How Artificial Intelligence is Helping Disney Deal with Long Park Queues

Image: Pexels/Craig Adderley
Good things come to those who wait. This has always been the theory behind spending hours on a queue before experiencing the magic of Disney. The only problem is that we now live within a society that is often pressed for time. The good news is that Disney is developing an innovative solution intended to reduce the time required to enter its parks, and this method has generated a significant amount of interest. What role is artificial intelligence playing, and how might the benefits affect visitors?
How Artificial Intelligence is Already Impacting the End-User Experience
When it comes to modern artificial intelligence (AI) applications, the word of the day is efficiency. Let's look at a brief example to better appreciate how these systems can dramatically improve the end-user experience.
Well-known online casinos such as Ruby Fortune will often employ this type of technology to make it easier to find your favourites among top online casino games including roulette, slots, blackjack, and live dealer titles. In this case, techniques such as predictive text will provide recommendations based on parameters such as previous browsing history, recent releases, and the name of the provider.
The main takeaway point is that artificial intelligence has now become flexible enough to translate its functions into the real world. So, what strategies is Disney deploying?
FastPass+
While there may be a certain romance associated with waiting to enter an amusement park, Disney also understands that visitors might not always be eager to queue for hours at a time. Inclement weather conditions, individuals with disabilities, and young children can all be negatively affected by lengthy waiting times. This is why they have developed a proprietary system known as FastPass+.
As the term already suggests, FastPass+ has begun to replace the traditional paper tickets associated with the traditional FastPass System. However, the purpose is still the same. These tickets allow visitors to bypass long queues, and to enjoy priority access to certain attractions. There is nonetheless an important difference to mention.
FastPass+ links Disney smartphone apps with their online reservation system, and wearable interactive wristbands known as MagicBands. There are several advantages with this method. Users will no longer be required to carry paper tickets that could be potentially lost throughout the day. Unlike standard fast passes, it is also possible to modify time slots to accommodate specific schedules.
Another impressive advantage is that the FastPass+ system incorporates artificial intelligence into its protocols. Visitors will be provided with bespoke recommendations based on their preferences, and AI can even alert visitors about specific scenarios (such as if an attraction will soon be sold out). While not completely revolutionising Disney theme parks, this smart technology is certainly capable of providing a more pleasurable end-user experience.
Disney's FastPass+ is yet another example of how artificial intelligence has migrated far beyond the digital domain. It is now possible to enjoy the magic of Disney on an entirely new level.