Search Results for: blog screens that replicate sense of touch

Disney Develops Screens with Sense of Touch

We know Disney and its Imagineers are all about innovating. They do everything from researching new technology and its uses to designing new games and rides for the parks. Today I’m checking back in with Disney Research, the division that focuses on the former. A while back I looked at Disney augmenting reality: a fancy word for integrating technology into our life, or in this case, specifically, the park experience. Think of the “Kim Possible” game at Epcot, which reads data on your cell phone to help you move forward through the game. Now Disney Research is pushing its augumented … Continue reading →

Disney Interactive Unveils New Game, Console Plans

Disney’s never been much of a name in gaming.  Disney Interactive is the only branch of the company that has reported consistent losses.  In the past few years, Disney hasn’t even put that much of an effort into console gaming, choosing to focus on simple games played on websites like Facebook or on mobile devices.  But that might be about to change. Gaming website CNET reports that Disney’s taken out a patent for a gaming console that employs augmented reality.  This isn’t the first of Disney’s augmented reality patents; late last year I blogged about one involving images projected over … Continue reading →

MyMagic+ to Record Disney Guest Experience

Disney’s always looking for a way to get ahead in its parks, including providing the best customer service around. Its constant raising of prices might seem counter intuitive to that, but at least it keeps upgrading its services.  The New York Times has a fascinating new report on the Disney Parks’ latest effort: MyMagic+. MyMagic+ takes the physical form of a wristband park guests wear in place of tickets.  Guests won’t have to trade in paper tickets anymore, instead waving their bands in front of the new FastPass monitors (even if they didn’t purchase a FastPass, those Mickey monitors are used).  MyMagic+ … Continue reading →

Disney Patents Virtual Cake Toppers

As Disney has been experimenting more and more with augmented reality, I’ve tried to imagine scenarios in which the company could put it to use. My focus has always been on the Disney Parks, on how it could allow guests to further interact with exhibits. Apparently, Walt Disney Co. itself has been focusing more on how they can augment our food. Technology website Gizmag details a recently filed patent by the Disney Company, one that covers the use of augmented reality for cakes. That’s right, cakes. Gizmag says that most of what’s on the patent is still theoretical, but it … Continue reading →

Exploring the New Official Disney Website

I promised a preview of the new official Disney site, and today I’m delivering. The new Disney site isn’t that different from the old one, it’s just got a sleek new redesign. The front page is less cluttered than before, and is on a bright white background rather than the previous black. I’m actually a little surprised at how plain the front page is; there are plenty of thumbnail pictures and links, but there’s nothing going on around the edges. The official Disney site is a good place to go if you’re a general Disney fan, but aren’t really sure … Continue reading →

Disney Park Apps for Smartphones

I got a smart phone for my birthday, when all I asked for is an mp3 player. Don’t get me wrong: it’s an awesome present, but sometimes I don’t know what to do with it. I disabled data, because I spend enough time online as it is. Although I downloaded one or two, I’m wary of most apps: I don’t want them cluttering up my phone. If you have smart phone, however, and you’re planning a Disney vacation, there are a few apps you should look into getting. Most of them are free, which is just icing on the cake. … Continue reading →

Magic Kingdom to Serve Beer, Wine

A bar inside the Dolphin Resort at Disney World Last week the official Disney Parks blog revealed a detail about the Be Our Guest Restaurant in the new Fantasyland expansion, one that breaks a tradition held by the Magic Kingdom since its inception: Be Our Guest will serve alcohol. The decision came when Walt Disney World execs contemplated the theme of the restaurant. In keeping with the setting of “Beauty and the Beast,” the film on which the restaurant is based, execs wanted to offer the finest French cuisine. Part of the French dining experience is to serve alcohol, so … Continue reading →

Disneyland Developing New Fantasy Faire

I’ve come to a conclusion: the Disney parks are almost like a living organism. They’re constantly changing and evolving. Maybe equating them to something that’s alive is a bit of a stretch, but the idea that they never stay the same, that there’s always something different or new happening or in the process of doing so: that’s definitely accurate. When the famous founder of your illustrious company was known for his innovation, you don’t have much choice but to constantly do the same if you want to uphold his legacy. The latest update announced for Disneyland, not long after the … Continue reading →