4/28: Feeling Lucky?

[Al Lutz]

MouseAdventure's creator brings you free games for Disneyland & Walt Disney World, Plus: FastPass & Lucky the Dino updates. Discuss this article here!

[MickeyMania]

Walking talking AAs could be the most popular experience with children since the zoo crew rubberheads, as long as they're just out there walking around and doing their thing with a couple handlers to watch out for them. But an entire stage show? No thanks.

I kind of liked Lucky better in his prototype form, a large skeletal walking robot with two LCD monitors strapped up front that displayed an animation that looked like eyeballs blinking and moving around. I remember when they started showing it on those Travel Channel docu-pitches.

[dcaffey]

"Preachy Flights of Wonder Bird Show"

Every visit I vow I'm going to see Flights of Wonder but never have...please oh please tell us why it was the annoying "preachy Flights of Wonder bird show"

[TDLFAN]

I have to agree with Kevin on this subject. Luckyis fun to watch and it's a cute lovable character (I like the Godzilla style thud thud sound as he walks) but the annoying chracters Chester and Hester get on my nerves. Especially since I hate Dinorama at DAK for it's cheapness. The only thing I didn't care for about Lucky itself was that wagon he pulls. Awful prop.

Next time I got to EXPO in Japan, I will have to check out their version of the free roaming dino AA and compare.

[Athlonacon]

The only thing I didn't care for about Lucky itself was that wagon he pulls. Awful prop.

I've heard that Lucky's batteries and electrical equipment are stored in the wagon and it's actually a necessary addition, they've just cleverly disguised it. I really like the dinosaur, at first you see it as a bunch of circuits and electronics, but after a while I really started to see him as a real living thing. It's so cute how he has a personality and acts like a big puppy dog. I'm amazed how WDI worked their magic again to bring Lucky to life to the point where it's almost impossible to see him as a technological breakthrough rather than a real dinosaur with feelings.

The show however looked terrible as Kevin mentioned. I didn't mind the guy, he was kind of funny in some parts, but the show seemed pretty condescending and seemed to belong more in Knott's than Disney. It's funny how no one sings along...people are probably like "What am I doing here" by that point in the show.

[BigDaddyKyle]

Grat Article, Kev! You planned the contest perfect to coincide with when I will be at WDW so I am thinking about coming!

[netenyahoo]

I have wanted to go to the Flights of Wonder show as I've done almost everything else at AK, but now I am leary of going. I think Kali is WAY too preachy and hate that, so is the bird show worse? I will only go on Kali if I am hot and want to get wet.

Lucky is a neat character. I was sad to find out he won't be there that long as we won't be going to WDW this summer (going to DL instead), but I'm glad to see I am not missing much. I know Disney think doing a show around Lucky like there are is supposed to be fun, but it sounds really stupid. Just bring Lucky out and let him interact with people. That is what people want. I loved the 2 rubberhead dinos - are they gone now?

[nish221]

Was there a "show" w/ Lucky at DCA?

I could be wrong, but I don't remember having a show w/ Lucky
while he was at DCA.... Just the interaction... and a CM guide.
But I have to admit my memory is really fuzzy on this.

Does anyone else remember?

[nish221]

Good concept, Kevin!

Getting back to the topic at hand.

* Wow! a neat innovative concept on the DL adventure! Would be interesting
to see how it goes.
* Thanks for the update on the FP. It leads me to think that WDI folks are at
least aware of the issues and thinking thru it. There's at least a hope that
they'll make the right decisions.
* I know that I've seen Flights of Wonder, but I honestly don't remember
anything about it (vis a vis other bird shows at other parks).
* Another note on Lucky. It's REALLY hard to actually make an AA walk. (See Asimo)
Esp. one that has to look a certain way. The wagon actually is what helps Lucky
balance in order to move around in addition to having the batteries & computers.
BTW. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a CM/operator in there as well.

As always, Kevin, thank you for the update!

[NTSC Mickey]

Re: Feeling Lucky?

Felt compelled to chime in...

The only thing I didn't care for about Lucky itself was that wagon he pulls. Awful prop.

The creators probably could have made him a free standing creature (with help from a small wheel under a dragging tail), but I'm sure it was decided that the heavy trailer was a necessary safeguard.

But could you imagine the headlines...?

"Dino Tips Over and Crushes 'Not-So-Lucky' Toddler."

I wouldn't be surprised if there's a CM/operator in there as well.

I would be VERY surprised. 2005, not 1985.

[nish221]

Felt compelled to chime in...

The creators probably could have made him a free standing creature (with help from a small wheel under a dragging tail), but I'm sure it was decided that the heavy trailer was a necessary safeguard.

But could you imagine the headlines...?

"Dino Tips Over and Crushes 'Not-So-Lucky' Toddler."

I would be VERY surprised. 2005, not 1985.

Hmmm.... actually, there's no way that i know that they can make a free standing (no wheel; that's cheating!) creature that can move like Lucky can with today's technology and be in that form (Dinosaur-like). At least with today's technology. But you're right that they could probably have done something w/ a heavy wheeled tail if they wished. But that still leaves the power issue.

On the issue of a person inside. The reason that I say that is because
it's beyond the state of the art in computer software/hardware to
recognize everything that Lucky seems to when it's interacting. However,
the person could be just standing around nearby or sitting nearby w/ a mic and
binoculars as well.

What's really state-of-the-art is how fluid the motions are and how it acts lifelike (multiple actions including non-necessary actions). It doesn't just stand absolutely still. BTW. one of the most impressive things is the signature.

[BigPigletFan]

This makes me really want to live in California even more! And an event in Florida? August is too far away. It's interesting to hear about the FP changes. I remember the Pooh FP line was so long they weren't moving the Stand-by one at all. That was in fall of 2003 so hopefully these tests will help improve the system.

As for Lucky, I don't remember seeing him in DCA ever but I am interested to see what he is doing now. It's sad to hear about the show. Hopefully Guest Relations will hear enough about it and they will improve it soon.

[imagineer boy]

Next time I got to EXPO in Japan, I will have to check out their version of the free roaming dino AA and compare.

I've seen a video of their version, and they are the lousiest and most fake free roaming dinosaurs you'll ever see. They're short, have gigantic legs, move really slow, and can perform only one operation at a time.

[nish221]

Question for you Imagineer Boy (or anyone else, TDLFAN? :-)

Are these dinosaurs free standing? and do they walk? And if they do, do they walk
naturally or do they look mechanical?

[Jspider]

youknow I'm almost positive that when Lucky was betatesting in DCA that it was said that his walking is actualy an illusion

I believe gyroscopes in the cart keep him up and counterbalance him and the cart is moving him around?

I remeber hearing someone say Lucky went 101 and they just pulled up the legs off the ground and he sorta levitated there as they quickly pulled him offstage

I could be wrong but that's just what I remeber


anywho I figure they added the show to make him seem like a larger addition? I mean arn't they advertising this? I dunno it would seem like they wanna drag this out as long as possible which hurts

Lucky is amazing because he's a step beyond the rubberheaded figures but you can't have an entire attraction be a single AA

[mickhyperion]

I also thought the show that came along with Lucky this time vs. his debut in DCA was horrible. In California, his handlers were fairly quiet and didn't try to completely steal the show from Lucky like the AK actors do. I'm pretty sure the woman is the same one in Kryssa's Top 7 on WDW Resort TV who raves about the Beauty and the Beast show. I don't fault her because she plays her obnoxious role very well, but it's the wrong kind of show to accompany Lucky.

[imagineer boy]

Question for you Imagineer Boy (or anyone else, TDLFAN? :-)

Are these dinosaurs free standing? and do they walk? And if they do, do they walk
naturally or do they look mechanical?

They're free standing, are their movements are quite mechanical. Lucky's movements are fantastic and realistic, and lucky has personality, but those robots are horrendouse.

Here's a link to a video of them. As you can see, there is no contest. Give me Lucky any day.

http://www.aist.go.jp/no_header/kyouryu.html

[Disney Vault]

They're free standing, are their movements are quite mechanical. Lucky's movements are fantastic and realistic, and lucky has personality, but those robots are horrendouse.

Here's a link to a video of them. As you can see, there is no contest. Give me Lucky any day.

http://www.aist.go.jp/no_header/kyouryu.html

Wow, Lucky is way WAY better!

[Ride Warrior]

Power Rangers Strike Again!

The Pixel Pursuit game is a terrific idea - unlike the two kitschy kitschy yah yah sucky Chester and Hester characters. You pointed out, Kevin, that they were initially walk around dinosaurs, but now they have mysteriously taken human form.

Perhaps the Power Rangers are behind this mystery. Yes! Damn them! They morphed Chester and Hester...but they could't get Lucky! He really is a technological wonder, and more powerful than any evil-doings coming from Fox Family.

[RobS]

The Pixel Pursuit game is a terrific idea - unlike the two kitschy kitschy yah yah sucky Chester and Hester characters. You pointed out, Kevin, that they were initially walk around dinosaurs, but now they have mysteriously taken human form.

Actually, Chester and Hester have always been human people (I wasn't aware that the rubberhead dinos were named Chester or Hester). As it was originally conceived (dating back to the park first opening), the backstory on that part of Dinoland went like this:

Chester and his wife Hester owned a gas station. When dinosaur fossils were found nearby and more and more tourists started coming, they realized that there was more money in souvenirs than gas. So, they turned their gas station into a roadside gift shop. There is still evidence of this all over the gift shop that's been there all along: gas pumps, oil funnels, etc. Even the rooftop sings used to advertise gas before they were painted over to advertise the gift shop.
When Disney decided to add Dinorama (a stupid idea for a theme, but we'll leave that for other discussions), they tied it into the pre-existing Chester and Hester story. They said that Chester and Hester's store was doing so well that they decided to expand to make more money. Chester set up carnival rides and games in the parking lot across the street to attract more business. This is why the pavement throughout Dinorama looks like an old, cracked parking lot with faded parking space lines. (Contrary to popular belief, this area was *not* a parking lot before they built Dinorama, the pavement design is deliberate)

Also, I don't think the walkaround rubberhead dino characters appeared until Dinorama opened. So the original Chester and Hester "people" pre-dated them, they just weren't personified by actors before now.

-Rob