There is no question we live in the digital age. We are more connected now than ever before. News is instantaneous. You can call around the world, you can even video conference around the world. Email and text messages keep us connected quicker than traditional mail ever dreamed and without the deciphering that the telegraph required. Cell phones even smart phones are our constant travel companion.
The Disney Theme Parks are evolving in this digital age as well. You can get an app that provides up to date information about fast pass availability, attraction wait times, and dining reservations. You can even plan your entire trip on the app My Disney Experience. On my last trip I traded in my traditional paper Annual Pass for an RFID version. A chip is imbedded in my Pass; I hold it in front of the Mickey shape at the Park entrance, place my finger in the print reader and voila I am admitted! Our resort room key was equipped with technology that allowed us to hold it in front of a pad on the door for admittance. Digital advancements all implemented to make your stay more magical.
But as I spent time at the Parks and observed my fellow Guests I began to wonder, how connected are we really to those we are traveling with? For example on evening at dinner I noticed a large multigenerational group eating at a table nearby. The youngest member was watching a video on one device; there was one member playing a video game, , another listening to something with ear buds and there were others typing away on yet other devices. Some conversation was taking place and maybe they had had enough Disney for one day, but it got me thinking, especially when I noticed some of my own traveling party on their digital devices. How connected are we to those we know and love?
I understand the importance of technology and the digital advances society has made. But shouldn’t vacations require us to spend some time in conversation with those we are traveling with? Don’t get me wrong, I travel with my share of devices and love to ‘disconnect’……but that is just it. If I am connected all the time to something besides my traveling party, I am missing an opportunity to share the magic connecting with those I am with.
If you are spending that much on a magical vacation, please try and put aside your device to share the magic…….even if it is just for a little bit!





