A whole new world awaits Disney fans, as the entertainment
conglomerate looks to bring its theme parks into the future by blending
in-person entertainment with virtual experiences.
What is the metaverse?
The metaverse combines multiple elements of technology using virtual
reality, augmented reality and video where users can interact and
experience things as they would in the real world.
It holds the
potential for users to work, play and connect with friends or even
strangers in any setting from virtual trips around the world to
conferences.
Think modern video games that evoke a literal virtual realm where
players can interact with each other in real-time as they navigate
around the digital world, e.g. Minecraft, Fortnite or World of Warcraft.
Disney secured a patent in December 2021 for a “virtual world
simulator” that can project 3D images and virtual effects onto physical
paces, with these special effects personalised for each unique park
visitor.
This virtual world simulator is one big step in Disney’s ambitious
plans of joining the likes of Facebook and Microsoft in the metaverse to
create more interactive experiences for park visitors.
According to an internal memo issued to employees on 15 February,
Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced that senior vice president Mike White
will be in charge of spearheading the company’s metaverse strategy for
the “next generation storytelling” by connecting “the physical and
digital worlds” for Disney entertainment.
“Today, we have an opportunity to connect those universes and create
an entirely new paradigm for how audiences experience and engage with
our stories,” Chapek wrote in the memo. ““This is the so-called
metaverse – which I believe is the next great storytelling frontier and
the perfect place to pursue our strategic pillars of storytelling
excellence, innovation, and audience focus.”
Into the unknown: What will the happiest place in the metaverse hold?
Tilak Mandadi, former head of digital and technology for Disney
parks, experiences and products, described Disney’s concept of its
metaverse to be a space “where physical and digital worlds converge,
with wearables, smartphones and digital access points immersing the
guests in the metaverse experiences”.
This means that while virtual reality would typically involve the
usage of VR goggles, Disney intends to take those bulky,
motion-sickness-inducing headsets out of the equation with the use of
multiple technological devices Mandadi mentioned, along with the
implementation of a new technology which was the subject of the patent
recently filed.
The new technology may involve a new device, possibly something that
park-goers would wear, that projects 3D images and virtual effects onto
physical spaces, similar to how holograms work in Star Wars.

Star Wars-style projected 3D holograms could soon be a reality in Disney parks. Photo Credit: Star Wars/Lucasfilm/Walt Disney Studios
However, instead of seeing the same 3D projections, each park visitor
may be able to personalise the projections according to their
preferences or data derived from other Disney wearable technology. For
example, a visitor who is a Frozen fan may be able to see a virtual
projection of Queen Elsa welcoming them into one of Disney’s
restaurants, whereas a Star Wars aficionado may be greeted by Darth
Vadar.
Since
Walt Disney first opened his first theme park in 1955, the Disney
company has always been at the forefront of innovation in the
entertainment and attractions industry.
The entertainment conglomerate consistently strives to bring
transformative experiences in its storytelling with the use of
architectural design, digital media, animation, animatronics, and 3D
modelling. And the convergence of its real and digital worlds, if
successfully executed sometime in the future, may be another record for
Disney in the history books.