Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids » Characters

Guest post: The Future of Interactive Attractions

Hedy — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:22:16 +0000

Imagine taking a person from the 90s to the theme parks and attractions of today. What would you show them? Which rides would you go on? Would much have changed in these years? The 90s don’t seem like a long time ago, but sometimes I like to remind myself of how I old I really am when I think that the Jurassic Park movie came out nearly 20 years ago in 1993!
This was almost the same year I went to Orlando for the first time and experienced the awe and wonder of Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Since my most recent visit in October last year I can appreciate that a lot has changed with the opening of bigger more advanced rides and attractions, giving me a whole new perspective.
3D Fun and Interaction
One thing that stuck out for me was the number of 3D rides Universal Studios had built since my first visit in the 90s. The Simpsons Ride, Shrek 4D and the Forbidden Journey in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter were all new exciting experiences for me, but the one that stuck out as the most memorable was the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman in the Islands of Adventure. Although this ride is not interactive, it is a huge leap in how we experience rides, seamlessly immersing us into a fictional world of Marvel. Could we see more of these kinds of rides in the future? If other theme parks noticed the kind of success these 3D attractions received, we could no doubt expect to see this becoming a trend over the next few years.
Something else which was new since my first visit was the competitive attractions which pit guests against their friends in an effort to win points. The best example of this was the MIB ride in Universal Studios, but Walt Disney World had managed to take it one step further. In the PIXAR area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Toy Story ride combines the immersive experience of 3D with a competitive shooter. As you don the 3D glasses, guests must shoot balloons to get more points, with the winner displayed at the end. It’s a novel idea which has evolved and will hopefully become more popular over the years as the technology becomes more accessible.

Cast Members and Characters
The competitive attractions engage guests in a new way and encourage repeat visits as people try to get a new personal best on the score sheets. It was clear, judging from some of the scores, that a few people had been practicing quite a lot. But how do you use interactive experiences to encourage guests to explore the rest of the park?
Walt Disney World was the original brainchild for this when it introduced its characters to the park for the guests to see in real life. Fans of Disney, young and old, react with excitement at the sight of their favourite characters, giving them the chance to walk up to talk and even touch them. From princesses to the big cheese himself, Mickey Mouse, and if you keep your eyes open you can interact with cast members who really act like their characters from the movies.
It wasn’t long ago that the Disney parks showed off their new Mickey Mouse character complete with the ability to talk and respond to star dazed guests. With a fully animated face and friendly voice, Mickey can now converse with visitors asking them if they are having a good time and even answer their questions. Could this be another trend we see happening in the future with theme parks? Would we be able to talk to other characters such as Donald Duck and Goofy soon?
Personalized Technology
There is no doubt that smartphones and tablets have changed the way we communicate and see the world as a whole. With the click of a button, our friends can see where we are at this very moment. We can upload videos and photos for everyone to see seconds after we have taken them. We can even book our tickets and make reservations without even having to talk to anyone.
Social networking and mobile apps have, almost by accident, gone hand in hand with travelling and holidays as people enjoy sharing their experiences for everyone to see. It’s easy to find point of view videos of rollercoasters posted on Facebook and YouTube along with personalised Flickr accounts full of photos from die hard Disney fans.
However, there is one aspect of mobile technology which is becoming more and more relevant. Augmented reality is beginning to be a big part in people’s lives and theme parks are starting to take notice. Once again, Walt Disney World is the first park to experiment with this.
‘Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom’ uses state of the art technology which encourages visitors to play a role playing game throughout the park at certain portals. The idea is to save the Magic Kingdom from the Disney villains such as Cruella de Vil and Scar who were recruited by Hades from Hercules. Players become apprentices to Merlin from The Sword in the Stone in an effort to stop the villains stealing pieces of a shattered crystal ball.
It’s a hybrid game of a treasure hunt and interactive trading cards which create an immersive experience. It’s a novel take on including guests in on the action and makes them feel like they are part of the magic as they hold up their cards to a magic mirror and see it animate according to their commands.
This idea has so much potential as parks could incorporate Q codes and mobile camera apps to create an immersive experience which encourages guests to explore and take part. This is certainly something that will become a popular feature over the next few years.
What Will Parks Be Like In Another 20 Years?
When predicting what theme parks will be like in the future I always look to see how the big competitors are doing in Orlando. As the worldwide playground for attractions and rides, it’s the one place we can look to for future trends to be emulated by other smaller parks around the globe.
4D experiences and interaction looks to be the next popular step as guests already enjoy 3D movies and even have their own 3D TVs complete with special glasses. Theme parks will aim to stay one step ahead of lifestyle technology as they try to offer new experiences that are inaccessible from home. 4D and 3D attractions now seem to be the cornerstone for most popular theme parks.
As this becomes more popular and common, each park will find unique ways of making these experiences stand out on their own. We could see greater variation and creativity with this kind of technology, following the examples set out by the larger parks such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Perhaps we will even see rollercoasters using this 3D or 4D technology in an all new hybrid ride.
It’s obvious that the experiences from 20 years ago have changed greatly as theme parks encourage guests to take part for themselves. It’s certainly an exciting prospect to imagine what these experiences will be like in another 20 years.
Farrah Hedwat

FloridaTix – Copywriter

Since 1996 FloridaTix has been the UK’s leading supplier for Disney tickets, Universal Orlando tickets and many more Orlando attractions. We are an authorised broker of all attractions, theme parks, shows and sightseeing tours offered on this site so we can guarantee you the best possible holiday experience at the best possible price.

Wordless Wednesday: October 26, 2011

Hedy — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:17:13 +0000

This week’s theme is villains. AND my photo ties into my Magical Blogorail post on Friday.

Wordless Wednesday: September 28, 2011

Hedy — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:18:53 +0000

Magic Blogorail Green: Favorite Character Experience in the Park….

Hedy — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:00:49 +0000

Me and Ariel, October 2009

Welcome to those of you joining me from Makin’ Memories and those of you who have just hopped aboard. I am 4th stop on our Magical Blogorail.

This month’s theme is “Favorite Character Experiences in the Park.” See that photo to the left? That’s mine. Mkay, see you next month.

I kid, I kid. My favorite holiday is Halloween, so when I first heard about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP), I knew I had to go. Although I prefer Belle to Ariel, I figured I should work with my red hair. Not wanting to fight fins all night, I decided to go with Ariel from the Kiss the Girl scene. I go a long skirt from Gap Outlet, a flowingy light blue top from Old Navy, and a corset from eBay. I made a bow myself. For my hair, I essentially did this with my hair, and I studied how to do my makeup. So I got all gussied up, and then I wanted to meet Ariel. So I went to the late Grotto.

As soon as Ariel saw me, she screamed. She was concerned I was Vanessa. After I assured her I was not, we had a nice chat.

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Your Highway in the Sky.
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Loop should you happen to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ Magical Days with the Mouse

2nd Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess

3rd Stop ~ Makin’ Memories

4th Stop ~ Walt Disney World: Not Just for Kids

Final Stop ~ Your Highway in the Sky

It’s a Pirate’s Life for OPI!

Hedy — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:59:24 +0000

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean (POTC) trilogy, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, is coming out tomorrow, May 20. I’m a pirates fan, but not an OMG Captain Jack Sparrow swoon type of girl. As such, I do not know if I will see it in theatres or Redbox it (I would kind of like to see it before I go to WDW in August). I do have to admit that because I have the sense of humor of a twelve-year-old I giggle at the “What were you doing in a Spanish brother/I mistook it for a convent-easy mistake” exchange from the trailer. (Also, I think that Angelica was added to this POTC installment, and the parks, for those who have significant others who are swooning over Jack).

However, I was surprised to learn that OPI released a Pirates of the Caribbean nail polish set. For those of you who are not make up people, OPI is a professional nail polish company which specializes in sassy names and pop culture collections. The colors are Skull & Glossbones, a light gray, Stranger Tides, a sage, Mermaid Tears, a pale green, Steady as She Rose, a pink, Sparrow Me the Drama, also pink, and Planks A Lot, a purple. Of the whole set, Planks a Lot is the only one I’d consider getting (I’m not a huge OPI fan, I prefer China Glaze). However, I’m really excited about the OPI “Silver Shatter”. The Black Shatter from the Katy Perry collection has been waiting-list hard to get, so I’m hoping the silver shatter will be easier to find.

The Top Five Reasons Being a solo adult Disney fan rocks

Hedy — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:09:10 +0000

So it’s Valentine’s Day. You’re read the posts on romance in Disney World, and they were great. But, what if you’re like me and have yet to meet that special someone to split DVC payments with and spare you the single supplement on cruises? Well, being single in WDW rocks, and here are the top five reasons why:

1. There’s No One You Need to ask when you want to go to Disney World. Have a sudden urge to hit up the Food and Wine festival? Decided that you can’t wait a year to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? No need to check with the partner, you can go.

2. It’s easy to get an ADR for one! Let’s say you are like certain people (cough Hedy cough) and screw up an ADR. It’s much easier to slip in an ADR as a single person. Alternately, you could eat at some restaurants at the bar, no ADR required

3. You can do what you want. Want to wear your Mickey ears? Hug Mickey? You can do it when you’re solo, and not have to worry about the ball and chain being embarrassed, or being upset that your current Facebook picture is of you and Prince Charming.

4. You get extra space in your room. If you’re in a hotel room with two beds, and you are alone, the second bed can act as a staging area for your park bags, pins, case of water etc.

5. Single rider lines are your friend. Sure, you may end up sitting with some random family, but the ability to walk onto RocknRoller coaster, Expedition Everest, and Test Track is worth it.

#Confess Friday: I don’t hate Duffy…

Hedy — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 02:18:16 +0000

There’s been a strain of malcontent running through the Disney fan community lately. This time, it’s swirling around Duffy the Disney Bear. Duffy is Mickey Mouse’s teddy bear, which Minnie made for him and he carried in a duffel bag (get it)? Fans are underwhelmed because they don’t like that he’s just a marketing ploy.

Let’s begin with the obvious, folks, Duffy is cute. I am a fan of stuffed animals, and Duffy is a pretty darn cute teddy bear. I foresee a bright future for Duffy in Facebook profile shots. In general, I find the whole “marketing oh noes!” people annoying. Walt Disney World is one big marketing ploy. Heck, the Disney parks have been a big marketing ploy sine Walt put up Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

How about you? What do you think about Duffy?

Friday Favorites: Autographs

Hedy — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:35:17 +0000

Much like my love of Disney World, my love of character autographs has been going on since before I ever set foot on WDW property. Before my first trip in 1993, I had the Easter Bunny deliver me an autograph book. I got a bunch of autograph on that trip. I used it again on my trip in 1996, and got another one for my trip in 2002. The book I used in 2005 and 2006 includes signatures from Ashley Tisdale and Brenda Song when I met them in the Grand Californian lobby (keep in mind that this was pre-High School Musical). I used another book on my trips in 2007 and 2008. On my last trip in 2009, I decided to try an idea I saw on Stitch Kingdom-signing a blank Vinylmation. It looks pretty cool, but was kind of unwieldy to carry around the parks.

Which brings me to my next thought: what do I do on my upcoming cruise? (If you don’t know, many Disney Cruise Line guests take items to be autographed to guest services) Another Vinylmation seems unnecessarily spendy (although how cute would the black one be with silver signatures?) I’m leaning towards a photo mat, but do you have any ideas?

WDW vs. Universal-Shrek 4-D

Hedy — Thu, 20 May 2010 05:29:37 +0000

As Shrek: The Final Chapter is opening Friday, May 21, I thought I’d be topical and go to Production Central to visit the main green guy himself. Now, let us be honest here: if you’re walking into Universal Studios with a case of the “Not Disneys”, Production Central is not going to help. It’s studio-themed, but without a Mann Chinese Theatre or even a Sorcerer’s Hat; in fact you will see Rip, Ride, Rocket in the distance. However, it house a great attraction. Production Central is also home to Jimmy Neuron’s Nicktoon Blast. I’m sorry, I’m not a Nicktoon fan, so while I’m sure there are some great things for adults (or you may just be thrilled to meet SpongeBob), I can happily go all of my Universal trips from here on not riding it again.

Shrek 4-D was among the attractions which were new to me on my trip in 2008. The last time I had been there it was an Alfred Hitchcock attraction, and being the utter goody-goody I was, I did not see it as it was 13 and up. However, I like Shrek, The queue has the wonderful attribute of being covered, with misting fans* to keep you cool. There are funny Shrek parody posters, as well as monitors giving you the setting of the story. It’s after Shrek, and features Lord Farquaad. When you enter the (blissfully air-conditioned) pre-show, you discover it is a dungeon. There are torture objects on the wall, ad you see boxed up versions of the three little pigs. The Team Members are dressed in dungeon garb, and are stern-looking. You’re not in Disney anymore. However, as soon as the Team Member opened his mouth, I relaxed. Anypace where the guards can say “Please turn off all cell phones, violators will be tortured. And if you have a beeper, it’s 2008, get a cell phone,” is a place where I can be. You’re given the standard warning about how to behave in the theater, then you go into the showroom. It opens with Tinkerbell, but then she gets shot into the wall. The rest of the show is great, but you might want to avoid it if you’re arachnophobic.

I’d say that Shrek 4-D is comparable to Muppet Vision 3-D, just darker. And let’s face it, if it weren’t for Disney, the Shrek franchise would fall a bit flat. Remember the “if I had to hug one more princess….” ads? The Shrek gift shop has bunch of tiaras and “princess” stuff. There is a nearby Donkey and Fiona meet. Donkey is hysterical, but Fiona seemed less than interested in interacting with me.

*One thing that Disney wins at, hands down, is having a/c in queues; whereas Universal mainly has misting fan.

Friday Favorites: Figment!

Hedy — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:48:18 +0000

Because, with F-I-G-M-E-N-T, you can see things differently! I cannot think of a Disney character whom I fell more in love with at first sight in the character up to that point in my Disney lifestyle. On my very first trip in April of 1993, my parents and I went on what was then the Journey into Imagination ride. When I came off, I asked my mother if the cat who had disappeared before we left* didn’t come home, if we could get a Figment. I remember being so enthralled by Figment that I did not want to see Captain EO. I ended up getting a small stuffed Figment at the Grand Floridian later that trip.

I love Figment-he’s purple, fun and cute. We went on Journey into Imagination again in 1996, and I still loved him. Then, on our trip in 2002, a terrible thing happened. We went to the Imagination! pavilion, and there was no Figment! I suppose it was a blessing in disguise, as it saved me from ever having to experience the Millenium Journey into Imagination.

Truth be told, I think on my trip in 2006 I was as excited about the Journey into Imagination as I was Philharmagic or Expedition Everest. While there was no Dream Finder, my Figment was back!

Truth be told, I think Figment is a perfect example of what can happen when Disney does everything right. In 1983, they created a character who was unique to the theme parks. This led into merchandising for this character. In 1998, they tried a new version of the ride sans Figment. When they had negative responses, they brought Figment back. As such, Figment manages to bridge a gap between nostalgia for the Epcot Center days, and being novel enough to keep people coming back. Figment and Dean Finder (I mean Dream Finder) keep on popping up on Epcot merchandise, which means to me that Disney does have an interest in revering its olden days.

*Megan appeared about a day after we got home from that trip, and lived for another decade after that.