
Disney Vacation Club Resort (OKW)
Dixie Landings and Port Orleans French Quarter
All Star Value Resorts
Celebration Florida
Disney Cruise Line
Walt Disney World Speed Way
Coronado Springs
Illuminations
Fantasmic
Downtown Disney West Side
Disney Quest

These are just some of the major things that happened at WDW during this time period. If I wanted to scrap the pot like you and add minor attractions like Stich and Triceratops Spin (Woo Whoooo!!!!!!! A real home run). This list would go on and on and on.

Well, if you want to go to that extreme I could add Animal Kingdom Lodge (both buildings) Saratoga, Pop Century, Art of Animation, Bay Lake Tower, Wishes, a dozen different parades and more.

But really....what did you expect?

Did you think we'd be looking at 7-8 theme parks now with more on the way? A dozen golf courses? 40-50 hotels?

Many businesses go through growth phases but it can't continue indefinitely. At some point you need to begin to reap the benefits of that investment.

Can you point to a business that is steadily investing hundreds-of-thousands of dollars per year into expansion of their facilities?

Disney is the only company I can think of that can milk everything for what it is worth, charge more, nickel and dime everything to death. And still get away with it.

Really?!?! The Disney is the ONLY COMPANY?!?!

Try every company, my friend. Every company.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

Technically isn't Mission Space supposed to be an E-Ticket?