Disney's NextGen Initiative
- Thread starter DisneyFanKevin
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I really do not like the sound of this Xpass. The fastpass system now is alredy a great perk for Disney and I do not want to have to plan out my day in advanced just to get one. What I like about the parks is that I get to relax and do what rides I want when I want. I do not want to be controlled and not be able to chose when I do things. I hope that this is added to fastpass and does not replace it in the end.
The beginning of the end in my opinion. I like to pack up and go last minute since I have an AP, now, not only will I have to book my hotel, but I'd have to rush online and see what times are left for Soarin the day I'm there. Its a fact I'll probably never ride that ride again.
No thanks, all this tracking what and when I do something is ridiculous.
I do not want to ever plan out my day where ever I go.
I do not want to ever plan out my day where ever I go.
I don't want to seem like I'm making excuses, just merely looking from another perspective.
All of this talk of the XPass is speculation at this point. Yea, we have an idea as to what's in store, but we don't know all the full details. I'm sure we're going to see this come out with a few other specs that will cater to those that just wing it.
The XPass is definitely not built for the local, but for the out-of-towners, who don't have the luxury us locals (or those close enough) to experience the rides every day/week.
So with the Xpass for the out-of-towners, I assume they will be utilizing the Fastpass line to enter any attraction, leaving the Stand-by line for the regulars. I'm going to make a safe bet that the Stand-by line will go down substantially since most of the attendance at the parks in Orlando will be out-of-towners using said XPass.
I actually like this idea of an Xpass, but I don't like the fact that everything is scheduled. And what happens if a ride breaks down? Can you say "mass-hysteria"? Not to mention, there is no way to predict how long the line would be several months in advance. I would prefer it if the hardcore scheduling was an option, because I think it definitely has some benefits, but, unless Disney figures out a perfectly lenient way for this to work, this will be a disaster.
My guess is the stand by lines will be known as the stand still lines as you watch hundreds of "preferred" guests pass you by.
The tracking thing around the resort doesn't matter to me. I don't care if Disney knows what time I rode the Peoplemover. I like the idea of Photopass and Fastpass being combined like that though. Especially on a phone. It could save a lot of paper and necessary waste. But having to plan Fastpasses depresses me. That option I do not want.
This is a draconian business move from my perspective. They are attempting to turn each park into a quasi website... one that can track (and hopefully) control your every move. With every swap of the xpass you are setting a 'cookie'; one that you cannot delete. There is far more to this project then creating 'a better experience' for the guests. It's right up there with Magical Express where guests think they are getting a perk only to find they have just paid big bucks to be locked away in a kind of 'happy' prison for a week.
As for Nextgen's development of interactive queues, I have the feeling that they might have something to do with the so-called xpass. They seem over the top and outlandish now, but they might not when xpass is released. Imagine the fun for stand-by crowds; getting to stand outside and play with a pipe organ for 30 minutes before you move onto the next interactive for 30 minutes.
Sorry to sound so austere but this is what I feel Disney is working on in the long run.
As for Nextgen's development of interactive queues, I have the feeling that they might have something to do with the so-called xpass. They seem over the top and outlandish now, but they might not when xpass is released. Imagine the fun for stand-by crowds; getting to stand outside and play with a pipe organ for 30 minutes before you move onto the next interactive for 30 minutes.
Sorry to sound so austere but this is what I feel Disney is working on in the long run.
100% agreed
--- Update ---
Very well said and 100% agreed too.
This system is designed to control the guests movements, hence also the new "hub" they have set up in the park as well. Too much crowd in Fantasyland? Dispatch a parade. Peter Pan's line too long? Ride suddenly breaks down, clear the queue. Its too much control.
What about stuff like the mouse knowing that you haven't paid him his money for dinner so you start getting repeated spam to your phone making suggestions based on everything you ever ate in the park or even bought at a grocery store or pharmacy?
And this is why RFID chips creep me out. Mythbusters did an episode on them and it got banned :look:
Yeah. Privacy is quickly becoming a thing of the past. It's only a matter of time before the disease invades our theme parks.
I never knew this but have further researched and found it to be the truth. What was behind all of this... MONEY. Capitalism can be a viper with a friendly smile. Disney Corporate is no better than Enron or Wallstreet or all of the banks holding mortgages. Makes one want to go and live in a cabin in the woods and shoot a rabbit for supper.
So Disney has rolled out its first use of the NextGen tech to enhance the guest experience.
At All Star Sports they have installed RFID Chip readers in the soda fountians. And every cup will have to have an activated chip for the soda fountain to work. Every cup that you buy will have an RFID Chip that is activated for 90 mins. After that the fountian will not work. If you buy one of the refillable souvineer mugs, it will be activated for the number of days that you pay for.
So Disney can't fix the monorails or the Yeti, but they can spend $1.5 BILLION to stop people from getting too much soda and spam your phone with high pressure sales of on ride photos. Yeah, I'm really loving how this NextGen thing is kicking up the vacation experience.
At All Star Sports they have installed RFID Chip readers in the soda fountians. And every cup will have to have an activated chip for the soda fountain to work. Every cup that you buy will have an RFID Chip that is activated for 90 mins. After that the fountian will not work. If you buy one of the refillable souvineer mugs, it will be activated for the number of days that you pay for.
So Disney can't fix the monorails or the Yeti, but they can spend $1.5 BILLION to stop people from getting too much soda and spam your phone with high pressure sales of on ride photos. Yeah, I'm really loving how this NextGen thing is kicking up the vacation experience.
I don't know where you got that crap but Disney has never brought down an attraction because the queue was too long. Having worked in attractions at Disney, I know first hand how the "system" works. Disney would only shut down an attraction ONLY if it effects the safety of the guests. Crowd control and any other "Big Brother" type thoughts you might have on the subject have nothing to do with it.
--- Update ---
The NextGen initiative is Bob Iger's thing. If you have a problem with the Monorails and the Yeti send an email to Meg Croftin. Also while we're on the topic of the Yeti, it's not going to be fixed for a long time. In order to fix the problem they would have to bring the ride down for an extended period of time which Animal Kingdom cannot afford.
