Go to Disney via Google Earth
June 5, 2008. You're sitting in your office cubicle, daydreaming about your upcoming stay at an Orlando vacation rental. For now, all you can do is daydream. Thanks to GoogleEarth, however, what seems so far away can become a little closer, a little more real.
Google Earth is fairly new mapping program that creates 3D, flyover landscapes from satellite photos. Interactive features allow users to create custom maps, add photos and videos, and mark attractions and features. It's a high-definition flat screen with PlayStation 3 compared to a regular satellite maps' rabbit-eared tube television with Atari. And it's about to get a boost in popularity, thanks to Disney's decision to creat a Google Earth map of Disney World.
The virtual Disney World will show all four theme parks and give visitors a better idea of how the park is laid out. So, if you're trying to figure out what order to ride the rides in, you can consult Google Earth.
The idea of using this powerful tool to boost marketing and attract web visitors isn't new, but the arrival of a heavy hitter like Disney signals the creation's coming of age. No doubt, we'll see more of these in the travel industry's future.
