magic-kingdom
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Disney apparently having issues getting people to try out DS as guide
Following rumors that DS was to test out a program where patrons could utilize their DS as a guide (among other things), we here at DS Fanboy envisioned others following Disney's lead, giving us the kind of functionality that the handheld enjoys in Japan and abroad. We were excited at the possibility of using our DS to send in food orders over wi-fi and perhaps checking out movie trailers while waiting in line at the theater. Fun stuff of the sort is always bouncing around our brain.Imagine how we felt after seeing some leaked shots of the Disney DS guide in action. We pretty much received what we expected in that department. But, our excitement for the prospect might be unfounded, as families just didn't seem excited to come use the device. The ones that did sign up seemed to be genuinely impressed with the features and exclaimed that it enhanced their park experience, however getting families to come and give it a whirl seemed to be a tough sell.Still, if the functionality is there and those than used the device generally seemed to be pleased with what it did.[Thanks, Chris!]
Disney characters get robotic facelift for Magic Kingdom performance
We're hearing January is a fairly good time to hit up Disney World, and if you've got an itch to see giant rodents (and similar) perform on stage with near perfect mouth movements, we'd recommend heading on down. Apparently the engineers behind the relatively new Cinderella Castle stage show at the Magic Kingdom have spruced the characters up quite a bit, and most noticeable is the robotic facelift that the main characters received. Instead of just moving about while music loops in the background, the critters can now sing right along, as their mouths move almost in unison with the audio clips in the show. While we're sure your average six year old girl wouldn't notice such petty details, it's good to see Disney upping the ante on the mechanics to keep us geeks from zoning out while experiencing all that magic, so be sure to hit the read link for a video demonstration of the upgraded jawbones (and don't hum along too loudly).[Via BoingBoing]
Walt Disney World to start fingerprinting everyone
There aren't that many places (yet) where you have to provide biometric data to gain access. Usually they're limited to high-security areas, you know, places like nuclear research facilities, airports, libraries (!) and by the end of this month, Walt Disney World. Oh yes, the Magic Kingdom will soon be taking fingerprints of its visitors at all four Orlando-area theme parks, and is well on its way becoming a real nation-state, given that it already issues passports and has a standing army of costumed characters (and let's not even speak of their monstrous robot dominion). Disney says that this is to prevent ticket fraud and officials claim that the company is not actually taking "fingerprints," but rather, mathematical representations of fingerprints, as calculated by series of points measured on a fingerprint. A little math never hurt anymore, right? Except when it can be tied to an individual's identity, a record of their whereabouts, and corresponding physical traits. It's a world of hopes and a world of fears, indeed.[Via BoingBoing]
