Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products President Josh D’Amaro spoke at the music festival that transformed itself into a HUGE tech-and-all-other-things conference – SXSW – today in Austin, TX.

“Creating Happiness: The Art & Science of Disney Parks Storytelling” promised to reveal secrets of how Disney amazes its guests and delivers memorable experiences. But it wouldn’t be a Disney presentation without delivering memorable experiences of its own, now would it?

Let’s dive into what D’Amaro revealed today!

D’Amaro told the audience that Disney’s immersive environments aren’t just inside its rides – which take you to far-off lands such as the Black Spire Outpost in Rise of the Resistance, or Neverland in Peter Pan’s Flight. Disney’s focus on storytelling extends to the music you hear walking around the parks, and even the food that’s available, because, as he said, “Food and music heighten emotion.”

Now, we already know this – especially about the food – but he did mention one choice that may seem less “authentic” to Star Wars fans, but makes total sense!

Star Wars movies have iconic soundtracks with full orchestral music. But, as D’Amaro said, “you wouldn’t hear an orchestra as you’re strolling through a town.” So the music in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge sounds more like music you might hear on a radio station.

D’Amaro also brought out the lightsaber developed for the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser in Disney World. He said Disney had developed over 100 prototypes for the lightsaber.  

Getting Star Wars “right” is especially important to Disney because of the fan base. “They love how we pay tribute to their dreams by creating lands that are totally authentic,” D’Amaro said. 

And the official lightsaber comes out! pic.twitter.com/yLvq3L6Imn

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 10, 2023

D’Amaro then revealed some of the many NEW projects Disney Imagineers are developing!

First, we saw the REAL Tinker Bell. And we’re not kidding. Check her out!

TINK ON STAGE!! pic.twitter.com/mxOH8dKGXB

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 10, 2023

Disney said this tiny Tink is a “Blue Sky” project – meaning it’s under development and may or may not be rolled out someday. We got to interview her — see what she had to say about Wendy!

Asking Tink how she feels about Wendy… #sxsw #SXSW2023 #disney pic.twitter.com/cuXvusPtrr

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 11, 2023

Then D’Amaro’s presentation was “interrupted” by the Hulk…

We’ve seen this version of Hulk at Disney California Adventure, but now he’s headed to the Avengers Campus in Disneyland Paris.

Hulk coming to Disneyland Paris! #SXSW2023 pic.twitter.com/aeaFrHmG96

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 10, 2023

But HOLD UP! We saw some BRAND-NEW robot technology Disney is working on. They brought out a robot who can fall down, get back up, and do somersaults!

SO COOL!! #SXSW2023 #SXSW #Disney pic.twitter.com/0le8sxr70w

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 10, 2023

Disney said the robot “incorporates motion-capture data to create performances that evoke emotion, giving Disney Imagineers a new way to bring out a characters’ personality.”

Her big trick! pic.twitter.com/SUBCWDJF64

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 10, 2023

And, um, they didn’t give us a name for this robot, but she sure does look a lot like Judy Hopps from Zootopia! We’ve been hearing a lot about Zootopia lately – including the announcement that a sequel is in the works, and suggestions that a Zootopia land is under consideration for Animal Kingdom. Could we see this tech in the parks someday?

Now we should note here that when Disney gives us glimpses of their brand new tech, it can often take years to actually see it appear in use in the parks — if at all. For example, the new robot revealed today looks like one that Disney filed a patent for nearly three years ago.

D’Amaro said that every detail in Disney Parks — from the vast variety of churros available at Disneyland to never-before-seen robotic technology — combines to make the memorable experiences Disney has been known for since its founding 100 years ago.

“We create our experiences because we know that when people spend time together and have real carefree fun together, that’s when they really connect.” he said.

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What do you think of the NEW projects Disney revealed today? Tell us in the comments!