News Round Up 2017

[TheMaxRebo]

Rumor

I know it's been rumored that Disney is working on special interactions for SWL but I had a source tell me that Disney is working on ananimatronic Wookie that will walk around SWL.

sounds cool and appreciate pushing the technology - a little surprised they didn't go for a species that is less human shaped / harder for a CM to be in costume for

 

[rteetz]

sounds cool and appreciate pushing the technology - a little surprised they didn't go for a species that is less human shaped / harder for a CM to be in costume for

I've heard they've been working on droids too. This was interesting to me because it specially said Wookie.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I've heard they've been working on droids too. This was interesting to me because it specially said Wookie.

Yeah, I recall word of droids being out there from early on - definitely find the Wookie aspect interesting ... especially the walking aspect which would be quite the advancement I think

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

I am perpetually confused at the popularity of The Empire and Storm troopers, and that commercial is weird for me too. Of course my youngest daughter fell to PIECES when Darth Vader died, crying that he was a good dad and proved his good heart at the end! He just needed more hugs. LOL Oh my the tears and carrying on. Darth Vader is still her favorite character. idk...kids.

 

[rteetz]

Yeah, I recall word of droids being out there from early on - definitely find the Wookie aspect interesting ... especially the walking aspect which would be quite the advancement I think

They've obviously made huge leaps when it comes to this stuff looking at the Avatar animatronic.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Droids are easy, 501st has been doing them for years. I just think if they put random droids out they'd be swamped by people and not able to go about their business.

I can't really imagine an animatronic wookie that will be able to walk around. That'd be quite the step up from their other walking animatronics like lucky, who had a cart to help him balance.

 

[Pete M]

what if the wookie was driving something? (like the mobile muppets lab) seems like a lot of things could go wrong having a full 8 ft robot walking around.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

what if the wookie was driving something? (like the mobile muppets lab) seems like a lot of things could go wrong having a full 8 ft robot walking around.

Yeah - like what if it becomes self aware and starts going all I-Robot on everybody! Do the 8 foot Wookiee robots have the 3 laws???

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Yeah - like what if it becomes self aware and starts going all I-Robot in everybody! Do the 8 foot Wookiee robots have the 3 laws???

Only one law applies to them ... let the Wookie win

 

[luisov]

I can see a person on a wookie costume with a fully articulated face, but there's too many things that could go wrong with an animatronic literally walking through the crowds.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Droids are easy, 501st has been doing them for years. I just think if they put random droids out they'd be swamped by people and not able to go about their business.

I can't really imagine an animatronic wookie that will be able to walk around. That'd be quite the step up from their other walking animatronics like lucky, who had a cart to help him balance.

My son interacted with an R2 a couple of years ago at a lego exhibit that looked better/functioned better than anything lucasfilm ever put on screen...

Droids aren't hard at all. A variation on the interactive trash can and the mic guy.

 

[writerguyfl]

I think it is more successful than most of the public realizes. It's the back end data that it provides to management. It's obvious they are using it for business decisions.

It makes my head hurt every time I hear someone write/say that Disney spent a billion on FastPass+ and Magic Bands. The MyMagic+ project involved the consolidation of a number of previously disparate systems. It also involved taking all the data collected and using it to do exactly what you write. They are using the data to make "smarter" decisions.

(I worked on one of the initial phases of MyMagic+ at the Disney Reservations Center. One of the main reasons I moved to Orlando to work for Disney was because of the project. Of course, it helped that I was sick and tired of Minnesota's six months of winter.)

 

[lockedoutlogic]

It makes my head hurt every time I hear someone write/say that Disney spent a billion on FastPass+ and Magic Bands. The MyMagic+ project involved the consolidation of a number of previously disparate systems. It also involved taking all the data collected and using it to do exactly what you write. They are using the data to make "smarter" decisions.

(I worked on one of the initial phases of MyMagic+ at the Disney Reservations Center. One of the main reasons I moved to Orlando to work for Disney was because of the project. Of course, it helped that I was sick and tired of Minnesota's six months of winter.)

You know that...many of us know it...

But it's been twisted into a bigtime excuse/expectation raiser for those desperate for that...

It was genius - my opinion - lie to the stock market to pay for desperately needed basic IT...it had to be done and that was likely the only way.

But now - the downside - is that's held up as as "example" for some kind of renewed disney "can do!!" Spirit.

If you add up all the grand schemes about these Caribbean renovations...we're up to about $2 bil already.

no problem, right?

I gotta ask: has anyone ever actually walked from customs house to old port royale at Caribbean and looked around at the details? Just once?

This doesn't fit unless they are intent on screwing up dvc...which is the scary and far too likely concept.

"A view for illuminations 2.0 and a lounge"?

Illuminations 2.0...is close to 19 years old...

That's all it's gonna take to buy a $20,000 contract with little mobility anymore?

Sorry...I know I went tangent here...it just tied in. I will comment no further here.

 

[rteetz]

It makes my head hurt every time I hear someone write/say that Disney spent a billion on FastPass+ and Magic Bands. The MyMagic+ project involved the consolidation of a number of previously disparate systems. It also involved taking all the data collected and using it to do exactly what you write. They are using the data to make "smarter" decisions.

(I worked on one of the initial phases of MyMagic+ at the Disney Reservations Center. One of the main reasons I moved to Orlando to work for Disney was because of the project. Of course, it helped that I was sick and tired of Minnesota's six months of winter.)

A billion? Try 2-3 billion...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

A billion? Try 2-3 billion...

To make money...you gotta spend money.

Econ 001

 

[rteetz]

To make money...you gotta spend money.

Econ 001

Where's the money they are making on the system?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Where's the money they are making on the system?

They lied about that...it was obvious early...but the clencher is they didn't expand it to Anaheim and Paris.

Game. Set. Match.

"Lie until they catch you"

That's Econ 002

 

[Travis B]

I can see a person on a wookie costume with a fully articulated face, but there's too many things that could go wrong with an animatronic literally walking through the crowds.

I think you're 100% right. Why make it harder than it needs to be when you can produce a really good Wookie effect already. Maybe a Wookie who would vocalize and react directly with guests, animated by a handler/observer or however they do it with talking Mickey. Something like that.

 

[Travis B]

Where's the money they are making on the system?

I think you could make an argument that it's an investment that will pay off eventually. It's like infrastructure. It makes everything so much easier, it makes spending money easier, it manages all the fastpass crap, no need to carry paper tickets or fast passes or room keys. There's the whole photo-pass dimension of it, special magic bands they can sell... It's an investment that I think the general public likes, it sets Disney apart from the competition. I also think it's value is hard to quantify - you can't easily give a numerical value to data collection or the other more esoteric parts of the program.

 

[AJ1983]

I am SO in love with that commercial!! Seeing the wonder in the kids' eyes wondering if she's really working some magic is my very favorite!

I'm in my 30's and even I stop and wonder if its real when I see the commercial! Lol and when I check in at Disney they may as well have fairy wings cause even checking in is magical and exciting (for me anyway!)