Talking Mickey debuts at Walt Disney World
The Talking Mickey character that debuted at Disneyland last year finally has made his way east, to Town Square Theater at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
Word on the [Main] Street (at least out here on the west coast) is that the Talking Mickey actually requires two cast members, one in the suit and another in an audio/video booth to do the voice. (Think Turtle Talk With Crush but with a walking Mickey character, I'm told.) This limits Talking Mickey to established indoor meet and greet locations, such as Toontown at Disneyland or a defined D23 meet area (the only other places we've seen him until this week in Orlando). That means Talking Mickey costs a lot more on tech and labor costs for the company to put out there than a "regular" Mickey.
But if that makes a visit with Mickey a more popular attraction for Disney guests and would-be Disney guests, Talking Mickey would be more than worth the extra investment.
Now we sit back and wait for the inevitable YouTube of Mickey verbally smacking down some hecklers....
Replies (11)
Terrifying. Kill it with fire.
Nobody does it better than Disney.
Awesome!
How does the cast member in the suit know what the other one in the audio booth is going to say and coordinate their actions to the speech? Is there a delay they can hear?
Now I can understand the need for a fastpass for this visit with this Mickey Mouse.
Nick, I've had a couple of people try to explain this process to me, and, frankly, I still don't understand it.
Looks awesome and promising. It would be even better if the same technology can be applied to other characters (i.e. Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Daisy, etc.)
Okay, am I the only person who finds this entirely creepy?
Another example of Disney's commitment to interactivity at its theme parks. Whether it is a thoughtful word from a cast member at a popcorn cart, a guest being pulled from an audience to participate in one of the shows or a chat between Mickey and a child, the interaction that immerses the guest into the "show" is why Walt Disney World is the gold standard for themed entertainment.
I am so THERE!
I think this will be a hit with adults too. Hearing Mickey say your name, that is priceless!
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Now I wanna go to MK! Meh, Ill be there sometime soon :P