How Technology is Taking Center Stage at Disney World
Disney makes films that set standards in animation. Being the creative power house that they are, Disney is doing the same when it comes to their theme park attractions by using innovative tech to create brand new ways to entertain and make a visit to one of their parks as simple as possible.
Moving on from theme park cliches of fast and thrilling roller coasters it seems Disney is investing in technology to leave current customers speechless and to appeal to future generations that heavily rely on technology for entertainment.
Below are just a few of the ways, with observations and opinions based on experience, that the Disney brand is expanding its relationship with tech.
The MagicBand
Wearable tech is having a moment and may soon become just as common as cellphones did to modern day society. Disney is cashing in and investing into the idea of having everything at a hands reach, literally.
The MagicBand looks like a fitness tracker except it is decked out with a outline of Mickey Mouse's head and can come in a variety of animated designs. What does it do? Just about everything. This rubber bracelet, which conveniently adjusts to your wrist size, acts as your park tickets, a fastpass and, when equipped with a credit card, can pay for anything you purchase at any of the four parks in Disney World. Oh and it also serves as your room key because actual keys or keycards are a thing of the past.
The level of convenience with this piece of tech is made for today's consumer who enjoys doing everything on their phone. Once programmed, it was simple to use and all you have to do is remember to put it on.
Tree of Life
During the day, the Tree of Life is a stunning 14-story tree that is the centerpiece of the Animal Kingdom park and appeals to the greenery and celebration of nature that is the focus of the park. At night, it is a display of the magical experience the Disney brand aims to give its visitors.
The tree lights up with colors at night and tells stories of nature through a variety of animals and scenes that are projected onto the trunk. Each projection is clear enough for you to tell what is happening in the story and moves to the beat of music.
Watch the tree come to life below.
Rivers of Light
The Magic Kingdom's newest use of technology, and newest attraction, is the Rivers of Light. This night time attraction combines water, colored-lights, lazers, projections and music to create a show that changes the way you look at nature.
Usually nature is something explored through gardens and safari tours during the day, which Disney already does with Magic Kingdom. However, by doing it at night it gives visitors a whole new perspective of nature. Audiences will go from watching performers with large puppets introduce the story before the light show begins to feeling like they are watching the jungle come to life.
This attraction is the product of a partnership between Imagineers and Creative Entertainment and the filmmakers of Disneynature. Watch our exclusive look at the Rivers of Light show, to debut this summer, below.