Not too long ago we told you about a test of something called Disney Magic Connection, which uses a Nintendo DS to help visitors through the theme park. The concept seemed solid, but it looks like Disney had a hard time trying to find visitors that would test the system.
The problems had less to do with the hardware, according to Jim Hill Media. Guests who actually took part in last week's test loved the device and its capibilities; the problem was that no one wanted to bother with testing it. They wanted 60 families a day to test this system, but on most days, they had to settle for half that number.
A Disney Imagineering insider had this to say about the test:
Trying to recruit guests to try out these DS units right after they came through the turnstiles was a bad idea. After riding over to the park on a crowded Monorail or a packed Ferry, people don't want someone coming at them with a clipboard and then giving them a sales pitch. They just want to get inside and ride some rides.
And that $300 security deposit, asking people for an imprint of their credit card right after they've paid for their admission ... That was a mistake too. A lot of people just turned and walked away as soon as we mentioned that security deposit.
They could perhaps make things easier by permitting the millions of DS owners to bring their own system into the park, but as of now, there are no plans to let outside DSes tap into the Disney network.
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site
Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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Contest:
2:14 PM on 01.29.2008
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That at least seemed like the smart thing to do.
You'd figure "Imagineers", would think to let outside DS's use these maps, since that was what I'm sure EVERY FUCKING PERSON who heard about a DS Disneyland map was thinking when they got the original news.
Why bother with buying DS's FOR Disneyland, and worrying about deposits, when the DS is literally the fasting selling system ever.
I think Reggie needs to pay a bitch slapping visit to Mickey.
No, that's just you dude.
Remember what you did to the Keira Knightley robot on the PotC ride last time you were there?
Yeah... That's why.
I was genuinely excited about this until I heard about the $300 deposit thing.
You need 1200 to buy tickets, 400 for a hotel, then 300 for a ds map.
What else do you need Walter?!
<hands over soul>
That should do it.
-JD
And NEVER try and get an imprint of someone's credit card and get a Security depostit. If someone came up to me with that crap I'd walk away too.
If this system is to work it must be FREE, as in you do not pay anything extra for it, you bring your own DS system in and use it while your in the park for free. You don't pay for a paper map of the park now do you? This is supposed to be added functionality, not something you pay for.
I could see a 30$ security deposit (that you get back in full when you return the card), which matches the price point of DS games to cover the cost of a lost DS card, if the maps are on the game cards.
Also, it needs to be expanded to more devices such as Iphones, PSP's, PDA's, blackberrys and other high tech cellphones as a free download.
$300 deposit? I love new and adaptive uses for technology, and I'd still say "fuck that" if they asked.
And if you're going to do that, they're right. You need to do it at the time of the ticket sale, not once they're in the park and eager to jump on the lines.
I pictured it being something you could access with your DS in the download menu. Even the idea of a $30 cartridge is a better one then a $300 DS.
Personally, I'd just use a paper map. Cheaper and less risk :)