Getting to Know “Hey Disney!”
By: Anna Trosper
June 4, 2024
“Hey Disney!” is a new device that’s now available in hotel rooms at Walt Disney World Resort. I will try to cover everything you need to know about the new voice-activated assistant that helps you order amenities, speak with Cast Members, get answers to common questions, plan park days, have fun character interactions, and more.
“Hey Disney!” digital voice assistant brings characters and stories to life and allows you to ask questions about weather forecasts, as well as perform basic tasks like setting timers and alarms, etc.
You can also hear from more than 25 popular characters including Mickey Mouse, Olaf, Rocket, Groot, Princess Tiana, and many more. “Hey Disney!” can tell a Cars story or let you laugh along with jokes from Goofy. Relax with a Star Wars soundscape or take off on a Muppets adventure.
You can also use “Hey Disney!” to learn helpful information about your vacation, offering info about transportation, and more. The assistant can answer questions, like when Magic Kingdom opens, where to get a meal, or times for nighttime spectaculars.
From your room, you can also use the “Hey Disney!” assistant to make specific service requests. Need more pillows, towels, or coffee? Just tell “Hey Disney!” and a Cast Member will take care of your request.
Here is a list of things to know about “Hey Disney!”
“Hey Disney!” has a very easy to access button that mutes the mic but no easy-to-find off button.
The plug and cord for “Hey Disney!” isn’t tucked away and inaccessible. If you want to unplug it, it’s right there on the side table.
It’s a touch screen. The voice commands work but you can also navigate the menus like you would a tablet.
You have to say “Exit” to end a line of voice commands if you don’t resolve it. So, if you’re asking about park hours and decide you’d rather hear about the weather, you can’t just ask it about the weather mid-sentence.
The mute is incredibly helpful because of the number of times you might say something that sounds too close to “Hey Disney!” while you’re in your room.
You can talk to the Disney Magical Companion — the new character designed for “Hey Disney!” — or Alexa, and they can each help with different things.
“Hey Disney!” can do a LOT. Like, a lot a lot. Looking through the menus took me about 10 minutes just to see what the different options are.
The park hours information is surprisingly thorough. It will even note when Early Entry begins.
“Hey Disney!” could not tell me what time one of the restaurants at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort would close that night.
“Hey Disney!” will improve as time goes on and it learns how to be more helpful.
There’s a surprisingly thorough intro video when you arrive in your room.
“Hey Disney!” walks the line of talking too much and getting all the information out. I was surprised that it didn’t say a lot of stuff that I didn’t want to hear like voice assistants sometimes can.
You can send in requests for bedding, towels, and beverage supplies to be brought to your room. When these requests are sent to Disney, they don’t send a recording of your voice.
You can set alarms and timers! We knew this was coming but Disney Resort hotels haven’t had alarm clocks for some time, and timers could be super helpful during the rush to get ready.
“Hey Disney!” will tell you a joke from Disney pals OR from the Disney Magical Companion. There are riddles, too. The jokes were mostly pun-based, but kids will love them.
The weather details were super thorough, and the graphics were helpful to reference!
You can go on interactive “adventures” with Disney friends — including the Muppets. Some of the fun elements require you to say and do certain things like “harumph” along with Sam Eagle.
Every day, you get a new message from a Disney character. Mine was from Mater from Cars during my stay! All the character messages from your stay can be found in “Play My Messages.”
Perhaps the best things about “Hey Disney!” are the beautifully crafted soundscapes. I wish these were available on YouTube! Disney has designed soundscapes from many different movies like Coco (with music from the film and the sounds of celebration) and Frozen (familiar tunes, icy winds, and footsteps through the snow). One of the soundscapes is even Disney Parks-themed! Listening to it, I could hear the turnstiles, walking down Main Street, and making my way into Tomorrowland.
When you use “Hey Disney!” to call for a Cast Member, you can specify in the assistant which kind of Cast Member you need from Guest Room Services to Maintenance, and more!
You can ask Alexa almost anything you would ask it at home.
When using the internet-connected elements, there is an onscreen option to report inappropriate images in the instance that one pops up.
“Hey Disney!” warns you not to talk all at once when playing trivia.
The home screen constantly shows the time and current temperature outside.
My message from Mater encouraged me to head to Carburetor County which felt a little like it was telling me to go to Cars Land…in Disney California Adventure…across the country.
You can ask, “‘Hey Disney!’, what can you do?” to get an overview of what it can do. This is important as the service evolves and adds new features.
The graphics on screen were surprisingly cute.
It’s great to be able to make magic for kiddos at any time with access to Disney characters.
Alexa can check your flight status.
The system was surprisingly helpful and surprisingly fun. I spent much of my stay listening to the soundscapes while I worked and absolutely loved them. Plus, I found myself thinking of questions to ask occasionally, and “Hey Disney!” was a lot easier than Googling. That said, I think the exposed plug is a bonus for those that are uncomfortable with an internet-connected mic in their room — even if you can mute it.
So, I give “Hey Disney!” a big thumbs up! I loved it! I would love to hear your thoughts on it when you use it on your next magical vacation. I am here and ready to help you plan your next adventure. Contact me at annat@wishesfamilytravel.com and you can find me on Facebook also. Make sure to like and follow!
Hope to hear from you soon-