Disney testing a talking Mickey

**gwennie81** · 08-05-2010, 05:27 AM

I don't know about this...I think that the characters NOT talking is part of the charm.
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After tourists visiting Disneyland posted their own video online, Disney revealed today that it is testing a new and improved Mickey Mouse: One that actually talks with guests.
Disney says it is currently “playtesting” the technology – which gives Mickey a moving mouth and the ability to interact in real-time with children – in California, but the video already has fans buzzing about whether Disney will eventually expand the concept to other parks and other costumed characters. It’s possible that the concept is part of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ broad “next generation experience” technology initiative, a hush-hush project that former Disney execs say has a budget of close to $1.5 billion. (More on NextGen here).
One interesting side note: Leading the talking Mickey project for Disney is Scott Trowbridge, a well-regarded theme-park attraction designer who Disney plucked from Universal Orlando in 2007. Trowbridge was credited with developing the hugely popular – and technologically groundbreaking – Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man dark ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park.
Trowbridge is now head of advanced development for Walt Disney Imagineering.
To watch Disney’s video of talking Mickey, click here. To watch the tourist video, click here.

**Clare-Swindlehurst** · 08-05-2010, 09:06 AM

I'm not sure about this one - might be a bit freaky. Although extra interaction is always nice with the characters. Has anyone come across the talking Mickey at DL yet?