[Question] Why are the Big Grizzly animatronic bears so crude?

[DoctorQ9]

I know that Disney can fabricate and program some awesome animatronics, but the ones in the new Big Grizzly attraction seem like something made for a Six Flags ride.


Which leads to my question -- are the animatronic bears this crude because of cultural sensitivities? Is the bear symbolic of something in Asian cultures that would regard a realistic depiction of them as rude or insulting?

[SirEdge]

Re: Why are the Big Grizzly animatronic bears so crude?

I guess my first reaction to this is to ask by what you mean by crude? In what ways is it crude?

I find the bear on the first lift rather charming - at least based on all the videos that have been shared so far. The last one just before returning to the loading bay, we don't really get a good look at from most of the videos.

[MactheMan]

Re: Why are the Big Grizzly animatronic bears so crude?

I know that Disney can fabricate and program some awesome animatronics, but the ones in the new Big Grizzly attraction seem like something made for a Six Flags ride.

Why do people feel the need to make the most nonsensical comparisons to Six Flags Parks?

[HKDLFAN]

Re: Why are the Big Grizzly animatronic bears so crude?

I know that Disney can fabricate and program some awesome animatronics, but the ones in the new Big Grizzly attraction seem like something made for a Six Flags ride.
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Which leads to my question -- are the animatronic bears this crude because of cultural sensitivities? Is the bear symbolic of something in Asian cultures that would regard a realistic depiction of them as rude or insulting?

Having been on the ride personally last month, I find no problem with the bear animatronics. They're not "crude" at all. This is Disney we're talking about so these AAs fit just right in. And there's not any cultural factor involved either with the bears (unless if you include Pandas, but that's something else entirely). And that Six Flags comparison doesn't really work in this case. However, Mystic Manor's AAs should be controversial - from what's been seen from concept art, the ride looks like it will be full of heavily stylized and cartoony AAs.

[Witches of Morva]

Re: Why are the Big Grizzly animatronic bears so crude?

ORDDU: The animatronic bears look just fine to your cauldron girls, too. From what we've seen after conjuring them up inside our crystal ball, we find nothing to complain about. If anything, Disney Imagineers are to be congratulated by the fine work they did on them.

[BlAcKoUt510]

Re: Why are the Big Grizzly animatronic bears so crude?

Why do people feel the need to make the most nonsensical comparisons to Six Flags Parks?

Thank you. It happens way to often here.


I personally think the bear looks charming and is supposed to look cartoony as the ride itself has a pretty silly story with bears blowing up dynamite and more

[MANEATINGWREATH]

Re: Why are the Big Grizzly animatronic bears so crude?

They're a perfect mix between cartoon and reality, somewhat of a modernized take on Marc Davis' artwork and ideas for Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland.

[ChrisFL]

Re: Why are the Big Grizzly animatronic bears so crude?

Yes, I'm sure all of the Hong Kong residents are well aware of the Six Flags parks :bang:

[MANEATINGWREATH]

Re: Why are the Big Grizzly animatronic bears so crude?

I've come to the rather negative conclusion that no one will ever be fully content with a Disney theme park. Regardless of your status as a fan, guest, or mega-fan, there will always be something wrong in someone's eyes. But you know what. That's why Disney forums exist. There needs to be a place where various fans are able to debate about what they care for and what they don't care for. This is why MiceChat is so great. There's always room for a debate and always room for opinions. But...sometimes there's a point where it just gets annoying. Six Flags is in no way any kind of comparison for a Disney theme park. Have you seen Six Flags animatronics?

Kudos to Six Flags Over Georgia for actually having a respectable Fantasyland-style dark ride. But do you see any comparison between Big Grizzly Mountain's grizzly bears and the monster figures seen in the Monster Mansion? I don't. That's just my two cents. Forgive my negativity, but I feel as if I needed to say something. I'm usually one to hold in my opinions, but this time I felt the need to admit it haha.

[k_peek_2000]

Re: Why are the Big Grizzly animatronic bears so crude?

I know that Disney can fabricate and program some awesome animatronics, but the ones in the new Big Grizzly attraction seem like something made for a Six Flags ride.

Nope, and that could be the problem. Disney usually hires outside companies now to design the super structure and fabricate their animatronics like Garner Holt Productions (see Radiator Springs Racers, Little Mermaid, Fantastmic's Dragons (TDS, DL), New Fantasyland, ect.). Perhaps this time they went with a less experienced company based in China, or perhaps they just tried to save a buck or two with more simplistic designs.

[SirEdge]

Re: Why are the Big Grizzly animatronic bears so crude?

Actually, who did make theses AAs? I'd always thought they were Garnet Holt AAs?

[Rave]

Re: Why are the Big Grizzly animatronic bears so crude?

Garner Holt has an exclusive deal with WDI. They are the sole providers of animatronics to the Walt Disney Co.