A new mobile app lets park guests play games while waiting for rides.
Visiting a Disney amusement park is a magical experience for families, but amid the Mickey ears and Dole Whips, one element of a theme park visit isn’t a particularly positive one: spending a ton of time waiting in line to experience rides, like Space Mountain or Star Tours.
Disney wants to improve the overall guest experience with a new mobile app called Play Disney Parks. As GameSpot reported, the app will launch on June 30, and it can be played by users at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida.
The app features mini-games that can be played while waiting in line at specific attractions. At launch, that includes Peter Pan’s Flight, Toy Story Midway Mania, and Space Mountain at both parks. Walt Disney World attendees will also be able to play a mini-game while waiting in line for Slinky Dog Dash once Toy Story Land opens on June 30.
The Play Disney Parks app also lets users listen to music as they walk around the parks, participate in location-based trivia challenges, and earn achievements as they engage with the app.
Disney isn’t the first company to release a mobile game aimed at theme park guests. Cedar Fair, which owns multiple amusement parks throughout North America, has mobile games for its guests to play at Cedar Point in Ohio and Kings Dominion in Virginia. Each game lets players choose a “coaster alliance” based on one of the park’s rides, and battle to help that alliance take over a virtual, fantasy-themed version of the park.
Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.
