Disney 360 Vacation: New Immersive Entertainment Program at Walt Disney World

[Figment!]

A little lost in the shuffle of yesterdays massive Press Release and avalanche of announcements; Disney Parks & Resorts previewed "Disney 360 Vacation"-- a new program that promises to fully immerse Guests in favorite story.

The first effort in this new program will be the announced Star Wars Hotel:




... a Star Wars-inspired resort will debut as part of the new Disney 360 vacation concept.

... this revolutionary new vacation experience will be a living adventure that allows guests to immerse themselves in an entirely new form of Disney storytelling.

“It’s unlike anything that exists today.” Bob said. “From the second you arrive, you will become a part of a Star Wars story! You’ll immediately become a citizen of the galaxy and experience all that entails, including dressing up in the proper attire. Once you leave Earth, you will discover a starship alive with characters, stories, and adventures that unfold all around you. It is 100% immersive, and the story will touch every single minute of your day, and it will culminate in a unique journey for every person who visits.”

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INTERCOTee Natalie has shared the expected pricing for this new experience here (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?215581-Disney-360-Vacation-New-Immersive-Entertainment-Program-at-Walt-Disney-World&p=2504812#post2504812).

[laprana]

I'm really interested in what "dressing up in the proper attire" means! Star Wars costumes for everyone?

[BrerGnat]

I'm really interested in what "dressing up in the proper attire" means! Star Wars costumes for everyone?
Yes, part of the price includes a costume that you get to keep.

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[DizneyFreak2002]

i'm really interested in what "dressing up in the proper attire" means! Star wars costumes for everyone?

disney cosplay!!!!!! :)

[baldburke]

Any thoughts on what "class" of hotel this would be? On first hearing of it I figured it would definitely have to be a value. However in reading it now you would have to think it would be ultra-deluxe?

[BriarRose0708]

I don't see myself signing up for any Westworld-like experience at Disney. I am sure my husband would like it, so if he wants to drop over $1000 to stay here, I'll check myself into the Grand Floridian and relax while he plays dress up. Technology like this, and the price tags that accompany, cross a line for me. It's just not how I like to vacation or travel.

[PopPhan]

Wish they could/would release the 360 video for Oculus/Samsung Gear VR!!! I would be on that in a heartbeat! Of course, that will never happen because they're not Apple products.

[BrerGnat]

I don't see myself signing up for any Westworld-like experience at Disney. I am sure my husband would like it, so if he wants to drop over $1000 to stay here, I'll check myself into the Grand Floridian and relax while he plays dress up. Technology like this, and the price tags that accompany, cross a line for me. It's just not how I like to vacation or travel.I totally agree. Honestly, my husband is a HUGE SW fan but he hasn't expressed much interest in this experience.

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[Rhetoric2000]

As an academic specialising in immersive performance this is going to be seriously fascinating.

Pretty much all the research out there would say that Briarrose is not alone and that while there would be lots of people who would enjoy such events, a large portion of people will be put off by anything close to the level of interactivity that the Star Wars hotel indicates.

Perhaps most unusually, the demographic of people who would be put off the most by this would be those that would tend to be more mainstream or small-c conservative in their taste, which is a very large section of the Disney fanbase.

While interactivity and customisability have expanded drastically in the last few years, the average person is still a little wary of essentially presenting a fictionalised version of themselves in a face-to-face interaction with others. It's unbelievable cool for some, but most of that some aren't the kind of person who come to Disney World in sufficient numbers. It's why the Adventurer's Club - the greatest attraction Disney ever made - is no longer with us despite being rabidly loved by those who appreciate it.

For this to work - and heavens it's not as though Disney won't have done their research on this - the initial invitation to guests: i.e.. what they are required to do and the way that they are going to be asked to do it, will have to be extremely gentle. And even then I can't see any way that this works across the board in all hotels. Large segments of consumers just don't want themselves exposed (which this will feel to them like it is) on this level. They want to immerse themselves in Disney, yes......but not to potentially expose themselves by somehow having a spotlight placed on "them".

[disneycutie165]

I totally agree. Honestly, my husband is a HUGE SW fan but he hasn't expressed much interest in this experience.

I love SW also, and know several people that do. But I have zero interest in staying there.

[Altair]

So, are you going to wear your Star Wars outfit to all the theme parks. You might look a little out of place in AK and it's going to get fairly stinky after a week.

[BrerGnat]

So, are you going to wear your Star Wars outfit to all the theme parks. You might look a little out of place in AK and it's going to get fairly stinky after a week.You won't be visiting AK. This experience will require your time. The room price will include DHS admission, because you will be required to go into Star wars land to accomplish your missions. It is seriously a 100% immersive experience. The longest you will be allowed to stay will be 3 nights.

I guess if this fails dramatically, they just make it a regular hotel with a Star Wars theme.

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[#1donaldfan]

I love things Star Wars, for sure, but the pricing is crazy. I suppose when my kids get out of college and begin to take care of me, minutes before they insert me into a nursing home, they can treat me to a night or two in a Star Wars Resort .... otherwise, I'm greatly out-priced. Further, I'm not certain I'd want to be totally immersive in this. You know how some people are over-the-top fanatical .... I wonder if I can get a "safe-word" in case someone tries to "lightsaber" me ... or can I get out of role and relax by the pool ???

[texas211]

Well, there will be a lot of confusion over staying at this hotel. Many will not know about the immersive side of it. So, that will be interesting.

[BrerGnat]

Well, there will be a lot of confusion over staying at this hotel. Many will not know about the immersive side of it. So, that will be interesting.

As far as the doing away with classes. Based on what i see on pricing, all disney hotels fall into the delux pricing. Waldorf or Gaylord here I come.I'm fairly certain that this hotel will have its own separate booking section on the website where the whole thing is explained and you consent to what the experience entails. It's not going to just pop up as an option with all the other resorts.

And, apparently it will not be open for the general public to visit either, like...you won't be able to make an ADR to eat onsite here. It will be accessible only to guests of the experience.

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[Fangorn]

For it to be a fully immersive experience, it will have to be limited in the number of guests per "show" (since that's what this really is), and has to have a tightly controlled environment - otherwise there will be too many variables in play to control the story line for each guest. I fully expect that Magic Band technology will be used to monitor guest's movements and provide for "chance encounters" with the CM actors. It'll be more than a standard MB and be part of the costume.

This is not going to be just a themed hotel. Is literally a stage, and the guests are the players (yes, that was a Shakespere reference).

Because of this, I expect the hotel to be small (at least have a small number of guest rooms - the play area(s) could be quite extensive), and restricted to guests only. If it's a 2 day experience, everyone arrives on the same morning, and the experience begins later that afternoon. Everyone leaves at the same time, the rooms and sets are reset and the next set of players come in. They might set it up so the hotel has multiple self contained areas where different sets of players are having different adventures starting on different days (group 1 starts on Monday, group 2 on Tuesday, and there's a third area so that one area is being cleaned/reset every day.)

if they build this on the outskirts of Star Wars: Galxay's Edge, it could have is own private (secret) entrance into the park and the adventures can continue there as well. SW:GE has already been announced as going to be highly immersive on its own with CMs in full costume. Hotel guests on an adventure in SW:GE probably wouldn't even be noticed by the regular guests. And just think of the after hours possibilities!

Steve

[TikiLounger]

I don't see myself signing up for any Westworld-like experience at Disney. I am sure my husband would like it, so if he wants to drop over $1000 to stay here, I'll check myself into the Grand Floridian and relax while he plays dress up. Technology like this, and the price tags that accompany, cross a line for me. It's just not how I like to vacation or travel.

Exactly what I was thinking. It'll be like Westworld. I totally agree with you, as well. It's not something I'm interested in. Costumes? WAY too much pressure for me. I just want to relax and be anonymous, while on vacation.

It'll be interesting to see if they really get rid of the hotel class system and how they'll present it all, if they do. I don't know if, after the many years of Disney vacations under my belt, I'll personally be able to adapt to the deluxe resorts and the value resorts being all on the same level. The deluxe will always be deluxe, in my mind...and the values will always be values.

[texas211]

I'm fairly certain that this hotel will have its own separate booking section on the website where the whole thing is explained and you consent to what the experience entails. It's not going to just pop up as an option with all the other resorts.



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At the cost of probably 800-1000/night (i'm guessing) , I bet there will be several people who don't realize the full nature of the park. How many really read those kinds of details? As proof, how many people try to bring drinks, not take off their shoes, etc when you are going through Orlando airport?

Sounds like an interesting idea. I have zero interest. Now if I could rent the UP house, now we are talking :)

[Fangorn]

To follow along on Natalie's comment, it would surprise me if this experience even shows up as a resort option. They're not selling hotel rooms here, they're selling an experience that happens to include overnight accommodations.

Steve

Steve

[brad192]

OK, as a 3-day all immersive thing I get it. Kinda like the NASA Space Camp for adults in Huntsville (which I'm absolutely going to do). Star Wars uber-fans will love this. Pair it with a week of "normal" Disney vacation on the front or back end, and it would be quite the experience! So, what is the actual pricing for this?

[BrerGnat]

OK, as a 3-day all immersive thing I get it. Kinda like the NASA Space Camp for adults in Huntsville (which I'm absolutely going to do). Star Wars uber-fans will love this. Pair it with a week of "normal" Disney vacation on the front or back end, and it would be quite the experience! So, what is the actual pricing for this?I have heard $650 per adult per night, $250 per child per night.

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[brad192]

I have heard $650 per adult per night, $250 per child per night.

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Really? That's just nuts! Almost $2000 for three days? I'll pass, thank you. My last trip to WDW was 10 days, and it cost lees than that. Heck, Space Camp (3 days) costs less than 1 day of this overpriced thing. Yet another reason my loyalty to Disney is waning fast.

[mydisneygirls]

My family and I have zero interest in Star Wars - one reason Hollywood Studios will be a half day park for us. And we definitely won't be staying at this new hotel - especially at the price they'll be charging!

[Anthony007]

As for the Stars Wars Experience, I'm not sure people are understanding. If you do this experience, you are not travelling to the parks (except DHS). Your entertainment IS the experience. Not my thing, but if it was $650 a day sounds about right for room, costume, food, and experience. Not cheap, but not over the top.

[texas211]

Kinda like those murder mystery dinner experiences.

[Cinderelley]

I'll be there at least once to see what it is like. ;)

[Figment!]

**Moderator Note**


The discussion of Resort Classification changes have been moved to a new separate thread to continue that discussion:

New Classification System for Walt Disney World Hotels? (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?215636-New-Classification-System-for-Walt-Disney-World-Hotels)

[Bass T-bone]

I think that the high price is part of the point... this is for DIE HARD FANS, not just the curious or casual vacationer... if you are going to pay that price, then you're going to do research and know what you're getting into.

Actually, I think Disney runs the risk of not living up to the patrons expectations.

Don't we expect more satisfaction when the price for a Disney vacation gets higher and higher?

[BrerGnat]

I think that the high price is part of the point... this is for DIE HARD FANS, not just the curious or casual vacationer... if you are going to pay that price, then you're going to do research and know what you're getting into.

Actually, I think Disney runs the risk of not living up to the patrons expectations.

Don't we expect more satisfaction when the price for a Disney vacation gets higher and higher?Exactly. This isn't just a "Star Wars hotel." It's an entirely new vacation program: "Disney 360 Vacations." It will be marketed differently, will probably have its own website (like Adventures by Disney), etc.

I imagine this is the "pilot" hotel for this program and if it is successful, we will see more open up in different locations around the country (and world), eventually.

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[PopPhan]

I would almost expect this to have to be booked as a "Tour" rather than as a resort stay.

[Fangorn]

I have no idea if this is in their plans or not, but they *could* build the hotel of this experience in such a way that a portion of it was separate from the "experience" and be just a cool Star Wars themed hotel. Two birds and all that...

Steve

[BrerGnat]

I have no idea if this is in their plans or not, but they *could* build the hotel of this experience in such a way that a portion of it was separate from the "experience" and be just a cool Star Wars themed hotel. Two birds and all that...

SteveBut that would undermine the value of the experience. Or, in other words, no one would book the experience.

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[BrerGnat]

I would almost expect this to have to be booked as a "Tour" rather than as a resort stay.It will be like booking a cruise. You will have to book specific dates when everyone will arrive on the same day and the "experience" will kick off. You and your fellow guests will be experiencing everything as it unfolds, together. Like a cruise. There will be (rumor) 2 night and 3 night "experiences." I imagine they will alternate, like the 3 & 4 day cruises.

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[texas211]

I think that the high price is part of the point... this is for DIE HARD FANS, not just the curious or casual vacationer... if you are going to pay that price, then you're going to do research and know what you're getting into.

Actually, I think Disney runs the risk of not living up to the patrons expectations.

Don't we expect more satisfaction when the price for a Disney vacation gets higher and higher?

I disagree. I routinely pay for nonsense I have no idea what I"m getting into, but the Wife books its, soo... As far as the price compelling research, it isn't much different than many of the more expensive options at Disney.

I do agree that Disney runs a risk w/ living up to expectations.

[TheTexasKid]

Maybe they are on to something. There is talk that Universal Orlando is interested in building its own Universal 360 Vacation, and that they are polling their guests now, as to whether their guests would be interested, and what type of Immersive Entertainment Program their guests would most like to see. With Harry Potter or Jurassic Park being the most likely choices.

[texas211]

I know the HP franchise puts a lot of extra requirements on them, so I dunno about that. The theme, and how it ties in, standards, etc. Universal doesn't have full control (PL Travers style) over HP.

But JP. Easy. The movie is based on going to a theme park. A cross between a AK resort, the Dis cruiseline, yeap. I see that one.

Dressing up? If the fam wanted to do that, fine. Me, I'll be at the bar.

[Cinderelley]

I know some people who would love a Jurassic Park vacation.

[texas211]

I know some people who would love a Jurassic Park vacation.


Oh, yeah. Oooh, ahhh, that's how it always starts. Then later there's running and um, screaming.

[NewDVCowner]

Oh, yeah. Oooh, ahhh, that's how it always starts. Then later there's running and um, screaming.

:rotfl:

[Fangorn]

"But when Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the Pirates don't eat the guests".

Steve

[Cinderelley]

:haha:

[DizneyFreak2002]

Maybe they are on to something. There is talk that Universal Orlando is interested in building its own Universal 360 Vacation, and that they are polling their guests now, as to whether their guests would be interested, and what type of Immersive Entertainment Program their guests would most like to see. With Harry Potter or Jurassic Park being the most likely choices.

There was talk and rumor long ago, before Disney had this Star Wars idea, that Universal wanted to and would build a Hogwarts themed hotel... JK had other ideas...