RunDisney and MagicBands/MemoryMaker

[MannyB]

An interesting talking point was brought up in the EEC thread and it was actually something I was wondering about last night. Hopefully someone with RunDisney checks on here and can offer insight.

Is there any plans to incorporate RunDisney events with the Magic Band technology, specifically in terms of integrating photos to Memory Maker?

I know right now Disney contracts photos to a different company and I am sure logistically that has made the most sense from a technology standpoint as they tag the photos based on bib number... and photopass simply couldn't work. In the same sense, now you have to search for your results (bib number being one of the criteria).

With the new technology it seems like it would be a fairly easy transition to be able to link your bib number to your MyMagic account and conversely your Magic Band. This seemingly opens the door for all photos to be directly linked to your MemoryMaker and that race results can be placed on your account without having to search.

As someone who never takes extended vacations to Disney... instead visiting the parks in isolated 2-3 day increments revolving around RunDisney races... MemoryMaker has no appeal to me in terms of ROI. If I could get all my race photos though, coupled with the bonus of park photos... I would be all over this.

Anyone else think this is a no-brainer that RunDisney needs to push for?

 

[DoctorK]

What about the thousands of people who stay offsite (or are locals) and don't have magic bands or even park tickets?

 

[J3nn78]

Doubtful. Disney does not do their own race photos. They are by marathonfoto.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Doubtful. Disney does not do their own race photos. They are by marathonfoto.

Agreed, and the sheer number of photographers required along a marathon course combined with the technology required to manage the photographs taken will probably keep it so.

I would love for it to be done as the OP suggests, but I doubt that it will happen in the near future. I imagine that Disney gets a percentage from marathon photo, so I am not sure that they have anything to gain.

 

[DoctorK]

Another thought: MarathonFoto probably makes a flat payment to Disney (possibly also a percentage of sales) which guarantees a certain revenue stream. If the pictures were simply added onto a Memory Maker account that someone was going to purchase anyway, there is no additional income to Disney.

 

[tehvalerie]

We had a problem with our MBs (the system had linked our expired park tickets from Jan. 2013 instead of the ones for Jan. 2014) and we ended up having an extended chat with a guest relations cast member at Epcot the afternoon after the half marathon. In just making conversation I told him I'd wondered if the character photo stop people at the race have MB scanners and his response was basically "oh, it's coming." I think we've only seen the tip of the iceberg as far as MB technology and all the places it could and will be integrated. For this trip, I would've been happy for it to just link the correct park tickets, but it ended up getting us a bunch of bonus fast passes and a $50 account credit when we complained to the concierge later that night.

As far as it being extra revenue for Disney or not, the only time we've purchased photopass images is when I got a 3 for $30 promo code after a trip to Disneyland. Especially since the photopass photogs will take a picture with your own camera if you as, it's just never seemed worth it. But if all my race photos were in that gallery too? I'd definitely consider it.