Disney Guest Experience Taken to Next Level as MyMagic+ and FastPass+ are here!
Already thought Disney had cracked guest relations? Already thought Disney were the best in the world at what they do? Well, Disney is never content to rest on their laurels and today, on the Disney Parks Blog, Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts officially released more information on the next generation of their FastPass system and other enhancements to a vacation management system they’re calling MyMagic+. The new system is said to give guests a more personalized vacation through the use of a new wristband called MagicBands.
Parts of MyMagic+ have already been introduced as Disney resort guests are now able to enter the parks without turnstiles and pay for their Walt Disney World purchases with touch to pay technology. All of this is currently being done through RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) chips embedded into their “Key to the World” cards, which also serve as their room keys. Within in the next few months, Disney will be replacing the cards for wristbands dubbed MagicBands, with RFID chips in them. These wristbands will serve as resort guests’ room keys, park tickets and FastPass+. They’ll also be able to charge purchases to their account using the bands and collect their PhotoPass pictures while Smartphone alerts would signal when it is time to ride Space Mountain without standing in line!
For many guests who have taken cruises in the past, this was only a matter of time. On virtually all cruise-lines for the last decade, you have been able to jump on board, throw your wallet in the safe in your cabin and run around the ship charging things to your account as you go. In fact, many cruise-line guests are still wondering why this technology has taken so long to come around!
Now it seems that this ability is with us at the theme parks. Rather than dashing as a group, or even splitting up to gather FastPasses, you’ll soon be able to book a guaranteed ride time for your favorite shows and attractions even before setting foot in the park. A major component of MyMagic+ is the new My Disney Experience website and mobile app, which will give guests planning their trip the latest information on all that the Walt Disney World Resort has to offer.
Some people love to meticulously plan every aspect of their Disney vacation in advance while others like to plan very little, letting their day unfold spontaneously. No matter where guests fall in that spectrum, My Disney Experience will give them the flexibility to plan as much or as little as they’d like to create the exact Disney experience they want. They can book dining and other experiences and reserve times for their favorite attractions, shows and more through an enhanced FastPass system, FastPass+ and once they arrive, they can use their smart phones to spontaneously change their plans in the moment, exploring the parks at their own pace and getting the most out of their visit. Sounds great!
To link the entire MyMagic+ experience together is an innovative piece of technology Disney have developed called the MagicBand. Naturally, it is worn on the wrist, it will serve as a guest’s room key, theme park ticket, access to FastPass+ selections, PhotoPass card and optional payment account all rolled into one. The evolution of the guest experience continues! All we need now are Star Trek style transporters to zap us to the theme parks in Orlando at double fast time!
