I should clarify that when I said...
I was speaking from the Disney Marketing Team perspective. I think Disney takes the easy road out here 9 times out of 10. By using an existing character they feel they gave a quick tie in that can sell merchandise. I feel they should focus more on the core value/focus of the land/park and theme attractions based on that. The Kim Possible might be a really cool kid concept to make Epcot more kid accessible. But the theme is completely wrong. I think a Epcot world explorer theme would have worked so much better for Epcot. And the back story would have been pretty easy really. A world explorer, done correctly would have allowed them to come up with a new line of merchandise. Sadly they took the easy road.Rdeacon said that a "World Adventure" with out a tie-in to a popular character wouldn't sell shirts.
I do think the mobile phone updates are a cool technological addition to the parks, and a good way for customers to get up to the minute updates, etc. It might even cut down on the number of park maps they have to produce each year. A nice "green" side benefit. BUT where this idea went off the tracks is the exclusive Verizon contract. Why make certain features exclusive. I know I know for the money. But that just takes away some cool features to a large portion of guests. Exclusive deals does not equal Disney is a place for everybody
For the record I have Verizon, but feel that the features for all, not for just some. And if they want Verizon money, just make Verizon a pavilion sponsor ( Wonders of Life = Wonders of Wireless? ) or make them the "Official" wireless carrier of WDW or something like that.
Rich
One quick note