Wednesday, November 12, 2008

New Verizon Phones Will Unlock Magic to Disney World

While Sprint continues to court the sports fan market, Verizon (NYSE: VZ) is targeting young families.

Today, Verizon announced a major partnership with Disney (NYSE: DIS), to build cellphones that help Disney park visitors to find restaurants, meet costume characters, or check on the availability of Disney World resorts.

Users will also receive text messages from characters and access special mobile games through a Disney program found on the phone.In a press release, Jay Rasulo, the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman said:
 

With more than 90 percent of families bringing a mobile phone into our Parks, our objective was to enhance the magical Disney experience through innovative wireless technology, receiving up to the minute tips on special Park activities with just the touch of a button or receiving a call from Buzz Lightyear welcoming you to the Magic Kingdom
 

Disney is known for its high prices, but also its friendly customer service. With Verizon's help,  Disney can enhance the visitor's overall experience by streamlining communication to every Verizon subscriber. Verizon's concept could prove to be a successful model, because many first-time visitors are overwhelmed when they try to navigate the vast layout of Disney's Parks (1071 acres combined), but I remain a little skeptical for a few reasons.

Even native Floridians who have made several visits to the parks can get lost in the crowd. I'm only an hour away from the parks, but I rarely go to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot or Hollywood Studios and I'll certainly never waste my time or money at the glorified zoo known as Animal Kingdom. From what I've heard Disney's "Notazu" (not a zoo) slogan was accurate. I.E. ITS poisonous dart frog exhibit has only six frogs.

Also,Verizon's partnership with Disney reminds me of Sprint's deal  with the NFL. Both partnerships were designed to attract new subscribers from a large demographic, but I'm not sure that either service provides enough incentive for the average customer to ditch their current plan or provider.

Posted By Matt O'Hern at 10:07 AM
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