Text "Disney" for Deal

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In an effort to capitalize on the “Twitter generation” Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort has launched a new text-messaging program to notify guests of deals.

Visitors to the Lake Buena Vista, Florida resort who don’t mind getting the occasional buzz from their cell phone can opt to receive text messages about deals at the resort’s spa, restaurants, and lounges during their stay.  

So why not just look up the deals online and avoid the jarring beep while relaxing poolside?  The resort claims that all of the text message deals offered through the program will be of greater value than those available to the general public.

"Whether our guests are relaxing in their room, lounging by the pool or enjoying a day in the theme parks, they can access immediate savings from their mobile phone," said Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin General Manager Paul Scott.
    
So is there really a market for text message advertisements?  According to CTIS, the cellular phone industry trade group, over 85 percent of Americans use mobile phones, with more than one trillion text messages sent last year.  

Hoping to catch info-gluttons between texting their friends and checking the latest baseball scores, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is one of the first to offer a program of this kind.  Although it still remains to be seen if the idea will catch on, the resort does allow guests who become annoyed with the updates to actively opt out of the service at any time.  Guests will automatically stop receiving the test messages after four days.

Prior to announcing this new texting program, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort experienced success with its iPhone and iTouch application that provides users with access to in-depth resort information including pictures, videos, and a resort map.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is located in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida.  Nestled between Epcot and the Magic Kingdom Park, the resort is surrounded by restaurants, lounges, tennis courts, and nearby golf facilities.

For more information on Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort’s texting program visit: www.swandolphin.com.