Behind the Ride: How WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort delivers magic with the help of HPE technology

HPE and Disney have been working together for decades. The relationship has evolved over the years, as new ideas, new opportunities and new advancements in technology have been brought to life. One thing that hasn’t changed is the collaborative relationship between the two companies – and a shared vision for using technology to help Disney deliver magical experiences for guests.

As you explore Walt Disney World® Resort and enjoy many of its attractions, you might not consider the technology that helps Disney make the magic happen. But we do! The HPE team works closely with teams across The Walt Disney Company to deliver technology solutions that help Disney deliver immersive guest experiences and exciting attractions, and support seamless park operations.

To get a closer look, we are co-hosting a series of interviews where HPE and Disney Cast Members “ride rides and talk tech” to give us a behind-the-scenes view of the ways in which HPE helps Disney use technology to create transformative, innovative and magical experiences for park guests.

Madani Adjali, VP of Product Management for HPE Aruba Networking recently joined Elysa Cusimano, Guest Experience Manager, Walt Disney World Resort, to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and talk about the role HPE products and services play in helping Disney bring the attraction to life. We sat down with Madani to hear about his experience and the networking technology behind-the-scenes.

Tell us about Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. What kind of attraction is it and where is it within Walt Disney World® Resort?

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is located within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is one of the largest single-themed park expansions in the history of Disney Parks—and the most immersive and most connected part of the park. The attraction itself has multiple elements and is an awesome experience for any Star Wars fan – and, really, anyone. Take a look.

Madani, you’ve been in the networking industry for a while now, is this your first time riding a theme park attraction as part of your job?

Yes, this was my first time riding an attraction as part of my job but I’ve had great opportunities to visit many customers over the years from hospitals to school campuses to retail stores to underground mines!

One of the things I love about the networking industry is how we deliver technology that directly impacts people’s lives. We are creating connectivity that lets people more easily travel the world, stay in touch with friends and family over long distances, and add new dimensions to everyday experiences, from homework to sporting events.

I’ve been in the networking industry for 20 + years, which means I have been around for the introduction and adoption of mobile devices, the proliferation of search engines, social media, online video sharing, e-sports, and streaming media. And you could say that being in the networking industry through such major trends as remote work and the introduction of new technologies, that too has been a bit of a ride.

What was the most surprising part of the attraction for you?

While you might think it was the drop (as you saw in the video), I have to admit it was when I first saw the Stormtroopers. In that moment, I really felt like I was on a ship and in A LOT of trouble. A sea of Stormtroopers is intimidating. My inner 10-year-old almost ran for cover.

Disney is known for crafting magical experiences—how does HPE Aruba Networking ensure that its technology aligns with and supports Disney’s vision?

HPE Aruba Networking is committed to customer success and we take a very collaborative approach to delivering the solutions that our customers need. No matter the vision – whether it involves intergalactic adventure and thrilling attraction or not – we work with the customer to bring their vision to life.

For Walt Disney World Resort, Disney wanted to give guests the ability to have an immersive experience within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, so we collaborated on a solution that delivers the universal connectivity and low latency that is needed to help Disney create this unique experience. Our networking technology has helped enable Disney’s Augmented Reality experiences, Aurebesh-to-English translation, and other interactive elements of the Play Disney Parks app, through our seamless, reliable connectivity.

What unique technological considerations did the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® project present, and how did HPE help Disney tackle them?

One consideration that this project presents is the sheer scale and complexity of deployment. If we look only at the network coverage for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we deliver multiple networks to help Disney connect guests, and support operations. This area is more than 14 acres, requiring hundreds of access points to deliver this kind of coverage and support millions of guests each year.

We also have to plan for environmental factors. Anyone who has been to Florida in the summer, knows the kind of weather that this equipment has to be able to handle. The combination of humidity and thunderstorms outside, with air conditioning and climate-controlled insides, means that equipment must be rigorously tested to stand up to the demands of the weather.

How has HPE's technology helped Disney enhance the guest experience at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge®? Are there specific examples you’re most proud of?

Probably my favorite thing that we are helping Disney deliver is the translation abilities. With the Play Disney Parks app and the high-speed connectivity from HPE Aruba Networking, guests can translate Aurebesh, a Star Wars language, on their mobile device and truly participate in the conversation. This would have really come in handy when I was a kid, first watching the Star Wars movies!

Take a closer look at how Disney uses the products and services of HPE Aruba Networking to build a seamless, high-performance network for its guests. Explore Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® at Walt Disney World® Resort.