21The Walt Disney Company: Using Artificial Intelligence To Make Magical Memories
Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park sells itself as “the most magical place on Earth”. Since the first park opened in California in 1955, technology has played a part in bringing that magic to life.
With more than 56,000 guests arriving on the average day, each expecting a magical experience, park planners and entertainers (called “cast members”) have the task of making sure everyone goes home with only good memories.
Queues, congestion and overbooked attractions certainly aren't magical. So, The Walt Disney Company has turned towards advanced data analytics and smart technology to remove the “friction” from their theme parks.
What Problem Is Artificial Intelligence Used To Solve?
With tens of thousands of visitors each wanting to experience as many of the hundreds of attractions in each park as they possibly can on any given day, coordinating the flow of humans is a highly complex operation.
The headline attractions – the newest and hottest rides, as well as the legendary favorites – create bottlenecks. It's frustrating for the visitors if they feel they are standing around all day, and when they're in line, they aren't spending money at the ice cream stands and gift shops. Which is frustrating for Walt Disney.
On top of that, those ice cream stands, as well as hundreds of other food and drink outlets, have to be kept stocked with refreshments and optimally located to catch passing trade at ...
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