Disney Makes Bold Move to Lower Wait Times
Pulling on those yellow safety straps may be a thing of the past at the Disney Parks. Find out the new way Disney hopes to decrease wait times while improving safety.
Disney Safety
Disney Cast Members really are the magic of the Disney Parks. From creating magical experiences to even providing safety and order.
Disney trains Cast Members in the "5 Keys," which help to provide the highest quality of hospitality to all guests.
These include Safety, Courtesy, Inclusion, Show, and Efficiency. Safety is listed first and is vitally important to ensure the safety of all guests and fellow Cast Members.
New Safety Restraint Patent
With safety being a priority at the Disney Parks, the loading and safety checks aboard attractions can lead to delayed loading of Guests. Disney recently filed a patent, US 2026/0109316 A1, that describes a "System and Method for Verifying Proper Usage of Passenger Restraints."
The patent description states, "The system may use the video analytics to verify that the passenger is in the seat in the vehicle, to directly monitor when the passenger has been secured with the passenger restraint, and to verify that the passenger restraint is being used as intended.
The automatic process implemented by the system may complement the responsibility of the operator to ensure the passenger is adequately secured in the vehicle."
Disney Lower Wait Times
We see a very basic version of this aboard Star Tours, where Cast Members use a sensor board to verify all seatbelts are in use. However, this system has several flaws.
Disney files a new patent to use video and predictive algorithms to check safety restraints.
This new patent would use both video and predictive algorithms to make sure that each safety restraint was locked properly. If approved, this could potentially decrease the amount of time it takes to load Guests aboard attractions.
Do you think this is a great step forward, or may it create additional safety concerns? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with your Disney pals.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donna loved Disney from an early age. As a child, her family would joke that she lived in "Donna Land." As an adult, she enjoys planning and creating magical vacations for her family. She always brings a little faith, trust, and a little bit of Pixie Dust!
