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.
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$300 security deposit? WTF?
Well, shit, that last line killed any sense of enthusiasm I had about this in the first place. I wonder if the unit they provide comes with a special card/cartridge for the downloads. That would be the only reason I can think of why they restrict it to their own provided units.
And yeah, I think that must be the case since that deposit is $300, over twice the retail price of a DS.
Are they still doing testing? I have an Disneyland annual pass, and I'd love to try this out.
Yeah, I was all for it up until the security deposit. I know you get it refunded as soon as you return the DS, but just the idea behind putting money down, and $300 at that?! As if ticket prices weren't already through the roof.
I always assumed they would just issue game cartridges to people who already had a DS instead of actual new DSes themselves.
That at least seemed like the smart thing to do.
Oh...wait...
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.
Too bad the only way you can get into Disney World is if you let them scan your fingerprints.
If you use your own DS, there is a bug that leads you to the lair of the robotic Walt Disney. Once you see that, the park employees are forced to decapitate you and drain your blood into the water in the Small World ride. Its easier for everyone if you just use the park hardware.
@snail
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.
Disneyworld is the greatest place in the world (says the 3 year old mind of Josh).
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
Wow they went about that terribly wrong. That's all I can say really. It's not that theres no interest in the system, it's that, like the guy said, you don't bother people when their anxious to get going.
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.
Maybe I'm a perv, but the title of this article just seems wrong.
Yeah, a $300 security deposit is nuts. Also don't bother people when they are just getting into the park, that is a bad idea and a good way to turn them off from potential future visits. People are very afraid of identity theft nowadays and many people want to protect their identities by you know, not giving your credit card to complete strangers asking you to participate in a trial. Maybe they should have hit up customers when they were in a 2 hour line for their first ride of the day.
If this system is to work it must be FREE, as in you do not pay anything extra for it, you bring your own DS system in and use it while your in the park for free. You don't pay for a paper map of the park now do you? This is supposed to be added functionality, not something you pay for.
I could see a 30$ 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.
Funny how so many corporate types are so disconnected from human beings and how they feel.
$300 deposit? I love new and adaptive uses for technology, and I'd still say "fuck that" if they asked.
I'm with Snaileb on this one. They have your fingerprint (which caused my family a hell of a lot of trouble last year when we mixed our tickets up). What need for a security deposit?
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.
Is that Andrew Ryan with Mickey Mouse?
Theres not much I can say that hasn't allready been said, but Disney really shot themselves in the foot on this one.
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.
Heretic, probably the same reason two kids in the row in front of me brought their DSes to Phantom of the Opera on Broadway (and I was not in the cheap section either -.-)
Personally, I'd just use a paper map. Cheaper and less risk :)
Why does anyone need a DS map for Disney World? The paper map is more than sufficient, and a hell of a lot cheaper.
No thanks.
I actually think it's a rad idea, especially if they added features such as reminders of upcoming shows you were interested in or park history/triva pertaining to attractions you were waiting in line for.