The minute our Disney information went digital, apps for smart phones popped up all over the place, some with park maps and dining information and others with times guides and touring plans. Many of them we downloaded and used simultaneously because we couldn't seem to get everything we wanted and needed in one place. While the third party companies have been keeping us abreast of the modernization of the park going system, Disney has officially rolled out their new app,"My Disney Experience". This free app can be found in the i-Tunes store and contains essential information about the parks including park hours, guide maps, dining, times guides, FastPass return times and more. By creating a login on the Walt Disney World website you can customize your schedule with dining reservations, FastPass access and more. I haven't personally been able to test this app in the parks yet but it is downloaded on my phone.
I will say my first impression of the app is that I like the look of it. It has a very clean, streamlined feeling and arranges the information is a manner that's concise and easy to follow. I'm sure there will be improvements as this app is tested and used, I would like to see menus added in the dining category like the Undercover Tourist app has. Hopefully this app will end up being a one stop shop and we clear out the multiple apps we've downloaded in its absence.
If you're thinking Disney is a little late to the "app party" they are actually very much ahead as they are working on a much larger scale. This app is the beginning of putting park-wide technology in the hands of park goers. The app will work hand in hand with your registered Disney account with the new RFID technology, "Next-Gen" Fastpass, or whatever you want to call it.
When FastPass arrived it revolutionized our park going experience and minimized the complaining and the afternoon meltdowns. We're in a Veruca Salt world voicing our demands of "I WANT IT NOW!" and Disney is answering with advances in technology.
First we saw free Wi-Fi resort wide and if you haven't experienced that yet....don't get too excited. It's extremely slow internet and you're better off with 3 or 4G device with a data plan than the free Wi-Fi connection; but still...it's the thought that counts.
Next in line was the Magic Kingdom, which received Wi-Fi on August 2nd. It's still very new and reports about service are mixed but compared to the non-existent cell phone service that we've been used to in the parks anything is an improvement. The internet coming to Disney has nothing to do with you needing to update your Facebook status and check your mail and everything to do with the next generation FastPass system that Disney is currently testing to implement.
FastPass +, X-Pass, RFID, Next Gen...it doesn't have an official name yet but the advancements to the technology of our beloved FastPass system are being upgraded. The concept of whatever the new system is going to be called is supposedly going to provide a more pleasant park going experience for everyone by allowing a more customized touring plan based on ride access. The basic idea is at the time of your reservation you will be able to pre-arrange certain events for your stay: a certain number of major attractions, fireworks and parade viewing, etc. think of it as a FastPass you can get from home.
Exactly how the technology is going to play into our park going schedules hasn't officially been released. The objective is to increase guest satisfaction by enabling everyone less wait times and more attractions during their day. When it was rumored this feature was going to be an additional charge the Disney community was in an uproar and now rumor has it the feature is going to be free.
RFID scanners have been put in place for testing at some of the resorts and park attractions. Now you can just wave your Key to the World card to charge food and shopping to your account at the resorts. Instead of handing over your paper FastPass to the Cast Member a wave of the FastPass card (for lack of a better term) sends an electronic signal to the cast member at the attraction, who will have an i-pad that validates your FastPass.
New machines are popping up around the parks at places we've never seen them before such as The Haunted Mansion. Exactly how many attractions and which one's that are going to be included in this next gen technology hasn't been officially released and I'm not going to cause confusion by speculating.
Exactly how far things are going to go with this technology "pre-planning" I don't know and I'm not going to worry about something that hasn't even started happening yet. I'm sure there will be glitches and problems to work out just like anything and like all technology, there will be updates to be done before the current version is even released.
Regardless of how it all plays out I'll keep you updated as information is released and let you know how these changes will benefit and/or stifle your park going experience.
What do you think about the new technology at Disney?
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