Disney Developing Technology For Interactive Games On Vehicles (Patent)

From the Disney Skyliner to the new Walt Disney World buses with character wraps and charging ports, Disney is always trying to plus transportation offerings. A new patent application hints that Disney is looking to create an interactive experience for guests while riding said vehicles.

From the patent application:

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to sequential storytelling across a set of one or more vehicles such that interactive experiences that have narrative, leveling, or other persistent or shared aspects may be presented to users over a set of sessions in which the users (individually or as a group) are passengers in the set of one or more vehicles. As used in this context, “storytelling” may refer to broader presentation of interactive media than simply audible, or even visual, recitation or representation of a story. The users may include a first user. The first user may be provided with interactive experiences on the set of one or more vehicles. The interactive experiences may be provided by a set of virtual content and/or other content. The virtual content may provide a digital game (such as a video game), a video, and/or other interactive media. A set of physical effects may be provided concurrently with the set of virtual content. The physical effects including one or more tactile effects, environmental effects, and/or other effects. The physical effects provided concurrently with the set of virtual content may be correspond to the context of content provided by the set of virtual content.

What’s most striking about the application is the description that the progress can be saved and resumed at any time on any applicable vehicle. What these vehicles will be is unknown, but this quote from the application gives some hints it may be for Walt Disney World Transport buses:

Vehicle(s) may be one or more of a car, a bus, a shuttle, a train, an airplane, a vessel (such as a ship), and/or other vehicles. In some implementations, vehicle(s) may be a motorized vehicle. In some implementations, vehicle(s) may include one or more autonomous vehicle, semi-autonomous vehicle, non-autonomous vehicle, and/or other vehicles.

The vehicle condition may specify one or more vehicle engine condition, tire condition, suspension condition, fuel conditions, and/or other conditions. The vehicle condition of the first vehicle may be determined based on output signals of the one or more sensors of the first vehicle. The output signals of the one or more sensors of the first vehicle may convey the vehicle condition.

The operation mode of the vehicles may specify driving settings, vehicle dynamics, and other settings in the vehicles. The operation mode may specify whether the vehicle may be operating in one or more of a performance setting, efficiency setting, comfort setting, and/or other settings. The operation mode may specify whether the vehicle may be operating with passengers. The operation mode may specify whether the vehicle may be operating on a street, a highway, a parking lot, dirt road, and/or other locations in the real world. The operation mode may specify whether the vehicle is parked, turned on, in reverse, in motion, and/or other in other operation modes.

The vehicle status information specifying one or more of a real-world location, operation mode, vehicle condition, operating route, operating time schedule, and/or other information of the individual vehicles in the set of one or more vehicles. The real-world location, operation mode, vehicle condition, and/or other information of the individual vehicles in the set of one or more vehicles may be specified by one or more sensors and/or systems in the individual vehicles.

Now, the patent application also discusses how the virtual content will be displayed in or near the vehicle. Much like Soarin’ Around the World or other 4D attractions, effects like lighting or wind would be used to immerse guests:

The environmental effects may include a change in temperature, a change in lighting, a blast of air, and/or other effects. The environmental effects may be provided by one or more lighting systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, and/or other systems in a vehicle and/or around a user. The change in temperature may include increasing or decreasing the ambient temperature around the user or on a given body part of the user. The change in lighting may include increasing or decreasing the light intensity around the user or at a given location. The change in lighting may include changing the color of lighting around the user or at a given location. The change in lighting may include turning a lighting system on or off.

The set of physical effects may be provided concurrently with the set of virtual content. The set of physical effects may be associated with the set of virtual content. The physical effects provided concurrently with the set of virtual content may be correspond to the context of content provided by the set of virtual content. By way of non-limiting example, if a virtual content provided include an airplane flying through the clouds, the physical effects of a decrease in temperature around the user, a change in the lighting, and/or other effects may be provided concurrently with virtual content.

The simulated space, or the screens used to display the simulated space, could appear in a variety of ways:

The simulated physical space may be in a three-dimensional space, two-dimensional space, and/or other simulated physical spaces. The simulated physical space may depict an environment. In some implementations, the simulated physical space may include a head-up display (HUD) overlaid on the three-dimensional, two-dimensional space, and/or other simulated physical spaces. A HUD may comprise of one or more of a mini-map, menu, one or more application information readings, and/or other information.

This interactive game can be utilized in a private game or as a multiplayer experience as described below:

The digital game may be a video game with one or more of a single player component, multiplayer game component, and/or other components. For example, the digital game with the multiplayer game component may be one or more of an online game a multiplayer game, a local co-op game, and/or other games. The digital game with single player component may be one or more of the online game, an offline game, a single player game, and/or other games.

The multiplayer experience seems to not be limited to the single-vehicle but rather across any specified connect vehicles in the fleet:

The user(s) provided with the virtual content providing the digital game with a multiplayer game component may participate in the virtual content with other users in the set of one or more vehicles or the first vehicle of the set of one or more vehicles. For example, the passengers (e.g., the user(s)) of the set of one or more vehicles may participate in the persistent or shared game together to achieve a common (e.g., shared) or private (e.g., unshared) goal in the game. The persistent or shared game may be provided by the first virtual content.

The passengers of the set of one or more vehicles may be in a same game session of the shared game and may interact with one another in the same game session. The passengers of the set of one or more vehicles may be in the same vehicle of the set of one or more vehicles and/or different set of one or more vehicles when participating in the persistent or shared game together.

To summarize, this technology appears to be connected to a user device (i.e. smartphone) to allow a user to interact with the environment simulated in or near the vehicle via screens or projectors. As a way to enhance the interactive game or experience, physical effects like lighting changes or wind will be used to add a sense of reality.

Also, the interactive experience will have “stages” or “levels” and the user can save their progress at any time and restart at the same point via any connected vehicle.

As always, patent applications are not guaranteed to ever see the light of day, but it is always interesting to see what technology Disney may be developing for their theme parks.

New Monorail System @ WDW Seems Unlikely Right Now

In an unfortunate piece of news, it looks as if Bombardier, the makers of the Mark VI monorails at Walt Disney World, is in talks to sell their rail division to Alstom. Bombardier Transportation, the rail division of the company, makes subway cars, trains, and yes, monorails.

This news comes on the heels of the announcement that Bombardier would be mostly getting out of the aviation business with the sale of their stake of the a220 program. Bombardier currently has billions of dollars in debt and has been trying to restructure its core business.

What this sale of Bombardier Transportation to Alstom means for Disney fans is that there could be a delay in the rumored new monorail fleet for Walt Disney World. While Alstom is experienced in building trains and other rolling stock, it is unknown if the firm would see monorails as a core focus. In addition, mergers and acquisitions often have a lag period of a year or more that can disrupt current projects, like a new Walt Disney World monorail fleet.

Image result for disney monorail

The sale of Bombardier Transportation isn’t official as of yet, but considering Bombardier has already announced other divestitures in recent months, a sale seems imminent.

New “Incredibles” Bus Design Spotted

On a new Walt Disney Walt bus wrap, Dash Parr is seen leading the Incredibles on a journey to save the day.

The red bus features a action-packed scene of the incredible Parr family. Bob (better known as “Mr. Incredible”), Helen (we prefer “Elastigirl”), Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack Parr each play their part in saving the city.

Elastigirl strerches her hand toward the front of the bus to catch a jumping Jack-Jack. Violet uses a purple forcefield to shield the family. Dash does his thing by… dashing forward. Mr. Incredible seems to just smile as he watches his family take care of business.

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New Aladdin Bus Design Found @ WDW

Almost as magical as a magic carpet ride, Disney has been unveiling some pretty amazing movie-themed overlays on its Walt Disney World resort buses. In the past, we’ve seen buses themed to the Lion King, Cars and more!

Aladdin

Today, another new exciting addition was found! Disney can show you the world aboard this new Aladdin, themed bus! 

Shining, shimmering splendid, we caught a glimpse of this bus featuring an amazing graphic of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine dropping of resort guests at Disney Springs. You can even catch the Toy Story bus looking vibrant in the distance!

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Bus Services Reduced in Favor of Disney Skyliner to Epcot & Hollywood Studios for some Resorts

With the Disney Skyliner having been open for months, bus departures from Disney’s Pop Century Resort to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios have been reduced to once per hour, effective January 5th.

According to WDWClub, the above sign was posted at Disney’s Pop Century Resort on the evening of January 4th. The Disney Skyliner will continue to operate on its current schedule, becoming the primary mode of transportation from the resort to the two theme parks. Bus service to Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is expected to be unaffected by this change.

While the Disney Skyliner is capable of moving high-capacity crowds from resorts to the theme parks, the system has been plagued with issues since its opening back in September 2019. Whether any extended downtime will trigger an increase in bus service to the resort has yet to be seen.

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