Fresh off a press preview of the world's first Zootopia-themed land, set to open on Dec. 20, Shanghai Disney Resort granted China.org.cn a sneak peek to witness the wizardry of Disney's renowned Imagineers. These creative minds behind the magic are responsible for conjuring the wonders that have defined Disney parks, resorts and cruises for generations.

In a well-lit, spacious, and meticulously organized studio, He Di, show manager of Walt Disney Imagineering Shanghai, introduced a groundbreaking creation: The Tiki Bird. This Audio-Animatronics marvel draws inspiration from the iconic Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland's 1963 lineup and boasts a transparent shell with touch-sensitive interactive features. "The Tiki Bird pays tribute to our Imagineer predecessors," she said. "It is both a nod to our innovation legacy and a window into our technological future."

A photo captures the vibrant night view of Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia-themed land, set to welcome guests on Dec. 20, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Just as Walt Disney famously stated that it all started with a mouse, the history of Audio-Animatronics technology can also be traced back to a non-human friend, in this case, a bird. During a 1949 vacation in New Orleans, Walt stumbled upon an antique mechanical singing bird in a shop. He then tasked Wathel Rogers and other studio technicians to dismantle the bird in order to fully understand the mechanics behind its movements. This fascination eventually led to the development of prototype figures of their own avian friends. After extensive periods of creation and experimentation, The Enchanted Tiki Room made its debut in 1963, stocked with a range of Disney-designed mechanical birds, and Audio-Animatronics figures were born, or rather, hatched. From that point onward, Audio-Animatronics technology became an integral part of numerous Disney attractions, continually advancing in sophistication in rides worldwide such as Pirates of the Caribbean in Shanghai Disneyland, Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland, Spaceship Earth in EPCOT, and many more.

Transitioning from a mechanical engineer in the electricity sector to the world of Disney animation may seem improbable, but for Joshua Hong, now a senior show programmer at Walt Disney Imagineering Shanghai, it was a leap worth taking. He recalls overcoming initial skepticism when approached by Disney, saying, "But witnessing the blend of artistry and mechanics in their past projects? That changed everything. I hadn't realized machinery could possess such artistic flair and appear so lifelike."

A photo displays the Audio-Animatronics figure of the iconic Chief Bogo in Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia-themed land. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

In his role as a programming and debugging specialist, Hong serves as the bridge between the realms of high technology and artistic imagination. Ensuring the flawless operation of the intricate Audio-Animatronics figures – those lifelike robots that have been captivating park-goers for decades – is no small feat. Hong not only ensures their safe operation, but also collaborates with a team of animators to ensure that the meticulously crafted digital animations seamlessly translate into the physical world.

The team developed a Real-time Animation Control System incorporating the structural characteristics of the Audio-Animatronics figures into motion control algorithms, through which they were able to program and adjust the movements of various Zootopia figures, just as they were portrayed in the film.

During the preview, Imagineers showcased the intricate mechanisms powering Chief Bogo, the Cape buffalo and police chief from Zootopia, and Benjamin Clawhauser, the rotund cheetah dispatcher for the Zootopia Police Department, among many other Audio-Animatronics figures in the new land which have yet to be unveiled. In addition to creating life-size figures with the exact look they had in the film, the technology has also allowed their movements to be highly fluid. Even their eyes synchronize perfectly and naturally with their body movements and surroundings, blurring the line between animated fantasy and the real world.

A photo shows two Imagineers discussing the installation of Audio-Animatronics figures for Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia-themed land. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

For the Imagineers, it's not merely about machines and motion, it's an intricate ballet of design, programming, and storytelling. He Di elaborated on the meticulous crafting process, from the early designs courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios to the precise motion simulations that breathe life into these figures. The technological evolution is evident: gone are the days of pneumatic or hydraulic figures, replaced now with fully electric systems. "The figures of Zootopia represent our latest generation of Audio-Animatronics technology," she emphasized.

He Di added that fully electric systems significantly enhance the entire experience throughout to ensure the fluidity of the movement of the Audio-Animatronics figures and also their stability as they complete each set of motions. "The precision and accuracy in the movement of the figures have now reached a completely different level," she said.

Stuart Calder, principal show mechanical engineer at Walt Disney Imagineering, who dedicated the past two years in Shanghai to the Zootopia project, reflected on the broader journey, from blueprints to seeing the figures that they have been working on for years now come to life. Holding a figurine of a lemming, Calder shared insights into expanding minor film moments into memorable park experiences.

A behind-the-scenes photo captures an Imagineer testing the "hyper-tubes" used for Lemmings' movement in Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia-themed land. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

"We want our land to feel alive with the inhabitants of Zootopia," he said. "For example, there's a rather short part in the film when Judy Hopps is arriving in Zootopia, and we briefly see the Lemmings arriving through transportation tubes. We really wanted to take that idea and expand it in our land. Our guests are actually going to be able to see the Lemmings moving through the Zootopia Transit Authority, also known as 'hyper-tubes,' in the city, going to work, going past the cafe, the KTV. This is really a new method of animation that we haven't tried in any of our parks before, and it's going to create a really unique experience for the guests here in Shanghai."

As preparations for the launch advance, the three Imagineers eagerly await the unveiling of Zootopia. They emphasized the synergy of authentic Disney magic with narratives that resonate with Chinese audiences. He Di believes it presents a very idealized and utopian world. Moreover, Zootopia closely resembles the city where she was born and raised — just as Shanghai and all metropolises embrace diversity, Zootopia is a city populated with inhabitants with diverse backgrounds and skills.

He Di still remembers encountering the term "Audio-Animatronics technology" over a decade ago, but not fully comprehending it at the time. After extensive research, she was astonished and came to understand that Disney is not merely an entertainment giant; it's also a beacon of innovation.

A photo shows the Audio-Animatronics figure of Koslov standing guard at the entrance to Fashions by Fru Fru in Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia-themed land. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

In classic Imagineering fashion, as they began to envision how guests at Shanghai Disneyland would react to their figures, they reactivated The Tiki Bird, which entertained them with a dance to Stevie Wonder's "Superstition." Laughter filled the room.

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