MyMagic+

[JenMuse]

Yeah, you and the 9 other kindle fire users are not always on the same servers that the iOS ones have. (Yes, the kindle fire has a dramatically lower userbase than other tablet platforms).

I don't often treat it like a tablet. I use it primarily to read books...shocking, I know. I also like it for cooking (color photos!). Stick it in a ziploc and prop it up on the bookstand.

I wasn't planning to take it with me to Disney, but I might to compare ap speeds.

[cy1229]

Yeah, you and the 9 other kindle fire users are not always on the same servers that the iOS ones have. (Yes, the kindle fire has a dramatically lower userbase than other tablet platforms).

I have a Kindle Fire. In this population sampling, that's 2/3. Pretty big percentage.

[Amy]

...Had a thought... doesn't this theoretically prevent one person from getting FP's for an entire group, and the rest of the group doing something else? Ok not PREVENT it, but certainly make it more of a pain in the hiney. "Ok kids, give me all your wrist bands." "Ok kids, here are all your wrist bands." Etc.

I think the FP idea is that you pre-register online ahead of time. Not sure what happens once you are in the parks, whether you can get more or not. If so, I would guess you would have to take all the wristbands with you. Good question!

[Wizzard419]

Same here, from what I understand it is a means of rewarding those who stay on-site as opposed to those who stay at other hotels. The normal FP system won't be gone, but this just adds more benefits to those who give them more money.

[Amy]

Just read a post on facebook from someone who is an AP holder and he mentioned that he has to decide if he wants to keep his normal AP and be able to access FP in the park, or convert to the MyMagic+ with the FP available only online and not at all in the parks....so there you go, people that have the wristbands won't be getting FP in the park from the sounds of things.

[Wizzard419]

Hmmm, while facebook is the most trustworthy source for news and information , I have a feeling they wouldn't just s*itcan the old system like that since it seems like you would get less with the new system. Though, in the transitional period they might end up with people unable to use the system in all parks since it isn't an overnight rollout.

[Amy]

Hmmm, while facebook is the most trustworthy source for news and information , I have a feeling they wouldn't just s*itcan the old system like that since it seems like you would get less with the new system. Though, in the transitional period they might end up with people unable to use the system in all parks since it isn't an overnight rollout.

Yeah, I know, I wouldn't normally quote Facebook, but this guy is fairly well known for his Disney knowledge, and pretty reliable. I'm very sure there will be bugs in the system. Hopefully they have it all worked out and ready to go by the time F1gment and I return

[Future Guy]

Hi! I know I haven't been here in a long time (please forgive me), but I really wanted to give my two cents about this NextGen/MyMagic+ thing.

My high school Economics teacher was fond of saying that no one is in business because they love you, they're in business to make money. And normally I don't have a problem with that. But what we've seen over the last 14 years, starting with the implementation of FastPass in 1999 and continuing with the Dining Plan and now this MyMagic+ thing is Disney simply adding layers of complexity and additional expense to the theme park experience without adding any value. All while WDW's attractions and infrastructure fall apart due to lack of maintenance.

MyMagic+ is nothing more than a gigantic data-mining operation that will allow Disney to sell information about you to advertisers and make it so that people who don't stay on property or who stay at a Value resort will have a worse experience than those who stay at a Deluxe. Have you wondered why they're installing all these interactive queues? It's because FastPass+ is going to dramatically increase standby wait times. Kiss those 5-10 minute waits for attractions like Pirates, Spaceship Earth, or the Great Movie Ride goodbye. Basically, unless you vacation in the way Disney wants you to- stay in a Deluxe resort, buy the Dining Plan, and book your ADRs and FastPasses 6 months out-you're going to pay for it by having a more limited and frustrating experience, even though you're still paying them an arm and a leg to be there!

Meanwhile, Universal and Sea World are attracting more and more people to their parks with a strategy of adding new and exciting things. I really, really hope this backfires in a big way and drives more people to Universal and Sea World, enough to trigger a big executive shakeup that jettisons the dimwits that currently run things and replaces them with people who believe the best way to make money is to put out a great product that people want to buy.

[cy1229]

Hi! I know I haven't been here in a long time (please forgive me), but I really wanted to give my two cents about this NextGen/MyMagic+ thing.

Forgiven. (It didn't need to be said, it's a given, but you know...)

I really, really hope this backfires in a big way and drives more people to Universal and Sea World, enough to trigger a big executive shakeup that jettisons the dimwits that currently run things and replaces them with people who believe the best way to make money is to put out a great product that people want to buy.

THAT probably won't happen until attendance figures decline steadily for several quarters in a row. And with "free dining" and similar promotions popping up with regular, predictable frequency, I don't think there's any imminent danger.

I agree... just don't think it will happen.

[jrcohen]

I'll be curious if instead of using the wrist band they allow the app to access nfc radios inside the high end smartphones. Just like a mobile wallet you can have all of that information loaded into the My Disney Experience app and then tap your phone for your fast pass, payment, room key etc... That would actually be pretty convenient, and one less thing to carry around.

[JenMuse]

I'll be curious if instead of using the wrist band they allow the app to access nfc radios inside the high end smartphones. Just like a mobile wallet you can have all of that information loaded into the My Disney Experience app and then tap your phone for your fast pass, payment, room key etc... That would actually be pretty convenient, and one less thing to carry around.

Just stay off the water rides...water is the kryptonite of the mobile phone world.

[MmeLeota]

I'm not sure what I think of this idea yet. It still seems like it's an open invitation for hackers to me...

[Len90]

I seriously hate this. I really don't want to be walking around the parks wearing a wristband and then having every single activity I do scanned into Disney's servers. Part of the fun of a disney vacation is being able to do things spur of the moment. FP was nice as it allowed you to decide at the park to do things. Things like MyMagic+ are preventing that and are forcing everyone to make a whole regimented schedule when they are ON VACATION!

Future Guy, welcome back and we've been missing your input. Once again you summed up my feelings perfectly.

[Wizzard419]

That's not entirely true, since you can still do all the spontaneous activities of the past, it's just more a benefit for the anal retentive types that like to plan 3 years in advance.

All while WDW's attractions and infrastructure fall apart due to lack of maintenance.

That isn't entirely true, while paint may peel and various figures might not be fully functional, the infrastructure is still sound. If they let that go there would be risk of lawsuits if something happend to a worker or customer.

[dstrawn9889]

I'm not sure what I think of this idea yet. It still seems like it's an open invitation for hackers to me...

the only problem with that statement above is that the RFID chips only broadcast a number. the database in the resort/park has to look at a table and see if the chip is indeed the 'owner' of access privledges to say a room. it would be criminally negligent for the information to be stored on the chip, for your exact reason above. as for the payment and dining plan access, one would still have to key in a PIN #. so even with a skimmer, all you could get was a #... , but which of the 15k+ onsite rooms does it open?