Disney pulled back the curtain on Imagineerings robotics lab during its Week of Wishes for a young fan and showed how its next-gen characters come to life

Date:
Sun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Description:
Disney recently celebrated its 'Week of Wishes' with Make-A-Wish, including a rare behind-the-scenes visit to Imagineering for Eli, a 12-year-old robotics fan who explored how Imagineers use robotics, animatronics, reinforcement learning, and immersive systems for storytelling.

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recently marked its Week of Wishes not a promotion for a new film, the unveiling of an attraction, or a product launch, but rather a celebration of its long-standing partnership with Make-A-Wish, the nonprofit focused on granting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

The initiative stretched across Disney Parks, Broadway productions, and special events, but one of the most distinctive experiences happened at Walt Disney Imagineering . For Eli, a 12-year-old Make-A-Wish kid, his wish was to look behind the curtain at how Disney parks and attractions are built and operated with a particular fascination for how engineers and designers bring characters to life through animatronics and immersive storytelling. Latest Videos From You may like Disney built a walking Olaf robot in just four
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As a member of his middle school robotics team and with a deep curiosity for how things work, Eli has also spent time learning about Imagineers, animatronics, and the history behind Disney Parks most iconic attractions. Through Wishes Assemble, though, his curiosity was met in full. Eli was given the opportunity to meet Imagineers and storytellers, ask questions once he warmed up, and see firsthand how creativity and engineering come together to build experiences for millions of guests. (Image credit: Disney Expereinces) We knew Eli was interested in robotics and Audio-Animatronics so we really pulled back the curtain, Leslie Evans, Executive R&D Imagineer, told TechRadar. We showed a bit of the legacy of how our first audio-animatronic figures were designed and animated and then brought him into the actual
spaces where Imagineers are designing and building the next generation of figures.

This includes everything from the technology powering our characters, to the character sculpts and physical foundation, and finally the textures,
finishes, skins and final touches that bring these characters from the screen into real life. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign
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One of the biggest highlights came when Eli met the BDX Droids some of Disneys most advanced robotic characters and even had the chance to control one himself. (Image credit: Disney Expereinces) The expressive Star Wars -inspired robots combine custom hardware, animation systems, sound design,
and reinforcement learning models, allowing them to balance, walk, react, dance, and move with distinct personalities. While the droids themselves have various systems, Disney also pairs them with performers using handheld controllers similar in size and layout to a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch 2 .

Eli guided one of the BDX Droids as it walked, jumped, swiveled its head,
made sounds, and moved through pre-programmed actions. The robotics here are only part of the larger goal, though. What to read next More fun, shorter waits: Disneyland says it added 1.5 million ride experiences in 2025 without new builds The biggest innovation is actually the box: Inside Disneys plastic-free Princess doll redesign Less stress, smoother days: Disneyland wants your whole day to feel easier

When we prototype new characters at R&D, we're always thinking about the
story first, the feeling of the moment we want to create, and what makes a character really come alive for our guests, Evans explained. (Image credit: Disney Expereinces) Evans says that philosophy using advanced technology in service of emotional storytelling is central to Imagineering's approach to innovation.

We start with a North Star of the experience we want to bring to life and
then use technology to make it possible, she said. Diving into both the creative process and iterative development really gave Eli a peek at what
goes into bringing these stories and characters to guests in our parks.

That combination of engineering and creativity was a major reason Eli connected so deeply with Imagineering in the first place.

Eli chose this wish because being an Imagineer encompasses all of his passions, his mom, Amber Stortz, said. He has also always had an inquisitive mind as far as engineering goes but still loves the creative and artistic aspects of engineering that only Disney offers. (Image credit: Disney Expereinces) Steve Cotroneo, a Dimension Design Principal at Imagineering, says that for some guests, understanding how the technology and artistry come together can become its own kind of magic.

For some, the behind the scenes process can be just as magical, if not even more so, especially for creative individuals who have a passion for art and technology and Eli is absolutely someone who has a passion for both,
Cotroneo said.

The timing makes this wish especially meaningful. After a rare six-week break from treatment, Eli recently learned his cancer has returned. While his treatment plan remains unchanged, his family sees this wish as a moment of
joy and renewed strength before he heads back into what they call fight mode.

At Wishes Assemble, Elis experience reflected the weeks broader goal: turning wishes into real-world moments that bring joy, connection, and strength to kids and families who need it most. Today's best Disney Plus, Disney+ Bundle and Hulu deals Disney+ Monthly Standard With Ads 4.99 4.99 /mth View We
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