Lucky...
My point was has there ever been animatronics that were outside unprotected from the elements?
Lucky could be moved indoors, the PotC parrot was in an alcove of the building, the Indian was under a rock overhang, the Jungle cruise animals have very minimalistic movements, the dolls at IASW only come out briefly, Luxo could be moved indoors, Mr Potatohead isn't unprotected from the elements(water plays havoc with video screens!)
My impression about the 7 dwarfs was that they would be marching over a log as you pass under the log during the outside portion of the ride. Perhaps that was just some concept art that I saw a while back.
Sorry about my previous brief reply, unkadug, I was going to add a winkie smile or something and got distracted. It is a good question. The big thing when we talk about the "elements" with animatronics is UV light, heat, wind, and water, and freezing in norther climes.
Splash's animatronics work in a pretty humid environment, so we know Disney can do this, and the Jungle Cruise animatronics are fully exposed. No, they do not have complex movements like Mr. Lincoln, but I don't see Disney could build an outdoor Lincoln, they would have to figure out a way to keep everything weatherized, having a UV resistant mask over Lincoln's face would help, don't know if the newer electronic actuators would hold up under what could get very hot, but I don't see why not, a lot of hardware electronics is rated for temps above the hotest in the Orlando in summer.
Given how fast you are going on the 7DMT coaster, all we really need is a simple motion showing Dwarfs marching, the same simple motion shown in the film. I think it could definitely be done. I think if they put in a witch they might want a little "roof" over her, but this would be to slow UV degradation of whatever they put out, I'm no expert. Though I would assume anything in Orlando would one day or another get drenched when it rains and the wind blows.
Probably the only reason the Pirate parrot was in the alcove was to prevent UV degradation of his "feathers" and cloth in the hat and such . . . he is 100% exposed to humidity, rain, heat, wind and everything else the elements can throw at him.
There are also the "Mine!, mine!" seagull animatronics. They are made out of metal and probably painted with a UV resistant paint.
I too think that the Dwarfs will be "marching" across a log as guests fly-by underneath. Wouldn't be very hard to do, IMHO, especially since we presumably won't see their "feet"
