In The In Between
On a recent family trip to Disneyland, I saw something that made me stop and think. I am in the magical “happiest place on earth,” and I see a child, in a stroller, on an iPad. It struck me as both familiar and odd. It is familiar because I often see a child on an iPad, odd because of where I saw it.
Disney does a lot to immerse you in a world apart from everyday life. Over the years, I have had the privilege of meeting with “Imagineers,” and, to the person, they all say the same thing — everything they do revolves around story. Every ride, hotel, and park section grounds itself in a story, and it shows. It shows in the ride, in the queue, and in the way attendants dress. It is those details that immerse you into a new “world.” (Which we discussed earlier) Let’s say someone wants to put digital, interactive menus in one of EPCOT’s China pavilion restaurants. Imagineers wrestle with how this new menu might fit the story (“how do I get this to look like it belongs in ancient China?’).
Disney puts so much detail into their attractions that I am even disappointed when the lines are short. I know, it’s crazy talk. But I feel like I am missing part of the joy.
When I consider all Disney’s work to immerse me in an experience, the kid with the iPad in the stroller sticks with me. The child on this device has no lack of visual stimulation. He only needs to look up. But he doesn’t. He’s into whatever is on screen.
Before you think this is a “kids are on screen too much,” post, let me tell you how Disney seems to feel about it. They leaned into it. Disney has an app that keeps you informed on showtimes, how long you have to wait for a ride, where the bathrooms are, and other features. But this app features something else: a series of games you can play while waiting in line.
Some of the games are simple question-and-answer games to get to know your linemates better. Others, like the one at Peter Pan, are scavenger hunts where one looks for objects carved into the structure. You finish the game by sending Tinkerbell from your phone to light a working lantern in the line.
With these games, Disney is investing in the “in-between times.” They recognize the potential of digital games to make your wait more fun, more meaningful. When your goal is to create good memories so families will come back to the parks again and again, Disney makes the most of this “in-between” time.
The “in between” happens in other areas of life as well. For many Americans, the “in-between” is in the car — around an hour per day. Unlike adults, who have to drive, kids spend that time with no responsibilities. With the invention of the tablet, children have access to a world of content not before reachable, making the “in-between” a time of great opportunity.
A storyteller, problem solver, and workshop facilitator, Jason helps people use innovation and future thinking to do good things. Jason served in multiple creative roles, from drama and video production to children’s ministry and curricula to innovation, digital design, and video game narratives.
