AI has become a contentious issue in creative industries over the past year, and now, it’s making waves at Disney parks. With the company’s ongoing push to integrate advanced technology into its operations, a potential update at Disneyland Resort is raising eyebrows and could spark backlash among guests.
Earlier this December, Walt Disney World Resort began testing an AI-powered system at its All-Star Sports Resort, designed to speed up the process of purchasing food court items. But while this innovation has generated some buzz, a report from Disneyland Resort suggests that AI might be making its way into the park’s attractions as well.
One classic ride that appears to have undergone a technological transformation is King Arthur Carrousel at Disneyland Park. The iconic carousel, which has been a staple of the park since 1955, now features a new safety announcement, reportedly voiced by Merlin. However, Disney cast members suspect that the voiceover might not be from a human at all but rather an AI-generated version.
The character of Merlin, originally voiced by Karl Swenson in The Sword in the Stone (1963), has been voiced by seasoned actor Jeff Bennett for various Disney media since 2005.
Guests are now hearing new safety spiels on the ride—one before the ride and one at the end—both seemingly narrated by Merlin. While the first spiel asks riders to “please remain seated or standing” and “supervise your children,” the second instructs riders to “remain seated and do not dismount” until the carousel comes to a complete stop.
King Arthur Carrousel has long been a symbol of Disneyland’s nostalgic charm, featuring 68 hand-carved wooden horses inspired by the legend of King Arthur and his knights. Originally built in 1922 for a Los Angeles amusement park, the carousel was relocated to Disneyland, where it has continued to delight guests for generations. If the safety announcements have indeed been updated using AI, it would be part of a larger trend within The Walt Disney Company to incorporate advanced technology throughout its operations.
In October, Disney launched a new strategic division called the “Disney Office of Technology Enablement” (OTE), tasked with integrating technologies like AI and mixed reality across the company’s diverse businesses. The division aims to position Disney as a leader in responsibly deploying cutting-edge technologies while preserving the company’s commitment to family-friendly, innovative experiences. This includes collaborating with teams from Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and the Disney Experiences theme parks division to create synergy across various sectors.
However, the rise of AI in Disney’s operations has raised concerns among some. For many, the use of AI in creative fields signals a shift away from the company’s tradition of imaginative human-driven innovation. Disney has already faced criticism for using AI in other areas, such as park merchandise design and the opening sequence of the Disney+ series Secret Invasion. Some have even claimed that AI has been used to create promotional posters for Loki Season 2.
In the Disney+ original movie Prom Pact (2023), AI was also used to replace background actors in a scene featuring student cheerleaders. A viral clip from the movie shows an entire row of characters who appear to be either AI-generated or digitally created, further fueling concerns about the increasing reliance on technology. Disney has also been accused of using AI to replace voices in the past, à la the alleged Merlin replacement.
As Disney continues to experiment with AI across its parks and media properties, guests and fans will likely continue to debate the role of artificial intelligence in a company renowned for its creativity and innovation.
How do you feel about Disney’s use of AI?
