Disney's 'Hey, Disney' Voice Assistant Is Coming to Disneyland in 2022
You no longer have to book a trip to Florida to test Disney's Amazon-powered voice assistant. The company said that "Hey, Disney" will appear in Disneyland hotel rooms sometime in 2022. As at Walt Disney World, it will be available alongside Alexa on the Echo speaker in your room. The assistant will handle a range of requests, from amenities to stories and jokes.
Guests will also see other technology when they visit the park itself, as MagicBand+ wearables will also arrive at Disneyland in 2022. You will be able to use the band to enter the park, make purchases and for other contactless access, but they will also use a combination of light, haptic feedback and gesture control to bring your experiences to life in certain areas. The interactions will be specific to Disneyland, so guests won't have to worry about unusual "magic" moments.
Both additions could save time and may be useful, as the lingering coronavirus pandemic still makes some people nervous about physical contact. To some extent, this is also about updating the image of the parks themselves. The company clearly wants its parks to be technologically savvy, and combining voice control with wearables (wristwatches) could help.
"This will be the first time MagicBand+ is available at Disneyland, and it will have its own unique features that enhance guests' experience with convenience and unlock magical moments unique to Disneyland visitors," Disney said.
“From the very beginning, people have felt a strong connection to the Disney brand. As we create original, modern experiences that further expand our beloved stories and even tell entirely new ones, we look forward to a future filled with connections, endless possibilities and magic for Disney fans around the world”
In late September 2021, Amazon and Disney announced a new voice assistant called "Hey, Disney." Built on Amazon Alexa technology, the new Disney assistant will be available on the Echo home device as well as Echo devices in hotel rooms at Walt Disney World Resort. It can be used to interact with characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and other franchises.
Amazon said the voice assistant will provide access to interactive storytelling and entertainment featuring Disney characters. Users will also be able to play games and access giveaways from the Disney world. You can always say "Hey, Disney" to set timers and alarms or check the weather.
In Disney hotel rooms, the voice assistant can be used to make your stay more pleasant. It can answer questions, handle special requests (such as ordering more towels when needed) and much more. It is part of the new Alexa for Hospitality program, which lets hotels deploy Amazon Echo products at any scale and offers customizable screens.
Innovation has been an integral part of the Walt Disney Company's history, which dates back almost a century. As Walt Disney once said: "We will always innovate, test and demonstrate new materials and new systems." The company has decided to keep this promise in 2022, when it releases the next-generation MagicBand+ wearable technology.
The original MagicBand was introduced in 2013 at Walt Disney World, making guests' stays at theme parks and resorts more convenient, hands-free, for things like park entry and guest rooms, shops and restaurants, Disney PhotoPass and much more. MagicBand+ will keep these popular features and add new ones that will create unique moments of magic for everyone.
Once you enter a theme park, MagicBand+ will come to life at various times with color-changing light, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition. The wearable will offer a fresh look at beloved Disney moments, including:
- Play as a bounty hunter in a galaxy far, far away and find virtual rewards at the Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
- Interact with the "Disney Fab 50 Character Collection," golden sculptures scattered across the Walt Disney World theme parks.
- Experience nighttime spectacles in a new way as your device lights up and adds to the magic in the sky, including the new "Harmonious" at EPCOT and "Disney Enchantment" at Magic Kingdom Park.
MagicBand+ will be available for purchase in 2022, including pre-arrival discounts for Disney Resort hotel guests, as well as new and renewing Walt Disney World annual passholders. Current MagicBands will also be available along with the free Disney MagicMobile service, which extends MagicBand capabilities, such as park entry, to smart devices.
MagicBand+ will help every guest immerse themselves in Disney stories and interact with beloved characters like never before.
