Betamouse episode #2 is available. Give us a listen and let us know what you think! Do you have your own ideas about what we should be talking about? Email henry@touringplans.com today!
Or, you can download it directly here.
- Henry introduces the podcast panel.
- Remember to follow Betamouse on Twitter and Facebook!
- A big thank you to our sponsor Touring Plans. Visit Touring Plans today and shave four hours off your wait times at the Walt Disney World Resort!
- Katie kicks off the show by describing the overall Kim Possible Experience.
- Henry describes how Kim Possible tells a story through the park.
- Katie states that her favorite pavilion in the Kim Possible Experience is China.
- Katie likes the idea of the hidden picture taking during Kim Possible and mentions that it might be a fun way to implement that throughout all the parks and resorts.
- Henry introduces the idea of NextGen and Nate describes the NextGen Disney revolution.
- Nate also states that the head of the Disney NextGen project is the former VP of Epcot who spearheaded the Kim Possible Experience.
- Nate gives an example of what could be considered Disney’s NextGen initiatives such as the queue-less queues and the new Dumbo attraction that is slated for the Fantasyland expansion.
- Katie describes a Kim Possible mission in detail.
- Henry thinks that the Kim Possible “check ins” remind him of the popular FourSquare idea.
- The question arises if the missions get repetitive to which Katie touches on the fact that each pavilion’s experience is a totally different one.
- Jeff states that he would like a Kim Possible app for his iPhone.
- Henry loves the idea but explains the difficulties of supporting the app on multiple platforms.
- Jeff argues that there are only three platforms: iPhone, Android and “maybe” Palm. Henry declares his love for Palm devices.
- The talk of different mobile platforms causes Katie to point out her gripes with the Kimmunicator device.
- Jeff points out that although the technology of the actual device is lacking, the overall experience tells a story well and fits well with the Kim Possible show.
- Jeff has the idea of putting missions and experiences in the Deluxe resorts and states he would rather not have more of the missions in the parks.
- Nate points out that being in the parks around people using the devices can take away from the overall experience of Epcot’s World Showcase.
- Henry asks if the technology is a distraction from enjoying the pavilions but Jeff and Katie argue it actually gets you more involved.
- Katie has the idea of using the technology for Disney’s special events such as Flower & Garden and Food & Wine to “check in” to the different kiosks.
- Henry asks about the ease of use of the device and Katie and Jeff agree it is easy to use with Jeff confirming that his young children could indeed man the device by themselves.
- Scott gives us insight on the underlying technology of the Kim Possible Experience and the differences in using RFID versus GPS technology.
- Henry tells the panel about his interest in being involved in implementing this type of technology in the parks.
- Henry asks the panel for a roundtable on how to take the Kim Possible Experience to the next level.
- Scott wants to see the technology taken into the attractions, perhaps a NextGen ride based on the riders likes and dislikes.
- Jeff would like to see the technology outside of the parks and wonders if the technology will be taken into the Magic Kingdom and be based on the Kingdom Keepers.
- Katie elaborates on her idea of images being captured throughout the trip for guests to enjoy afterwards and relive memories.
- Nate would like to see a customizable theme park experience based on what the traveler likes to see and do.
- Henry states the difficulties of customization for so many guests. Instead he would like to see the Kim Possible technology expanded to all the parks. Katie interjects that this would be the perfect way to see four parks in one day.
- Remember to follow Betamouse on Twitter and Facebook!
- Thank you again to our sponsor Touring Plans! Visit them for all of your Disney park touring needs!
Excellent job on the show notes Katie.
Should we forget about the podcast, and just post show notes?
Hey guys and lady. I loved the show. I was wondering about what you thought if Verzion got rid of the phones they use now for Kim Possible and fitted the new droid phone for the K.P. experience? I base this purely on a marketing angle. Think of all the people who would be using this phone. I think it would be a great way for Verizon to promote their new phone and let people play around with it. I love techy stuff but am a newb when it comes to how it works(this coming from a guy who is in the prototype circuit board industry) so I thought I would ask your opinion on it. Keep up the great work on the show.
From a marketing angle, it’s a great idea. Hundreds of people using the phone daily is sure to turn a few on to it. From a tech Point of view, the LG phones they use now are more than likely running the KM application as a Java (J2ME) application. The Droid phone platform application language is JAVA as well so the application could potentially be ported over fairly quickly. Also, GPS could be better integrated since Android based phones support it natively where the LG clam phone KM uses now does not have GPS capabilities. But with that said, GPS would not be as reliable as RFID and so I don’t seem them moving away from that technology at all, only using it more.
In the coming years it will be interesting to see if they expand device based attractions or if they move in some other direction. Can’t wait until more info on the NextGen tech leaks out. I did read somewhere that it is so secretive, that colleagues within the disney company are not allowed to talk to others about it if they are on the project. They are doing their best to keep this thing shut tight. My best guess is that sooner than later we will start to see patent applications showing up…. If they do start putting together location based attractions based on RFID or some hybrid tech they build along with queue-less queues, etc, technology/patent licensing could be a boon to their business
Thanks Mike for listening to the show!
I think it would be cool (cant believe I’m saying this) if the app would have pop ups of things to see and do around wherever you are. For instance
“Hey, The Grand Fiesta Tour has no wait right now.”
“Don’t forget to check out the Acrobats in 5 minutes at the front of the pavilion”
Great show. I think the Kim Possible attraction is really cool, but I’m more excited about the possibilities of what they can do with the technology. I hope they work something into Magic Kingdom.
I was thinking, do you think the “My Pal Mickey” was a test run of the RFID system that led to Kim Possible?