Rides, restaurants and character meet-and-greets are often what bring people through the gates at Disney’s theme parks, but it’s the little things such as shorter waits, faster service and ambiance that keep them returning.
On Wednesday, the company unveiled Genie, an app aimed at easing the process of planning a trip to Disney’s domestic parks.
After it launches this fall, guests will be able to tell the app what they want to do and where they would like to eat during their stay—and receive a specially customized itinerary. It’s designed to be flexible, so if guests decide they don’t want to go on a ride or want to try a different in-park restaurant, Genie will reorganize the schedule.
Parkgoers can also use the app to order food and pay for merchandise. Current and forecast wait times for attractions also will be displayed.
“When people leave, the legacy of their visit is that they are going to go tell one person, 10 people, a hundred people,” said Bill Coan, president and CEO of theme park consulting firm ITEC Entertainment. “Second, and probably more important, is that they will come back.”
