The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is now using artificial intelligence-based Wi-Fi and patented virtual Bluetooth technology developed by Mist to deliver enhanced connectivity and personalized location and guest experiences.
The more than 330,000-square-foot resort at Disney World’s Epcot Center is offering better Wi-Fi, in-building navigation, asset tracking, event analytics and proximity notifications for customers and guests occupying its more than 2,200 guest rooms and conference facilities.
“The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is a unique property servicing guests from around the world and hosting some of the largest enterprise conferences in the industry,” said Audrey Cornu, vice president of Internet for Tishman Hotels Corporation, owners of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. “We have been working with Mist to deliver a state-of-the-art indoor location experience to business groups and leisure guests while building an asset tracking infrastructure for events and in-house use.”
The resort wanted to offer premier event services throughout its meeting and public spaces by giving show organizers a turnkey solution for delivering meeting information, schedules, floor plans and directions to attendees.
Improving guest experience through machine learning-based Wi-Fi
Mist’s WLAN Wi-Fi technology provides a two-fold advantage to owners and operators through the use of machine learning. First, it improved the problems with Wi-Fi connectivity.
“At the highest levels, we wanted to bring AI to IT, which means your IT structure can become fully automated. The challenge with Wi-Fi in the past is that it hasn’t translated into a positive user or guest experience. Just because the green light is on, it doesn’t necessarily mean that guests can effectively use in-door Wi-Fi,” said Jeff Aaron, vice president of marketing at Mist, in an interview with In-Building Tech.
Mist’s Wi-Fi system comprises more than 300 access points located throughout the property that can identify and send relevant “user states” or data regarding a user’s downloading traffic, coverage, and throughput to distinguish anomalies from mobile devices every few seconds.
“This is the first time that wireless connectivity is being offered as a service,” Aaron added.
The company’s technology can determine whether connectivity issues are related to the network, phones or operating systems and predict future trends that enable operators and IT staff to better plan for high-density environments and other scenarios.
Scalable Bluetooth indoor location services
Layered on top of Mist’s machine learning Wi-Fi system is Bluetooth technology with “beacon-like” functionality that supports asset tracking and the delivery of personalized guest messages and notifications.
The company’s patented Bluetooth technology is being heralded as a game-changer because it eliminates the need to install traditional beacons and sensors, which require manual programming and regular maintenance such as yearly battery replacements.
“The accuracy is quite good and everything is managed via the cloud, which is a huge help to the IT staff as they no longer have to deal with battery powered physical beacons or on-premise temporary appliances. Our Wi-Fi/BLE APs are permanently installed and cabled throughout the building,” said Carlos Lugo, director of IT at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin.
Data from wayfinding navigation, attendee event analytics, and guest foot traffic can provide valuable information to corporate clients about where to best to display items at trade shows or to add customer service and sales staff and how and where occupants are spending their time in the building to plan for future events.
For customers looking for an immersive personalize experience, the company’s software connects with building and trade show apps via an SDK and provide greetings and personalized messaging regarding promotions and other alerts as well as turn by turn directions.
The technology can also be used more passively to track user behavior and analytics through the cloud.