Where is Disney going with Magic Bands?

[tjkraz]

I know...I'm tough...but am I wrong?

You make very convincing arguments...arguments which undoubtedly resonate with a certain segment of Disney's fan base.

But at the end of the day, you're standing in the line right next to me waiting to check-in at Saratoga Springs. And later waiting to board IASW with your kids.

You demand a response--a level of discontent--from others which you yourself do not even demonstrate.

 

[DizFanSLD]

Well there's the stock excuse again...

And it pains me to see someone so experienced, thoughtful, and well informed use it.

Capitalism is not diplomatic immunity... It does not supersede all arguments.

There are two distinct "branches" of it: fair business and price gouging

Disney operated for several decades in its parks on one premise... And now I believe it has taken the low Road to the other. It was never cheap...but they made efforts to always give you the same or more for your money. I contend it has been 10 (I'm being generous...it's been more) years where they have not made a good faith effort at either.

And I'm not crying for nostalgia...I'm alerting to the possibility that the whole thing will be changed until it isn't what it is any longer.

And none of us want that at all... Not we who pay.

The problem is that everyone has to shake the damn cobwebs out of their heads and make conscious choices to spend their money... Not buy crap because of the label.

That's what wdw is becoming...vacations by walmart.

I know...I'm tough...but am I wrong?

This wasn't directed at me, but I am going to respond. You are starting your argument from a flawed premise, the idea that you can set an objective standard for "value" and apply it on behalf of all people, and that will therefore lend weight to your determination that Disney is no longer providing "value" in the same proportion to cost as they were at some nebulous time in the past that is designated as better than now.

If I accept the premise of your argument, then I have nowhere to go, because we aren't talking about specifics, we are just two old geezers sitting on the porch complaining about how nothing is the way it was in the "good old days".

But, value is not and can never be an objective absolute when applied to something as personal as a vacation. If we sit down and hammer out a LONG list of criteria to establish a baseline for value, assuming that we could ever agree, then we could still only establish value as it related to us, not everyone. Value in this area is related directly to hundreds of factors, from the biggies such as how much money you earn, to the smallest of considerations, like what is your minimum acceptable bedsheet thread count. Value isn't broad and general, it is personal and intimate. A great deal of what determines value for me at Disney is completely intangible.

You clearly think that the value of Disney has deteriorated over the years, and you are certainly entitled to that opinion, but don't act like those who disagree are just idiots who haven't been elevated to your level of understanding and wisdom. We may have factors driving our decisions that you can't even relate to. The parents of a non-verbal autistic child who speaks his first word when he meets Mickey Mouse have a conception of the value of a WDW vacation that you should hope to never experience. Likewise the paraplegic who gets to fly on Soarin', or the family that has saved for a decade to experience their first Disney vacation.

And I never hear of a Make-A-Wish kid who asked to go to Wal-Mart...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

This wasn't directed at me, but I am going to respond. You are starting your argument from a flawed premise, the idea that you can set an objective standard for "value" and apply it on behalf of all people, and that will therefore lend weight to your determination that Disney is no longer providing "value" in the same proportion to cost as they were at some nebulous time in the past that is designated as better than now.

If I accept the premise of your argument, then I have nowhere to go, because we aren't talking about specifics, we are just two old geezers sitting on the porch complaining about how nothing is the way it was in the "good old days".

But, value is not and can never be an objective absolute when applied to something as personal as a vacation. If we sit down and hammer out a LONG list of criteria to establish a baseline for value, assuming that we could ever agree, then we could still only establish value as it related to us, not everyone. Value in this area is related directly to hundreds of factors, from the biggies such as how much money you earn, to the smallest of considerations, like what is your minimum acceptable bedsheet thread count. Value isn't broad and general, it is personal and intimate. A great deal of what determines value for me at Disney is completely intangible.

You clearly think that the value of Disney has deteriorated over the years, and you are certainly entitled to that opinion, but don't act like those who disagree are just idiots who haven't been elevated to your level of understanding and wisdom. We may have factors driving our decisions that you can't even relate to. The parents of a non-verbal autistic child who speaks his first word when he meets Mickey Mouse have a conception of the value of a WDW vacation that you should hope to never experience. Likewise the paraplegic who gets to fly on Soarin', or the family that has saved for a decade to experience their first Disney vacation.

And I never hear of a Make-A-Wish kid who asked to go to Wal-Mart...

That's a great counter argument...

It's just not the one to me.

Am I not presenting this as opinion? And I did mention diminished return but not what can be termed as "value". I didnt see it, if I implied it, my bad. I typically don't talk much about that because it is so subjective.

If the counter argument is "greed is good" then I reject that... Because it is not. For Disney nor anyone else.

If I offended anyone dealing with autism, special circumstances, or bob Iger's nephews...my bad. Not the intent.

I'm basing my argument on the mainstream...not the outliers (which I have no issues with whatsoever). Which if you are an expert in forensics... You'll know is not a standard basis either.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

You make very convincing arguments...arguments which undoubtedly resonate with a certain segment of Disney's fan base.

But at the end of the day, you're standing in the line right next to me waiting to check-in at Saratoga Springs. And later waiting to board IASW with your kids.

You demand a response--a level of discontent--from others which you yourself do not even demonstrate.

I hear you and you're right...

I'm just getting to the breakwater point a little quicker. And you must admit that you have that point somewhere on that map too...

I go because I'm holding out some hope. But the path is getting more narrow by the year.

And I don't blanket buy what they sell...my habits and spending patterns have shifted dramatically...to the point where I've all but gutted out of pocket expenditures where they want them...including an ever increasing restaurant "blacklist" and more venturing to the evil "off-property".

I don't want a boycott of wdw...but when they ram junk at us in individual segments...spinal columns by the majority would determine positive change.

That's how the "market" should operate. Crystal Pepsi went away...so did new coke...so should anything with "Disney parks" written on it.

Again...before I get flamed by crusaders... MY OPINION.

 

[DPCummerbund]

Where they might be going:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201310/3730/

I think this is a great article, and the author makes some fantastic points. Even if you're being as "pragmatic" as possible, if Disney makes its rides as "repeatable" as it can, it gives all guests an incentive to come back again. First and foremost, Disney needs people to WANT to come to its parks. This assures guest satisfaction and profits. At this point, we really don't know what Disney's long term plans are for Magic Bands. If the author is truly correct, then what we're seeing now is simply a side affect (and an added bonus/profit) for what Disney really means to do.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I think this is a great article, and the author makes some fantastic points. Even if you're being as "pragmatic" as possible, if Disney makes its rides as "repeatable" as it can, it gives all guests an incentive to come back again. First and foremost, Disney needs people to WANT to come to its parks. This assures guest satisfaction and profits. At this point, we really don't know what Disney's long term plans are for Magic Bands. If the author is truly correct, then what we're seeing now is simply a side affect (and an added bonus/profit) for what Disney really means to do.

IF there is a grand plan...it has to have a face to show the public. Customizable rides would be the logical way to go with it...if they can hammer down the technology to do so.
And it would be innovative...which they desperately need. Disney used to set the bar at the park...now they sure as heck don't.

Let's hope that interactive for avatar, star wars, disney characters, pixar reinvents the whole place.

And they could add some more decent restaurants too - never hurts.

 

[beer dave]

IF there is a grand plan...it has to have a face to show the public. Customizable rides would be the logical way to go with it...if they can hammer down the technology to do so.
And it would be innovative...which they desperately need. Disney used to set the bar at the park...now they sure as heck don't.

Let's hope that interactive for avatar, star wars, disney characters, pixar reinvents the whole place.

And they could add some more decent restaurants too - never hurts.

Yeah-- they should do like Sea World and have a grouping of restaurants to be included in the free dinning and leave the top shelf ones to be top shelf.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Yeah-- they should do like Sea World and have a grouping of restaurants to be included in the free dinning and leave the top shelf ones to be top shelf.

Would that matter?
They've already cut selections and jacked the prices through the ceiling...

Imagine if they made them "more premium" and took them out of the "paupers" dining plans...
There would HAVE to be a price markup on that $44 filet...wouldn't there?