WDI has released a new video showing some of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Audio-Animatronics and the amazing retro projection effect on the faces. It's very probably the same technique that was used for the face of the big Buzz Lightyear AA that you can see in the Buzz Lightyear ride pre-show, but here for the first time they use it on Audio-Animatronics moving much more than the Buzz Audio-Animatronic, which is of course more difficult to achieve.
Now, you probably have heard that a major update is scheduled on some of Disneyland Anaheim dark rides, and specially on Peter Pan's Flight, Mr Toad Wild Ride and Alice in Wonderland. According to Mice Age the budget for these updates still have the green light so it should be ready for DL 60th Anniversary. So, have a closer look to these animated faces as it is the same technique that WDI intend to apply on all the characters faces of the Peter Pan's Flight ride, and most probably on the Queen of Heart in the Alice in Wonderland ride. This, of course, will allow the characters to have more expressive faces. It don't looks like but it's a new generation of Audio-Animatronics which was unveiled today!
Picture and video : copyright Disney
Is this any different from the inner projection in Madam Leota's face in Phantom Manor?
ReplyDeleteDisney really is the leader when it comes to audio animatronics. Universal introduced some superb dark rides in the recent years. However, I think that audio animatronics are ultimately more impressive than 3D-projections.
ReplyDeleteIf Disney would make full use of its potential and finally build a new grand dark ride (something comparable to the size of the Indiana Jones one) with these kind of animatronics then it could eventually reclaim its reputation!
That looks just completely amazing..
ReplyDeleteThat looks just completely amazing..
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's much different from what was done on Buzz Lightyear (and Madame Leota before him), but it perhaps is a bit more impressive, because the dimensional nose and other elements help you forget about the projected parts. When Buzz first happened it was very impressive, but you figured it out pretty quick. Here, since more than one trick is being used, it's a bit harder to see where one illusion ends and the other begins.
ReplyDeleteIt should be noted that the cars in Radiator Springs racers essentially use this same mix of technology: Smooth animatronic bodies with projected expressions on their faces. But this is a far more appealing application- the dwarves are just more inherently lovable than a bunch of cars.
Would love to see $150 million dark rides like the Disneyland Indy attraction. I wonder if $300 million would have covered it's original dual track scope??? in 1992.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the AA effects of the new Fantasyland enchanted tales woth Belle.
ReplyDeleteIn this attraction Lumiere have very similar face projection effects.
"so it should be ready for DL 55th Anniversary."
ReplyDeleteExcuse me? For your information, Disneyland's 55th anniversary was in 2010. Please do some research next time.
The park will turn 59 this year.
So it goes without saying that Disneyland's 60th anniversary (which is probably what you meant.) will be in 2015.
Eric-- Why are you being so harsh? As characters, the cast from "Cars" are appealing as well, and it's an awesome ride with great animatronics. It's just a different movie universe. And it should be noted that the Cars characters Sheriff, Mater, and Doc Hudson all have real, psychical moving mouths in the ride, not projected mouths.
Yes, i did a mistake, it'll be the 60th anniversary and not the 55th ( just did an editing ). No big of a deal...
ReplyDelete