A fascinating read Jordan, thanks for that. It beggers belief how they could mess up a relatively simple IT project (I mean, simple in the way that the scale is tiny compared to, say, a government computer system) so spectacularly. It's shocking to think that what should be a relatively cheap behind-the-scenes upgrade has cost more than a major new attraction. And who authorised the budget for this?!
Having a card that is both your room key, your entrance ticket as well as a pre-paid spend card really shouldn't be difficult at all (PortAventura's room keys are park tickets, and EP have a fully-functioning pre-paid card system). Where, exactly, did all the money go for this?
The correct way to go about this, rather than making a massive fuss of it as a major project ('we've abolished turnstiles' may improve the guest experience but it's not going to get people through the, err, turnstiles) would have been simply to introduce these technologies slowly over a number of years, as and when stuff on park needs replacing. Why this has been budgeted and marketed as if it's an attraction is beyond me.
Some heads at WDW surely need to roll for this. While Universal are building the incredible looking Diagon Alley, WDW seem to be twiddling their thumbs at the moment, relying on this rubbish, the underwhelming looking Seven Dwarves coaster and the distant promise of Avatarland. Meanwhile, it seems like Universal already have their next few major post-Potter projects lined up and ready to go.
The saddest thing is that the reaction to this mess-up is to cut projects and slash budgets, rather than the logical thinking which would be to
increase budgets and spending to catch up with Universal's progress. I can see a situation over the next few decades of the Universal parks steadily and surely closing the gap on WDW's guest figures, unless drastic action is taken in every single WDW park. Mr Iger, as Keynes would say, the only way out of this situation is to spend, spend, spend. You need to do the following: launch a full investigation into this MyMagic+ screw-up, fire whoever was responsible and make some line-up changes at WDW, salvage the best bits of the project and roll them out to all the other parks (turnstile free entrances are nice) and, most importantly, approve all these new projects that are on hold, waiting to go (especially the Monsters Inc door coaster!). And for god's sake, please approve a DCA style makeover for Studios in Paris and Orlando.
Meanwhile, the Disney Parks Blog seem to be
making the best of a bad situation:
Disney Parks Blog said:
Magic Kingdom Park Makes Disney History As All Walt Disney World Parks Go Turnstile Free
Earlier today, Magic Kingdom Park reached a milestone in Disney history when the park’s final touch point entry system was unveiled at the park – a moment that signified that all Walt Disney World Resort park entrances are now turnstile free.
The first park to trade turnstiles for touch point entries was Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, which became the first turnstile-free park in late February. Similar replacements have taken place at parks across Walt Disney World property throughout the year, making it easier than ever for guests – especially large groups, or families with strollers or wheelchairs – to enter the park together. To enter a park, guests now simply touch their ticket media, Annual Pass or MagicBand (in testing) to the touch point on their way into the park. Cast members are still stationed at entrances to greet guests and assist when needed.
One of those cast members is Awilda Martinez, who has worked at the main entrance of Magic Kingdom Park for more than 30 years, and has personally seen the difference the new touch point entry system has made for guests visiting the park.
“The guests love the new entrances. It’s all been positive. Even children get a smile on their face when they see the green light. They’ve never seen anything like this before in their lives!”
Let's have a look on their Facebook post for some of the reaction to this ground-breaking, Potter-beating piece of history...
Todd Weber Meh. You should've spent the money on acquiring Harry Potter instead.
14 hours ago via mobile · Like · 5
William Winikus Why don't you write an article about how FP+ is horribly over budget? Not to mention how it's totally going to cause Standby lines to become even longer.
14 hours ago via mobile · Like · 14
William Winikus DL is smart. They don't want anything to do with this catastrophe.
14 hours ago via mobile · Like · 8
Roger Massie Now if they would get the Magic Band snafu sorted out. In reading Disney and other Disney related pages this program has all the earmarks of a poorly manufactured government project. Billions of dollars they say? Possible postponement and cancellations of park expansion? Not good!
14 hours ago via mobile · Like · 6
Mike Rideout Good thing this 1billion+ project is just going to put a damper on most other projects. Funding must be tight considering igers only goal is to keep the share holders happy. 2 parks in Florida ALONE are shambles of what they once were
14 hours ago via mobile · Like · 7
Jennifer 'Olson' Lakeberg Good job Disney, messed with a system that wasn't broke to begin with and now all projects have been halted and there is the potential for massive layoffs because of the loss of money. Congratulations!
13 hours ago via mobile · Like · 3
Lucas Petocz MyMagic+ is a failure...This is nothing to be proud of.
13 hours ago via mobile · Edited · Like · 6
Lori Fuller So, they eliminated the turnstiles... but the castmembers still have to stand there to make sure people "check in". Why did WDW waste the money to eliminate turnstiles again?
13 hours ago via mobile · Like · 3
EMan DX A billion spent and the thing still doesn't work right. Iger killed off Monstropolis and Star Wars on hold and Disneyland Ca. might not get much for it's 60th until WDW management can get together... yeah, what a milestone!
13 hours ago · Like · 8
A
BILLION?!?!