Following rumors that DS was to test out a program where patrons could utilize their DS as a guide (among other things), we here at DS Fanboy envisioned others following Disney's lead, giving us the kind of functionality that the handheld enjoys in Japan and abroad. We were excited at the possibility of using our DS to send in food orders over wi-fi and perhaps checking out movie trailers while waiting in line at the theater. Fun stuff of the sort is always bouncing around our brain.Imagine how we felt after seeing some leaked shots of the Disney DS guide in action. We pretty much received what we expected in that department. But, our excitement for the prospect might be unfounded, as families just didn't seem excited to come use the device. The ones that did sign up seemed to be genuinely impressed with the features and exclaimed that it enhanced their park experience, however getting families to come and give it a whirl seemed to be a tough sell.
Still, if the functionality is there and those than used the device generally seemed to be pleased with what it did.
[Thanks, Chris!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-28-2008 @ 8:04PM
xbob said...
Note to Disney: Fly my family and I out to your park with an on-site hotel stay for a few days and I'll be more than happy to test your DS guide system. I'll even supply my own DS.
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1-28-2008 @ 8:13PM
ALH said...
TBH i'd not want to have to carry around a DS which wasnt even mine to a theme park, especially if i got stung if it was stolen/broken/misplaced. I was scared enough to haul my own posessions along the last time i went to a theme park, i sure as heck wouldnt want to have to worry about someone elses too
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1-29-2008 @ 12:49AM
hvnlysoldr said...
They should cross-promote with their games. Hey Pirates DS nudged them toward this it's possible.
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1-29-2008 @ 1:27AM
Daruma said...
Sounds like a great idea and I can think of several applications/ ways to use a DS. I'd love to be able to afford to take my kids to any Disney resort to test a DS out... as if I can afford it and although Disney never came through with the "golden retreiver's promise" or never came through with the "be Our Guest... I'm still waiting..." but If I can ever afford to go again, I don't think I'd want to be carrying a DS around for fear I'd lose it, it'd get broke, wet or many of the other things that can happen at an amusement park. If they rented them out, it'd probably be cheaper to buy /bring your own. Might be different if I was just walking around, all depends on what there is to use it with. We'd happily be test dummies if anyone out there wants to send us on a trip...
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1-29-2008 @ 12:15PM
Matt said...
It's only in florida at the moment and you can't use your own ds, you have to put a three hundred dollar deposit down and use one of there ds's.
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1-29-2008 @ 3:51PM
Matdredalia said...
A $300 deposit on a system you can buy for $130?
*blinks* Am I the only one going "huh?"
1-29-2008 @ 2:08PM
Flavor said...
I was there last week, and I saw several people carying around DS's with some attachment. When I got to the Magic Kingdom, I saw a group of people who looked like they were getting lessons about it. I finally decided to ask someone about it and after that I didn't come close to anyone with one. All the DS's were white and they all had the same attachment with neck strap. I'm sure they were all from Disney (not their own DS). I don't know if I'd pay much to use one, but I think it'd be an awesome way to maximize your Disney experience.
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1-29-2008 @ 3:12PM
Ravage said...
You know why they're having "problems"? I was down at Disney World 2 weeks ago and I saw NOTHING, ANYWHERE talking about how I could have gotten my DS hooked up as my own tour guide. Honestly this news makes me kind of mad, knowing they supposedly had this up and running and I had no idea. Altho looking at the photos in the "in-depth" post DSFanboy had, I realize that I *did* see two kids walking around with those devices attached to their DS's while standing on line for one of the rides.
Note to Disney: TELL people you have this service, and you might see more people using it. grrrr
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1-29-2008 @ 4:16PM
JKAntwon said...
lack of advertising is the reason for another great idea flush down the toilet... can we all say Serenity Rules! lol OK there's my geek moment.
1-29-2008 @ 3:17PM
Lindsay said...
After just getting done working at Disney World I think this is a great idea, at least it stops guests asking stupid questions like what time things are and how long the wait times are.
But then the guests might start asking how to work the ds...that could even be worse.
It would be really neat if it has drawing in it so you could remind yourself where things are or draw a map route....
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1-29-2008 @ 3:52PM
Matdredalia said...
Doesn't sound to me like they were asking stupid questions at all. And frankly, I'd rather teach someone how to use the DisneyDS functionality than try to remember all the little details about the park and try to figure out wait times for rides.