Mickey Replaced?

[ChrisFL]

This may be a misunderstood extension of the remote controlled mouth and voice motions of the characters more than having the ENTIRE character a robot...I think 2-legged robots aren't that advanced yet to look natural, unless the characters are just sitting down

 

[lovethattink]

This may be a misunderstood extension of the remote controlled mouth and voice motions of the characters more than having the ENTIRE character a robot...I think 2-legged robots aren't that advanced yet to look natural, unless the characters are just sitting down

That sounds much more plausible.

 

[thejewellfamily]

Yea, no one has a robot yet that in any way shape of form would be able to walk around- or even stand still- and fool you into thinking it was a "real" person. Even then, it would cost ALOT of money plus probably alot of maintenance- likely making it more expensive then paying people $15 and hour to be in the suit. This isn't a cost effective replacement for meet and greets anytime soon. Disney explores all kinds of tech for all kinds of reasons, and I'm sure that's what this is. I'm sure there's lots of other places to use this other then meet and greets.

 

[warrenz1963]

Part of what this video suggests is already in action: Mickey at Town Square Theater. Our last time visiting him we were wearing anniversary buttons. He asked us how long we'd been a couple, congratulated us, complimented us on the hats we were each wearing. It was amazing, and probably about as far as the technology is going to go for a while.

This video is wild speculation with no sources given... There are so many Disney blogs out there with "inside sources" and not one has mentioned anything like this.

 

[warrenz1963]

Sad, just sad. Certain characters, sure. But the whole thing is just sad - another Disney cutback? Slash a few more employees, and replace them with electronics.

If you've ever visited Mickey in the Town Square Theater, its clear there's at least one person backstage assisting with the live interaction, so that means actually at least two cast members creating one character. Not a cutback, but an increase! This video is just wild speculation, and even if something like this ever happened, they would need at least one cast member to operate the thing, probably two or three. Nothing to worry about here.

 

[SirMickey]

Sad, just sad. Certain characters, sure. But the whole thing is just sad - another Disney cutback? Slash a few more employees, and replace them with electronics.

I can't help but agree with your analysis. It's sad. Technology is a wonderful thing, but some things just shouldn't be overcome by it -- like the characters, in my opinion!