[Question] Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

[DoctorQ9]

I have seen several videos of the Enchanted Tales with Belle "mirror into doorway" effect and for the life of me I cannot figure out how the Imagineers pulled it off. Any ideas?

[Disneytwins]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

Magic.

[CatchAPairO]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

i cant find videos, can u share a link?

[Michael808702]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

I'm still trying to figure it out too, i tryed but cant even see the doorway line in the wall under the painting someone help, this is the first time i cant figure something out now its truly magic

[Greg Reid]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

i cant find videos, can u share a link?

go to 2:05

I'm impressed with the wardrobe aswell!

[DoctorQ9]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

The excellent Disney & More website has a collection of the videos:

http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/

[TravisMT81]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

I am dying to know as well!

[DisneyFreakEst1994]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

It looks like its obviously a mirror but it opens down the middle and the bottom border of the mirror probably drops into the floor to make it into the "portal"

[DoctorQ9]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

Does anyone know if these animatronics and effects were done "in-house" by Disney or by a contractor?

[Micoofy Duck]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

for me it's similar to Phiharmagic's giant stage that somehow disappears into the show and then drops down in a split second back in place.

[Bill]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

It's the same type of effect as the Haunted Mansion Stretching Rooms, just with horizontal movement as well. Quite simple really. Lots of things rolling out from inside the panels, and things lowering into the floor. A mix of TDS' Tower of Terror is thrown in as well.

[MickeysImagination]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

Does anyone know if these animatronics and effects were done "in-house" by Disney or by a contractor?

WDI has contracted with Garner Holt (see his articles here on MiceAge). Which is not a bad thing, as his company is small and has much of the desire to build great hints like the days at MAPO.

-Justin

[ScottG]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

As an engineer type it doesn't look simple to me. I think it's an extraordinary effect and I appreciate Greg's posting the link for us.
It will probably be a year or two before we get to see it.

[StevenW]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

It's not hard. It's smoke and mirrors. Its done in darkness so you don't see how its done. The door (portal) opens in the same way a elevator door opens. The timing is important.

[Disneytwins]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

WDI has contracted with Garner Holt (see his articles here on MiceAge). Which is not a bad thing, as his company is small and has much of the desire to build great hints like the days at MAPO.

Definitely agree. All AA stuff is now done by Garner Holt. This IMO is not bad since it's a group of folks who are very passionate about what they do and they do what they do really well.

[TimmyTimmyTimmy]

[AvanteGardens]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

Ok, so it works like stretching room in HM and its clear there is a horizontal seam right were the wood beam crosses behind the mirror in the middle, but where is the vertical seam? There is no architectural element to cover one up. Has anyone who has been to the attraction noticed a vertical line in the wall above and below the mirror? Is it just too faint to see in a video?

Update sep/18: Looking at some new pictures of it, I think the wall behind the mirror doesnt have to spread at all, the thing only widens by the width of the mirror frame, so just need the frame to be hollow and shift to the outside edge

[film975]

Re: Enchanted Tales with Belle -- How Does That Mirror Effect Work?

Disney still designs and programs their animatronics. Garner Holt just builds them.