Next-Gen – WDWNT Archive

WDW Annual Passholders To Receive RFID-Enabled Tickets Starting March 20th

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

Beginning March 20, all new and renewal Annual Pass purchases will be issued an RFID-enabled cards. All will have the green background, but feature a colored stripe to designate parking privileges.

Between March 20th and May 19th, current Annual Passholders may visit then Odyssey Center at Epcot during regular park hours to have their pass converted to the new, hard plastic ticket. The new tickets will function in existing FastPass machines as they still possess a magnetic strip on the back. As well, these new passes can enter the park via the old or new entrance methods, putting the ticket into the machine or by tapping the new touch-points.

So while Annual Passholders may not be getting a MagicBand anytime soon, they will have the modern conveniences of an RFID-enabled ticket.

Next-Gen “Memory Maker” To Help Guests Make Video Memories While They Wait In Line

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

While we have heard plenty about MyMagic+ offerings like MagicBand, FastPass+, and MyDisneyExperience, there is still another piece of the puzzle that remains somewhat a mystery…

While we don’t have a lot of details on exactly what Memory Maker (or My Memory Maker) will encompass, it seems that guests will be able to interact with certain props in queues for attractions and create video memories that they can see on their phones or when they return home. A prop recently installed at MuppetVision 3-D may give us some clues to how Memory Maker works:

If what we have heard is correct, guests could walk up to this mirror and prompt an interactive moment with The Muppets that will be video recorded by stationary hidden cameras. The guest’s MagicBand would be read and the system would connect the guest with their account on MyDisneyExperience, sending their video right into their app on their phone. Guests without the app should receive an email with the video.

The idea behind this is guests are often so busy doing attractions and sticking to a schedule to get everything done in a given day that they forget to take out their cameras and record moments from their vacation. This offering would be an interactive and fun way to save guest’s the hassle and make sure they have some video from their vacation when they return home. Also, what guest won’t want to interact with some of their favorite characters while they wait in line?

We will share more information on this story as it becomes available.

So, what do you think of Memory Maker? Good idea? Bad idea?

A Look at the Past and Future of WDW Offered to Passholders Updating to RFID Tickets

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

Annual Passholders upgrading their tickets at the Odyssey Center at Epcot received a pleasant surprise when they showed up… (Thanks to Jose Castillo and Dirk Wallen for the photos)

The set-up is a little nicer than we expected

Kudos to Disney for putting the effort in to make the exchange process pleasant

The tickets… you actually get to pick what character you get!

Signage talks about what the new pass can do and will do

BUT WHEN?

The MagicBands and the box they will be delivered in was on display. The black MagicBand now appears to be grey…

One of the original Figment animatronics on display

A Kitchen Kabaret character as well

Walt Disney World tickets through the years on display

Some recent innovations

Tom Morrow 2.0 from Innoventions

Cast name tags through the years

Pegleg Pete is back at Disney World! He was recently spotted at Disneyland

The history of audio-animtronics discussed

After they get their new pass, Passholders can test it out on some of the new entrance touch points

New “Next-Gen” Finale Scene Debuts at “it’s a small world”

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

Just last week, we showed you that Imagineers were working on a new finale scene inside “it’s a small world” at the Magic Kingdom. Well, for the most part, their work is done:

As you can see, the scene has been freshened up a bit. All 22 goodbye phrases are still there, but new accents and a few large postcard shaped signs have been added. However, just because the scene is now visible, does not mean that they are done working on it. The eventual plan is to have the large postcards replaced with screens that will say goodbye to guests personally after gathering their names off of their MagicBands. It is even possible that the long-rumored “create-your-own-doll” feature will be integrated to this scene whenever that may eventually come to fruition with the roll-out of MyMagic+.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more becomes available on this story.

Work Continues on “Explosive” Interactive Queue at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

As work continues on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad interactive queue at the Magic Kingdom, we can see more and more of what exactly we can expect while we wait in line. Let’s take a look at the latest progress:

These signs were installed recently

The signs are pretty funny

Signs saying “Explosives” have been added to the large cabinets in the queue

Props that guests can blow-up are being installed on the mountain

I somehow managed to get a closer shot while in a moving train…

I don’t know about you, but I’m really excited to blow things up while I wait to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

Goodbye Paper Tickets! RFID Tickets Now Rolling Out at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

Disney has issued a formal statement to cast members about the roll-out of new RFID tickets this week as they prepare for the launch of MyMagic+:

As we convert our theme park entrances to touch points, single or multi-day tickets purchased at Vacation Planning and Guest Relations locations beginning Jan. 30 will be enabled with radio frequency (RF) technology. Guests with these tickets will be able to utilize the main entrance touch points to enter the parks as well as turnstiles.

The rollout of the new tickets will happen over several days, one park at a time. The tentative schedule is Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Jan. 30, Magic Kingdom on Jan. 31, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Feb. 1 and Downtown Disney on Feb. 4. The remaining locations will follow.

These new single or multi-day tickets will be available onsite at Guest Relations and Vacation Planning locations. Guests who have the new tickets will be able to use the main entrance touch points as well as turnstiles. The tickets function just like the current tickets and Guests can still get FASTPASS tickets from the FASTPASS machines in our theme parks. The new tickets will be plastic and more durable than the current paper tickets. The tickets will have a green background to further help Cast Members and Guests differentiate between the ticket media types.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I use this ticket at the turnstiles?
A. Yes, this ticket works in the turnstiles and at the main entrance touch points.
Q. Will I still be able to get FASTPASS tickets from the FASTPASS machines?
A. Yes, this will work in the FASTPASS machines.
Q. I have an Annual Pass. Can I convert it to a ticket that works at the touch points?
A. You will be able to do this in the future. We value our Annual Passholders and want you to be among the first Guests to be able to experience MyMagic+. All Passholders will receive communication soon on how to convert their pass to become part of the MyMagic+ experience. When this exciting opportunity to convert your pass arrives, you’ll be able to enter our theme parks through the main entrance touch points.
Q. Why can’t I use my ticket at the new main entrance touch points?
A. Not all tickets are enabled to work at the main entrance touch points. We are in the process of converting our park entrances and also changing our tickets to be compatible with the main entrance touch points. Currently only Key to the World cards and single or multi-day tickets purchased onsite are compatible with the new touch points. All Guests can still utilize the turnstiles to enter our theme parks.

Dirk Wallen’s 2/23/13 Walt Disney World Resort Photo Report

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen takes us to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks this time around, stopping to check progress on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train, the Tangled restroom area, the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, the Big Thunder Mountain interactive queue, and more! Let’s take a look:

RFID entrance installation continues at the Studios

The large electronic scrolling sign at Sounds Dangerous is now gone, looks like we can finally officially say the attraction is dead

The new Disney JuniorL Live on Stage debuted a few weeks ago

Doc McStuffins was added to the show

As was Sophia the First

Whoops…

It was up there for some of the show…

The Epcot 30th reveal/conceal pin set came out recently

New Spring pins

85th anniversary of the Plane Crazy short

EASTER DUFFY!

New Muppet shirt

Moving over to Animal Kingdom

Kodak picture spots are still up…

RFID entrances still being installed at Animal Kingdom as well

More Kodak

Hard to believe, but they are still installing the nets at Tree of Life

This is taking forever…

Some areas look completed

Others look like no work has even started

Beastly Bazaar will soon open as the Adventurers Outpost, a Mickey and Minnie meet and greet

The Character Landing will soon host Donald and Daisy, Pooh and Tigger are heading to Camp Minnie-Mickey

Pocahontas has already moved out of Camp Minnie-Mickey

The old theater for Pocahontas and Her Forrest Friends is still stroller parking

Some walls up in Camp Minnie-Mickey

We believe they are installing FastPass+ behind these walls at Theater in the Wild

Moving to Epcot, Flower and Garden Festival preparation is in full swing

Some scrims still up near the Oz playground

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs near Germany

Toy Story characters in the American Adventure

Lady and the Tramp in Italy

All of the booths are up… it’s so weird to see these out so early in the year…

They are giving out seed packets to promote Oz: The Great and Powerful and the festival

The Mission: Space facade is being refurbished, the ride is open still

Don’t try to park at the Polynesian Resort, there is a ton of construction equipment sitting there…

Work continues on The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. There’s some strange tower rising on the right…

Another somewhat similar structure is rising outside the building on the other side

It’s starting to look like the Grand Floridian

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, Main Street Apparel is behind tarps again

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Work continues on the Tangled restroom area

You can see the tree-stump shaped charging stations gusts can use to charge electronics

Work is nearing completion on the exit of “it’s a small world” that has been behind tarps

Columbia Harbour House is still behind tarps

Work continues on Splash Mountain which is closed until mid-March

More and more progress is being made on the interactive queue at Big Thunder Mountain

I see Marc Davis and Blaine Gibson references…

The detail on the new props is stunning

A nod to Western River Expedition, the attraction originally designed for this space

Most of the work on the mountain looks complete

A few tarps still out there…

This looks like way too much fun…

YES… MUST BLOW STUFF UP!

“MyMagic+” and “MagicBand” Are About to Change the Way You Visit Walt Disney World

WDWNT on January 9, 2013

We’ve been keeping you updated on tests of FastPass+ and “Order Ahead” dining over the last few months, well, now we have the official word from Disney on how all of this “Next-Gen” technology will tie together to change the way guests experience Walt Disney World. If you have been following this site and our podcast for any amount of time, you have probably heard us discuss much of what we will explain in this post, but this is the first time we are getting the info straight from a Disney document. To protect our sources, we will not be showing you the document itself, but rather telling you the more interesting or important points of a release that was given to certain WDW cast members. Alright, let’s take a look at what “MyMagic+” and “MagicBand” mean for the future of Disney Parks:

Soon, Walt Disney World Resort will introduce tools that allow guests to use technology to customize and personalize their vacation, along with more guest enhancements that will continue to be tested and implemented in the coming years. Many of these efforts are part of MyMagic+, which has the ability to connect nearly all aspects of the guest experience.

My Disney Experience, a new website and mobile application, will provide a one-stop shop for all things Walt Disney World during every phase of a guest’s vacation. Guests may use My Disney Experience to get information on all Walt Disney World offerings, reserve dining and other experiences and make FastPass+ selections in advance.

Disney FastPass+ service will allow guests to lock in some of their must-do attractions and show experiences in advance, freeing them to explore and discover the magic in Walt Disney World theme parks and resort hotels. For the first time, guests will be able to reserve firework and parade viewing areas, shows, Disney Character Greetings and more.

The new MagicBand, worn on the wrist, will become the key to unlocking the magic, serving as room key, park admission, access to FastPass+ selections, PhotoPass card and payment account (optional) all rolled into one.

MyMagic+, as well as other guest experience enhancements, will continue to be tested and implemented in the coming years. We are continually looking at ways to take the entire Disney Parks experience to the next level at all of our destinations based on the unique ways our guests enjoy diverse sites. Guests, Cast, Crew, and Imagineer feedback will continue to be a critical part of the process in shaping these offerings.

“MyMagic+” has been slowly rolling out to guests over the last few weeks, most noticeably with the installation of “touch to pay” machines at most stores and RFID scanners at the entrance to all 4 theme parks. The new Walt Disney World website is also prepared for these additions including FastPass+:

If you try to make a dining reservation for the Be Our Guest Restaurant and it is not available, it will tell you that Disney FastPass+ Quick Service may be available. This will be the system that allows you to get a time window to go to the restaurant and even allow you to order your food before you arrive, just like the “Order Ahead” test from a few weeks ago. Of course if you hit the “Request Now” button, it does not work yet.

So, when will “MyMagic+” and “MagicBand” roll out? We don’t really know yet. We’ve heard as early as February we could see the first guests walking around the parks with the RFID MagicBand, but only time will tell. Stay tuned for more information on this breaking story as it becomes available.

What do you think of the concept of “MyMagic+” and “MagicBand”?

Tom Staggs Updates Shareholders on Next-Gen Experiences in the Disney Parks

WDWNT on February 20, 2011

Tom Staggs took the stage yesterday to address shareholders just as he has in years past but now as President of Parks and Resorts. After reflecting on his past year as the head of Parks and Resorts Staggs proceeded to outline the capital investments that the Parks division has been making over the year and what we can expect as guests for the next few years.

The most exciting portion of Stagg’s presentation was the confirmation of what we can expect from the Next Gen Experience:

“Further strengthening the belief that the guest experience starts from the moment guests book their trip, they will be able to map out their entire vacation from the comfort of their home.” They will be able to use new tools to help them:

-Reserve times for Attractions, Shows and Character interactions
-Secure seats at shows and spectaculars
-Simplify the check-in process so that guests will arrive on property with their resort keys in hand getting them into the parks and resort quicker than ever before.
-Better route resources based on guest needs dynamically throughout the day helping to improve guest flow and improve the overall guest experience

While there aren’t many details available at this time this is the first time that park management has gone into any depth on the next gen initiatives. Stay tuned to DLNT for more developments. To read the full transcript of Tom Staggs’ presentation click here

Tom Staggs Updates Shareholders on Next-Gen Experiences in the Disney Parks

WDWNT on February 20, 2011

Let’s take a look at some of the highlights for the resort:

-As Previously Reported the Snow White Mine Train coaster will take advantage of a newly patented ride vehicle, which twists and turns on its track.
-The new Art of Animation Resort will open sometime in 2013 (Still may be 2012, this was probably a typo) and contain 1,200 family suites and 800 value rooms
-New “tools” will allow guests to interact with the princesses in there new homes in a new immersive and highly personalized way

Perhaps the most exciting portion of Stagg’s presentation was the confirmation of what we can expect from the Next Gen Experience originally reported here on WDW News Today in December 2009:

“Further strengthening the belief that the guest experience starts from the moment guests book their trip[, they will be able to map out their entire vacation from the comfort of their home.” They will be able to use new tools to help them:

While there aren’t many details available at this time this is the first time that park management has gone into any depth on the next gen initiatives. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more developments. To read the full transcript of Tom Staggs’ presentation click here

Tag: Next-Gen

WDW Annual Passholders To Receive RFID-Enabled Tickets Starting March 20th

Next-Gen “Memory Maker” To Help Guests Make Video Memories While They Wait In Line

A Look at the Past and Future of WDW Offered to Passholders Updating to RFID Tickets

New “Next-Gen” Finale Scene Debuts at “it’s a small world”

Work Continues on “Explosive” Interactive Queue at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Goodbye Paper Tickets! RFID Tickets Now Rolling Out at Walt Disney World

Dirk Wallen’s 2/23/13 Walt Disney World Resort Photo Report

“MyMagic+” and “MagicBand” Are About to Change the Way You Visit Walt Disney World

Tom Staggs Updates Shareholders on Next-Gen Experiences in the Disney Parks

Tom Staggs Updates Shareholders on Next-Gen Experiences in the Disney Parks

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