An actual Talking Mickey character coming to a park near you?

[zeitzeuge]

At first I found this to be a bit creepy, just because we're SO not use to any of the costumed characters being able to talk, let alone having one who's mouth moves and eyes move and blink.

These people were given a surprise visit by this prototype Mickey when standing in line at the meet and greet for Mickey in Toontown at Disneyland on May 3rd.

Wonder how long before this becomes the norm?

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

 

[Gypsybear]

Wow!!

 

[ABOMIBOT]

Not only is the tech way cool but the fact that its clearly driven by the organic, live performance of the actor is even cooler.

The one thing that kinda made me squirm a bit, however, was how apparently grabby Mickey is in the video. IMHO Mickey should present himself as always available for physical contact - outstretched arms, etc - but not ever initiate the contact himself. He should always allow guest to come to him on their terms.

 

[glenpreece]

Not only is the tech way cool but the fact that its clearly driven by the organic, live performance of the actor is even cooler.

The one thing that kinda made me squirm a bit, however, was how apparently grabby Mickey is in the video. IMHO Mickey should present himself as always available for physical contact - outstretched arms, etc - but not ever initiate the contact himself. He should always allow guest to come to him on their terms.

I thought the exact same thing when i watched it for the first time the other day!!!!

 

[OrlandoMike]

How long till Mickey says something inappropriate and it ends up on youtube?

 

[zeitzeuge]

How long till Mickey says something inappropriate and it ends up on youtube?

Thats what I was wondering. It's been 55 years of Mickey not saying a word, just those annoying hand gestures and pelvic thrusts.

Now that he could possibly speak, you know something inappropriate will be said at some point, or some kid pisses him off and he goes off. LOL

 

[Hathaway Browne]

No doubt the "handler" will have an override button nearby to "mute" any rants.

Very cool tech though.

 

[zulemara]

So Mickey, how come you haven't comitted to Minnie?? I heard you were playing around with the field mice at Mannequins!

Just think, this time I could get a real response!

 

[musicalSaranader]

I would love to be there when Minnie starts talking also and my dad hits on her again and hear her response!

 

[swarlock]

Not only is the tech way cool but the fact that its clearly driven by the organic, live performance of the actor is even cooler.

The one thing that kinda made me squirm a bit, however, was how apparently grabby Mickey is in the video. IMHO Mickey should present himself as always available for physical contact - outstretched arms, etc - but not ever initiate the contact himself. He should always allow guest to come to him on their terms.

Agreed. The tech is used in The Dream Along With Mickey stage show in WDW.

 

[MonorailMan]

Don't they already use these on the Castle stage for one of the day time shows?

 

[OrlandoMike]

Don't they already use these on the Castle stage for one of the day time shows?

Yes and no.....

In the castle show the eyes and mouths move, via a mechanism.....ummmmm......well just watch the characters index fingers.......but its an entirely different program....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox6SgH_QBIo&feature=related


Never before has Mickey been able to actually speak "live" to the guests.....

 

[swarlock]

Don't they already use these on the Castle stage for one of the day time shows?

Yes they do. Dream Along With Mickey is the one you're thinking of.
And I have seen the mouths move.

 

[MonorailMan]

Ahhhh, okay. Gotcha.
Would this be considered "destroying the magic" for some people?

 

[OrlandoMike]

Ahhhh, okay. Gotcha.
Would this be considered "destroying the magic" for some people?

If you watch the show up close, it's not too hard to figure out how it works.....

 

[zeitzeuge]

Ahhhh, okay. Gotcha.
Would this be considered "destroying the magic" for some people?

Speaking of "destroying the magic", I was at another forum, and there was this big long thread, full of arguing of course, about whether or not a CM should have the city they are from on their name tag. There was this huge group of people militant about how it destroys or ruins the magic for them, that when they're in Adventureland, they don't want to see that a CM is from Modesto, CA. They felt that Disney was ruining their experience at the parks all due to a city name on a name tag.

Um. Seriously?

 

[Sphyrna]

I find it funny how some people can get so worked up over the smallest things. I just roll my eyes and chuckle.

 

[OrlandoMike]

whether or not a CM should have the city they are from on their name tag.

It's the biggest "Ice Breaker" ever invented!

 

[colaboy29]

No doubt the "handler" will have an override button nearby to "mute" any rants.

My thoughts, exactly. There will be safety features built in to it.

 

[Foxhound3857]

They call it playtesting. It's their way of trying out the technology, the concept, and seeing how it does with a real audience and live data before they fully incorporate it into the parks. Odds are we won't see this implemented with the general park characters for years to come.

It's a nice look into the future though, showing what technology can do.