Hey Disney, Alexa

[MommyMouse143]

Hello,

I know its a controversial idea- but curious about the rollout for Amazon Alexa "hey Disney" in the resort rooms. The only Information I can find is that it is coming out 2022- does anyone know when, or what hotel is up first? We are staying GF at the end of Feb, and just curious if it will be there by then.


Thanks!

 

[erionm]

No additional details have been released by Disney.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

It's May, Are there any updates on Alexa Hey Disney at SSR?

 

[MidnightMeeko]

Maybe it is quietly going away and not happening. That'd be nice. (I know..wishful thinking..)

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Maybe it is quietly going away and not happening. That'd be nice. (I know..wishful thinking..)

Why would that be nice?

People who want it will have their experience improved. People who don't want it will be unaffected in any way whatsoever.

 

[mrsap]

It’s still happening… it was in a recent DPB article regarding MagicBand+. You can read it HERE.

To specifically answer the question, I’m quoting the referenced article:

“Hey Disney!’ will begin rolling out in select Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration.”

 

[over50visits]

Why would that be nice?

People who want it will have their experience improved. People who don't want it will be unaffected in any way whatsoever.

Disney is a data miner par excellence. This device will be listening to every word you say, and Disney will want you to trust that they will make zero use of anything said unless the "Hey Disney" phrase is uttered, and then only to give information, not record and act on your interests. I'm not willing to take that leap of faith. If it is in the room I hope there is a way to disconnect it.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Disney is a data miner par excellence. This device will be listening to every word you say, and Disney will want you to trust that they will make zero use of anything said unless the "Hey Disney" phrase is uttered, and then only to give information, not record and act on your interests. I'm not willing to take that leap of faith. If it is in the room I hope there is a way to disconnect it.

It's opt-in. It's off by default unless you choose to turn it on.

What you're describing is 1) misinformation and 2) a felony.

 

[reddog21]

Disney is a data miner par excellence. This device will be listening to every word you say, and Disney will want you to trust that they will make zero use of anything said unless the "Hey Disney" phrase is uttered, and then only to give information, not record and act on your interests. I'm not willing to take that leap of faith. If it is in the room I hope there is a way to disconnect it.

Disney isn’t any different than any other company they all data mine to the extreme these day.

 

[Karin1984]

It's opt-in. It's off by default unless you choose to turn it on.

What you're describing is 1) misinformation and 2) a felony.

There must be something in the TCs about using the information for quality and improvement of the device. 3 years ago, there were dozen of articles about Amazon having a large team of employees listening to conversations of Alexa-users to further improve the device.

Companies can get away with a lot when they claim they only use data to improve customer service.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

There must be something in the TCs about using the information for quality and improvement of the device. 3 years ago, there were dozen of articles about Amazon having a large team of employees listening to conversations of Alexa-users to further improve the device.

Companies can get away with a lot when they claim they only use data to improve customer service.

No. It's opt-in. Full stop.

Now, *once* someone opts in, there are probably T&Cs about data usage for process improvements and that sort of thing, but they cannot and will not listen to you in the first place until you've given them the green light.

 

[MidnightMeeko]

I’m not a fan by way of my own personal opinion and general lack of trust in humanity. I think it’s unnecessary and plenty of people choose not to have these devices in their home that won’t want them in their hotel room, not because they have anything to hide, but simply because they don’t like the feeling that someone could be eavesdropping. So for me it would be nice if it wasn’t happening, but I’m not attempting to cramp anyone else’s opinion.

 

[Karin1984]

No. It's opt-in. Full stop.

Now, *once* someone opts in, there are probably T&Cs about data usage for process improvements and that sort of thing, but they cannot and will not listen to you in the first place until you've given them the green light.

Then let's hope that everyone reads the T&Cs carefully.
Being able to listen in on your customers without them realizing it is a researchers holy grail. In the 1930s a group of researchers hid under beds in dorm rooms to listen in on conversations without the subjects knowing it.

It's a new device, lots of people will switch it on to play with it. They will tick the T&Cs box to make it work, say 'hey Disney' for a while to try out all the options and then continue with their lives. Disney will count on people not switching it off after this.

Disney will not do this if there is nothing in it for them.

 

[reddog21]

If it works anything like the universal text system where you can request services thru text but this will be with an Alexa screen then I'm intrigued.