Remember that episode of The Simpsons where the family gets to go to Itchy & Scratchy Land? If you don't it all ends up with the robots going rogue & attacking everyone in the park. If that sounds awesome you're in luck. Chip & Company has brought up a patent application Disney filed Thursday. It's contents? "Designing a robot that will move & physically interact like an animated character." With a picture that resembles Big Hero 6's Baymax, the patent also states the soft-bodied robots would be "designed for reducing collision impacts during human interaction." Obviously safety first, as the last thing we want is an incident even a fraction of the aforementioned Simpsons incident. Disney refused to comment on the patent or the robots. I find myself at a crossroads on this one. I've always somewhat envied the people who get to dress as my favorite cartoons & entertain the masses. On the same note though, I've had to agree with my daughters on the fact that none of our costumed friends talk. I'm also sure that you don't have to pay the robots is another plus for the house of mouse as well. Okay that said, I've gotta say, this does excite me. I'm for anything that further distorts reality & expands the magic. If that means I can have the same interaction with the cartoons that I do with the Princesses & Princes, bring it on! What do you think? Progress or not? Let us know in the comments.
More On Pandora-The World of Avatar's Na'vi Translators
Want to go to Pandora but don't know how to speak the language of the natives? Disney Parks blog says don't worry they've got it figured out. They released more information on the Na'vi translator that will be available at "Windtraders" in Pandora: The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. They have merchandise product developer Cody Hampton saying this about the device, "This device was originally developed by Alpha Centauri Expeditions founder Marshall Lamm. The Na'vihave no written language, so the translator will be a helpful tool for any human visiting Pandora. Guests using the translator can learn how to pronounce 90 Na'vi words using interchangeable translation cards. The device also lights up at night, which makes it perfect for nighttime explorations on Pandora." The article went on to say that the translator will be sold in a set that comes with 15 translation cards, and that there will be additional cards sold in trading packs that will include 8 randomly selected cards. There will be nouns, adjectives, animals, landscapes, phrases, plants, and gear. They were all based on audio recordings from Lightstorm Entertainment and Dr. Paul Frommer, the creator of the actual Na'vi language used in Avatar. So, looks like we have one more thing we have to get when we go to Pandora. Official opening day is May 27th and we'll be there. I can't wait to tell you how this thing works. What do you think you think? Is this a cool addition for the park to be even more interactive? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to like and share.
Virtual Queues the Future for Disney?
While virtual queues may not be the future in the actual theme parks, the word from Chipandco.com is that Disney will be trying out a new virtual queue system in both of their water parks Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. They said this will not be like a "fast pass" where you can choose when you're coming back at what time, but more like waiting for a table at Olive Garden. In which it's a pager system where you're to be notified when it's your time to return to the queue. It's going to be unveiled on April 7th and is said to include Typhoon Lagoon's "Miss Adventure Falls" as well as "Summit Plummet" and the "Downhill Double Dipper" at Blizzard Beach. While this isn't going to be rolled out past the water parks as of right now, I know I personally would love to see this in the theme parks. What do you think of this new addition? Fast passes or virtual queues? Don't forget to like and leave a comment below to let us know.
CEO Bob Iger Favors AR Over VR in Disney Parks
LA Times reports that Bob Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Company, while speaking at a USC Marshall and Annenberg event in Santa Monica on Thursday said no way to virtual reality. A lot of parks in the states are using virtual reality to soup up all their old roller coasters that no one's really riding anymore. Much like myself, he favors an augmented reality over a virtual reality opening your view to the world where you can look around yourself, & not be closed off to what's around you. He went on to enlighten us on the fact that he spends each Tuesday afternoon at a Disney engineering lab sporting a head worn device that enables him to hold a lightsaber and duel away with a stormtrooper. I know this would be a personal dream of myself. Yet it also makes me wonder how he gets anything else done with the abilty to do this? The only other details was his want to make the device lighter & smaller. Stupid question, but would you want to fight stormtroopers with lightsabers in AR?
"The Music of Pixar Live" Coming to Hollywood Studios
Diskingdom.com reported that Disney has announced "The Music of Pixar Live!: A Symphony of Characters". This show will happen in Hollywood Studios starting May 26. It will be 3 times a night following the daytime performances of "Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage". It will feature a live symphony playing your favorite songs & score segments from every Pixar movie from "Toy Story" to "Cars 3". They will also be accompanied by appearances from various Pixar characters. Sound exciting? I'm pumped. What do you hope this symphonic event includes? Characters? Songs? Let us know in the comments...
Egg-stravaganza Returning to Disneyland
Disneyland is bringing back the Egg-stravaganza for the fifth year. Basically a Easter egg hunt on steroids, it will take place from April 1-16, 2017. Cost for the event taking place at Disneyland Park, California Adventure Park, & the Downtown Disney District is 5.99 plus tax, not including Park ticket prices of course. That gets you a map & stickers to search for Disney & Pixar themed eggs. When you find them you attach the correspondingsticker to the map. Afterwards you take your map to a redemption location for a surprise. Florida, they didn't forget you as the Egg-stravaganza is also a part of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival through May 29, 2017 as well. I haven't done this particular one, but I have done a few of these scavenger hunts around the parks. They are definitely fun for the whole family & give yet one more aspect to enjoying the Happiest Place in the World.
