I've worked with Imagineers on some projects in the last few years. Not a lot I can say publicly, other than it really was interesting to see how much effort goes into creating and preserving a specific theme/mood/vibe for the rides. Textures, colors, smells, finishes.
Stuff that usually only gets a passing acknowledgement in other projects (eg: we'd prefer if the [thing] could be painted to match the walls) becomes "Can we completely disassemble [thing] and embed its components into [other thing]?" Guest experience, and safety, receive a lot of attention, which creates some fun problems to solve.
Disney's secret sauce when it comes to parks / experiences always seems to be that extra layer of polish and effort. One of those things that you maybe couldn't list all the details you did, but you absolutely know is there in the background somehow.
I had a tour of Imagineering nearly a decade ago, and it was truly magical, leaving a lasting impression on me. It felt akin to what I imagine Xerox PARC or Bell Labs were like in their heydays.
Mythbusters, Grant, taught me that just dorking around and trying things is as much a part of engineering when it comes to smart people as it is for anyone else.
I always assumed they just "did the math" and knew what to do, but rather when just trying things like anyone else they can discover some surprises and solutions that they don't expect.
Kinda stopped me in my tracks a bit. Nice to see him and his contributions noted, as I'm going to guess that they were more significant than the task in the photo.
Yeah, seeing his picture here was a bit bittersweet - it caught me unsurprised, and hit like a gut punch, but it's good to see he's remembered and his legacy lives on
If they're heavily armed and hard to destroy then most humans might not have a choice whether or not to accept them regardless of whether they're cute and fluffy or barebones metal soldiers.
Readit News
https://patents.google.com/patent/US10065127B1/en
As well as their HoloTile moving floor/omnidirectional treadmill, which has gotten significant press recently: https://www.fastcompany.com/91019277/a-disney-imagineer-expl...
Stuff that usually only gets a passing acknowledgement in other projects (eg: we'd prefer if the [thing] could be painted to match the walls) becomes "Can we completely disassemble [thing] and embed its components into [other thing]?" Guest experience, and safety, receive a lot of attention, which creates some fun problems to solve.
https://www.disneyplus.com/series/the-imagineering-story/6ry...
And going way back, Epcot plans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLCHg9mUBag
AMA.
I always assumed they just "did the math" and knew what to do, but rather when just trying things like anyone else they can discover some surprises and solutions that they don't expect.
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And it involves FLUDD's hover mode.
Sometimes the universe just seems committed to making you smile.
but I really feel there's a missed opportunity there, to come up with something that abbreviates to "S.P.L.A.T." rather then "R.U.E.D." ;)
- Spontaneous Pieces Leaving And Tumbling
- Surprising Pieces Launching And Toppling
RUDE
or, from the Kerbal Space Program fanbase: lithobraking (as opposed to aerobraking)
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In satellites there are ways to de-spin the reaction wheels, using alternative sources of torque, e.g. the earth's magnetic field
But they might look like the Mouse.