Disney Imagineering updates on Tropical Americas for Animal Kingdom and Tiana animatronics on new YouTube Series
Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro have been very vocal about the company’s ambitious plans to “turbocharge” Disney Experiences, but now they’re also sharing Imagineering news in an all-new YouTube series.
“We Call It Imagineering” debuts today on Imagineering’s YouTube channel, with the first episode providing a behind-the-scenes look at the Tiana, Mama Odie, Ralphie, and Louis Audio-Animatronics for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (opening this summer at Walt Disney World and later this year at Disneyland).
The episode shares that Walt Disney’s initial inspiration for Audio-Animatronics was a tiny mechanical bird that he and his wife Lillian bought on a trip to New Orleans—a fitting introduction to an episode about the figures in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which also takes place in New Orleans.
“We’ve gone from that little bird to […] some of the most exciting innovations in Audio-Animatronics you’re ever going to see,” said Imagineering Story Editor Dave Fisher. “And the greatest examples of them are the figures created for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.”
BDX Droids Return to Disneyland
Another ongoing Imagineering project we reported on last year is the trio of companion BDX Droids that were out and about last year in Galaxy’s Edge.
It seems these guys have been eager to return to Disneyland because they’re scheduled to make daily appearances in Black Spire Outpost during Season of the Force (April 5 through June 2, 2024).
Walt Disney World Updates
In more Imagineering news, Disney has revealed concept art and designs for the Tropical Americas area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
In the short video clip shared on Instagram, Imagineer Neil literally pulls back a curtain to show 3D models of what looks like the Casa Madrigal from “Encanto.”
Neil explains that Imagineers traveled to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to study the culture, art, and archeology of the Maya. He also said the models “help visualize the stories we’re trying to tell to bring the fantastical and magical to life” (a direct reference to the lyrics of “The Family Madrigal” song from the movie).
For a look at the “Beyond Big Thunder” expansion for Magic Kingdom, check out our story here:
