Jun 17 2008
Imagine a home so perfectly attuned to the needs of a family that it can anticipate and fulfill them, virtually without anyone lifting a finger. Now imagine that the home offers
family members high-tech connectivity, not just with one another but with people, entertainment and information in the world at large.
Guests at Disneyland can soon do more than imagine it. Beginning June 17, the Innoventions Dream Home in Tomorrowland is bringing that world to life as a limited number of guests have the opportunity to preview the home.
The Innoventions Dream Home is both a show and a showcase, offering guests of all ages a hands-on experience with new in-home technologies, some that are practical and some that are astounding. Microsoft, HP, Life|ware and homebuilder Taylor Morrison have joined with Disneyland Resort to demonstrate how a connected digital lifestyle can simplify and enhance many aspects of daily family life.
"We're thrilled to open the Innoventions Dream Home with the help of our partners," said Ed Grier, president of the Disneyland Resort. "We are confident our guests will find new ways to connect to their world in this immersive, entertaining experience."
The Elias family will be excited to welcome all guests into their new Dream Home at the end of June.
The experience includes guest interaction with the residents of the Dream Home -- the fictional Elias family. Members of the family move from room to room, utilizing the technology as they prepare for a big celebration. Guests who enter the Dream Home can observe and play with all its comforts, including:
- Innovations from Microsoft that enable today's digital lifestyle, seamlessly connecting family members to live and recorded entertainment and memories
- Connected entertainment devices and PCs from HP that help the family members stay connected and simplify their daily activities
- Wireless technology adapted by Life|ware that allows the Dream Home's devices to recognize individual family members as they enter a room and tailor the room to their individual preferences
- Design elements from homebuilder Taylor Morrison on the facade, the patio and party tent areas
"It's both 'high-tech' and 'high-touch,'" said Greg Atkins, writer and director for the free-form Innoventions Dream Home experience. "We'll be showcasing technology that connects families to each other, their home, the surrounding community and the world. And many of the innovative things our guests will be playing with are actually available today."
Also new in the Innoventions building are five Neighborhood Shows -- educational entertainment presented in the ring area of the first floor. The interactive shows opening June 17 are presented by ABC Television, homebuilder Taylor Morrison and Yamaha Music. Honda and Southern California Edison will open shows later this summer.
The user-friendly technology of the Innoventions Dream Home is on display from the moment guests approach the entrance to "360 Tomorrowland Way" (a whimsical reference to the circular "carousel" structure of the Innoventions building). Each room offers new experiences and surprises.
Front Yard
A member of the Elias family greets guests as they approach the front door of the Dream Home. Today, the family member announces, everyone is invited to visit as the family prepares a party to celebrate younger son Robbie's amazing soccer goal, which earned his team a victory in the Nationals and a spot at the International Soccer Championships in China.The Front Yard also introduces guests to the ease, function and connectivity of the Dream Home. With the touch of a button, the family can
change the outside appearance of the Dream Home. Today, they'll be decorating for Robbie's celebration, but they can also easily decorate for the holidays.
The Dream Home "recognizes" members of the Elias family as they enter the home. The dog door even recognizes the family dog!
Foyer & Great Room
Upon entering the Dream Home, guests may explore on their own in several directions. Whichever direction they choose, they will enter through the Foyer and Great Room, which showcases many of the connected personal features of the home.
As the Dream Home notes the presence of individual members of the Elias family, the surroundings in the Great Room -- pictures on the walls, music in the sound system -- automatically adjust to the preferences of the family member who is in the room.
At the Grand Piano in one corner, a would-be virtuoso can take a master class from a teacher on the other side of the country. Technology lets the teacher do a full demonstration, complete with technique, on the Dream Home piano.
In the center of the room, next to the family's easy chairs and ottomans, is a "coffee table book" that is actually an interactive touch screen with content from the library. The book will display the original manuscript of "Alice in Wonderland." Guests and Elias family members can turn the pages of the book simply by touching the screen.
Kitchen
Like most kitchens, the Elias family Kitchen is more than just a place to prepare food. It's where the calendar is kept, and where family photos and works of art are displayed. New technology enables all of this, with a virtual bulletin board that posts all the latest messages about soccer schedules, along with digital photos and versions of the kids' hand-drawn creations.
Since this Dream Home Kitchen is fully interconnected, appliances can "talk" to one another. So can the grocery items! If Mrs. Elias puts a bag of flour on the counter, the computer voice of "Lillian" will provide recipes and instructions to prepare the meals. If ingredients are missing or out-of-date, the interconnected pantry and refrigerator will share the information and create a shopping list on the virtual bulletin board.
Dining Room
Like most families, the Elias family gathers around the dinner table to discuss the day's events, and the day of Robbie's soccer victory has been a special one. The Dining Room table is a large interactive surface, inlayed with computers, and when the family sets down their mobile phones on the table, photos and videos spill across the screens. Then the family can interact with, view and enlarge the images with a simple touch.The Dining Room table can also be used to create art, do homework, and assemble video puzzles -- with multiple family members all at once.A Dining Room memory cabinet displays photos and art appropriate to any occasion, triggered by objects placed on its shelf.