Conference koolit::disney

rep to < Note 33.0 by INDMKT::GOLDBERG "Len Goldberg" >
    
>    Can anyone shed some light on how they are actually using computer
>    technology at Disney, either from observation, reading, or actual
>    knowledge?  How about you folks in the LA and Orlando offices?

    Well for  Epcot,  computer  are obviouslu used for the non live show to
    run the rides  etc.,  for  live shows to pop up speakers, do the music,
    lights, lasers etc.,  used for the WorldKey information booths also for
    keeping track of dinner  reservations  I  think.    Actually  I got the
    impression from Computer Central, that Epcot would come to a screeching
    halt without them.
    
    The MK using just for running  all the non-live shows/rides/attractions
    if I remember right.
    
    The  MKC  travel  center  uses    them  for  lodging  and  dinner  show
    reservations.    
    
    All the resorts use computers for reservations/billing etc.
    
    Claude

    I hear that the EPCOT VTX application (all those touch screens and
    video maps) are run on a VAX Cluster system.

    When EPCOT was being planned they had a simple way to pick the computer
    vendor (true I'm not making this up). The vendor that offered to *give*
    Disney the most hardware *plus* cash got the job and the fancy display
    in EPCOT computer central. Sperry 'won'. Cost them a bundle. I guess it
    was written off as advertising.

    		Alfred

�   I hear that the EPCOT VTX application (all those touch screens and
�   video maps) are run on a VAX Cluster system.

    From the description they give at computer central, these run off
    a Sperry mainframe and video disk thingy all located centrally.
    Fiber optic cable carries the images to the World Key terminals.
    I couldn't figure out what they meant by that description.  I was
    hoping someone would know.

�   When EPCOT was being planned they had a simple way to pick the computer
�   vendor (true I'm not making this up). The vendor that offered to *give*
�   Disney the most hardware *plus* cash got the job and the fancy display
�   in EPCOT computer central. Sperry 'won'. Cost them a bundle. I guess it
�   was written off as advertising.

    Considering how well they have done since then, I wonder if it was
    a good investment.

    The system  that  monitors  all  aspects of show performances "onstage"
    throughout WDW, from  the  opening and closing of theater doors, to the
    singing  of bears and  birds  and  the  speeches  of  the  pirates  and
    presidents etc, is called DACS (digital animation control system.
    
    Claude

>�   I hear that the EPCOT VTX application (all those touch screens and
>�   video maps) are run on a VAX Cluster system.
>
>    From the description they give at computer central, these run off
>    a Sperry mainframe and video disk thingy all located centrally.

    From the pictures shown if you follow the videotex prompts for "how
    this system works", it's DEC hardware, interfaced to an array of
    videodisc players & all the touch-screen terminals.  Looked like
    an old 750 in the picture.
    

    
    
    
    	RE:  >>a Sperry mainframe.
    
    	If it helps at all, I know that my girlfriend uses Sperry
    	equipment in CRO (Central Reservations) where she works.
    
    	Tigg~~

    Moved by moderator, original note 65.0 deleted.
    
    Claude


                <<< INDMKT::DUA0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DISNEY.NOTE;1 >>>
                                 -< DISNEYANA >-
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Note 65.0                    Computer Info Search ?                   No replies
GENRAL::HIMES "Close Encounters of the Disk Kind"    20 lines  25-MAR-1989 10:44
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    Well, I wasn't sure where to ask questions about DISNEY computers
    in general. Maybe a separate note is in order ?
    
    If the moderators wich to post this elsewhere, by all means.
    
    Anyway:
    
    I'm looking for information (aren't we all) to find out if DISNEY
    has any computer systems or information networks that are available
    to the general public for dial in access, such as a BBS (Bulletin
    Board System), INFO NET of some sort, or a "registration required"
    type of information system that we (esp at DEC) could access ??
                
    Wouldn't that be wonderful !!
    
    Any one know (rumors accepted) ??
    
    Mark
    

    
    
    
    
    
    
    While I was at Southwest Engineering in Albuquerque (SWE holds DEC's
    corporate charter for advanced imaging research) we had a talk by one
    of the Imagineers from Anaheim. He mentioned that all the imaging in
    the Haunted House was done using VAXen.
    
    He also mentioned that when anybody from Walt Disney Productions or
    Buena Vista travels it is ALL first-class... the philosophy is that the
    corporatioen is pulling you away from your home so you might as well be
    comfortable...
    

    Exactly what kind of technology is used to project the miniature
    lady in the Epcot Center computer center?
    
    - Vikas

    Does Dinsey have their own staff of application software devos to
    provide all the great effects?  It always seemed like a pretty cool
    place to get a job.  The expression on the face of an enamoured
    child would be how I define job satisfaction.
    
    
    -ken

    As far as I know most of the stuff is done by WDI, Walt Disney
    Imagineering, Inc. based in California.
    
    George
    

    The major computer company at Disney is UNIsys.  Something to be
    aware of is that although the show Backstage Magic is presented
    by UNIsys, at no time do they say that the machines you see are
    UNIsys equipment.  I have been inside DACS at the Magic Kingdom,
    but not Central at EPCOT, but I have been told that there are a
    few VAX machines at Central, but they have been doctored to look
    like UNIsys.  I cannot confirm or deny this report.
    
    I can say that when I toured DACS in 1986, they were all Sperry
    machines.  Right now, I have been told tha they are switching the
    equipment from Sperry to IBM.  They don't want to, but they have
    to.  The machinery does the job is was intended to do and does so
    very well.  It's just that when something breaks, they cannot get
    the parts they need and so they have a problem.
    
   
    Someone mentioned that the Haunted Mansion uses Digital machines
    for imaging....where?  From what I know of the workings of the Haunted
    Mansion, they don't create computer images.
    
    As to how Julie works....(SPOILER)
    
    The glass between you and the computer is a special type of mirror
    material. You might have notices that you had to go up to see the
    attraction.  That is because beneath you is the machinery for the
    show.  A video monitor on a special moving armature.  The screen
    shows the image and the mirror reflects it so that you see Julie
    appear to walk on the consolses.  If you look at the Mr. Eggz that
    is part of the show, he is reversed from that actual Mr. Eggz over
    in The Land.

    
    History time:
    
    Well, just a bit. The original computer company for WDW was RCA (I'm a
    former employee and trained with a bunch of techs on that assignment).
    The edge of RCA was multi-pronged but in part it was their willingness
    to 'push' their capability to deliver computing and communications. Big
    Blue was more than a bit stuffy about only offering 'canned' solutions
    in such a visable environment. Well, as it turned out RCA went out of
    the general purpose computer business and sold off much to Sperry
    Univac (sold me along with the customer base). Univac aquired WDW along
    with the rest of the RCA customer base. The 'upgrading' of the old RCA
    SPECTRA hardware to Univac equipment was at one point very high on
    Sperry's agenda. I left Sperry for Digital in 1980 and until I visted
    WDW last year, I never would have belived how backward the level of
    computing could be!  
    
    The account never turned into the 'showcase' IBM expected, or RCA hoped
    for but, Sperry (now UNISYS) is sure getting a proper rap for the
    highly visable hotel reservation equipment that often malfuntions.
    
    I did talk with the techs at Indiana Jones - MGM about the sound,
    lighting and timing control systems used for their show. We chatted
    about the 'site' computer company (UNISYS) and the tech controls.
    Without quoting directing - I have a very strong feeling that folks
    associated with the computer/technical end of operations are glad that
    other vendors equipment is being used.
    
    
    (Hummm - real trivia? What brand of electronics are used at the Indiana
    Jones show?)

    
    
    	EuroDisneyland currently have a Vax 6410 and a 9000 will be
    installed in october. I'll try to find out what they are using
    them for and post it here.
    
    	Geof_eagerly_waiting_for_his_very_own_nearby_Disneyland.
    

    While at DECworld yesterday, I happened to have lunch with a gentleman
    who works for Disney.  He works in their "Scientific Systems" group
    which handles all the non-business-related computing.  In other words,
    they do the rides and shows.  He's been with Disney since the start of
    EPCOT.
    
    During our conversation, he said most of the attractions use PC's and
    pointed to an example of how about 100 PC-level systems are in use in
    the Wonders of Life pavilion.  And yes, he didn't feel this was the
    most efficient way for the attractions to be run but a lot of the show
    control units they designed themselves.
    
    He was very interested in our Alpha Desktop/Deskside Systems because
    they do some development on VMS and seeing as I was staffing one of the
    demos in the Alpha Showcase, we talked a good deal about those systems.
    
    And before you ask, no, I didn't have a resume on me but he did say
    that they recruit mainly from the Orlando area.  When they have a
    position to be filled, they typically will take out an ad in one of the
    Orlando papers and they've had good success finding people this way. 
    Too bad, eh??  How 'bout a massive recruiting drive in the Northeast??
    
    But he did extend the invite of "if you're ever down in Orlando..."
    
    Anyways, it was still a pretty interesting lunch and kind of an amazing
    coincidence given my interest in things Disney.  I guess you could say
    that it's a small DECworld after all... :-)
    
    Okay, maybe not.
    
    - Skip (not the trick horse)