Disney has always been at the forefront of bringing magic and innovation to its loyal fans, and their latest offering is no exception. Now, guests staying at any Walt Disney World Resort hotel room can now enjoy the companionship of the Hey Disney! voice assistant.
This service, a collaboration with Amazon, was initially announced at Destination D23 in 2021. The installation of these Mickey-inspired devices began in late 2022 at the Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, then expanded to Riviera Resort and Bay Lake Tower, and they are now a standard feature in all resort hotel rooms.
Hey Disney! – A Personalized Disney Experience
The Hey Disney! voice assistant is not your average smart speaker. It harnesses the power of Amazon’s Alexa technology, but with an enchanting Disney twist. The service is designed to answer guests’ queries using the voices of more than 25 beloved Disney characters.
From waking up to Mickey Mouse’s cheerful greeting, ordering room service, getting weather updates, to playing trivia games, this voice assistant brings Disney’s magic right into your hotel room. And don’t worry, it’s not just Mickey who’s lending his voice. Other popular characters like Minnie Mouse, Tiana, Tow Mater, Groot, Fozzie Bear, BB-8, Genie, and Dory also join in the fun.
What Can “Hey Disney” Do?
Disney is partnering with Amazon and building on some of the advanced artificial intelligence work that has been done with Alexa to bring what they are calling the Disney Magical Companion. Disney’s Magical Companion is designed to be a conversational assistant, and some of the intended use cases revolve around entertainment, replacing calls to your resort’s front desk, and acting as a guide to help you plan your day at one of the Disney theme parks.
A few examples of functions that Disney has shared are:
- Wake you with a message from Mickey Mouse and pals
- Order you more towels
- Tell you jokes, play you stories or challenge you with Disney trivia
- Take you into the worlds of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and the Muppets for interactive character experiences
- Inform you of showtimes in the Disney theme parks
- Tell you when the next bus to Magic Kingdom leaves
- Play games with you
- Have one of your favorite Disney characters, Olaf, read you the daily forecast report
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, the introduction of the Hey Disney! voice assistant in all Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms is yet another testament to Disney’s commitment to innovation and magic. This new feature not only enhances guests’ stay at the resorts but also extends the enchanting Disney experience right into their homes.
The voices of our favorite Disney characters answering our queries, telling stories, and playing trivia is a delightful addition to any Disney vacation or a regular day at home. As Disney continues to innovate, we can look forward to more such magical experiences in the future!
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
