Have Phones Changed Disney Visits Too Much?
Many of the criticisms that I hear the most about Disney obsess on the parks’ growing reliance on technology.
MickeyBlog has discussed the matter many times. In a perfect world, technology enhances our lives. But, sadly, we know from social media that this world ain’t perfect.
Disney officials must work hard to anticipate consumer trends and produce technological deliverables to satisfy customers.
Has Disney overcorrected with smartphones? Have smartphones changed the Disney park experience too much? Let’s talk about both sides of this debate.
The Negatives of Technology at the Parks
“Put down your phone. You’re at Disney.”
I’ve heard this comment so often that I sometimes have internal debates about it.
Even though I’m a tech person and a notorious early adopter, I must cede several points that technology critics make.
Imagineers perform daily labors of love to build the optimal theme park experience for guests.
Until the parks switch to a fully digital virtual queuing system for attractions, something that’s probably at least a decade away, line queues matter.
You can distract yourself throughout your wait on attractions like Haunted Mansion and Peter Pan’s Flight.
The entertainment before the ride rivals the attraction itself. And that was the Imagineers’ intent. They’re always thinking about adding to your fun.
Similarly, you’ll miss all the gorgeous landscaping and buildings at the various parks if you’re looking down at your phone too much.
In truth, you can turn into a danger to others as well. For example, have you ever bumped into someone while staring at your phone?
Everyone does that, and it’s a more significant problem in a place filled with tens of thousands of people.
Then, there are the added hurdles that Disney has introduced due to the pandemic.
The most pressing of them is the Park Pass, a reservation system that prevents you from visiting the parks without one.
Before 2020, all you needed to enter Disney was an admission ticket, which ought to be enough since they’re expensive, right?
Now, you need a Park Pass, too! Without one, your admission ticket doesn’t even help you.
Disney wants to staff the parks efficiently, but you shouldn’t suffer for that.
So, this change actively degrades customer satisfaction…but it also ensures that the parks never fall victim to overcrowding.
That helps customer satisfaction. So, Park Passes are tough to evaluate.
The Benefits of Technology at the Parks
Here’s the flip side. While there are undeniable negatives involving technology, the trade-offs may justify the aggravation.
For example, Disney had committed to Mobile Ordering before the pandemic started. In fact, Disney was three years ahead of the curve.
When the parks reopened in 2020 and 2021, Mobile Ordering proved vital for everyone’s safety.
However, that’s only a tiny part of this technology’s value. In its current form, Mobile Ordering guarantees that you can order something correctly.
As someone with food allergies, I treasure this ability. Historically, I spent time explaining my needs to servers, who understandably struggled to get my order right.
Now, the utility of Mobile Ordering means a faster transaction wherein I’m certain to get my order right.
That’s only one of several innovations I could list that have helped us all. Perhaps the most noteworthy one is Disney Genie.
Not to be confused with the paid FastPass system, Disney Genie works as the first theme park virtual assistant.
This product knows EVERYTHING and will happily pass along the intel to you.
While many viral videos have made light of the effectiveness of park itineraries, Disney Genie represents a stunning achievement.
You can learn anything about the parks by asking questions, which is the way that life should work, right?
Similarly, MagicMobile allows guests to access theme parks and hotel rooms without ever breaking out their wallets.
Historically, you’d need a physical ticket and a room key to access these places. Now, your phone can do the same thing, saving you aggravation.
Speaking of which, Disney’s newest technology, Car Locator, works as a holy grail for longtime park guests.
Your phone will notate where you parked and provide you with return directions when needed. We could all use that in everyday life!
Have Phones Changed Disney Too Much?
I don’t think anyone is totally right or wrong on this subject. Instead, I believe that much of the discussion comes down to “okay for me but not for thee.”
Some judgmental folks want to tell others how to visit theme parks the best way…which is also what I do for a living. So, I cannot cast stones here.
However, I will say that I believe most Disney innovations, at least during the MyMagic+ era, have improved my enjoyment of the parks.
I’m old enough to remember the time before Disney introduced the FastPass system.
So, I know firsthand how much the physical tickets enhanced my visits. But then, FastPass+ revolutionized Disney.
Something people forget now is how shakily the FastPass+ launch was. That first year included so many complaints that Disney had pop-up FastPass kiosks.
Cast members did nothing all day but book FastPasses for technophobes.
That’s the challenge of running a company like Disney. It must cater to all park guests, some of whom hate technology.
Then, there are folks like me who wish we could do virtually everything digitally.
Still, I understand that other people aren’t attached at the hip to their iPads/phones.
Their argument that Park Pass requirements are too stringent is based in fact. An admission ticket should provide you access to a Disney theme park. Period.
Also, I agree that first-time and infrequent Disney guests miss out on the experience when they stare at their phones too much.
The parks are gorgeous. We should all remember to savor the moments often.
Still, I don’t believe phones have fundamentally changed Disney in a negative way. They’ve just…changed Disney. And we all must adapt to that.
The same statement will apply as augmented reality evolves in significance at the parks…and that’s something coming soon!
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Platinum level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Feature Photo: Disney