Wile Disney have been shifting from their old “a lot of moderately complex animatronics” method to “one really good animatronic, with other stuff being screens, projections, figures, etc.”, and thus investing a lot in robotics to create their one big star animatronic per attraction (or even entire land, in one worst-case scenario), even making them able to walk independently. Walking, eh? I think I found another use for Disney’s walking robot technology; a ride system.
Using the technology that made Judy Hopps and the like independently move with legs (when prior free-moving animatronics were typically wheeled/tracked), Disney could make long-theorized “walker” vehicles, like the AT-ST, a reality in their parks. Walkers have been discussed for many years in science fiction and occasionally science fact, but there were a few disadvantage for using walkers for combat that many have pointed out. The theme park industry, on the other hand, would be a great home for walker vehicles, their weaknesses becoming strengths at entertaining guests. Indeed, a Disney walker attraction would potentially win some customers over for a bit, especially if they put their all into it. But what sort of story do we need? Do we just take the easy route and add something to GE about the AT-ST? Maybe license the Sonic series to add a Tails Cyclone ride to Critter Country/Asia? Is Josh D’Amaro more tolerant of original IP than Iger or Chapek were? Well, what would Walt do? (Or early Eisner for that matter). He would think.
I do think there’s one place where walkers could one day shine outside of theme parks; the moon. And ya know who’s known for going to the moon?
That’s right, Scrooge McDuck needs your help and has, well, conscripted riders into joining a lunar voyage with Launchpad’s new “Stomp Pads”, (which he demonstrates for a safety spiel? walking vehicles designed for moon travel. Riders, deploying onto the moon via a rocket (elevator), get into their walkers and begin their trek on the surface of the moon, seeing another walker being used by Launchpad on the search for Moon Cheese. Walk past alien encounters freely as your walking vehicle moves along its path.
Using the technology that made Judy Hopps and the like independently move with legs (when prior free-moving animatronics were typically wheeled/tracked), Disney could make long-theorized “walker” vehicles, like the AT-ST, a reality in their parks. Walkers have been discussed for many years in science fiction and occasionally science fact, but there were a few disadvantage for using walkers for combat that many have pointed out. The theme park industry, on the other hand, would be a great home for walker vehicles, their weaknesses becoming strengths at entertaining guests. Indeed, a Disney walker attraction would potentially win some customers over for a bit, especially if they put their all into it. But what sort of story do we need? Do we just take the easy route and add something to GE about the AT-ST? Maybe license the Sonic series to add a Tails Cyclone ride to Critter Country/Asia? Is Josh D’Amaro more tolerant of original IP than Iger or Chapek were? Well, what would Walt do? (Or early Eisner for that matter). He would think.
I do think there’s one place where walkers could one day shine outside of theme parks; the moon. And ya know who’s known for going to the moon?
That’s right, Scrooge McDuck needs your help and has, well, conscripted riders into joining a lunar voyage with Launchpad’s new “Stomp Pads”, (which he demonstrates for a safety spiel? walking vehicles designed for moon travel. Riders, deploying onto the moon via a rocket (elevator), get into their walkers and begin their trek on the surface of the moon, seeing another walker being used by Launchpad on the search for Moon Cheese. Walk past alien encounters freely as your walking vehicle moves along its path.
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