So I just discovered on my iphone there is actually an pathfinder app for SDC.
Any thoughts?
I have just been playing with the app its actually kinda neat with all the info on there.
my new droid 3 should be here tomorrow or friday. I will have to check that out!
I discovered that this last weekend while we were at the park! Definitely useful for show schedules and the like. Lots of great info. It also has the feature to try and show you things that you are near based on your GPS location in the park. Cool idea, but I never got a good enough GPS signal out there for it to be accurate. It thought everything was more than 500 feet away even when I was right next to it. Now what I wish it had was ride wait times. I've used apps that reported that at Disney parks and it was great to know whether to walk across the park or if the lines were too long (or if PowderKeg is down again). Not sure the SDC audience is big enough to support that or not though. We don't even really have wait times when you are at the ride.
I was going to post about this a few days ago. I got this a few days back, and it is great! no longer will I have to wonder what exactly is going on at the park at any given time. Not that I need it, but the map is a great feature on there as well!
I think it looks very nice I was just struggling with technology compared to the 1880 Village. Here we hate it when we something out of place at the pack with theme, but is it going to come to where there are no more paper path finders and everyone just walking around with their phone.Do we lose a part by using the phone instead of grabbing the paper copy
Yes, the iPhone app doesn't fit the SDC theme as well as one might hope... :-) I honestly still got a paper Pathfinder just because I like reading up on what is written there. I don't think it really causes more of a break in theme than people with cell phones already cause. I'm all for keeping within theme, but as a theme park SDC has to do some things to keep up with modern technological advances or there won't be a park left for folks to enjoy. This is why I love how they've worked in their theme to very modern rides like PowerKeg and Wildfire... staying within theme, but still staying relevant to the modern family (and kids).
Quote from: spgoad on September 07, 2011, 08:18:59 PM
(or if PowderKeg is down again).
Haha! Amen! Every single time I'm there, PowderKeg breaks down at least once! A friend and I went to SDC over the summer and we waited in line for almost 45 minutes. There were only 2 people in front of us before we got to ride, then it broke down. I was joking around and blamed my friend, saying she broke it, then one of the workers overheard me say it was her fault, then he played along and blamed her too lol
I wouldn't panic over losing the paper copy of the Pathfinder anytime soon. Many people have smart phones, but many others do not. The ability to support a paperless Pathfinder for everyone is just not there yet. If anything, this will allow Silver Dollar City to save a couple of pennies since the electronic Pathfinder will encourage more people to not grab a paper copy.
As far as the theme, my philosophy is that the guest are allowed to be out of theme, but the employees are not. So as long as there is not an employee using a cell phone in view of a guest, it's okay.
The new application is a cool feature though! 8)
So, I'm assuming this isn't available for Android-run phones, 'cause I'm having difficulties finding it for my HTC EVO.
I would feel that, there will be Pathfinders in circulation for a long time. This is just another tool to use for those who have the enabled smart phones. It is a sign of the times, and is great for my trip planning, but that won't stop me from picking up a copy there to have it in front of me, to feel, and hold (much the same reason why I do not like e-readers-I like the feel of a book...not a screen)
I like that Rube!! :D
Thank you SDC for finally getting the app going... I had been asking for 3 years.
I just noticed on the app that it had waiting times below some off the rides
Nice
As soon as my new phone arrives, and i figure out how to turn it on..... ;D ;D I am going to "try" to check it out.. ;) ;)
this all sounds great!
A pathfinder never needed buttons before,,,,,,,why start now??? It is still really cool though. I dont have the Iphone to get it or a droid so no angry birds for me either. I have a pantech crux free -thanks daddy!- so I will have ta borrow one of yalls one day to see it!!!
Where do I find this? Is it Blackberry compatible?
I found it on the app store on the iPhone. I don;t know what the specs are about it...it is called "my pathfinder"
Intro/ Opening screen:
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/photo-2.png)
Daily schedule:
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/photo-3.png)
Map:
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/photo-4.png)
Near Me:
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/photo-5.png)
More...:
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/photo-6.png)
WOW! rube thats great!
I have not even had the time yet to go through all that is there...
MAN! now your just being mean!! ::) ::)
I wanted you all to know what it was ...isn't that better than wondering? atleast now you know right?
If I could veer briefly OT, how are you getting the screen shots of your phone on the forum. Are you viewing/posting from your phone? I didn't see the phone icon by your post. iPhone might be different but when I try viewing the forum from my blackberry I only get the basic text of the posts, no pics or any of the html options.
No, I am using my PC. I took screen shots of the app, and uploaded them to photobucket (you can email your photos directly to your photo account) and then posted them as usual.
Quote from: sanddunerider on September 09, 2011, 09:00:11 PM
MAN! now your just being mean!! ::) ::)
You haven't received the new phone yet???? Thought you would have by now...geese! :P
yes i know..... :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
mon or tues i hope ::) ::) ::) ::)
then it looks like i will have to spend a week or so in St louis, So rube can teach me how to use it ::) ::)
I go an oppotunity to use the app on my last visit. Its great for figuring out shows that are available and where they are. It will always be what I use from now on. I'll still grab a paper copy for the fun of it but the app rocks. Now if only sdc would add wifi and also ride wait times to the app my ipod could really be rockin!
So, I looked it up, and unfortunately, it's only available for iPhone.
However, I don't think this is an "official" app, as I'm pretty sure SDC would have a link to it on their website. Maybe they could collaborate with the company that made this to get more on it as well as making it for more phone OS's.
for anyone that has used it actually at the park does it seem like the only one it gives a wait time for is AP
Awesome application! It almost makes me wish I had gotten an iPhone! :P Oh well, I am sure other phone systems will catch up soon.
It's going to get to a point where technology will be able to interact with your environment everywhere you go.
They do have wifi @ SDC...it just costs you. Last year I remember checking my phone while outside of Thunderation, and I had the Magic Shop wireless. On inquiry, it was a set amount for the day to receive wireless from their router.
I guess with the amount of people at the park at one time maybe it would be to hard to have free wifi
I guess i dont know why you would "need" wifi while at the park?
I know a couple of times i have accessed radar on my phone when there was weather in the area. but other than that??
I have not accessed it other than radar as well. I didn't even bring it in last time! I take movies and photos on the phone, and it would be nice to immediately upload the videos etc in order to save space on the phone, or camera itself.
I also check the radar, and occasionally, college football scores while I'm standing in line.
Quote from: Joy on September 10, 2011, 09:27:18 AM
So, I looked it up, and unfortunately, it's only available for iPhone.
Disappointing
Quote from: Joy on September 10, 2011, 09:27:18 AMHowever, I don't think this is an "official" app, as I'm pretty sure SDC would have a link to it on their website. Maybe they could collaborate with the company that made this to get more on it as well as making it for more phone OS's.
That's where I looked at didn't find any reference to it either. I'm wondering how they know how long the lines are, etc. if they're not getting any input from sdc?
That's where I looked at didn't find any reference to it either. I'm wondering how they know how long the lines are, etc. if they're not getting any input from sdc?
[/quote]
Maybe users can send in the info and then it is relayed back out?
There's an unofficial app for Disney World that I used for our trip, and the wait times come from users inputting the info. (Well, those are also averaged with all the years of statistical data the crew of the Unofficial Guide has collected, but the Unofficial Guide to WDW has been out for a LONG time)
Yeah I'm not sure how they could do wait times accurately, since it doesn't seem they track that information and it doesn't seem to be user input.
I would say though, I'm fairly certain this is an official app - The way I found it was an advertisement in the paper pathfinder. So unless they are selling an ad to a third party company, it seemed pretty official. Maybe they are just trying out the concept in the park before widespread advertising of it?
Oh, it was advertised in the paper Pathfinder? Okay, then it probably is official. I didn't know that's where it was discovered. Wish they'd make it for Android-run phones...
I think I saw it mentioned on SDC facebook page is how I first saw it.
I would not have known if my Dad had not sent it to me...thanks Pops!
I downloaded this app a few weeks ago on my iPod Touch and it is a lot of fun to play around on! I've also had to update it two or three times already, so they keep the content really up to date on the app, another plus.
Like many new apps, I am glad that they are working through the kinks, instead of allowing it to cause problems.