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Disney Imagineering unveils most advanced audio-animatronics yet

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disney louis audio-animatronic

New figures will be used in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disney parks

Walt Disney Imagineering is showcasing its most advanced audio-animatronic figures to date, which will feature in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disney’s US parks.

In the new ‘We Call It Imagineering’ video series on YouTube, Imagineering shared a first look at audio-animatronic figures of Tiana, Louis, Mama Odie, Prince Ralphie and Byhalia the beaver.

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney’s parks division, says in the video: “Walt challenged us to stay curious, to dream big and to always be thinking about the future. And that’s what’s happening right here, every day, as we turbocharge our destinations around the globe.”

New figures for Tiana attraction

Bruce Vaughn, chief creative officer at Imagineering, says:”As Imagineers we know our end product isn’t gears or circuits or revolutionary robotic figures that engage with guests in brand new ways, it’s actually emotion in its truest form.

“That’s why we do what we do, and we’re excited to be sharing this with you.”

Riders on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will take a musical adventure through the bayou with Tiana, Naveen and Louis. They will also meet audio-animatronic animals playing songs from the film.

Set after the events of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2009 film The Princess and the Frog, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replaces the former Splash Mountain log flume ride.

“It’s an exciting time right now at Walt Disney Imagineering, and it’s an exciting time for the Walt Disney Company. I’m incredibly proud of the ambition of our Imagineers and the future is bright,” D’Amaro said while visiting the Imagineering offices in Glendale this week.

On how Imagineers bring magic to Disney parks, CEO Bob Iger added: “It’s this unbelievable balanced relationship between art and technology. And when I think about Imagineering, that’s exactly what happens here.”

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure debuts at Walt Disney World this summer, and later this year at Disneyland

Images courtesy of Disney

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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