Disney announced today it will release a new app for iPhones, iPads, and Android phones next month called "My Disney Experience." The app will replace Disney's former app "Mobile Magic" and will contain park information such as operating hours, maps, dining information, and ride information. More interestingly, this app will feature NextGen technology which Disney hopes to be the next big thing in park development.
Many expect the app will allow guests to load and use FASTPASS information on their phone (possibly both before park arrival and in the parks). Guest can currently only obtain hard copy FASTPASS tickets while in the parks to reserve front of the line access for popular park attractions. This app may be the first step for WDW in implementing it's long-rumored X-Pass program which would allow guests to reserve FASTPASS attractions and times they want before they leave home (the name X-Pass, however, has been scrapped).
Disney tested RFID sensors earlier this year (information here: http://www.wdwmagic.com/Other/FASTPASS/News/01May2012-PHOTOS---A-look-at-the-NextGen-RFID-FASTPASS-readers.htm) using RFID chipped cards to streamline the FastPass ticketing process. It's possible the new app could allow guests to use their phones/iPads similar to these cards.
Sources:
Monday, July 30, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Osborne Family Lights Dates Announced
Every year during the holiday season, Disney's Hollywood Studios puts on one of my favorite things about WDW, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. TouringPlans.com announced today that these lights will be up from November 9, 2012, through January 4, 2013. The lights are lit every night in the Streets of America at a lighting ceremony at 6:00pm and stay lit until closing. Moderately large crowds tend to gather throughout the street shortly before the ceremony and dissipate slowly throughout the night. The alleged story behind the lights is that a daughter one year asked her parents to decorate their house in Christmas lights. Her parents happily complied and each year decorated their home in Little Rock, Arkansas with more and more lights. The house eventually became a spectacle, drawing in massive crowds. Eventually, an injunction prohibited the display was filed against the family by neighbors. To continue the display, the family worked with Disney to move the lights to Walt Disney World.
For anyone who remotely has an appreciation of Christmas, this is a can't miss event! I went for the first time last year and have never felt more in the "Christmas Spirit" than when I was surrounded by thousands of people and millions of lights with holiday music in the background and foam snow falling from above. Pictures cannot do the experience justice, as this is something you will truly need to see to believe. Coincidentally, I will be going back to the World this fall for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon on November 10! Can't wait!
Source: http://blog.touringplans.com/2012/07/25/the-osborne-family-spectacle-of-dancing-lights-dates-announced/
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho!
WDW Imagineering has filed the paperwork for a new series of Pirates of the Caribbean-themed interactive exhibits around Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom. While rumors have circulated for some time regarding the implementation of NextGen technology to the Pirates queue, these stations will be scattered throughout the land. The technology is rumored to include the following:
- Touching a skull activates the movement of the mouth of a talking tiki idol, which will reveal a jewel in his mouth.
- Touching a blunderbuss activates the movement of sails that cover a bird cage, the sails will open to reveal an animated parrot.
- Touching the fuse of a cannon activates an air cannon in the water as well as a light and smoke effect.
- Touching a piece of parchment activates a skeleton captain emerging from the water.
- Touching a snake charmers basket activates a spitting snake.
- Touching a vase activates an image on a nearby tapestry.
- Touching a shark tooth activates circling shark fins in the water
- Touching a sand dollar activates a mechanical giant clam
- Touching the carvings on a shelf will activate cannon blasts on ships in a bottle causing one ship to sink
These features will likely function similarly to the wildly successful Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom in which guests use collectible cards at stations scattered throughout the Magic Kingdom. Aside from giving guests additional attraction to experience, these stations will benefit Disney in a variety of other ways. These stations will draw more people into Adventureland for longer periods of time, slightly mitigating some of the draw of the new Fantasyland expansions in late 2012 and 2013. These stations can also pull guests to some of the lesser explored corners of Adventureland, generating interest in less popular attractions and bringing guests in closer proximity to retailers and food vendors.
Source: http://www.epcyclopedia.com/2012/07/24/imagineering-files-permits-for-adventureland-interactive-adventure-installation/
Source: http://www.epcyclopedia.com/2012/07/24/imagineering-files-permits-for-adventureland-interactive-adventure-installation/
Not So Jolly Old Saint Nick
A recent WDW guest, Thomas Tolbert, was told to look less "Santa-ish" while on vacation with his family. The Atlanta-professional Santa was told his look was disruptive to park operations as children would approach him for autographs and photo ops. Park officials released an official statement that "the guest was asked to change his attire because it was disruptive to our operations and confusing to our other guests, particularly children who asked to take photos with him." While not asked directly to leave, park officials attempted to work with the lookalike for a less "seasonal" look.
While WDW has a policy prohibiting adults from appearing similar to Disney owned characters, this is the first instance I have read in which a park guest was asked to change his appearance for looking like a non-Disney character. The official policy makes sense for a variety of reasons including guest satisfaction/ quality control, guest safety, and control over Disney owned intellectual property. Disney's action here, however, extend the original policy into a muddled shade of grey.
Every park ticket operates as a contract between WDW and guests, the terms of which Disney is entitled to alter to maximize park revenue and guest enjoyment. This freedom of contract extents to controlling the manner in which guests can dress and appear in the park (WDW has also been known to requests guests to hide lewd images or words on clothing). While Disney certainly does not own any intellectual property rights to Santa (Santa Mickey aside), WDW does have compelling reasons to manage customer satisfaction and control guest safety.
Such restrictions do, however, put a small class of persons vacationing at WDW such as Mr. Tolbert in a bind as his livelihood depends on his festive image. Mr. Tolbert recommended a possible solution of treating professional lookalikes like celebrities. While somewhat sensible, this would incentivize clever park guests to dress like non-Disney figures for purposes of obtaining VIP treatment (I would personally go as Young Lincoln). Ultimately, WDW will continue to default on the side of strongly encouraging lookalikes to tone down their image while offering park perks as compensation (park merchandise, tickets, etc.). My only hope is that Mr. Tolbert took Disney's reaction as a compliment to the effectiveness of his appearance, giving him a strong boost of elf-esteem!
Links:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2178239/Man-asked-look-like-Santa-Disney-park-officials-family-vacation.html
http://www.wtsp.com/news/florida/article/265251/19/Disney-World-tells-man-to-be-less-Santa-ish
While WDW has a policy prohibiting adults from appearing similar to Disney owned characters, this is the first instance I have read in which a park guest was asked to change his appearance for looking like a non-Disney character. The official policy makes sense for a variety of reasons including guest satisfaction/ quality control, guest safety, and control over Disney owned intellectual property. Disney's action here, however, extend the original policy into a muddled shade of grey.
Every park ticket operates as a contract between WDW and guests, the terms of which Disney is entitled to alter to maximize park revenue and guest enjoyment. This freedom of contract extents to controlling the manner in which guests can dress and appear in the park (WDW has also been known to requests guests to hide lewd images or words on clothing). While Disney certainly does not own any intellectual property rights to Santa (Santa Mickey aside), WDW does have compelling reasons to manage customer satisfaction and control guest safety.
Such restrictions do, however, put a small class of persons vacationing at WDW such as Mr. Tolbert in a bind as his livelihood depends on his festive image. Mr. Tolbert recommended a possible solution of treating professional lookalikes like celebrities. While somewhat sensible, this would incentivize clever park guests to dress like non-Disney figures for purposes of obtaining VIP treatment (I would personally go as Young Lincoln). Ultimately, WDW will continue to default on the side of strongly encouraging lookalikes to tone down their image while offering park perks as compensation (park merchandise, tickets, etc.). My only hope is that Mr. Tolbert took Disney's reaction as a compliment to the effectiveness of his appearance, giving him a strong boost of elf-esteem!
Links:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2178239/Man-asked-look-like-Santa-Disney-park-officials-family-vacation.html
http://www.wtsp.com/news/florida/article/265251/19/Disney-World-tells-man-to-be-less-Santa-ish
And Now... On With the Show
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