A Disney vacation is seen as a childhood right of passage. Many parents will splurge and take their kids to a Disney theme park at some point during their young lives. This fantastical world is an experience like no other and watching your child meet some of their favourite movie heroes or heroines is worth the stress of planning a trip to Disney.
Executing a Disney vacation can be a huge undertaking, especially with young kids. Crowds and lineups can mean lots of waiting. The huge array of rides and experiences at the many different parks can be overwhelming. Avoiding meltdowns can be challenging.
My two in Disneyland, California.
In the past it was critical to plan ahead, to check out where the restaurants were and ride options and arrange your day accordingly. Upon arrival at the park, sprint to the Fast Pass for your must-see rides and work the rest in around them. Juggling all the moving parts required patience and serious project management skills and one wrong turn could throw the whole plan off.
But, thanks to the magic of Disney, families will no longer need to worry! Over the next few months Disney will launch cutting edge new technology at their parks called MyMagic+. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, Tom Staggs, says that MyMagic+ is a, “more immersive, more seamless and more personal experience for each and every guest who spends time with us.”
This new technology will enable guests to customize almost every aspect of their Disney experience from dining reservations to booking experiences and choosing FastPasses. The technology will make suggestions and help to avoid long lines ensuring you maximize your time spent at the parks. This can be used before and during your stay so, you can plan ahead but can also be flexible if your plans change.
The key to MyMagic+ is twofold. First, guests will receive a new, high-tech wristband called MagicBands which will be your room key, park pass, photo card and payment account (if you choose). Disney will be able to track your experience making suggestions along the way to enhance your stay.
The new Disney MagicBands.
The second key element to MyMagic+ is the smartphone app called “My Disney Experience”. This app is key to coordinating your overall experience. It is here that you will be able to book and plan meals, experiences and Fast Passes while keeping up to date on the latest Disney Parks news.
The new “My Disney Experience” app is key to utilizing the MyMagic+ benefits.
In almost every way this is a parent’s dream; the seamless, customized, stress-free Disney vacation. No worries, no fuss. But remember, in order to maximize this type of technology Disney will require personal information about you and your family, including your children. Of course, this makes sense but understand that once this information is provided it is theirs to keep and use. It will be utilized to analyze park trends and guest patterns which will enhance everyone’s Disney experience but be aware that once provided it is out of your hands. You can opt to include only basic information however, this will impact the depth to which the technology is able to aid in your experience.
I have been to Disney a few times with my kids and what I wouldn’t have given for MyMagic+ to help us out. I am sure that we missed rides and experiences perfect for us because we simply didn’t know where to go. I am sure that we stood in line far too long because we didn’t have this intelligent technology to help us plan our day.
Are you planning a trip to Disney? Are you as excited as we are about the new Disney MyMagic+ technology?