I just returned from my first trip to Disneyland and all I can say is 'Wow'! Actually I guess that's not ALL I can say as I'm about to blog all about it, but it was definitely worth a 'Wow'. Technology is employed at Disneyland in an inifinte number of ways, but the first tip of the hat has to be to the rides. I've always loved roller coasters, but they've really become a multimedia experience! The best part is that it is worked into the ride so seamlessly that you may not even notice it. I'm pretty sure that I rode California Screamin' at least 15 times during my trip (yeah, it was that fun 
), and it wasnt until the 5th or 6th time that I realized that there was music playing inside the car with me. It definitely enhances the experience, but not isn't so loud that you're annoyed by it. Space Mountain benefits from the same set up. Then there are the ride/games like Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and the newest of these, Toy Story Mania. Toy Story Mania was outstanding with video screens that allowed you to shoot virtual ping pong balls, darts, and rings at target on the screens. Very accurate targeting and physics...I could have played this one all day long (in between roller coaser rides). The shows are amazing as well, especially the 3D experience, "It's Tough to Be a Bug", even though you're stationary for this show, I probably jumped and squealed as much as I did on some of the big rides! Don't want to spoil it for anyone that hasn't been there yet, but I will say that when a stink bug turns his back to you....you should probably plug your nose!
Next on the list is crowd control, and I know that Disney has had a lot of practice. They opened in July 1955 (although it was somewhat disastrous according to this Wikipedia article). The FastPass system is a miracle of modern technology as far as I'm concerned, allowing you to 'virtually' stand in line for a ride. Run your ticket through a FastPass machine, take your FastPass which displays the time you can return and go straight to the front of the line! While you're virtually waiting in line for Space Mountain, Thunder Railroad or any of the other rides that offer FastPass, you can have lunch, go to the Jedi Training Academy, or ride everything in Fantasyland (where the rides are a bit weak, but the lines aren't as long).
Finally, there is all the new technology that has built up around the Disneyland experience. Text *72 for real-time updates of where your ART (Anaheim Resort Transport) Shuttle is and when it will pick you up. Download a Disneyland app to your phone to check out ride wait times, maps, and showtimes! I used Disneyland Inside Out for our trip. I found it very useful, although it does depend on users to update wait times, so it isn't always super accurate.
I'll leave you with a virtual tour of Califormia Screamin', enjoy! (sorry, my own personal technology malfunctioned so I had to add some random music from Adobe Premiere).
Amy Lewis
Amy is the Program Manager for GWATA. She has been teaching technology classes at Wenatchee Valley College since 2001, and recently added a Facebook 101 class to her curriculum. Amy also builds websites and is a big fan of Joomla!, an open source content management system.
Website: www.aml-consulting.com
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