[mickeysgirlz]

Big Brother or a COOL feature??

Here is the link: Disney to provide park navigation by cell phone


Disneyland visitors will soon be able to find their way about the park by cell phone — and like a ghost at Haunted Mansion, the mobile application could follow you home.

The Walt Disney Co. and Verizon Wireless announced Wednesday that they have reached a multiyear deal to provide theme park information and extras to Verizon customers who download a special application.

Beginning next year, visitors to Disneyland and Florida's Walt Disney World will be able to use their Verizon phones to locate shows, costumed characters and restaurants; find wait times for rides, play mobile games and receive messages from Disney characters.

Because cell phone technology pinpoints a device's location, users can tell how far away they are from Mickey Mouse, for example.

"With more than 90 percent of families bringing a mobile phone into our parks, our objective was to enhance the magical Disney experience through innovative wireless technology," Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said in a statement. "Imagine receiving up-to-the minute tips on special park activities with just the touch of a button or receiving a call from Buzz Lightyear welcoming you to the Magic Kingdom."

Disney is joining many other tourists attractions, museums and historic sites around the country that now offer cell phone services, such as walking tours and push-button exhibit information.

While only Verizon customers will be able to access the full mobile services, the companies said they planned to make more limited information — such as park restaurant locations — available to all cell phone users.

The companies were still working out the precise set of features that initially will be offered. Some might be offered free while others might be part of a fee-based premium package, executives said. As with most mobile applications, there are plans to allow customer feedback and add features down the line.

For instance, users eventually might be able to reserve times for popular rides or include Disney animations into the personal photos they share via e-mail.

The application also has the potential to allow Disney and Verizon to aim personalized marketing messages and advertising at cell phone users after they leave the park.

However, Disney officials said they had no plans to bombard visitors with ads and noted the Verizon customers must voluntarily opt in to the application.

"This is not an advertising channel. This is not a marketing channel," said Scott Trowbridge, vice president of creative development for Walt Disney Imagineering, Research and Development. "That is absolutely not what we want to do. People get enough spam of all shape, sizes and varieties."

[lovemysons]

We actually had a cm tell us about this on our last trip! At that point, she said it wasn't certain, just in development. COOL BEANS!! (to quote Boss.)

[Big Al]

A cool idea, but I like to GET AWAY from cell phones, wireless services, etc when on vacation. If I have it on to get park info, work can find me too

[WishUponAStar]

I heard about this when it was in developement from our "Keys to the Kingdom" guide. Personally, I think it's AWESOME! I can't wait to use it!! My verizon 'Navigator' feature already locates me to give me directions on how to get somewhere so the 'following me' thing doesn't really phase me.

[tinkfans]

I too am very excited about this!! mostly since you can find line wait times & characters & all that fun stuff!! avoids some running around just to find out ride is down, or has long long long wait time!! cant wait!

[lovemysons]

Originally Posted by tinkfans

I too am very excited about this!! mostly since you can find line wait times & characters & all that fun stuff!! avoids some running around just to find out ride is down, or has long long long wait time!! cant wait!

Oh yes, being able to find out wait times would be a major plus for us!!

[Boss Mouse]

<shhh what? Yeah yeah, uh huh, uh huh.... wait I have to hang up, I have to send a message> Hey - I think it's way cool. To quote LMS - "Cool Beanskis"

[mickeysgirlz]

Originally Posted by tinkfans

I too am very excited about this!! mostly since you can find line wait times & characters & all that fun stuff!! avoids some running around just to find out ride is down, or has long long long wait time!! cant wait!

I agree about the wait times. I love that at EPCOT they have those centralized boards that list all the ride waits . . . makes it easy to pick a direction and GO!

[ddoll]

I think it is about time they added this feature. I just hope there is a way to add fastpasses soon. They have been talking about doing this for a few years now. It seems silly in this age to have to walk all the way over to a ride (or even to a tip board) to see the wait time.

[Goodegirl2007]

This is cool!!
Can't wait to try it out!

Thanks for the post!

[Remy]

Originally Posted by Big Al

A cool idea, but I like to GET AWAY from cell phones, wireless services, etc when on vacation. If I have it on to get park info, work can find me too

I have to agree. I leave my blackberry in the hotel.

[zefyr]

I think it's a cool idea...but it's only good for Verizon users. If you don't have Verizon you can't get all the features and I'm sure wait times and character info will only be given to Verizon users.

[Campbell87]

I think its a pretty great idea though id never reap the benefits and I won't be buying a Verizon phone for use out there just for this reason :(