Disney and Universal have both published patents for new advanced ride systems featuring more interactive and unique experiences. Details of the patents were first shared by Orlando Business Journal. Disney’s Rider Control System The Disney patent (figure above) is for a “rider-controlled amusement park ride” with a force sensor in the vehicle that guests can … Read more
Universal Destinations & Experiences filed a patent for an interactive ride system that would give guests a customized experience. Universal’s Custom Ride System Patent The patent, titled “Choreographed Ride Systems and Methods,” is a continuation of their previous carousel patent. It describes a system that may “adjust a trajectory or traveled course of the ride … Read more
Disney has filed a patent for a new two-dimensional guiding system that could change points of view on a water flume ride. The patent’s images hint at a possible “Moana”-inspired ride. Potential ‘Moana’ Water Flume Ride Patent The patent, named “Guided boat with external discrete yaw control,” was filed in 2020 and published in 2024. … Read more
Disney has filed two new interesting patents, Orlando Business Journal shared. The first is for a ride system that could easily move ride vehicles from one kind of track to another, while the other involves walking robots. Ride System Patent This image is from the “Transferring a Passenger Compartment Between Ride Systems Using Robotic Tool … Read more
Universal Destinations & Experiences has filed a patent for improving stunt safety in theme park attractions, Orlando Business Journal shared. The patent is titled “Systems for Reducing High Fall Stunt Injuries When Using an Airbag.” It describes a system that utilizes a platform to determine a performer’s weight before they fall from the elevated platform … Read more
Universal Parks & Resorts has filed two more patents to potentially expand the interactive wand experience at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Orlando Business Journal shared the details of the two patents: The goal of the first patent seems to be to improve on the pre-existing system in place for interactive wands at The … Read more
Disney has filed a patent for flying robots that would be powered with a hybrid and air and water, Orlando Business Journal reports. The patent is for an “Untethered robot with hybrid air and water power for hovering and quick airborne movements.” It describes how they could control the movements of a flying robot through … Read more
Disney has patented technology for a new kind of water ride that could be implemented at Disney Parks in the near future. As Disney states in the patent, water rides are some of the most memorable attractions but rarely utilize new technology and are tame compared to roller-coasters. Flume rides like Splash Mountain are designed … Read more
Disney has filed a patent for a possible AR or VR attraction that would not require guests to wear 3D glasses or other headgear. The system would utilize a projection screen and beamsplitter, carefully positioned around a physical scenic space to create the virtual object — reminiscent of the Pepper’s Ghost effect used in the … Read more
Universal Studios has filed an interesting patent titled “Edible soft robotic systems and methods” for edible inflatable objects. The patent describes how these edible objects would be attached to a container and inflate using a fluid conduit. Here is the abstract: An edible soft robot system may be used to display and/or interact with edible … Read more
Walt Disney Imagineering is known for innovation, but Imagineer Lanny Smoot has reached a milestone never before reached by any other in the company with the issuing of his 100th US patent. From Disney Parks Blog: We are excited to report that longtime Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development Imagineer and Disney Research Fellow Lanny … Read more
When we reported on the free-roaming Groot animatronic, we mentioned that Imagineers were working on eyes that will be able to recognize guests. A Disney patent application published April 29, 2021 explains one way Imagineers could add natural eye contact and facial recognition to animatronic figures. “Eye Contact Sensing and Control for Robotic Characters” describes … Read more
Disney has filed a patent for a new multimedia system that would transform a room into an interactive show. The abstract describes the technology as follows: A show system or in-room entertainment or show system configured to provide engaging and immersive multimedia shows or presentations in nearly any space (or “room”) that is defined by … Read more
Disney has filed a patent for “smart fixtures supporting visual merchandise designers with remote monitoring, control, and reprogramming.” The abstract of the permit is as follows: A merchandise fixture system networking a visual merchandise designer (VIVID) system with a plurality of merchandise fixtures (e.g., shelved structures, vending machines, kiosks, and the like) that are placed … Read more