I do enjoy meeting international visitors to this country – I think they're brave adventurers, and I am known to strike up conversations with them when given the opportunity. I am amazed at their grasp of the English language, still many struggle to understand our often confusing language and use of slang.
The theme parks draw thousands of international visitors each year, and now Disney is making it easier for international visitors to Walt Disney World to enjoy popular theme park attractions.
Disney has combined cutting-edge wireless technology with the guest service standards that have become a Disney hallmark to launch a service providing synchronized narration in five languages for popular theme park attractions. The program debuted with the opening of "Walt Disney: One Man's Dream" at the Disney-MGM Studios.
Free to all guests, the service uses a personal translation unit that automatically receives creative narration via headphones in five languages -- French, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish -- providing a more satisfying, personal experience for guests with limited English fluency. Infrared signals throughout the attraction trigger synchronized digital audio in each translation unit.
Guest Relations locations in each theme park offer 500 translation units for 13 narrative attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort.
"Many of our attractions transcend language," said Paul Pressler, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, "but we also have great attractions with a very strong storytelling element. Thanks to our translation units, now all guests can experience the richness of our attractions regardless of their language."
The state-of-the-art program is the latest initiative in an ongoing effort to meet the needs of Walt Disney World Resort guests with limited English fluency. Other multicultural offerings include:
- International Information Centers at all four theme parks and Downtown Disney staffed by multilingual cast members who can assist guests with tickets, currency exchange, itinerary planning and dining reservations.
- Maps and resort signs employing more than 40 international symbols.
- More than 7,000 multilingual cast members who wear special nametags indicating their fluency in languages other than English.
- Theme park guide maps and restaurant menus printed in each of the Walt Disney World Resort’s key languages.
"Our multicultural efforts demonstrate our strong commitment to remove communication barriers and make this the most welcoming place on Earth," said Al Weiss, president of the Walt Disney World Resort. "At Walt Disney World, our magic knows no boundaries."
