Also a huge fan; the Disney dark rides have always held a special place in my heart due to the animatronics. I was a little disappointed when I took my kids to the Magic Kingdom for the first time and they just shrugged - the animatronics just didn't impress them all that much. I'm not sure if it was just my kids or a generational thing where kids growing up with technology are just harder to impress.
I'm hoping the next step for animatronics is interaction. How ridiculously cool would it be to have a conversation with an animatronic Disney character (powered by AI chat). I think we're still several years away from perfecting something like that, but I can see it on the horizon.
As far as being "old," those who get to grow old are the lucky ones. I think it's wonderful you got to see that 1964 exhibit, Arthur. What a memory to treasure!
Hmm. A little disconcerting to hear about your kids' indifference. I guess that's what happens when once-new technologies and innovations have been around for awhile.
I would love to see this exhibit too! It would be a perfect exhibit for COSI here in Columbus, OH. I always laugh when I read the names of the different animatronic models. They sound so similar to the Terminator style naming convention to me.
No surprise, I’m a huge fan of the classic Disney animatronic show, which I feel no other company has come close to replicating. Has any other company even tried, asides from Chuck E Cheese? I’m glad Disney has continued to advance the technology while honoring and preserving the past history of animatronics with exhibits like this. Wish I could have seen it!
You raise an interesting question, Tom. There are certainly others in the industry creating and showcasing animatronics. And AAs have been used in shows (T2:3D comes to mind). But I can't think of any shows, other than Disney’s, in which animatronics are the focus. Anybody else want to weigh in?
Also a huge fan; the Disney dark rides have always held a special place in my heart due to the animatronics. I was a little disappointed when I took my kids to the Magic Kingdom for the first time and they just shrugged - the animatronics just didn't impress them all that much. I'm not sure if it was just my kids or a generational thing where kids growing up with technology are just harder to impress.
I'm hoping the next step for animatronics is interaction. How ridiculously cool would it be to have a conversation with an animatronic Disney character (powered by AI chat). I think we're still several years away from perfecting something like that, but I can see it on the horizon.
As far as being "old," those who get to grow old are the lucky ones. I think it's wonderful you got to see that 1964 exhibit, Arthur. What a memory to treasure!
Hmm. A little disconcerting to hear about your kids' indifference. I guess that's what happens when once-new technologies and innovations have been around for awhile.
Thanks for embracing my old codger-ness.
I would love to see this exhibit too! It would be a perfect exhibit for COSI here in Columbus, OH. I always laugh when I read the names of the different animatronic models. They sound so similar to the Terminator style naming convention to me.
Hey Disney! Take this exhibit on the road!
No surprise, I’m a huge fan of the classic Disney animatronic show, which I feel no other company has come close to replicating. Has any other company even tried, asides from Chuck E Cheese? I’m glad Disney has continued to advance the technology while honoring and preserving the past history of animatronics with exhibits like this. Wish I could have seen it!
Also, even Chuck E Cheese has steered away from AAs. Its remodeled locations focus on costumed characters.
You raise an interesting question, Tom. There are certainly others in the industry creating and showcasing animatronics. And AAs have been used in shows (T2:3D comes to mind). But I can't think of any shows, other than Disney’s, in which animatronics are the focus. Anybody else want to weigh in?
Love this article! Disney should take this exhibit on the road. I'd really like to see it.