Disney/Amazon

Amazon has announced a new voice assistant available on supported Echo devices called 'Hey Disney! ', which will let customers interact with their choice of over 20 characters from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars,andmore. 

This update marks the first Alexa Custom Assistant, as Hey Disney! is built on Alexa's artificial intelligence technology and is officially named the Disney Magical Companion.

Also:Amazon Echo Pop review: A portable smart speaker for small spaces

With Amazon selling both anEcho Show and Echo Dot specifically marketed for children, including in the latest generations of smart speakers, the new Disney voice assistant will be able to interact with and entertain people of all ages, from kids to adults (don't pretend having Goofy tell you the weather wouldn't be entertaining).

To get started, you can ask your Echo device, "Alexa, introduce me to Hey Disney!", and follow the prompts to set up the Disney Magical Companion. 

Echo Show Kids with Mickey Mouse-inspired stand and Tiana onscreen.

Disney/Amazon

You'll then be walked through the purchase and setup process, as the Disney Magical Companion is available for purchase through an annual, auto-renewing subscription. 

Also: I bought this Amazon kids tablet instead of an iPad and wasn't sorry

Although the feature is available through an Alexa Skills subscription, it's also included in the Amazon Kids+ membership. 

After your new Disney Magical Companion is set up, you can kiss Alexa goodbye and use 'Hey Disney!' as the wake-up words for your device. 

Also: How to turn your old Fire tablet into an Echo Show

Your kids will be able to hear the voices of their favorite characters, whether its Minnie Mouse or Olaf, Mater or Tiana, Donald Duck or R2-D2, and have access to Disney trivia games, soundscapes, storybooks, and play-along adventures. 

See also

How to turn your old Fire tablet into an Echo ShowHow to change Alexa's voice on your phone or Echo deviceHow to make Alexa bilingualHow to unlink your Echo device from your Amazon account (so it's safe to give away or sell)

• How to turn your old Fire tablet into an Echo Show
• How to change Alexa's voice on your phone or Echo device
• How to make Alexa bilingual
• How to unlink your Echo device from your Amazon account (so it's safe to give away or sell)