Since its inception in 1923, Disney has always been ahead of its time, developing innovations that mix storytelling and technology to create one-of-a-kind immersive experiences for fans, which is what has made it the multimedia giant it is today.
Because Walt Disney wanted to keep innovation at the forefront of the company, he founded Imagineering in 1952. Imagineering is Disney’s research and development arm. This sector is responsible for creating, designing, and constructing Disney theme parks, attractions, resorts, and cruise ships worldwide.
Disney introduced technology by developing animatronics, first featured at the Enchanted Tiki Room in 1963, which was a groundbreaking development at the time. This attraction is still open today and features a Polynesian Paradise with a cast of over 225 choreographed Audio-Animatronics performers.
Since then, Disney has developed many iconic attractions featuring animatronics, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Carousel of Progress, It’s a Small World, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, one of its latest rides.
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However, with all the new advancements in modern technology, animatronics are now a thing of the past, and Disney refused to fall behind on this trend.
“We’ve been working in robotics at Imagineering since the very beginning. Walt really saw this technology as a cool way to bring characters to life,” said Disney Imagineer Asa Kalama. “Think tiki birds, Abraham Lincoln, it’s a small world, but obviously today the technology has really come incredibly far,” Kalama added.
People walk along Main Street in front of Cinderella’s Castle as the sun sets at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World.
Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
BDX droids will make their way to more Disney parks worldwide
On Mar. 8, Disney (DIS) presented ‘The Future of World-Building at Disney‘ at the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas, to give an insight into the future of Disney’s experiential storytelling and innovation.
During the conference, BDX droids were heavily highlighted as one of Disney’s latest artistry and technology innovations. These droids are not like old-school animatronics. They are programmed to learn and teach each other and can interact with guests and other droids as well.
“When we’re training in simulation, we’re not just teaching them to balance, we’re teaching them how to learn to walk as characters and imitate those core animations that really give them their personality,” said Disney Imagineer Michael Handgun
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Even though Galaxy’s Edge can be found at both the Disneyland California and Disney World Orlando parks, Disneyland is the only place where BDX droids have been launched.
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However, during the conference, it was revealed that the BDX droids will also be available at Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris later this year. Exciting news for tech-obsessed Disney fans.
Disney Blends attractions with films to immerse fans
For decades, Disney has used technology to seamlessly blend the studios with the park attractions, providing a more immersive fan experience.
To further immerse Disney’s audience, it was also revealed that BDX droids will be making their first on-screen appearance in The Mandalorian & Grogu, the latest Star Wars franchise film, which is set to come out in May of next year.
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Additionally, the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run attraction at Disney World and Disneyland parks will be getting an update and open to the public on the same weekend as the movie’s launch.
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