Phone Zombies in WDW

[mostlybobbins]

Originally Posted by novocastrian

dont get me wrong im an iphone user but just as an example one of my mates has a phone to make calls/text

he has no social media , not even whatsapp, so in this instance he would be at a disadvantage despite spending the same $$ to get in

some elderly park visitors would be in the same boat... just surprised disney didnt think to make provision for them

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Alas, it's the 21st century, it's a tool for the masses not necessarily the minority, rightly or wrongly. Conversely, if Disney didn't create Genie or something like it, they'd be blasted for not moving with the times. Can't win!

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Shooby doo

Phone zombies are here to stay, maybe Disney are doing it deliberately to cut back on decorations, paint etc I mean you don't need them if guests are just looking at screens

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Maybe Disney will add a Halloween/Christmas/Easter/etc augmented reality filter to the app? You'll be able to hold your phone up with the camera on and it'll show you the park around you virtually decorated with the season's festive decorations.

Now, where's Bob Paycheck's email address. I want my cut for this suggestion...

[Bad Pink Tink]

Originally Posted by novocastrian

dont get me wrong im an iphone user but just as an example one of my mates has a phone to make calls/text

he has no social media , not even whatsapp, so in this instance he would be at a disadvantage despite spending the same $$ to get in

some elderly park visitors would be in the same boat... just surprised disney didnt think to make provision for them

See more...

Its the same with Disney Cruise Line, they are transferring many guest experiences onto the App and people without a smart phone are at a disadvantage.

It seems to be a company wide policy, to invest in digital technology and Apps and transfer guest experiences to digital.

Its nothing different to my SME clients changing from brochure websites and selling in their bricks and mortar stores to ecommerce websites and online selling. Ask any SME, or large corporation like Disney, their stats will be the same 75 to 80% of their customers are using smart phones to access their products and services. Everyone is changing their business model to make things easier for those who make them the most money and the most money is being generated through smart phone users, ecommerce websites and Apps.

[themeparksandy]

Think this video is the best example how to get around Disney World without looking at his phone once.


2007,2008,2011 I didn’t even take my phone on holiday the other half had hers. 2016 I did take my phone as my DD wasn’t 40 inches so did attractions on our own and texted or FaceTimed when we got the attraction. I did the FP at home and the extra 1’s the misses added. The only time I was on my phone the most was checking the football scores.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by themeparksandy

2007,2008,2011 I didn’t even take my phone on holiday the other half had hers.

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I don't think I even owned a smartphone in those years. I think the first time I owned a smart phone was around 2013 or so. And Disney didn't really have much stuff online at those times so you didn't need a smartphone either. It's only since around 2013 when MyMagic+ started that most people started bringing smartphones.

Everyone's moving more towards being online. My MIL is struggling now because her banking is now all done online and she's in her mid-70s so doesn't 'get' technology. She wanted to get paper bank statements but couldn't - you had to look at it using the bank's app.

[themeparksandy]

Originally Posted by Nimbus

I don't think I even owned a smartphone in those years. I think the first time I owned a smart phone was around 2013 or so. And Disney didn't really have much stuff online at those times so you didn't need a smartphone either. It's only since around 2013 when MyMagic+ started that most people started bringing smartphones.

Everyone's moving more towards being online. My MIL is struggling now because her banking is now all done online and she's in her mid-70s so doesn't 'get' technology. She wanted to get paper bank statements but couldn't - you had to look at it using the bank's app.

See more...

I had 1 in 2011 as I had a Samsung. In 07&08 the only time I used the Internet was when we went the Internet cafe in Disney Quest and needed to in 08 as we were in Orlando when XL airways went busy and needed to know what was going on and how we were getting home.

[mrsmickey]

I expect Disney knew how many people were using alternative forms to access the fast pass system before (such as the in-park screen access) and took a calculation accordingly. If the vast majority were using their phones to access the system, that’s the way to go for them.

[AliceCooper9]

Phone use is definitely going to increase because of Genie+.
Back in the ole days I did not use the phone that much until lunch.
FPs between 10am-1pm then during lunch we would look at the phone and start the rolling fastpasses.

[Hammerstone]

Was always going to happen because of how it’s designed in only booking selections once you’ve tapped in to the first etc.

Perhaps like in any relationship, once the excitement wears off after a few months it will be less of an issue, but otherwise I imagine it’s the new norm