New technology could be on its way to animatronics at Disney parks.
Disney recently filed a new patent application focusing on combining projection systems and sensors with real-time rendering applications to make more responsive and realistic-looking animatronics.
Disney filed a new patent application (US18/592,863) that describes a system that would project faces or content onto a “mechanically animated surface” like an animatronic. The projection would update in real-time as the animatronic moves.
Essentially, the system would figure out how the animatronic is oriented, and then a rendering engine would create the next frames based on live updates and various sensor inputs. While this happens, the rendering engine can send instructions to the animatronic’s control system, triggering it to move in sync with the projection.
The patent was filed on March 1st, 2024, but was published on September 4th, 2025. Alfredo Medina Ayala, Jr., Nicholas Daniel Gathany, Jonathan Bogie, Brent Yuzo Uramoto, Douglas Fidaleo, and Joel Peavy are listed as the inventors on the patent with Disney Enterprises, Inc. as the assignee.
This patent could lead to huge upgrades in how we see animatronics at Disney World and beyond. Imagine more realistic figures that are able to move and respond more based on what is happening in the environment around them.
Paired with advancements in mechanical animatronics like we’ve seen with the new Walt Disney animatronic at Disneyland, this technology could be a game-changer for Disney parks across the globe.
In addition to the new Walt Disney animatronic at Disneyland, Disney recently announced that a Walt Disney animatronic would be added to the Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom!
After more than 30 years, the attraction will have a brand new intro… featuring Walt Disney himself! AND Disney even shared concept art of what this intro will look like.
“We are grateful to The Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney Imagineering for their continued collaboration and ongoing partnership with The Walt Disney Family Museum. The introduction of a new Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney in ‘Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress’ marks an exciting milestone in our shared mission to celebrate the story of the man behind the magic and inspire new generations with his innovations and vision for the future. We appreciate the continued efforts and meticulous care that Imagineering has taken to keep Walt’s legacy alive,” Kirsten Komoroske, Executive Director of the Walt Disney Family Museum, said.
We’ll be on the lookout for more updates on this patent and the latest technology coming to Disney parks. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney news!
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What do you think of the new technology? Let us know in the comments.
This is already being used at epic universe. Dr Frankenstein’s face on some of the animatronics, is projection mapped over the top of a moving face.
You mean the technology that WDW has used in the 5 singing heads of Haunted Mansion and other places since ages? The key of the patent seems be a simulation reacting to the visitors/viewers actions and behaviour. But given the average silliness of visitors, I’am not sure this will be a positive enhancement
Sounds similar to what Universal is doing at Epic Universe with Monsters Unchained.