I had a chance to visit the Magic Kingdom today and log in to the new free WiFi public network in the park. I didn’t do any formal load testing, but the video and photos I took uploaded nicely. I definitely plan to use it going forward.
In theory, free WiFi will help Disney roll out some of the next-gen technologies without guests having to worry about data or roaming charges on their mobile phones. They have just upgraded their iOS based Disney Mobile Magic App (no word if Android will follow soon). I use the current Android version to check for attraction waits, dining availability, and, most importantly, to find what attractions still have Fast Pass availability without having to walk all the way to the attraction to find out.
This will become more important when the number of attractions with Fastpass increase tremendously. Disney will testing out its Fast Pass plus system again soon. As you can see above, they’ve re-installed the RFID scanners and a new terminal.
In order to make FastPass plus seem like a real bonus it will be added to attractions that don’t need it for strict capacity reasons (Haunted Mansion and Pirates to name a few) and even to some dining locations. This means if you’re not playing the system, you’re vacation experience will be affected negatively. With Public Wi-Fi Disney can at least say “hey anyone can us it” with a straight face.
Frankly, Disney (heck all the central Florida parks) should have added public wi-fi significantly earlier. They should be encouraging a little sub-culture of open-source mobile apps created by park visitors for other park visitors.
How will you be using the free wi-fi when it comes to all the Disney theme parks?
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I was super excited to hear about this! I can now work at Magic Kingdom, just need my laptop. I am going to test it out today.
While I don’t mind some of the enhancements that a WiFi enabled park can bring, I do mind how technologically dependent we’re all becoming. I usually try not to bring my phone or any electronics aside from my camera to the parks while I’m on vacation there. I feel like if you’re in Disney World, you’re in Disney World. People get so caught up in their cell phones and iPads and whatnot that they forget to just spend some quality time with their children and families. If the phone is just being used quickly once to check a wait time or a Fastpass, sure. But if someone spends a large chunk of their time in WDW on the internet? You’re not paying for the experience of Disney World, you’re paying for the internet.
If I use the WiFi at all, it will probably be to upload a couple of pictures onto Instagram. If Fastpass becomes more of a necessity to plan your trip, then I may also use that to check Fastpass times.
Thank you for all the updates, by the way! These are wonderful. I can’t believe how long that line for the Haunted Mansion is!
Hi Jenny, thank you so much for your feedback. And thanks for reading The Disney Blog
I don’t like that the increased reliance on the fastpass removes the spontaneity from the park. I want to be able to stroll through the park and enjoy the attractions as I come to them, not rush from fastpass to fastpass destination.
For a local I can imagine that it is great but I think running through the park on a schedule blows some of the magic for a vacationer. There are plenty of things that you have to arrive at a certain time for, parades and fireworks — the whole day shouldn’t be like that.
YES! Now I can check for wait times, and see which character is out randomly!
I honestly still don’t understand this whole new fastpass thing.
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