Disney.com packs in fun, web site redesigned

[crazy4wdw]

Disney.com packs in fun
Web site redesigned for era of faster broadband.

Christopher Boyd | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted February 7, 2007

Walt Disney Co. launched its redesigned Web site Tuesday, arranging its vast array of content to make it easier to navigate while taking advantage of faster broadband connections.

The overhaul, Disney.com's first major redesign in more than five years, organizes the entertainment company's video, film and theme park content in a variety of ways.

"We created a site that allows you to navigate the Walt Disney Co. in whatever way is most comfortable for you," said Steve Parkis, vice president of premium content for Disney Online. "The top of the page is designed for adults, but there is a character world for kids at the bottom."

Instead of dividing Disney into business units, the new home page focuses on what the company offers. Buttons at the top of the page open content by topic, with subjects that include travel, games, music and TV.

Colorful buttons on the lower half of the page feature pictures of Disney characters such as Snow White and Cinderella, a point of entry that Parkis said appeals to children.

Last month, Disney Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger lauded the makeover in the keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. During the speech, he said the reconfigured site would go public at the end of January, but Parkis said a little more time was needed.

"We don't open a theme park until all the rides are ready," Parkis said. "It is the same with Disney digital. We don't invite people on board until we are ready with the new ride."

That extends to what Parkis said is one of the retooled site's most compelling features -- an area called Disney Extreme Digital that can be customized to suit an individual's interests.

"It allows you to watch video, play games and communicate with your friends all in one place," Parkis said. The feature, known as Disney XD, will be fully rolled out over the next several months.

Mary Enderle, a Web design consultant with the Enderle Group in California, said the new Disney site anticipates technological changes.

"It is designed for a very wide-screen format," Enderle said. "And there is a lot of video and a lot of flash that take advantage of faster download speeds."

Though Disney didn't reveal production costs, Enderle said the many new features couldn't have come cheap.

"I would say they must have spent millions of dollars," she said. "This is one very engaging Web site."

Christopher Boyd can be reached at cboyd@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5723.

 

[amw]

It looks similar to the Disney Insider. Haven't explored it that much yet, but I don't like the continuous video commercial feature!