Pokemon GO In the Parks?

[lustergirl]

I'm sure you're not the only one. I don't want to be a party pooper either, but I am seriously tired of people walking around with their faces in their phones totally oblivious to their surroundings and this game sounds like another reason to not pay attention to the people around you. I recently almost drove into a young girl who decided to step out from between two cars and she didn't even look up from her phone while she did it. So yeah, I think it's going to be a problem.

Yea I agree. I'm there to enjoy Disney not some game that has nothing to do with Disney.

 

[disneysteve]

Bok Tower Gardens tweeted yesterday that on July 16th, they are dropping over 40 lures. They're giving a $2 discount at the gate by showing your app.

 

[figment5]

This game does not require you to have your cell phone in your face. Your phone will vibrate, if you have the vibrate on, when a pokemon is nearby. Also, if you simply stop to the side when you get in a park you can zoom out and see where all the stops are so that when you get to that stop then you pull out the cell, twirl the picture, and collect your prizes.

 

[disneysteve]

Madame Tussaud's and SeaLife Orlando are also giving discounts (25% off) for Pokemon Go players.

 

[Shadowcat70]

That was me! Found a Magikarp on Little Mermaid in WDW. Actually, I've found several pokemon on rides, and many even have stops within the rides.

Honestly, I'm respectful about it: sound is off, brightness is turned all the way down, battery saver mode is on (which blacks out the screen), don't open it in the darkest parts of the rides, etc. My friend, who was in the shell with me, didn't realize I had been playing until the ride was over and I showed it to her. With that particular photo, I can promise I wasn't being rude to any other guests because there was no one in the shells around us.

I know not everyone will do that - people already use their phones at full brightness on rides and ignore the "no flash/video lighting" rules (which are far worse than a cell phone screen IMO)

Outside of locals, I really don't think it will be as big of an issue in the parks as everyone wants to believe. This app will kill the battery of a phone, and most guests don't want to risk their phone going dead by noon. Of the locals who are playing, most have enough respect to be able to play peacefully in the park without ruining other guest experiences.

I have got to say thank you for your discretion. If your friend didn't notice, I doubt anyone else did either. Hats off to you for taking so much care.

 

[disneysteve]

I have got to say thank you for your discretion. If your friend didn't notice, I doubt anyone else did either.

The good thing on a ride like Little Mermaid is that there is nobody behind you. Where it could be more of a problem is someplace like Pirates or Haunted Mansion or in a dark theater like Hall of Presidents.

 

[MariMama]

So, we're spending tons of money to take our kids to Disney, where there are a billion special things to see and do and experience in the real world, and they're walking around staring at their phone and chasing after imaginary virtual creatures?

Yeah, pretty much. So instead of looking at what is in front of them (attractions, shows, ALL the sights of Disney), they're staring at their stupid phone screen. Not to mention the annoyance of screens in dark rides. Like that wasn't a problem before...

 

[disneysteve]

Yeah, pretty much. So instead of looking at what is in front of them (attractions, shows, ALL the sights of Disney), they're staring at their stupid phone screen. Not to mention the annoyance of screens in dark rides. Like that wasn't a problem before...

I have mixed feelings on this. Like it or not, people are already on their phones constantly taking pictures, posting to facebook/twitter/instagram/snapchat, texting, checking email, and, of course, using the MDE app to book FPs, check dining reservations, etc. This is just one more thing added to the mix so I don't really see it as a big deal by itself. It may also have a hidden benefit if it stops kids from complaining about all the walking they're doing. My daughter (20) has done more exercise in the past week than she has in the past 2 months going out playing the game in the neighborhood. At least you don't need your flash to use the game on rides. I just hope people use a tiny bit of common sense on the coasters and thrill rides.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I must admit that I hope this dies down before we go in mid-Aug. Doesn't feel like we need another reason for people to be walking around while staring at their cell phones...

 

[BarbieGal457]

This game does not require you to have your cell phone in your face. Your phone will vibrate, if you have the vibrate on, when a pokemon is nearby. Also, if you simply stop to the side when you get in a park you can zoom out and see where all the stops are so that when you get to that stop then you pull out the cell, twirl the picture, and collect your prizes.

While I agree, the issue is that not everyone will simply stop and step to the side to do this, just like they don't to look at maps or take photos. My boyfriend and I both play Pokemon Go, but put me in the camp of people who aren't really looking forward to people having even more reason to just stop dead in their tracks (with or without realizing it). I'm sure we will play when there if it's still big in October, but I foresee a lot more annoyances/accidents than we already do see because of another added distraction.

 

[disneysteve]

people having even more reason to just stop dead in their tracks

I guess my view is that people already do this constantly - in the parks, in the mall, at the grocery store, etc. I don't think that this game is going to make the problem any worse than it already is. If people are oblivious to their surroundings, they just are. They don't need another reason.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I guess my view is that people already do this constantly - in the parks, in the mall, at the grocery store, etc. I don't think that this game is going to make the problem any worse than it already is. If people are oblivious to their surroundings, they just are. They don't need another reason.

Oh no I completely agree with you, but for instance my boyfriend won't stop dead to take photos or read maps, but lately he has been doing it due to this game and I almost have to remind him that there are people around he's just stopping in front of, or I have to turn around and find him because he's stopped and hasn't realized it. I think it will be fun to see if they're around the parks when we go in October, but I wonder if people will slow down with it when they see the battery drain happening (although I want to try that trick a PP posted). If it's not Pokemon Go stopping people in their tracks at the parks or elsewhere, it'll always be something else hah

 

[SureAsLiz]

Yeah, pretty much. So instead of looking at what is in front of them (attractions, shows, ALL the sights of Disney), they're staring at their stupid phone screen. Not to mention the annoyance of screens in dark rides. Like that wasn't a problem before...

My biggest thing to remember in all this: how others choose to spend their time at Disney (or anywhere else) is up to them. If I want to play video games at the park (or read, or [insert other non-park activity here]), then that's on me. As long as I'm not hurting anyone else, or majorly detracting from others experience (which a simple 'would you mind not doing that' often helps with), then it's my choice to make. While Disney sights and sounds may be fantastic and not-to-be-missed to some people, it's part of daily life to others. I can navigate Magic Kingdom with my eyes closed and give you a one-woman adaptation of nearly every ride and attraction (my Dream Along performance is spot on), so I'm not missing anything new while playing this game for a few hours.

[note that this isn't directed at you specifically. Just a way of thinking that I've chosen to adopt]

 

[disneysteve]

I'm not missing anything new while playing this game for a few hours.

Good point.

We arrive in WDW this Saturday for an 11-night stay. It will be DD's 2nd trip in 6 months and our (DW and I) 3rd trip in 8 months. We all love WDW but to be blatantly honest, sometimes we do get a little bored. Having something new and different to do in the parks is great, even if it isn't actually a Disney activity. Since only DD is playing, we may just split up and have her go off to play and meet up with her later.

 

[BumbleB]

It looks like we might be going 3 times within 6 months, so I, for one, am looking forward to playing at the parks. The main reason I like WDW is to get outside and walk around, (and eat). We play other games in the parks, I don't see the big deal with playing this one, too.

 

[addiemon]

You know, I've seen people decrying others staring at their phones, and on a thread on another site someone was complaining about how this "wasn't Disney" so they didn't want it in the parks...but for the kids, they don't necessarily differentiate between Disney and other IP owners...for them it's just a little more magic happening all around them. And it's amazing to see communities coming together! Abandoned parks are becoming social hubs. I saw a bunch of my local compatriots come together to clean up a Pokemon GO graffiti tag that a very unmannerly player sprayed on a park sign. I really hope some of these positive effects stick, even a little, in the long-term.

 

[diamondcharl]

I must be the only grump out there thinking - "Oh, great - another reason for people to stare at their phones and not watch where they're going!!!"

Not at all!

 

[btk2333]

I must admit that I hope this dies down before we go in mid-Aug. Doesn't feel like we need another reason for people to be walking around while staring at their cell phones...

I wouldn't count on it slowing down that quickly- it's passed Twitter in Daily users and it's only been released in the USA, Australia, Japan and today in Germany

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I wouldn't count on it slowing down that quickly- it's passed Twitter in Daily users and it's only been released in the USA, Australia, Japan and today in Germany

Seems to have all the earmarks of a fad, so I'll keep my fingers crossed... at least by our Nov trip...

In all seriousness, people are distracted enough with these devices while driving and walking. Any tragic accident that somehow involves this game will get a ton of attention. Not that this will necessarily change anything.

 

[KPeveler]

Something to be careful of - no matter what Pokemon you are chasing... DO NOT GO BACKSTAGE! My dad works security at Disney World, and he said they are having real problems with people climbing rails and breaking into backstage areas to play the game. If they find you backstage, you will be escorted from the park. You could even be banned. It is not worth it!