A senior Disney executive has made an unexpected plea to visitors of the company's famous theme parks: put down your phones and experience the magic properly.
The Problem with Constant Phone Use
Bruce Vaughn, the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Imagineering, has identified what he considers the biggest annoyance in Disney parks today. It's not queue jumpers or inappropriate behaviour, but rather the constant use of mobile devices that breaks the immersive experience.
In a recent company YouTube video, Vaughn explained his perspective. 'You're there together with friends and family and people that you care about, and every time you have to look down at a device or a phone, it breaks that spell,' he stated. The executive believes these moments of digital distraction undermine the carefully crafted magical atmosphere that Disney works so hard to create.
The Smart Glasses Solution
Rather than simply telling visitors to leave technology behind, Disney has developed an innovative alternative. Through their partnership with Meta, the company plans to introduce AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses as a less disruptive way to access information.
'If you can use extended reality, I never stop looking at the environment,' Vaughn explained. 'I'm in awe at the people I'm with. It's going to be less disruptive.' The glasses feature cameras in the lenses that analyse what the wearer sees and provide audio feedback through built-in speakers.
The technology offers several practical benefits for park visitors:
- Access information about architectural details simply by looking at them
- Learn about merchandise items by gazing at products and asking questions
- Receive immediate answers through the earpiece without breaking visual contact with surroundings
'The glasses can enhance the ways we tell stories for our guests, unlocking a world of information about the land that they're in,' Vaughn added.
Mixed Reactions from Disney Fans
The proposal has generated divided opinions among Disney enthusiasts. Some visitors expressed concerns about practical issues and additional costs.
On social media, one commenter worried about navigation problems: 'We have enough issues with people dead stopping in the middle of a walkway. And for those of us who wear glasses, reading glasses, sunglasses... nope.'
Others questioned the logic of replacing phone screens with glasses screens. Mark Ladisky commented: 'Disney: "we'll get you off your phones." Also Disney: "get the screen one inch in front of their eyes and make it the only thing they see their vacation through."'
The cost factor also raised eyebrows, with the most basic Meta Ray-Ban model currently starting at £239. Some visitors wondered if rental options would be available within the parks.
The Technology Paradox
The initiative highlights a growing contradiction in modern theme park experiences. While Disney encourages reduced phone use, the company has simultaneously made smartphones increasingly essential for navigating their parks efficiently.
Visitors currently rely on mobile devices for multiple functions:
- Checking real-time ride wait times
- Booking fast-track passes
- Scanning QR codes
- Ordering food and drinks in advance
Although paper alternatives exist for some services, going completely phone-free often means accepting longer queues and less convenience.
Vaughn emphasised that the technology integration serves a specific purpose. 'We're not just using technology for technology's sake. We're using it in service of that story that we're really going for,' he said. 'If we're doing our jobs properly, all of the technology goes away and our guests get immersed in the story that we're trying to tell.'
The smart glasses technology won't be limited to guest use alone. Disney staff also plan to utilise extended reality when developing new park areas, allowing visualisation of concepts before construction begins.
This announcement follows other recent technological innovations from Disney, including a robotic Olaf character from Frozen that will begin interacting with visitors in Paris and Hong Kong parks from next year.
The debate continues about whether smart glasses represent the future of immersive entertainment or simply replace one screen with another placed even closer to our eyes.
