Disney Parks Announcements - Let The Memories Begin!

[BrerGnat]

Man ... I mean this just keeps getting worse. The disneymemories.com website doesn't even work right. I, for the life of me, cannot fathom why Disney has such a ridiculously hard time getting web stuff to work?
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It's because, often, people in charge of web development/design are RESTRICTED as to what they can do by "higher ups" who have NO knowledge of or training in the use of web based software.

As an example, my sister is a web designer for Williams Sonoma Corp. (she is responsible for the layout, content, and operation of the Pottery Barn website). She complains all the time about how they have these meetings with VP's, Managers, etc. and they come up with these ridiculous ideas that are difficult and most often, impossible to implement online. Her least favorite phrase is "can't you just photoshop that?" She is limited in her creative ability by stupid corporate rules, budget limitations, and things that interior designers (who, again, have NO computer knowledge) come up with.

Disney probably does the same thing to its web developers. They probably pitch all these ideas that are extremely difficult to make work online, and the web designers, strapped by budget constraints, and limited programs in use, do the best they can, and often, the sites end up "buggy" in those circumstances.

[Ian]

I've also spent WAAAAAYYY more than the "once in a lifetime, ONLY trip" type visitors. Sure, they may go home with a suitcase or two of souvenirs, but if they NEVER come back, what good is that? It's only a short term gain.

Right, but first off they know you're probably coming anyway so why bother throwing any extras your way? And #2, remember we're talking about marketing here. They're trying to attract more of those first-timers who come and throw away their money. It's not an either-or where they can have you or Mr. & Mrs. Newbie. They want both.

So they spend money on "celebrations" like this, because they think it draws in the newbies.

Their loyal customers who visit multiple times? They're just Sheeple ... Disney Dweebs ... obsessed nerds who are going to make their annual pilgrimage to the Land of the Mouse. They'll come wearing their Mickey ears and Goofy hat and they'll come year after year after year, no matter how high the prices go or how bad the service gets.

That's the mentality of the suits who run Disney.

[Ian]

Her least favorite phrase is "can't you just photoshop that?"

Yep ... as a guy who builds websites for a living, I can tell you that's one of my least favorite, too. In fact, any sentence that starts with, "Can't you just ... " usually means you're about to get hit with yet another moronic request from someone who has no clue what they're talking about.

Our Tech Director and I talk constantly about how we need a "Just" button, similar to the "Easy" button that Office Max has.

[jpH/keD]

Really? Is that IT? One word.... LAME! C'mon Disney! You can do better than that...

[DizneyRox]

Really? Is that IT? One word.... LAME! C'mon Disney! You can do better than that...

Obviously, they can't...

Just watched the press release vido and this appears to be a new low. I do something similar for Halloween, called Hallowindow. Cost me $30 and a projector that was going to be throw out. Been doing it for a few years too, hardly cutting edge!

[pdrlkr]

Thanks Melanie!

[DisneyPrincess21]

Originally when I heard the announcement I was less then thrilled, but after looking at the Disney website for let the memories begin, it changed my mind.

I know I am probably in the minority here, but I actually really enjoyed looking at all the pictures and videos and hearing all of the stories.

Maybe it is because my trip to WDW is coming up in 67 days, and that has made me extra excited to hear people's stories and see their pictures.
Or maybe I am just a sucker for people getting engaged at Disney, and the pure joy on children's faces when they hear they are going to Disney for the first time. But either way, I really enjoyed looking through the pictures and videos.

[i'm grumpy]

I sure wouldn't want my pic for everyone to see. We were less than impressed with photopass anyway. And editing them was a pure SIs is not getting one this time.

[Aurora]

I want to know if I've got this straight -- every night during the special show, up to 500 photos of families at the parks will be projected onto the castle.

Are guests supposed to stand there and watch the castle for who knows how long, looking for their photo? Do they KNOW in advance they'll be up there?

I can see this getting old very fast. Even if I knew our photo was coming up, I can't see waiting and waiting for it, at the expense of taking the time to actually make real memories in the parks.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe lots of people will sit around and wait for the kick of seeing their photo on the castle. I just won't be one of them.

[Tekneek]

Right, but first off they know you're probably coming anyway so why bother throwing any extras your way? And #2, remember we're talking about marketing here. They're trying to attract more of those first-timers who come and throw away their money. It's not an either-or where they can have you or Mr. & Mrs. Newbie. They want both.

Disney wouldn't be the first business that begins to regard their repeat/long-term customers as more of a burden. Repeat visitors usually represent a lower profit-margin per visit. Repeat visitors are more likely to notice service and quality changes (which trends in a negative direction) and are also more likely to express/share their opinions about it. Newbies tend to be less critical, tend to spend more per person, and tend to be more influenced by Disney regarding their choices during the trip (would come from not knowing any better). They probably see these repeat visitors as something that helps pay the bills, but would rather replace you (unless you buy into DVC), if they could.

I'm not sure about the appreciation of DVC members, actually. I'm not one, but I wonder if they would actually prefer people not use their points so they can just use the maintenance fees to prepare the rooms for rack-rate bookings. Not all DVC members I have talked with would do it again. Of course, there are others who haven't found a DVC property they didn't want to buy into.

[TinkRocks]

I don't like this idea of having guests' photos projected on the castle, nor would I want to purchase a DVD of 499 pics of other people on the castle.

Is this really the best Disney can come up with? Every company watches the budget and wants to maximize profit, but sometimes you have to invest some money into new projects (or into upgrading existing project) to make a profit.

But for too long now I've watched Walt's original vision for the company slowly stripped away, replaced by the same type of rampant profit taking and small-minded corporate thinking that takes place in every other mega-conglomerate across the globe.

I once thought Disney was special, but now ... it's just another corporation out to line the pockets of its execs at the expense of anyone and everyone. And for me? Well I'm a grownup. I'm used to disappointment. I can take it. But I do feel sorry for my children who will never, ever know how special Disney World once was.

I think many Disney 'regulars' feel the same way - I know I do. I still enjoy going to WDW, but now don't go as often as I used to. The overall quality and 'magic' is declining.

There are a few CMs & some character / interactions that are outstanding, but, unfortunately, is no longer the norm. I find this sad considering Walt's vision was high service levels and creating those 'wow' moments for guests.

Also, there have been some interesting decisions regarding some attractions over the years (eg JII, TTA audio, Horizons, World of Motion). Attractions do need maintaining / upgrading / refurbishing from time to time, but you can't mess with the concept of classic attractions. Some of the newer attractions don't have the lure to want guests to re-ride.

Example - I used to love TTA. I enjoyed the inside jokes (paging Mr. Morrow), the differing / exciting voices, etc. Now, it sounds like a 10-minute commercial. Was it really that difficult to insert new clips (eg Monsters Laugh Floor) to the previous narration? I also loved Horizons - yes, it could have done with updating a little bit, but was a great attraction. It also would have reduced the wait times for other attractions...

You want an effective marketing campaign? Here goes. What separates one-timers from lifers? Knowledge, experience, special memories. How do you get those things? Well, I know that my wife and I (and my parents) have had numerous conversations on buses and monorails with first-timers who didn't know anything about WDW. Once we gave them a low-down, or even took them around with us, they were hooked. SOOOO...every morning, each park has a quiz in Guest Relations. During the first hour, everyone who passes the quiz (about WDW) gets a special badge. They are now Official Disney Fanatics who can help first-timers get around, answer questions, where to eat, etc. THAT produces memories. Not some picture on a castle that then gets sold to Pampers.

I like the idea of having a Disney (theme park) quiz and proudly wearing an official 'theme park nut' button or 'ask me about WDW button.' I find it funny that there are many repeat guests that probably know more about WDW than some of the CMs...

Their loyal customers who visit multiple times? They're just Sheeple ... Disney Dweebs ... obsessed nerds who are going to make their annual pilgrimage to the Land of the Mouse. They'll come wearing their Mickey ears and Goofy hat and they'll come year after year after year, no matter how high the prices go or how bad the service gets.

That's the mentality of the suits who run Disney.

I think most people know that the majority of Disney guests are regulars. Yes, guests do go on a regular basis and know ways to spend a little less on booking their vacation, but the key is that they are repeat guests. Wouldn't any company want guests to spend $2k on an annual trip rather guests who spend $8k once?

Someone mentioned 'thank you gifts' for repeat guests - great idea! Little things like a button, a pair of ears, an autograph book, or a nice photo frame / album can brighten someone's day or trip. Tokens of appreciation go a long way and it's about time that Disney wakes up and steps up to the plate.

When 'first timers' got special '1st visit' buttons, I felt like saying "what am I - chopped liver?" I know it was just a button, but what a way to make frequent guests feel left out...

What would Disney do if the repeat guests didn't return?

* * *

OK - I could discuss all day, but I'll get off my soap box now.

[Ian]

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe lots of people will sit around and wait for the kick of seeing their photo on the castle. I just won't be one of them.

I'm not 100% sure, because I got so bored with the presentation I didn't listen to the end, but I think the projections are going to be part of a "show" kind of a thing with a theme song and all.

I presume they'll flash the pictures relatively quickly (like one every five seconds or so) which only equates to a 100 second show.

I'm not sure about the appreciation of DVC members, actually. I'm not one, but I wonder if they would actually prefer people not use their points so they can just use the maintenance fees to prepare the rooms for rack-rate bookings.

Oh absolutely. I'm quite certain they would. Let's be clear ... I happen to believe DVC is a worthwhile endeavor (under certain circumstances), but it is by no means any kind of "thank you" program or frequent visitor appreciation society. It's a brilliant financial scheme for Disney.

The essentially do away with what is most likely their biggest expense (maintaining resorts) and shift those costs to the owners. They've got a self-funded resort that oh by the way also offers the potential for additional profit if they can rent out rooms for cash at certain times during the year. Genius.

Wouldn't any company want guests to spend $2k on an annual trip rather guests who spend $8k once?

Sure ... Disney appreciates your money, no doubt. But they don't particularly appreciate you, the guest. They just take you for granted. You're like the cake to them. The $8k guest is the icing and, just like everybody else, Disney likes the icing a lot better than the cake.

[Melanie]

Gosh, seems like more is being announced at Destination D this weekend than at this news conference.

[Ed]

Man ... I mean this just keeps getting worse. The disneymemories.com website doesn't even work right. I, for the life of me, cannot fathom why Disney has such a ridiculously hard time getting web stuff to work?

I don't understand that, either.

They just upgraded their Commodore 64 server to 2MB of RAM. You'd think that should have done the trick.

[Joannelet]

I'm not sure I like the whole idea of families being projected onto the castle BUT I do like the idea of the website with the pictures and their stories to go along with it. I also like the idea of using images and family video's for the commercials.
That is amazing to me. I mean we all know how much Disney means to a lot of us...that is why we are on here but to share that experience is even more special. Disney means many different things to all of us. I love being able to see that through the photos and the stories.
I don't know if Walt would have made it a big announcement that this is what was going to be done BUT I think he would have done this!!!
The product no matter what they do is going to sell itself because we will go back for more because of all the joy it brings us. He created it as a happy place to go with his family. So now why not share all those families that it has touched?
I know people are upset because it seems silly/cheap/easy to do etc. but I think it's heartwarming to know what and why Disney touches others.
I don't by any means think this campaign has anything to do with getting new customers in...it's about sharing the ones they have. These are OUR stories.
My favorite so far was the year of a million dreams. I thought that was great. This, I am not even going to compare it to that...I think this is just a fun way for the fans to express what Disney means to them.
I know it isn't what everyone expected and I am in the minority but I like it. (I just don't like the idea of it being on the castle.....that to me is too much.....the website, commercials, etc is great though.

[seanyred]

I'm in the minority as well. I think this sounds like fun and gives family a choice to participate if they want to, and if you don't like it then don't participate.

I've read a lot of complaints of giving up your rights to your pictures/video over to Disney. But isn't that what essentially happens when you step inside their parks? On the back of your ticket it clearly states that by entering the park Disney has the authority to use your image. I know that's not the exact wording but I didn't have a ticket in front of me. As for selling your photos to a third party, I don't think I like that idea either. But does that need be there so DVC can use these images? Since DVC is technically a separate company.

Finally, it appears that this campaign has really awaken some unhappy customers. I understand why people are disappointed, because its not the most original or magical idea. But the amount of hate seems a bit unmeasured since none of us have seen the finished product yet. (except for the website)

[DisneyPrincess21]

Finally, it appears that this campaign has really awaken some unhappy customers. I understand why people are disappointed, because its not the most original or magical idea. But the amount of hate seems a bit unmeasured since none of us have seen the finished product yet. (except for the website)

[BrerGnat]

Finally, it appears that this campaign has really awaken some unhappy customers. I understand why people are disappointed, because its not the most original or magical idea. But the amount of hate seems a bit unmeasured since none of us have seen the finished product yet. (except for the website)

You said it. The CAMPAIGN is what is wrong with this whole thing.

I don't think, deep down, that this idea is bad. If Disney had just quietly made this addition, and sort of presented it as "oh, by the way, we have this new website where you can share your memories, and you might end up in a commercial", that would have been FINE! I would have thought is was a cute idea, and would have supported it 100%.

The issue I (and many others) have with this whole thing is the hype DISNEY created about this "HUGE Announcement", and then proceeded to let us know that this "gimmick" was going to be the centerpiece of a year long "celebration". It was underwhelming when presented that way, and a letdown after spending time imagining all the possibilities of what this "huge announcement" was going to unveil.

[Ian]

Just to close the loop on this, apparently memory submissions need to get reviewed first (kinda seems like a "duh" now that I think about it), which is why mine wasn't up.

It's up now, though. I got an email that it was approved and launched.

[dmosher]

I think the whole Promo thing has gotten out of hand. Disney needs to focus on their personal interaction with their guests/service and stop trying new and inventive "gimics" to attract people. It's not working. They are the #1 vacation destination inthe world. You have already won! Stop with the silly gimics already.
Yes we all loved the Year of 1,000,000 dreams, but seriously, why do we need a new thing every year. Skip the silly promos, skip the constant "free dining" and other extras and save the money by getting bgack to basics. Other things need your PR attention much much more.