We live in a world where we have access to everything we could ever want to know at the tips of our fingers. We can program nearly everything to happen remotely — from turning on the coffee pot at a specific time, turning our lights on and off, and even locking our doors if we leave the house and forget to. Disney has slowly been integrating those technological advances into its theme park experience, and soon, more tech will be coming to select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
Later this year, Disney Guests will have a new — and complimentary — feature in their hotel rooms. It is called “Hey, Disney” — as Disney teamed up with Amazon and its Alexa programming — and will give you a whole new world of features to take advantage of and enhance your Disney experience. Disney Parks Blog shared more information on the fun, new tech coming to the Most Magical Place on Earth.
There’s a magical new digital voice assistant ready to bring Disney characters and stories to life called “Hey Disney!” Using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices, you’ll be able to ask all the useful questions – weather forecasts, set timers and alarms, etc. – and get answers from more than 25 popular characters including Mickey Mouse, Olaf, Rocket and Groot, Princess Tiana and many more. Plus, when you stay at select Disney Resort hotels, you can use “Hey Disney!” to learn helpful information about your vacation, order room amenities and more. Wondering when the next bus to EPCOT leaves or need to request more towels for your room? Just ask the Disney Magical Companion, a new character who will interact with you via “Hey Disney!”
‘Hey Disney!’ will begin rolling out in select Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration. Access will be offered as an optional, complimentary feature during guest stays.
What’s even more exciting, those who have an Amazon Echo device in their home will also be able to take part in the “Hey, Disney” fun! Guests can purchase “Hey, Disney” for any Amazon Echo via the Amazon Alexa Skills Store. If you have purchased Disney’s new Magicband+ — which is not on sale just yet — it will also pair with “Hey, Disney” on your Amazon Echo device.
Disney has said that the “Hey, Disney” feature is coming to select hotels for the 50th Anniversary. The 50th will only run until March 2023 and Disney has not said if the feature will become a permanent fixture after that. We will just have to wait and see what Disney has to say when it finally releases “Hey, Disney” at hotels.