The new more expressive Dopey.

It’s been a little while since I did any Disney updating here. But I just saw a video for the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride at WDW.  Specifically for the new Animatronic figures inside.

You can check out the video below.  I have to say, I’m pretty impressed. I’ve not been a big fan of some of the other “projection faces” I’ve seen, but these really look like they’re getting the hang of it. 

It’s a technique that began with Madame Leota inside the crystal ball in the Haunted Mansion.  Then moved into the tech used for the car faces on Radiator Springs Racers.  And they work well on those because neither of them are traditional presentations of human faces. So the flatter and slightly backlit quality works.

But they’ve also tried it on some other figures. And honestly, I’m blanking on where I saw it now. I want to say the Little Mermaid attraction at DCA. But not totally sure.  At that point, it was cool, but looked like a video screen on an otherwise analog figure.

I think they’ve worked that out much better with these new dwarfs. Video can be deceiving though, so I’m anxious to see them in person.  Next time I’m booked in Florida for gigs. 🙂

You can see in the picture above that the skin tones still don’t quite match.  And a lot of that will have to do with lighting too. But the face is pinker than the ears.  And another you’ll see in the video below looks too gray.

We’ll soon be seeing the same tech at Disneyland in California as they’re going through all five Fantasyland dark rides with upgrades to the Animatronics.

I’ll admit, I’ll miss some of the quaintness of the old figures, but these ones should be a kick to see.

Check out the video below and let me know what you think.