Last week, Disney Parks Blog gave some wonderful screenshots of their new Mobile Magic Application. The concept is this, if you are a Verizon Wireless subscriber, you can download the application for $9.99, that’s good for 180 days. And for a limited time (I assume until January, while they are stretching the app’s legs), it is free for 24 hours.

If you aren’t a Verizon Wireless subscriber, like me (iPhone), you have access to some very “basic” information (mostly the essentials- weather, operating times, magic hours, dining info, etc) through the web at http://m.disneyworld.com.

The app promises “FASTPASS return times, attraction wait times for the park you are in, extensive information on character locations and more for Walt Disney World and Disneyland theme parks.” I am looking forward to testing the app out in January, once I get a demo unit from Verizon, since I am on AT&T with the iPhone.

We’ll see what the accuracy of the fastpass and attraction wait times are, although I assume it uses historical statistics, or another algorithm for the calculations. If it is wired, accurate, and not too vague, I will be very impressed.

The Disney Mobile Magic BREW application (the kind that you see on non-smart, or touch screen, phones) will be very useful for people who use those kinds of devices. DPB did mention that “touch” phone support will be expanding, so I assume that there will be a Java-based app for the Android and Blackberry smart-phone segments as well. That is something that I would be very interested in.

I see there being a third-way here. I understand strategic partnerships, and they certainly serve a purpose in this space, but the next phase of the WDW experience should go even farther. The next evolution, in my personal opinion, should be property-wide wireless networking. This is not small task, despite the flat geography of the 35,000 acres of Disney property. However, with personal wireless devices, and laptops/netbooks being so ubiquitous (and becoming more every day), it is the next logical step in creating an entire experience for the guest.

With this implementation, all of the data is served instantaneously to the guest, on demand, and also by using in-network geo-tagging. We have already seen a portion of this technology implemented in the parks, if you remember Pal Mickey. Future wireless devices, the iPhone for example, are going to be equipped with RFID devices that can be triggered when in close proximity to some object or place.

Two ways to deliver content:

a) Application-based: An application can be developed for the device (OS platform dependent) that operates both inside and outside the park. When the application detects being on the internal wireless-LAN for the park, it will shift content accordingly, and/or operate on a different cost basis, if desired. This would provide the richest 2-way content and most information for Imagineers, especially when incorporated with RFID.

b) Web-based: Access from any web capable device from within the park’s wireless-LAN. This delivers content on a demand, however guest location can be somewhat determined on a limited basis. Information is instant, and controlled.

Access over the wireless-LAN, rather than bulky carrier-based data access, gives a higher Quality of service for the guest. It also alleviates the application’s need to keep updated and synchronized data usually plagued by version-control problems, and coding/device issues, that can become an unruly mess. Plus, with a username and a MAC address, you can empower the guest, see what they want to do, where they want to go, and when they want to do something. You get a complete analysis in order to give Imagineers the information on how to best design and cater to the way that guest actually visit the property, not just how you think they do, or want them to.

Offering this as an add-on service, you can integrate things like photopass, where you can buy your pictures that evening from your room, a restaurant, or even poolside. The ideas are endless, but the system is essential. I’m sure this has to be on Disney’s radar. Especially that you can integrate a Social Networking experience, exclusively on property, as a new “attraction” to the park.

On the hardware front,the most common devices capable of allowing for rich content delivery are smartphones (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Palm). Being able to deliver custom content on these devices can be done by browser alone, but rich content that gives true 2-way data (which is the ROI for all of the infrastructure outlay), needs a formal app.

Here’s the list of phones that the BREW app is currently available on:

– LG Glance
- LG VX Chocolate
- LG Chocolate 3
- LG Decoy
- LG VX 8700
- LG Venus
- Moto Adventure
- Nokia 7205
- Samsung Renown
- Moto 325
- Samsung 540
- Samsung 550
- LG 5500
- Nokia 6205
- Moto 755
- UT Starcom 8950
- UT Starcom GC1-c711
- GZ1 – S Boulder
- Moto K1 -M
- Moto – L7c
- LG 8350
- Samsung Trance
- Moto V3m
- Moto Barrage
- Moto VU204

If you are like me, I am always impressed with Disney Imagineering. There is no doubt that the future within the parks will incorporate devices that guest already bring with them. The best example is Space Mountain‘s games while in the queue. In the future, you can interact with the ride, or be involved somehow with a shared experience (group gaming, scenario creation- like Spaceship Earth, etc.) using the devices you now carry, through the network app.

I can’t wait!

When we go to Disney, it is usually in the middle of  a longer trip to visit Grandma in Florida where the bedtime routine is followed.  Being that Disney is my favorite place to visit,  I sometimes stretch the limits a little bit. With Disney’s extra hours, for those who stay on Disney property, the day is longer  and it is harder to leave.  It really is a luxury having that extra time in the morning or evening to explore the parks with less pedestrian traffic and shorter lines.

The biggest judgment call about breaking the bedtime routine is the age and temperament of your child.  A really young child does not really have a set sleeping time, they nap on and off all day!! When your child is a toddler, they might nap in the stroller during the day allowing them to stay up  little later.  When my boys were almost 3 and 6, they really wanted to stay late see the Disney fireworks.  My Mommy instinct said, “Bad idea”, but I decided to compromise.

My younger son took a nap in the stroller during the day, while my older son kept going and going.  When it came to dinner time, we sat down and had a nice meal and then the children put on their favorite pair of Disney pajamas to enjoy the fireworks.  Although I was letting them stay up a little later than usual, I eliminated a later step  and hoped that when they fell asleep in the car ride home they would easily transition to their beds.

During our last trip, when the boys were 4 and 7, we returned to our hotel room for dinner.  My younger son showed signs of exhaustion.  Although Magic Kingdom had late hours, and we were really looking forward to returning as a family, I made the executive decision that bedtime was more important. I stayed back at the hotel with my “little guy” while Zev returned to Magic Kingdom with my “big guy”.  Within 15 minutes of their departure, I had a sleeping child in the room.

All in all, I think that your children should be what drives the bedtime while on vacation.  You are the one who knows how your child reacts when they are tired and cranky and how it will affect the rest of your vacation.

Question:

This is our first trip and we’re using Disney’s Magical Express to get from the Orlando Airport to the resort. I don’t really know what to expect. I realize I don’t need to pick up my

bags, but what else do I need to need to know? It all seems so weird – but very nice too in not having to worry about getting a rental car, having directions ready, getting the luggage, etc.

Answer:

You’re going to have a great time!

So exciting!!

Here is how it goes… first, it will take some time to get to your hotel using M.E.. When you get off the plane, you will usually be greeted by Disney cast members, with big Mickey hands, directing you to the stairs/escalators/elevators going down to the Main Terminal Building, B side, Level 1.

Depending on which hotel, and the number of people on line in front of you, it could take 45-60 minutes to get to your hotel. About 1-2 hours after that, you’ll get your bags to your room. Again, all of these time depend on the volume of people, and luck.

It happens to be a great service, and while we usually rent a car, the kids always like the whole bus-to-hotel trip, and I meet the rest of the family there.

Have a fantastic time!!!!

-Zev Mo Green (the Mouseketweeter)

You can also get some more information from the Disney site.

Vacation Planner site

Did you know that Disney has a basic Vacation Planning toolkit on their website?  Yes, people seldom use it, probably because they don’t know it exists, but mostly it helps organize your trip and set up itineraries to better organize your stay.  There are a few features that I think are very interesting, and some that could use some improvement.

One of the features that I think has promise is the Customized Maps page.  Here you can see each park, select all of the points of interest you want to see, and print out the map to review prior to, during, and after your trip.

The Process

Choose which park

First, you select which one of the four Walt Disney World parks you would like to map out.

Then you see a list of all of the attractions, entertainment, and dining numbered over the location of that item, on the map of the park.  When you select the item, it appears on the map in a different color, and an image with more detailed info pops up.

You can choose the “Select as Map Favorite” button which will keep that selection as a point-of-interest.

Once that is complete, you preview the map, and can choose a “classic” or a “character” theme for your map.

After that, you have two choices for how to get the map(s):

• Order Free Maps (Receive a FREE keepsake set of 5 full-color maps. Takes 2-4 weeks for delivery)
  

  Printing

• Print Maps (You may print copies any time you like)

Thoughts

I think this is a great way to explore the parks, and get your kids excited (even more than they already are) for the trip.  It also offers a wonderful keepsake that you can frame.  The site does exactly what you would expect it to do, and does it very well.

That being said, the site is constructed, much like most older parts of the Disney site, for a center-justified static 1024×768 page.  That isn’t bad but the layout can really use some re-mouseke-tooling.  The WDW site was refreshed a few weeks ago, so I am sure it is only a matter of time for all of the other pages to follow.  My main gripe on the site is this fascination with the top menu bars.  I mean, there are three on this page, and it is well into the lower half of the page before your content even shows up.  So many people will have to start scrolling down to see what they have to click.
The site uses flash, and it is done very well, but they have gone into great detail on their Google Maps fly-throughs, and I would have liked them to utilize that in some regard.  Again, this does exactly what it was designed to do, but there are a few things that could be tweaked.

Another example is the zoom bar being a separate item below the map.  This should probably be above the map, or even made a transparent element ON the map.  One of the main problems is the width of the page being too narrow.  This should also be updated.

Magic Kingdom example, with zoom on bottom

And my only other issue would be to offer a mobile edition of the map, so when you are there, you can view your plan over your mobile device.

Conclusion

Lots o' bars

This idea was a very good one on Disney’s part.  It allows guests to be plan and be excited before, during, and after their trip.  It also has the advantage of providing this for FREE (my favorite).  And even if you are a Disney fanatic, like we are, you will enjoy these maps as well. Most, if not all of it’s shortcomings, have very little to do with if it works, or if it is useful.  It does precisely what it is intended to do, and does need to be refreshed for the overall redesign of the WDW site.

Map, Print, and Enjoy!