Recent Disney guest survey hints at possible first use of Next-Gen technologies

Sep 28, 2010 in "EPCOT"

Posted: Tuesday September 28, 2010 14:07pm EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff
It's been no secret to those that follow the parks closely, that for the last few years Disney have been hard at work on a massive technology project that will bring together next-generation technologies to the theme park experience. The project has been overseen by Jim MacPhee since 2008 (former Epcot VP, 30 year Disney veteran, and now Vice President of Next Generation Experience and Walt Disney World Parks) and Walt Disney Imagineering.

Headlining the "Next-Gen" technology list is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and hand-held devices - all designed to take things to the next level and to personalize your at home and in-park experience to a level not seen before.  A recent guest survey (view here http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=636984) has given the biggest hint yet about some of the "Next-Gen" ideas that Disney are exploring. Remember, this is just a survey, so the ideas may not see the light of day, but it's certainly an interesting read.

Here is part of the survey that references an Epcot Experience.

EPCOT INSIDER: AT HOME: Video welcome from imaginer.
AT PARKS:
Insiders Map: Tips stories on map.
Wake up call from Sklar or Lasseter.
Use phone to reveal EPCOT history: See the park as it looked in the past as your mobile device becomes a time portal- visit an attraction, choose a year on the portal, and hold it up to the ride to see the ride transform back to the way it used to be. Use time portal to take pics of you with old ride (way used to look/old ride).
SSE Alternate Imagineer soundtrack: Ride SSE with imagineers who designed the ride give alternate audio commentary during the ride.
Inside info on phone: Your map leads you to special locations where you get a call with insider info from original EC designers and Walt himself. These are added to your journals.

View the full survey at http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=636984 

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