100 US Navy Sailors and Marines Get an Unexpected Disneyland Day
Disney family members express differing opinions on the new animatronic representation of Walt Disney, with one grandchild deeming it as dehumanizing.
It's not every day you find yourself surrounded by Mickey Mouse and his pals, especially when you're a military dude. But that's exactly what happened to 100 U.S. Navy sailors and Marines, who scored a surprise field day at Disneyland. While there, they enjoyed exploring the park and taking part in Disneyland's daily flag ceremony. Talk about a welcome break from the usual rigors! (Walt Disney Company via AP)
A new animatronic of iconic American innovator Walt Disney is in the works, but not everyone's on board with the idea. Walt's granddaughter, Joanna Miller, took a swipe at it in a viral Facebook post, claiming it's "dehumanizing." She argued that her grandfather never wanted to be commemorated this way, citing a conversation with early Disney Imagineer Sam McKim.
Miller later had a chat with Disney CEO Bob Iger and the Imagineering team to see the project for herself. Despite expressing her concerns, the animatronic left her feeling unimpressed. Nevertheless, the family seems divided on the matter.
As for the animatronic itself, Miller couldn't help but tear up upon seeing it. She told the L.A Times, "It didn't look like him, to me." She penned a letter to Iger, expressing her fear that visitors would remember the robot, rather than the man himself. She felt it would do more harm than good to Disney's legacy.
Imagineer Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz stated that they've yet to find any documentation proving Disney ever explicitly stated he didn't want an animatronic. He did emphasize that their research indicates Disney would have appreciated the technological advancements the animatronic showcases.
The Disney Family Museum has spoken up in support of the animatronic, inviting grandchildren of Disney for a sneak peek into the production. They also provided guidance in hopes of accurately representing Disney's style throughout the project.
One grandson, Chris Miller, praised the advancements in audio-animatronic technology, stating that he left the preview confident that the animatronic would offer an accurate representation of their grandfather as he was known to the general public.
Tamara Miller, another granddaughter, expressed similar sentiments, stating that having the attraction at the park created by Disney would be the ideal setting to educate people about the man behind the legend.
In closing, the debate over the new Walt Disney animatronic reflects differing opinions on how best to honor a cultural icon. As technology continues to evolve, the line between innovation and commercialization becomes even more blurred.
Celebrities and pop-culture enthusiasts might find themselves divided about the upcoming animatronic of Walt Disney, as Joanna Miller, his granddaughter, has expressed concerns about its dehumanizing nature. General-news outlets, meanwhile, are reporting on the ongoing debates within the Disney family regarding the accuracy and impact of the animatronic, with some grandchildren praising its technological advancements and potential for preserving Disney's public image in a new way.
