Details on Lucky the Dinosaur

[Figment!]

Lucky the Dinosaur has now made its trip from the west coast to the Animal Kingdom. An after hours test was reported as being conducted on 4-6-05.

Lucky will be part of Chester & Hester's Dinorama in Dinoland at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The cart the Lucky pulls has now been fitted with a large plaque that reads "Chester & Hester Present Lucky" as a thematic tie in to the area.

Specifically Lucky will be greeting guests in the area across from TriceraTop Spin. Lucky will preform 5 showings daily at ~30 min per showing. Lucky's guests interaction will consist of that typical to a meet and greet, Lucky will be able to take pictures with the guests and even sign autographs. One thing to note with autographs is that Lucky has a rather large one, so make sure you have a decently large autograph space. Lucky is also able to interact with the guests in a number of other ways and even sneeze. There is a guide that will accompany Lucky for guest assistance, but Lucky is completely autonomous on its own.

[riding_big_thunder]

Cool, I wish we were getting Lucky for longer!

[xipetotec]

WHAT?! graemlins/doubleeek.gif From May to July!??!!?!


Now THAT TAKES THE CAKE!!! Why like 3 months?!?!

[DisRuss]

Oh My.... he can sign autographs. That is truly some amazing mechanical engineering.

[Figment!]

Originally posted by xipetotec:
Why like 3 months?!?! I've found that confusing aswell, although I have also heard that the 3 month tenure at Walt Disney World is the first leg of bigger tour. Post July 2005, Lucky is rumored to be making stops at Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Sea, and Hong Kong Disneyland.

[WEDTOPIA]

I'm looking forward to seeing Lucky this Summer. I only wish it was a permanent feature at AK. graemlins/crying.gif

Seems to me ,this would be something worth duplicating for each Disney resort around the globe. The technology wall has been broken and the adaptation has been field tested ,why not run with it ?

graemlins/mickey.gif

[Figment!]

***Update***

Previews of Lucky are rumored to begin April 21st. These will be practice runs in preparation of the Grand Debut on May 6th. The number and length of appearance during the previews will be as needed, so during the previews Lucky may or may not be making five 30 min appearances each day.

***Updated Update***

It has been confirmed that Lucky was in the parks today (April 21)

[ April 21, 2005, 11:51 PM: Message edited by: Figment! ]

[gonk12]

I can't wait to see this thing! I'm in awe... even just watching the video.

[GoofysGal15]

The 21st is our last day there! We will have to make our last day at AK then!

Thanks for the info!!

[SurferStitch]

Cool! Can't wait to see him. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[goofy for pluto]

Sounds very :cool: !!
I wish that Lucky could be in AK all the time too!
It seems the perfect park for him to call home. smile.gif

[pdrlkr]

We can't wait to check him out! graemlins/thumbsup.gif graemlins/mickey.gif

[Figment!]

Walt Disney World Press Release


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Lucky is playful, affectionate, responds to his name, loves his toys and weighs a healthy 450 lbs. Lucky is a dinosaur: an Audio-Animatronics dinosaur and the first Disney character of its type to walk freely and personally interact with children and families.

After a prototype test period in California, Lucky the Dinosaur will make his "on stage" debut at Walt Disney World Resort in May 2005, kicking off a 3-month visit to the theme park.

Lucky's new habitat? DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom, of course, where he'll be cared for by Chester and Hester Diggs, the wacky "proprietors" of Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama! a "mini-land" with midway games and rides.

When he made his first appearance at Disney's California Adventure, Lucky the Dinosaur had crowds in "prehysterics." No bones about it, he's one of several high-profile attractions being imported to Walt Disney World Resort from Disney theme parks around the world in 2005 as the Florida Vacation Kingdom honors the "Happiest Celebration on Earth," a global salute to 50 years of Disney theme parks.

After five years of experimentation, Walt Disney Imagineers in 2003 unveiled this major breakthrough in the creativity and technology of Audio-Animatronics figures known throughout Disney theme parks. Up until then, these figures could sing, talk, move and duel with swords -- but they could not walk freely. With this latest innovation, Audio-Animatronics figures have the capability to walk and move independently.

"Lucky the Dinosaur represents a leap in our ability to deliver stories in ways that are personal, up-close and interactive -- and as a result, more magical," said Bruce Vaughn, vice president of Research and Development, Walt Disney Imagineering.

The next-generation Audio-Animatronics figure is the latest step in the technology pioneered in Disney theme parks 40 years ago. In 1963, singing birds and flowers made their debut at The Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland Resort. Some of the best-loved Audio-Animatronics figures found in Disney theme parks and resorts today are Mr. Lincoln, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Hopper the grasshopper from "It's Tough to be a Bug."

Advances in computers, software, miniaturization and electric actuation, combined with determination and creativity, enabled Imagineers to achieve what many said simply could not be done. By shifting the technology behind Audio-Animatronics figures from hydraulic to electric, Imagineers "freed" the figures from large hydraulic pumps and motors.

Lucky the Dinosaur is the latest innovation of the "Living Characters" initiative of Walt Disney Imagineering -- a focus on creating increasingly life-like characters capable of engaging in personalized experiences with guests. Lucky was created by a team of engineers, animators, computer programmers and artists.

Lucky walks on two legs, stands approximately 9 feet tall and measures 12 feet long. He loves people and balloons. Lucky can laugh, sneeze, snort, grin, bray, bellow and occasionally get hiccups.

Walt Disney Imagineering is the unique innovative organization that creates -- from concept through construction -- all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, cruise ships, real estate developments and regional entertainment venues worldwide. Imagineering's unique strength comes from the teamwork and syntheses of more than 1,400 creative and technical professionals representing more than 140 diverse disciplines.

[Nana]

We were there the week of April 7-14 and we saw Lucky. I have pictures of Brad with Lucky and we have an autograph. graemlins/muscles.gif

[LarryBoy]

Will Lucky be there till the end of July? If so then yay! graemlins/muscles.gif :D graemlins/thumbsup.gif Because we'll be there in late July, and he sounds really cool.

[Figment!]

According to the press release above, he will be there till the end of July. No actual end date has been given though...

[wedenterprises]

Originally posted by Figment!:
Walt Disney World Press Release


Lucky the Dinosaur is the latest innovation of the "Living Characters" initiative of Walt Disney Imagineering -- a focus on creating increasingly life-like characters capable of engaging in personalized experiences with guests.
[/QUOTE]

I wonder if they would like to have Mickey & Co. as walking, talking robots. i'm sure many kids wonder why mickey can't talk. it would also be cool if pirates in POTC could run around and chase you haha.

[tommy-m]

That is so cool - how does it work - is there a covert CM nearby like with PUSH the talking bin in Tomorrowland?

T graemlins/mickey.gif