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Posted at 1:12 PM EST (1812 GMT)
 Nov. 12th, 2008 -- Soon The Happiest Place on Earth may feel more like 1984, with big brother or big Mickey in this case, knowing exactly where you are at any moment.
Walt Disney Co. has made an agreement with Verizon Wireless that will allow the parks to remain in wireless contact with park patrons, even when they leave the grounds of the Anaheim and Orlando resorts.
After visitors download an application to their cell phone, they will be able to use their phone for such tasks as reserving their place in line, locating Cinderella in the park, creating a checklist of attractions to see or even booking hotel rooms.
There are concerns though that the application would be an invasion of privacy, as the park would know exactly where patrons are at any given moment. Concerns have also been raised concerning the amount of advertisement the parks would send to patron’s cell phones once they download the application.
Disney's wireless service debuts early next year at Epcot at the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. Initially, visitors will receive a hand-held device, dubbed a "Kimmunicator," which they will use as they travel throughout the park, searching for clues and solving puzzles as they help the Disney Channel animated sleuth on her mission to save the world. Over time, park visitors will be able to use their phones to find shows, restaurants and Disney characters inside the parks, and get instant information about wait times.
For more information visit the Los Angeles Times.
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Ryan F
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3197
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Don't they already have something like this for the DS?
I could have sworn I read something about Disney testing a new DS program that informs you of wait times, character meeting times and places, has trivia for when you're bored, and possibly even letting you book a place in line.
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| 11/12/2008 1:23 PM |
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I love DW
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2071
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Sound like a good idea to me.
Article: "There are concerns though that the application would be an invasion of privacy, as the park would know exactly where patrons are at any given moment."
It's not really an invasion of privacy unless they force you to have this to enter their park. Which of course they won't so I don't see how there is concern of privacy invasion when it's your choice to download the application.
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| 11/12/2008 4:10 PM |
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ltngrcr9051
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 406
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[shudder]...
I don't really care what they do to try to make it my while, but I will not allow anyone to know exactly where I am at every last moment... It's too damn Orwellian, especially after the FBI or CIA getting warrantless wiretaps...
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| 11/12/2008 6:07 PM |
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I love DW
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2071
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^You realize by having a cell phone you are tracked right? All cell phones come with tracking devices in them. Cell company's can actually find your location at anytime. They can tell where there users go and what areas have the most phones in them etc. That's also how some real time GPS systems work warning you about traffic by the amounts of cells phones not moving ahead of you on the road.
Saw a special on it about a month ago. You wouldn't beleive what all is being tracked.
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| 11/12/2008 6:25 PM |
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Carowinds 73-03
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12515
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I love the idea. I currently have Verizon so i look foward to the download.
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| 11/12/2008 6:34 PM |
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Andrew Polcyn
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 10658
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That wouldn't affect me if I went to either park. I don't have a cell phone. Haha Mickey! Stick THAT in your ear!
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| 11/15/2008 3:38 PM |
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