| Disneyland Guests Can Try Disney's New Experimental Games and Experiences With This New App |
|
November 12, 2026
Disneyland Guests Can Try Disney's New Experimental Games and Experiences With This New App
Disneyland fans may soon have even more ways to explore the parks, and some of them are still being developed. Walt Disney Imagineering is giving guests an opportunity to test experimental games and interactive experiences through a brand-new iPhone app. The idea is to let visitors try out new technology while helping Disney decide which ideas are worth developing further. And the first experience takes guests straight into a galaxy far, far away. Disney Imagineering Labs: What Is It? Disney has launched a new iOS app called Disney Imagineering Labs, which gives guests access to experimental games and interactive features that are still works in progress. The app debuted with its first experience, Secrets of the Spire, an augmented reality game located inside Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland. The game turns your iPhone into a pair of virtual "quadnoculars," allowing you to explore the land, scan droids and complete an interactive mission. Think of it as another way to experience Batuu, except now your phone becomes part of the adventure. For now, there's a catch: Disney Imagineering Labs is only available to Disneyland Magic Key holders. Disney plans to expand access to all Disneyland guests in early 2027. Disney says these experiences are not necessarily finished products. Imagineers want guests to test them out, provide feedback and help shape what comes next. Some experiments could eventually become permanent attractions or activities, while others may never make it beyond the testing stage. A few other things to know:
Disneyland Enchanted Guide Is Also Coming Disney is also working on another technology experience called Disneyland Enchanted Guide. This digital assistant is designed to make exploring Disneyland a little easier by offering personalized recommendations, attraction reminders and answers to questions about things throughout the park. One interesting feature will allow guests to take a picture of an object, attraction or location and receive additional information about what they're looking at. Imagine pointing your phone at something inside Disneyland and instantly learning more about its history, design or hidden details. Like Disney Imagineering Labs, the Enchanted Guide will initially be available to Magic Key holders before expanding to all Disneyland guests in early 2027. Disney says the experience is coming soon, although an exact launch date has not been announced. Disney Wants Guests Spending Less Time on Their Phones Here's where things get interesting. While Disney is introducing more technology into its parks, the company also recognizes that guests are spending a lot of time staring at their phones. The Disneyland app has become an important part of visiting the park. Guests rely on it to check attraction wait times, make Lightning Lane reservations, order food, find restaurants and navigate their day. Disney is now experimenting with ways to make some of those digital experiences less dependent on looking at a screen. That includes potential hands-free features using compatible Meta smart glasses and Bluetooth headphones. The goal is to let guests interact with the digital assistant while walking around the park without constantly pulling out their phones. Disney theme park division chairman Thomas Mazloum has previously acknowledged concerns about screen time and said the company is working to reduce the number of tasks that require guests to use their mobile devices. According to Mickey Visit, Disney wants technology to make park visits easier without becoming something that distracts guests from the actual experience. More Technology, But Hopefully More Time Enjoying Disneyland Disney Imagineering Labs and the upcoming Enchanted Guide show that the company is continuing to experiment with ways to make its theme parks more interactive. The big question is whether guests will embrace these new experiences or decide they'd rather put their phones away and enjoy the rides. Either way, Disneyland Magic Key holders will get the first chance to help Disney figure that out. And if the experiments are successful, everyone else could get access in early 2027. Posted by Johnny Ice at 2:25 PM |
