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The Kingdom Insider

Orlando and Family Travel News Lifestyle and Information

Disney News · December 2, 2021

‘Project EXO’ in the Works at Disney!

Remember how at the beginning of this year we shared with all you Insiders “Project Kiwi” that Disney was working on? Walt Disney Imagineering had introduced the project they had been diligently working on where they created a walking life-size Groot and it completely blew everyone away. Well this year at Destination D23, Josh D’Amaro and Imagineers introduced another similar project they are working on.

Disney Imagineers are working on bringing some of our favorite characters – of all sizes – to life in authentic ways at Disney Parks. Right now they’re developing a full-body exoskeleton system they’ve nicknamed “Project EXO.”  It’s still in early concept development and Josh and team shared a glimpse at what the future of Disney Parks may look like! It’s a completely amazing project and it just goes to show how Disney is always evolving and working to create new and amazing experiences for us at the parks.

The idea of this project is to eventually have these robotic characters walking around the park and interacting with Guests. I know, it sounds a little “Westworld” right? Could you imagine walking around and having huge robotic Hulk or Big Hero 6 characters just strolling around? What an idea right?

CNBC News was able to dive a little deeper than what was presented at Destination D23 and showed an example of what’s being worked on by Imagineers at a warehouse in Glendale, California. Check out the giant articulated green hand in the picture below, using a mechanism attached to a metal gauntlet to pinch two massive fingers and a thumb around a tiny plastic taco. The interaction is a play on the Hulk handing Ant-Man two tacos during “Avengers: Endgame.”

Close up of a prototype anatomical hand from Disney Imagineering's Project Exo.
Source: CNBC

“One of the things that is so exciting about a project like this is that characters are a big way that we bring our lands to life, and having these gigantic characters that guests are going to be able to see from a far way away… I think that is a really exciting prospect,” said Leslie Evans, Disney’s chief Imagineer.

CNBC also reported that “The group is testing 3D printing methods to create muscles that can mimic authentic humanoid movements, something that was not possible with foam. These particular prototypes are much lighter than traditional materials, meaning performers don’t have to carry as much weight and could remain comfortable in the costume for longer periods.”

Disney's Imagineering 3D printed muscle for its exoskeleton prototype.
Source: CNBC

This project has been kept very hush, hush and we are just now getting a sneak peek at what’s to come and what the future looks like at the Disney Parks. While they are still a long way off in presenting these robot characters to Guests, we can for now appreciate the projects and enjoy the Spiderman robot at Avengers Campus in Disney’s California Adventure that gives quite the jaw-dropping performance!

We will report more on this project as Disney shares more information!

Posted By: Kristin Swan · In: Disney News

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Take a ride with us! During the Halloween season, Take a ride with us! During the Halloween season, the Guardians of the Galaxy attraction at Disney California Adventure transforms into Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark everyday starting at 3pm 🌕 

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Have you been following along in our stories? Kris Have you been following along in our stories? Kristin had a frightfully good time 👻 at Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure last night, and she’s sharing all the details on our stories 🎃
 
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We’d be smiling too if we were spending the most We’d be smiling too if we were spending the most wonderful time of the year at the most magical place on earth!✨🎄🎅🏻 
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Are you familiar with using the Disneyland app?📱If not, we have put together a virtual guide on how to use it so you can make the most out of your magical day at the Happiest Place on Earth 🏰

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Have you ever stopped by the Animation Building in Have you ever stopped by the Animation Building in Disney California Adventure? 🎨 This is a great spot to visit during the heat of summer ☀️, the cold winter rain 🌧️, or just about any time of year! In this building you can:

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✏️ Attend an Animation Academy class and receive step-by-step instruction on how to draw a Disney character (classes occur every 30 minutes)

📖 Visit the Sorcerer’s Workshop and create your own animation and then uncover your “inner Disney character” in the Beast’s Library

🐢 Step up to the hydrophone at Turtle Talk with Crush to have a live chat with Crush and his pals

❄️ Meet and greet with Ana, Elsa, and Olaf 

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Scenes from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter th Scenes from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter this week at @universalorlando ✨🦉 There truly is no feeling like the one you get when you step off the Hogwarts Express, hear the music we know & love 🎶 and turn the corner to see Hogwarts Castle for the very first time!🏰😭❤️ (or every time, let’s be honest!) Did You Know…

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