How Walt Disney Imagineering (Including Retired Splash Mountain Animatronics) Inspired 'Hoppers'

Walt Disney Imagineering shared a video about how their work with Audio-Animatronics inspired the technology Pixar’s new film Hoppers.

Walt Disney Imagineering and Hoppers

The video features Reona of Show Mechanical Engineering highlighting some of the technological details in the Hoppers trailer that are directly inspired by Walt Disney Imagineering. She notes that the trailer shows eyeballs and other (fake) animal parts falling out of a crate, something that’s “definitely happened here” at the Imagineering lab.

The robotic beaver in Hoppers is crafted with a 3D printer and Walt Disney Imagineering has several 3D printers of their own, including the large “Itchy” and “Scratchy.” Reona pointed out a prototype of what appears to be a gazelle head.

She also noticed robotic birds visible in the background of the trailer, clearly inspired by retired animatronics hanging out at Walt Disney Imagineering. These include Zazu from the Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management and some Splash Mountain birds.

A variety of birds from the now-closed Splash Mountain overlook Imagineers as they work. One has been stripped of its outer skin, revealing the inner mechanics and beak.

Watch Walt Disney Imagineering’s video below.

Hoppers is now in theaters. Watch the trailer below.