But to me, the rides alternate between fake or nauseating (when they're not broken down), the characters are outdated, the parks are hot, overcrowded, and the lines and wait times are long, and the ticket prices are sort of crazy for what you're getting (not).
Let's see, a day at Disney or day at the beach--uh, I'll take the beach any day!
But Disney is doing something magical these days.
Bloomberg Businessweek reports how Disney's new MagicBands are using technology to make the theme park experience more convenient, even if not more fun.
The MagicBands are like an all-in-one electronic link between you and Disney:
- No need for an admission ticket, because the MagicBand does that.
- Reserve your favorite rides, use your wrist band.
- Hotel room keys, that's right the band unlocks your door.
- Shopping at Disney kingdom, the band functions as your debit/credit card.
- Being greeted by name or wished a happy birthday, the bands make your experience more personal.
What's more Disney uses the bands for "big data" analytics--for capturing your likes and preferences for rides, restaurants, food, and souvenirs--and this adds up to customer service enhancements like restocking shelves, opening up reservations, expedited queues, and even targeted mail and text messaging/advertising.
The bands have radio frequency identification tag/chips (RFID) as well as GPS sensors, so Disney knows who you are, where you are, and even much of what you're doing.
Spooky from a privacy standpoint--sure, you are really sitting there exposed in just about every way.
But this technology has arrived, not just at Disney, but via embedded RFID in your smartphones or your body someday soon.
The synthesis of man and machine...the mystery is gone in the magic kingdom, but maybe the service gets better. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)