Technology – Always Part of our Magic

Please see the below message from Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

At Disney, we’ve always pushed the boundaries of technology and innovation to entertain our Guests and create experiences that are unlike anything else in the world.

Walt Disney himself was absolutely fascinated by the technology of his day, and by the possibilities it represented for the movie and theme park industries. He invented the multi-plane camera and used Technicolor in his animated films … then moved on to create Audio-Animatronics figures for Disneyland shows like “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” and “Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.” That was just the beginning, and Walt’s curiosity, imagination and ingenuity set the stage for the decades of invention and discovery that have followed.

Today at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, we continue to innovate by inventing and investing in technology and embracing what it can mean to a Disney experience – seamlessly integrating the physical, digital and virtual worlds to help Guests navigate our properties and platforms, immerse themselves in our stories, connect with those they love and share their unforgettable experiences with the world.

Over the past few years, our Imagineers have developed amazing technology for attractions such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and the Spider-Man acrobatic robot that soars above Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure park. Guests may have also caught a glimpse of what they are working on for future experiences, including a “real” lightsaber that will debut at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World Resort, a free-roaming Groot robotic character, or a full-sized exoskeleton that may one day bring our larger characters to life in ways you never thought possible.

Sometimes this technology takes center stage and inspires a sense of awe, while other times it plays a supporting role, all but invisible behind the scenes … but it’s always there, helping our cast, crew, employees and Imagineers make magic.

As we kick off the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, we’re excited about the ways that technology will add to our celebration – and beyond. Today we announced a project with Amazon called “Hey, Disney!” With it, we’ve created our own custom assistant, using Disney stories, characters and more – all built on Amazon’s Alexa technology.

Whether Guests are at home or in one of our Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms, soon they’ll be able to use an Echo device to interact with their favorite Disney, Pixar or Star Wars characters. “Hey, Disney!” will make their vacation easier, more meaningful and more fun … and it will entertain and delight Guests when they’re at home, too. It raises the bar for immersive storytelling with authentic character voices, unique audio environments inspired by our films and destinations, and more than a thousand magical interactions to discover – so Guests can expect a few surprises!

We’ll have more to share soon about “Hey, Disney!” and other ways that technology and innovation will continue to help us make magic and create the Disney Difference – setting ourselves apart in the world of dream vacations, renowned family entertainment, and innovative products and experiences around the world.

Just like Walt, all of us at Disney today think it’s kind of fun to do the impossible. Our curiosity and imagination are always working overtime, inspiring us with dreams of what could be and where we’ll go next. Technology opens new doors every day, presenting us with endless possibilities and an ever-evolving vision of the future. I hope everyone come along for the ride – we’re just getting started.

     Small World Vacations is celebrating 25 Years of Magic.
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