Chroniq

Lo-q on your iphone? Really? This solves basically every single problem anyone has ever had with lo-q's old system (Like parks dealing with loss mitigation, or teenagers who aren't allowed to rent because they don't have a season pass/id/credit card). If I owned Lo-q I'd also use this system for targeted offers or personalized experiences. So much potential here. Is there any information on which parks are ready to implement or what additional features the system will have? Edited to say : I just made it through the thread. I guess Robb & Elissa's lips are sealed regarding everything above. -That gravity group enclosed wooden coaster looks crazy. Does an enclosed wooden coaster exist anywhere in the world? -Random thought, but I think proslide may be the most forward thinking amusment/ride vendor in the industry. Every year, they have multiple new concepts ready to sell. Props to the team at proslide.

Here's a photo of the wristbands.

Universal Studios Hollywood http://g.co/maps/zrm99 Universal Studios Orlando/City Walk/Islands of Adventure http://g.co/maps/gqysj Busch Gardens Tampa Bay http://g.co/maps/zv9k5 Buch Gardens Williamsburg http://g.co/maps/56eg4 Seaworld Orlando http://g.co/maps/56eg4 Seaworld San Antonio http://g.co/maps/3nusr Seaworld San Diego http://g.co/maps/2gb7b Legoland California http://g.co/maps/u6abv

Are you sure Mount Olympus was actually opened and you didn't just break into the park with 10 of your friends? Edited to say: It looks like there may have been more band members at the Mount Olympus music festival than actual paying guests that day.

Since the RFID tags CAN be tied to a payment method, Disney has little reason to implement NFC. For those not familiar, NFC is the technology now being rolled out in certain smart phones (the new google phone has it) as a way to pay for an item using your cellphone. Since NFC prevents Disney from tracking guests locations, spending habits and actions like their proprietary RFID system will be able to, there is little benefit to Disney to push forward quickly with this tech. Of note- currently credit card processors are also charging a premium to process NFC transactions compared to traditional swipes which another deterrent against it . FWIW. Yesterday I said that wristbands will be the default ticketing media in the future. I messed this up. RFID wristsbands will be the default (and free) ticket media for guests staying on property (replacing the "keys to the kingdom")...All other guests will be able to purchase wristsbands if they choose. As previously mentioned, custom/personalized wrist bands will be available to purchase for anyone who wishes to do so.. This rollout and the retrofitting of hotel rooms to support RFID enabled locks is expected to be finished by January 2013.

^Robb, I've heard that wristbands will be the default ticket media, but you'll be able to buy customized/limited edition/duffy versions if you wish..The wristband thing is really good business for Disney as it makes people a lot more comfortable with using their rfid tag to do things like purchase goods or use photopass (the thinking is that if it is on your wrist you can't lose it) . This method also ensures the chips will have beter "line of sight" for the readers once it's implemented on rides or entryways. Chris "I could be completely wrong" Connolly

Since some people may have missed this- Once the system is fully implemented it won't even be a ticket. You'll wear a (rfid embedded) wristband to interact with basically every facet of theme park or hotel. So, Larry actually makes a great point (once the infrastructure is completed).

I think you might be confused with the other "turnstile-less" system they tested back in March. That test used the old ticket machines but added multiple stations and a virtual counting system. It was designed as a precursor to this version as a way to test the systems that prevent unauthorized entry. Here's a link to an article about that test- http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/disney-a-mom-and-the-mouse/2011/03/disney-world-tests-new-ticket-scanning-system-at-epcot-entrance/ Today WAS the first day this new system was tested... Not that any of this matters. I'm just excited about all the new possibilities the RFID tickets and NextGen initiatives bring to the parks.

Just a guess, but I suspect they'll either outfit three or four security guards with tablets/smart phones (like Robb mentioned) that will alert them to which person walked through without authorization (via someone watching on closed cirtcuit tv and automated video tracking) or they take the more traditional approach and have an auditory or visual system above the turnstile (like if you walk out of a department store without having them de-magnetize the radio tag).

Here is some information about what Disney hopes to do with the RFID tags- From the article found here- http://dizfanatic.com/DizTech012.aspx "Need to get into your awesome Pirates of the Caribbean themed hotel room? Just hold your wristband up to the door. At Magic Kingdom gates at 5:30AM for an 8:00 opening? Just hold your wristband to the turnstile (at 8:00 am). Mmm, time to buy a yummy cinnamon bun at the Main Street Bakery. Just hold up your wristband to the paystation to pay! Oh, hurry, FastPass to meet Mickey Mouse (or Tinkerbell in my case <3 ). Just hold up your wristband to the FastPass kiosk. Next? Get that classic photo on Main Street with the castle in the background, and even daddy can get into this photo thanks to PhotoPass. Just hold up your wristband for the photographer to scan. (No more digging in your pocket for that card) Love EPCOT's Kim Possible interactive spy game? Try some new adventures like a Magic Kingdom Pirate Adventure, an Imagineer's hidden secrets adventure or even "a romantic adventure"? Use your wristband to keep the adventure going. Can't wait to show your jealous friends at home that awesome ride video of you on Big Thunder Mountain? Just hold up your wristband to be sure that it is added to your 'Enhanced' PhotoPass account." - Check that page out for some photos of the RFID enabled wrists bands, concept art, etc.. Robb- From the photos, the turnstiles (or lack there of) appeared to be very temporary looking. Did it look like a test or part of a larger roll out to you? Also; Were the people using the regular entrances also required to get rfid enabled stickers on their tickets? Edited to add: Robb's post is the first to verify that the above article is actually true as the photos Robb posted of the Mickey rfid scanner match the style of the one's found at Epcot.

^Seems legit Btw. I wasn't aware Shannon went to school in England.

Complete speculation- but, this will get built.

Did they actually mention that at the press conference? I "heard" that was an idea, but I didn't see anything in print. Based on what I've heard, I'm more excited about this than Fantasyland 2.0 . Orlando Pete- Remember they said, "thrilling FAMILY ride" .... ..... ( you aren't shooting the penquins, you are saving them from predators or directing them to their next destination)

FWIW - (grain of salt time)-I spoke with people, who I consider friends, that are directly involved in the project. This is the entire story behind the rock work. During the design phase of the project it was planned that all visible areas of the Cadillac Range would be adorned in rock work . During the cost/planning/feasibility stage of the project it was decided that if the project were to be significantly delayed or go over budget that "a plan B" of traditional stucco sides would be used to reign in the costs and time. The 2009 D23 model shows flat sides on the back as that part of the project ran under a different and much later schedule than the mission critical areas of Cars Land. After the preliminary ride testing in the Summer of 2010 which successfully tested the additional elements that were added to the "test track system" and the conclusion by January 2011 that they were on schedule by having installed 30% of the "chips" which make up the rock work, management came to the conclusion that this ride would be delivered on time and without major cost overruns. In March of 2011, 3 years afters this ride was first conceptualized, the imagineers went back and designed the rock work for the back and side walls. The chips began fabrication 6 months after the last chip came off the line for the front side of the ride. Hopefully this finally explains why Yes- Cadillac Range was always planned to be covered completely in rock and why the early models showed flat walls and the timing/schedule was different from the original rock construction.

I suspect that Warren Buffet's team has a plan to implement a number of different entertainment diversions to draw business to the store. It's rare to read a press release from Berkshire Hathaway that doesn't actually pan out. He is arguably the smartest mind in business over the past 40 years. That being said, at best you will see something on level of Mall of America.. This a furniture store first and foremost. The amusements are a secondary draw/diversion to promote the store as being that much more of a destination.

Really enjoying your trip report. Yacht/Beach/Boardwalk are our collective three favorite resorts in all of Disney, so I''m enjoying reading your experiences as a Disney pro but a Crescent lake newbie. The detail in your report makes me feel like I'm there.

I'd love to pretend that Disney, using a number of shell corporations, decided to make a bold move and build another Magic Kingdom in the US. This would be the only way any theme park company in the US would even have a a chance of hitting 8 million in predicted attendance. Sadly, I doubt any major theme park company would involve themselves with a fringe group like this. There is a lot of cheap, less controversial land near Dallas. I suspect all that will come of this is that this group will make headlines again.

Well, that explains that.

LOL When I saw the video that Robb posted of Brian Morrow (his parents should have named him Tom) describing the attraction as "epic" and a "world within a world" this was the first thing that came to mind... According to the press release this will be a unique ride system as well.. I'm looking forward to reading everyone's speculation on what this ride or world might entail... I'm thinking an entire domed land where snow and ice is constantly being created. Something very similiar to the indoor skiing facilities across the world...The ride system? hmm... It will be a motion based platform that by making choices on a touch screen, the ride will take different path or themes.

I'm impressed that Disney figured out a way to find a revenue source off this while not having to offend guests by making this an actual "up charge" attraction. That said.. This will be a game that I won't be playing.

Two things I wanted to quickly mention with these reports. 1. This is one of the best TR's I've ever seen on TPR. You really were able to capture an important moment in history through words and photos.As one previous poster said, we all lived vicariously through you on these reports. Thanks for taking the time to share this with us. Dodging civil unrest to get us personal tour of a themepark while also being sensitive to the local culture and current situation is just impressive. 2. Your POV easily wins the awards for strangest personal sound effects of 2012. Chris "TRs like this are the reason I'm a TPR member" Connolly

To The OP. Thank you for stealing 2 minutes of my life.

I think the topic should be changed to "Does anyone that has ridden El Toro not think it's the best first drop on a wooden coaster?

Congrats to the winners.. Thanks Robb and Eric for hosting another awesome contest.

What does the cars super thread have to go with tiger woods and the volkswagen goldf? I thought he was a buick sponsor. seriously? buick? Nevermind.. It was all stuff AJ likes?