There’s an app for Disney World tickets; will going paperless work?

[WDWKOOK]

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010...sney-world-tickets-will-going-paperless-work/

A MOM AND THE MOUSE, FEATURED, KRISTIN FORD — BY KRISTIN FORD ON APRIL 23, 2010 AT 10:44 AM

An Apple fan over at Disneyandmore.com has discovered how plans from Steve Jobs, Apple founder and Disney’s largest stockholder, may revolutionize the Walt Disney World experience.

The patent for a new app, Concert Ticket +, came to light earlier this week, and it includes a section specifically related to theme parks. The app is centered around a new iTunes-based Web service for tickets, allowing smartphone users to go paperless. Once tickets are sent to a phone, the owner can use the device to enter the Disney parks.

Plus, iTicket users could be offered a variety of benefits on their smartphones. The possibilities include discounts on related merchandise, prepaid refreshments, special ride tickets or other related content and maps.

The patent also states, “Other benefits which may be associated with the electronic theme park ticket may include photos of the user on certain rides, as well as certain entertainment which may become available while the user waits in line.”
Vocal Disney fans have posted 85 comments this week about the viability of going paperless at the parks on a forum at wdwmagic.com. They are divided on whether the technology would enhance the experience or slow down the crowds with malfunctions and user errors.

DisneyMusician2 wrote, “At the current smartphone availability and usage, not to mention overseas visitors who may not have access in the U.S. (or the rights to buy outside the U.S., as we have seen with apps in the app store), this would just be a gimmick.”

Some fans suggested Disney keep the current technology and add the electronic app when it is available, giving guests the choice.

If Concert Ticket + becomes available, it’s yet another reason to invest in those back-up batteries and portable chargers for smartphones.

 

[skiingfast]

Couldn't multiple people send the file around and share a ticket this is different thatn store cooupons, where the store would rather have a million sales using the coupon if it could? Not everyone scans a fingerprint like disney or uses a picture along with the bar code reader.

Also at WDW the ticket passes through the reader, I think the slot is too small for my phone to pass through?

 

[Faldred]

My understanding of the digital rights management for the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch platform is that while an application can be shared between multiple devices (my wife and I do this, and it is legit), in-app purchases (aka "downloadable content") are tied to that device.

The typical revenue model for an iPhone, et. al., developer interested in selling content would be to provide a free or inexpensive application, and have all of the content come via in-app purchases.

Likewise, I'd expect that a concert or theme park ticket would be purchased from within the app, and be tied to the device the purchased it.

 

[Justin the Hook]

With the application Disney already has through Verizon, I can see them adding a ticket app directly to the Mobile Magic. Now you cannot download that App on and Iphone because you cannot get an Iphone for Verizon. That way they could charge everyone that has a phone to get their tickets because they would have to download the App. Currently it costs 9.99 for 180 days for that app. Would you pay more to get your tickets digitally?

 

[Cricket2]

I would pay more to get them on Tyvek.

 

[doconeill]

Now you cannot download that App on and Iphone because you cannot get an Iphone for Verizon.

Actually, it has nothing to do with the iPhone itself...they haven't ported the app to anything but the BREW platform, which powers pretty much all of Verizon's non-smartphone options, which probably nets them the greatest number of potential customers. And even then, not all of them, as they have to account for variations, etc.

It's a bigger problem to deal with than you might think.

So any form of this would likely be EXTREMELY limited in the potential audience.

Don't forget - we heard the same rumors about Fastpasses on your phone...

 

[skiingfast]

I would pay more to get them on Tyvek.

Do you mean the lining used in house construcion?

 

[doconeill]

Do you mean the lining used in house construcion?

Same stuff:

The so called "paper" tickets are actually a material called Tyvek, and is very strong and waterproof. Strong enough that you may have heard of it before...they wrap houses in the stuff to protect it before putting on the siding.

CMs have reported that they have LESS issues with the Tyvek cards than plastic, especially with regards to the magnetic stripe.

Reasonable care should make them last perfectly fine. If it was a problem, Annual Passes wouldn't be issued on them.

That said, any ticket you get at WDW other than a KTTW card will generally be Tyvek.

It appears that tickets purchased from Disney and mailed to you are plastic. This may be due to them standing up better in the mail. From other sources they could be either.

I've also gotten plastic tickets from AAA, but have also heard of them issuing Tyvek tickets as well.

If you have ANY ticket issues, you should be able to get them reissued very easily. Having copies of the backs of the tickets may make it faster.

 

[troynkasey]

All this technology and I remember not so long ago when we made our first trip and they still used the long, slim tickets and stamped the date on them to show when you visited... This was on the non-expiring park hoppers, but still...it wasn't that long ago.

 

[Cricket2]

...CMs have reported that they have LESS issues with the Tyvek cards than plastic, especially with regards to the magnetic stripe....That said, any ticket you get at WDW other than a KTTW card will generally be Tyvek...

My point being, anything other than what is offered now should cost me LESS not more.

Next thing you know they will start charging us for viewing characters and the privlege of riding the monorail. Exact change please!

 

[doconeill]

My point being, anything other than what is offered now should cost me LESS not more.

Next thing you know they will start charging us for viewing characters and the privlege of riding the monorail. Exact change please!

Sorry, I am confused as to what you mean...

I was simply referring to the response about Tyvek, which is what the "paper" tickets are being the same thing as what houses get wrapped in.

I actually wasn't even sure what you meant in your previous post...as you saying that you would pay more for a KTTW card on Tyvek? Or just that you'd be willing to pay more to NOT have to do it electronically?

 

[Cricket2]

Since at least one person didn't know what I had meant by Tyvek, I figured I'd explain what I meant furthur. I would take the electronic ticket if it saved me money but if it costs more, I'll stick with what I'm used to and it will continue to work just fine.

Btw, if you jump in a pool with a Tyvek ticket you have a wet functioning ticket, if you do that with your phone, you just created a brick.

 

[doconeill]

Since at least one person didn't know what I had meant by Tyvek, I figured I'd explain what I meant furthur. I would take the electronic ticket if it saved me money but if it costs more, I'll stick with what I'm used to and it will continue to work just fine.

Btw, if you jump in a pool with a Tyvek ticket you have a wet functioning ticket, if you do that with your phone, you just created a brick.

That I totally agree on, both counts.

 

[FloridaTeacher]

Interesting. Does lead to some other questions like how would it work with fast pass and what about a child's ticket? Sometimes my husband and kids may do something without me and vice versa, so we'd both need access to the ticket. Will be interesting to see how this concept progresses.

 

[skiingfast]

Since at least one person didn't know what I had meant by Tyvek, I figured I'd explain what I meant furthur. I would take the electronic ticket if it saved me money but if it costs more, I'll stick with what I'm used to and it will continue to work just fine.

Btw, if you jump in a pool with a Tyvek ticket you have a wet functioning ticket, if you do that with your phone, you just created a brick.

That's really funny.

Yeah I mean I've seen people tweeting that they are in the park and need a place to charge their phones. It's not surprising, I was taken back about how many times I saw people texting back and forth their location while waiting in lines.

Not only will it cost more but people will need to purchase an extra battery to carry around with them.