Disney Executive Calls for Less Phone Use in Parks, Proposes New Smart Glasses Experience

December 03, 2025

Disney is looking to reshape how visitors experience its theme parks after a senior executive expressed growing concern that smartphones are undermining the magic that the company is known for.

According to internal discussions and recent public comments, Disney leadership believes that constant phone use such as checking apps, recording rides and filming shows has increasingly pulled guests away from the storytelling and atmosphere the parks aim to create.

The executive described the trend as a growing challenge, noting that families often end up staring at screens instead of enjoying attractions together. To counter this, Disney is exploring a new approach: AI powered smart glasses that would provide guests with real time park information without requiring them to look down at their phones.

The glasses, developed through a collaboration with Meta, reportedly include built in visual overlays, audio support and contextual prompts that can help visitors navigate the parks, check wait times or access interactive features while keeping their focus on the environment around them.

Disney says the goal is not to introduce more technology but rather different technology: tools that enhance immersion instead of disrupting it. If guests can get the information they need without pulling out their phones every few minutes, the shared experience becomes more meaningful, the executive said.

Early reactions from fans have been mixed. Some welcome the idea, saying it could restore the traditional feel of a Disney visit. Others argue that introducing another wearable device defeats the purpose of reducing tech dependency. Concerns over privacy, cost and data collection have also surfaced, especially given the glasses integrated cameras and sensors.

Despite the backlash, Disney is expected to continue testing the concept as part of its broader strategy to streamline digital tools and improve guest flow inside its parks. No official rollout date has been announced.

For now, the debate continues as visitors and fans watch to see whether Disney’s latest innovation will deepen the magic or simply replace one screen with another.