Disney looking at using Nintendo DS systems as an interactive guide map?

[wdwmagic]

Info at http://www.wdwmagic.com/around.htm

[jessfriends]

This sounds cool! I love my DS! I wonder how it will work? I can't wait to hear more about it!

[MacRtst]

I wonder if I should bring my DS when I go next month??? It would be cool if it had all the same functions as Pal Mickey. Giving wait times (which it does) and give interesting park facts. Then in the future actually make and ADR on the fly. (at least see what's available. This could really go far.

[wdwmagic]

Originally Posted by MacRtst

I wonder if I should bring my DS when I go next month??? It would be cool if it had all the same functions as Pal Mickey. Giving wait times (which it does) and give interesting park facts. Then in the future actually make and ADR on the fly. (at least see what's available. This could really go far.

Yep it could go a long long way. Disney have been itching to do this for years. It's come up time and time again in various different formats. With the boom in handheld devices, and the complexities for the guests (dining reservations, fastpass, wait times), it just seems the perfect time for Disney to get this going.

[scpergj]

Originally Posted by wdwmagic

Info at http://www.wdwmagic.com/around.htm

Interesting...and as a true Geek, I love the use of the technology

BUT

why do it? I already see many young teen types walking around the parks with either their cel phone held to their ear and a hand over the other, or with ipod earbuds in their ears (no idea why...). Why have kids carry yet another gadget? But, I guess there's enough already doing it...

Kevin

[wdwmagic]

Originally Posted by scpergj

Interesting...and as a true Geek, I love the use of the technology

BUT

why do it? I already see many young teen types walking around the parks with either their cel phone held to their ear and a hand over the other, or with ipod earbuds in their ears (no idea why...). Why have kids carry yet another gadget? But, I guess there's enough already doing it...

Kevin

Agreed, it's more to lug around. It could also be the case that disney are looking to just deploy this system to several devices, and the DS is the one that has currently surfaced. I think with the market penetration of Windows Mobile and other WiFi smartphones, they have to be considering those as well.

[JCorduroy]

Sounds like a technological branch to something Nintendo did this year at Seattle Mariners games with the DS. If you went into SAFECO Field and downloaded into the flash memory (which deletes once the DS was turned off) a certain program, you would get a live box score and stats for the game.

I can easily see the same type of program being available at a DS Download station within the parks, giving a full map of the current park you're in and allowing for touching of hot spots to give information on certain attractions. I hope they do it!!

[TOTGuy]

That is so funny. I was at MK and saw tons of CMs using DS's. I wanted to ask them what was up because they looked so entertained. Sounds like good things are to come!

[JCorduroy]

Originally Posted by wdwmagic

Agreed, it's more to lug around. It could also be the case that disney are looking to just deploy this system to several devices, and the DS is the one that has currently surfaced. I think with the market penetration of Windows Mobile and other WiFi smartphones, they have to be considering those as well.

The DS Lite doesn't really weigh all that much and it's fairly compact, so I don't see it as being too big of a deal. I bring my DS Phat (original design) to the parks when I go to have something to do while in a long line - especially if it's a queue I've seen a million times and I'm by myself, and it doesn't bother me at all. I've traded Pokemon with a 10 year old from Portland Oregon while eating lunch outside of Casey's on Main street.

However, I think your point is correct with Smartphones, I'd like to see the technology go there as well.

[TheDisneyGirl02]

That sounds so cool!!!! Thanks for posting the information. I enjoy my DS so it would be fun to incorporate it into my vacation.

[Figment1986]

Nintendo DS is fairly popular with the younger generations... that and it would give them a chance to make deals with nintendo for a Disney World Dream DS to be sold on property, and given out to VIPs in a package...

[Laura]

I love this idea even though I don't have a DS.

I think it'd be more beneficial though to make a wi-fi based system as that's the direction so many devices seem to be heading. (plus I wanna see wait times on my iphone!)

[JimboJones123]

First of all Genius -- DS Wi-Fi rocks.

Second of all -- does this affect the KP thing at all, or will the KP go Wi-Fi DS too... that would be sweet and have MILLIONS playing. Next up -- Imoprt Magic Kingdom Racing with Chip and Dale on DS!!! Me loves some Disney Kong Racing.

[Captain Hank]

If this comes true, it might actually convince me to get a DS. I've thought about it, but this could be the deciding factor.

[raiden]

That would be so wheat!