Mickey talking to guests at Disneyland

[Mupp]

This news has been out there for while, but in case some people haven't heard about this or seen these videos yet, let me set the stage.

Back in May of this year, Disneyland tested a new character experience. For a few days, Mickey at his house in Toontown could actually talk to people and refer to them by name.

Now, it was just a test. so Mickey is currenly back to being silent. But who knows? We just may see this happen again someday.

Here are some youtube videos;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6k2xdtU8Wc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyHIdr1aM7s&feature=related

 

[theprawncracker]

I think this is one of the COOLEST things ever. I sincerely hope they can integrate this incredible technology into all of the Mickey's throughout the Parks. It's such an amazing thing and I would LOOOOVE to have a conversation with the Mouse. It's just mind-blowingly awesome!

 

[SSLFan]

I have to agree with Prawny, this has to be the coolest, most AWSOME idea the guys at DiS has came up with. From my understanding this was only a test run? Well, hopefully in the near future, eventually many other characters will be able to "talk" to their guests too. Really, one of the few examples of where technology is actually used for something good and useful, LOL.

Boy, how do those imagineers do it...

 

[Frogpuppeteer]

i saw this in Person back in April ...it was awesome to see

 

[Drtooth]

I hate to derail a thread with silliness... but looking at that video, there were these related videos... one thing lead to another and...

well... I hope this Mickey doesn't malfunction in the way Mr. Potatohead does

Not exactly Westworld (thank frog), but still, worth a giggle.

 

[Oscarfan]

Is that the new Mickey voice? It sounds liek Wayne in some parts, but not so much in others.

 

[frogboy4]

Fantastic! Now if they could make him really, really tiny.

 

[ZeppoAndFriends]

That is just amazing!

I'd love to see them do something like that with both Donald and Goofy.

 

[Mupp]

Because of the big Internet buzz that this made, Disney released an official video.
The video description includes a brief statement from an Imagineer;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5wC-dBx7-Y

And Drtooth; Yeah, the Toy Story ride is in California as well, and Mr. Potato Head has dropped his ear a few times. But lately, I've seen it work well.
Here is one time from California where it didn't work; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-PyrCJDLKs

 

[RedPiggy]

I saw something on tv about things like Finding Nemo experiences where that sea turtle dude could actually speak to you and stuff. I forgot how they said they did it, but this thread makes me think they're starting to use the tech on other types of character interactions as well, which would be friggin' sweet. *imagines a Muppet experience like that -- wait, would Bunsen and Beaker count?*