Created by app developer TYFFON, Disney Side is the ultimate selfie app for Disney fans. Pick a character, take a self portrait, and the app superimposes your face onto Maleficent, Elsa and Anna (of Frozen fame), or Captain Hook. But the app does more than just overlay a drawing on top of your photo: It takes into account the position of your eyes and mouth, and properly merges the two images to make it realistic looking (or as close as possible). You can put on different costumes, and even animate it (eyes blink, you can move the head around by dragging your finger on the screen, and activate background animation when you pinch it).
Now, before you dismiss it as some kids’ app or something only Mickey fans will enjoy, the cool part of the app is that it includes characters from the Star Wars universe: Queen Amidala, Darth Maul, and an X-Wing Pilot. However, there are no Marvel or Pixar characters yet.
The app is designed to complement Disney’s parks in California and Florida. Characters are limited to those that appear in select park rides (for example, the Star Wars characters are from the Star Tours: The Adventures Continue ride). If you visit one of the parks and launch the app, you can unlock additional characters from the Haunted Mansion ride. Character options are limited to three per ride, but we’re sure the list will grow.
Here’s the kicker: It’s actually fun to play with. You can share your photos to social media (exported photos and videos are squared, ready for Instagram) or save it to your camera roll, and you can even make short video clips. Once your selfie is taken, you can reuse it on the other characters within the category. The app does a pretty good job of positioning your face within the character’s, and the head movements, blinking eyes, and other facial tracking features are well done. Perhaps we’re gushing a little because we get to dress up like a Star Wars character.
