Disney's "Nextgen"

Hum... what could it be? Devoid of any official word from Disney, rumors are circulating on what Disney's Next Generation of experience for the guests would be.

Details of the project, dubbed within Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as "next generation experience" or "NextGen," are being closely guarded. But there is widespread speculation among former Disney executives and bloggers who follow the company that at least part of the project involves wireless-communication technology that could be used in concepts ranging from keyless hotel-room doors to rides and shows in which the experience varies based on an individual guest's preferences.
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Just before Christmas, Disney assigned oversight of the project to Nick Franklin, head of global business and real-estate development for the company's theme-park unit. Franklin's newest title is "executive vice president of next generation experience." At Walt Disney World, the project is being led by Jim MacPhee, a vice president who once ran the Epcot theme park. MacPhee's title was changed last month to vice president of park operations and next generation experience.

But then we read this new ability of guests to not only check-in from home, but also to reserve ride time, character meet-and-greet, and other activities.

"Our new tools will help them better understand all that we have to offer and better plan their time with us," Staggs said. "They'll be able to create a personalized itinerary that gives them the exact Disney vacation they want."

Visitors will be able to create vacation itineraries from home: reserve times for attractions, character greetings, shows and meals. Hotel guests could arrive with their room keys in hand, avoiding check-in lines.

Could this be part of the Nextgen project?

Disney is certainly doing a lot of technological enhancement for guests experience. But I'm just a bit apprehensive with all of this, because if it gets to the point where everything has to be done and planned in advanced, the spontaneous visit to the theme parks, especially by the locals, will be a lot more of hassle because all of those experiences will either be booked, sold-out, unavailable, or full. A bit of planning, yes. But over planning to the point that you can even reserve ride time, etc., that might be a bit too much.

Zz.