It’s only a matter of time until Disney does something with the metaverse, of course, but it’s not quite there yet. Disney has been granted a patent to create personalized interactive attractions for theme park visitors.
Via your own mobile phone
The technology would enable headsets-less augmented reality (AR) attractions in Disney theme parks. Visitors use their own mobile phone for this. Personalized 3D effects are generated and then projected onto nearby physical spaces, walls and objects in the park.
This patent was approved on December 28 and the description says: ‘virtual-world simulator in a real-world venue.’ It was originally filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in July 2020.
what is metaverse
Metaverse is a container term for many things. That’s because the concept is relatively new and everyone can find a hook to link their product to the metaverse. In general, the metaverse is seen as a 3D environment connected to the internet that you can access via virtual reality (VR) or AR headsets. Think of the 2018 movie Ready Player One.
However, the technology proposed by Disney would bring the Metaverse to the physical world. In November 2021, CEO Bob Chapek said the company is preparing to mix physical and digital assets into the metaverse.
“We will be able to connect the physical and digital worlds even more closely, allowing stories to be told without boundaries in our very own Disney Metaverse.”
Physical and digital
A year earlier, in November 2020, Tilak Mandadi, Disney Resorts Chief Strategy Officer, said on LinkedIn already that he wants to combine the digital and the physical world.
“As we look to the future, new park experiences that transcend the physical and digital barrier and tell different stories are very exciting for us. These experiences are everlasting, and guest engagement is inside and outside the parks. They are unique to you, but also social and connected. They’re constantly changing, so there’s always something new to discover.’
Happiest place in metaverse
Disney has 12 official theme parks, you’ve probably been to the one in Paris, but there are also parks in the US, Hong Kong, Japan and China.
In a way, metaverse is ideally suited to a company like Disney. Who wouldn’t want to step into a 3D Disney movie and talk to characters like Donald Duck, Luke Skywalker or Iron Man? In the words of Bob Chapek, “Disney could become the happiest place in the metaverse.”
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