Disney Executive Who Oversaw Development of MyMagic+ Set to Leave Walt Disney Company in July

The Walt Disney Company executive who headed the development of the MyMagic+ program is leaving the company.

Nick Franklin has been with The Walt Disney Company since 1996 and is the longest-serving member of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts executive committee.

A Disney spokesperson said the decision to leave the company was Franklin's and he is planning to help other companies use innovation the way he did with Disney.

When Franklin was picked in 2009 to lead the "NextGen" project at Disney he was the head of the company's global business and real estate development teams. He had led Disney's market-entry strategy for China and negotiated Disney's $4 billion Hong Kong Disneyland venture.

As head of the NextGen project he was working as an internal CEO for MyMagic+ and oversaw a team of more than 1,000 employees on the project, which some say cost $1 billion.

Disney recently moved oversight of MyMagic+ to Disney World management. Disney is working to extend some elements of MyMagic+ beyond Walt Disney World and into their other parks around the world.

Source

guy a spagnoli wrote on Sat, 06/07/2014 - 19:40:

guy a spagnoli's picture

Nick I was wondering! Are the My Magic Bands reusable? This would cut down costs for the guests that visit WDW more then once a year. In 10 days I will be down to test the Bands.. Have a Fantabulous DAY. Guy A. Spagnoli

Erica wrote on Sat, 06/07/2014 - 21:47:

Erica's picture

@ Guy

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/bands-cards/future-visit-use/

Dianne wrote on Sun, 06/08/2014 - 00:05:

Dianne's picture

There is an old saying. If it's not broken, let it alone. Thank goodness he is gone. There was nothing wrong with the old system; why did he have to misalign it and make it more difficult for patrons. You now have to waste additional time in having an additional pass placed on their "arm bands". I have visited DW every year for at least 15 years. If this new system is as inconvenient as it appears to be, I believe it will be my last year. I come to be entertained, not inconvenienced.

WDW CM wrote on Sun, 06/08/2014 - 01:49:

WDW CM's picture

Yes, Magic Bands are reusable. The battery life is expected to be 2 years. You would just associate new ticket media, etc. on subsequent trips.

Korrin wrote on Sun, 06/08/2014 - 02:09:

Korrin's picture

How do you reuse previous magicbands? I am on my 5 th set and another one coming for my next stay.

K Collier wrote on Sun, 06/08/2014 - 02:51:

K Collier's picture

I think the Bands sound amazing, and I'm looking forward to using them. Innovation is always great, and Disney has always been at the forefront. People don't like change though, so there will always be naysayers.

Danielle wrote on Sun, 06/08/2014 - 10:27:

Danielle's picture

We just came back from Disney, using our Magic Bands for the first time and loved them. If anything they made everything easier. We also loved how well they worked with fastpass+. We found we got through our lines very quickly which gave us more time in the parks or to choose more rides or meet and greets. Your photos are put on them, your room key. We did not find them uncomfortable or bulky. Going into the parks the lines move faster as well. I am sure Disney will still be working on ways to better it as time passes, but they are on the right track.

Smidge wrote on Sun, 06/08/2014 - 14:44:

Smidge's picture

Love the new system. I was there in January 2014. System still has some bugs which I believe have been worked out and some enhancements needed. Like being able to obtain fast passes at multiple parks on same day, just like the old system, because I definitely park hop. :)

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