AI in Theme Parks & Immersive Experiences

One of the most visible and recent examples of Disney’s use of AI is in its theme parks — bringing characters to life in new, more interactive ways.

• In November 2025, Disney’s R&D wing Walt Disney Imagineering unveiled a next-generation robotic version of the character Olaf (from the “Frozen” franchise), powered by AI-driven “reinforcement learning.” This allows Olaf to walk untethered, express emotions, move his eyes/mouth, and respond in a lifelike, dynamic way. Disney Parks Blog+2Vulture+2

• Unlike older forms of robotic or animatronic characters (which largely relied on pre-programmed sequences), this new approach lets robots learn motion — adapting to their environment and reproducing natural movement in a fraction of the time it would take human engineers to manually program every gesture. Vulture+1

• The aim is not just “gimmick” but storytelling: Disney frames these AI-driven characters as a way to make beloved animated figures “real” and to deepen guest engagement. In its announcement, Disney emphasized that the design starts with the story and character, and that technology serves the creative intent of artists and Imagineers. Disney Parks Blog+1

• More broadly, Disney’s AI push in parks fits within a larger investment in immersive experiences spanning 2025–2035. According to tech-industry coverage, Disney is using AI (and mixed reality) to expand immersive, interactive experiences across its parks worldwide. AI Daily+1

Why this matters: For Disney, theme parks are not just about rides, they are about storytelling, nostalgia, and emotional experiences. By using AI, Disney can make those experiences more dynamic and scalable. For example, reactive characters (vs static animatronics) can adapt to guest interactions, making each visit unique. This can help Disney differentiate its parks in an increasingly competitive leisure market, drive guest satisfaction, and strengthen the value of its intellectual property (IP).