Disney Legend Dies on Stage in Front of Theme Park Guests

in Walt Disney World

Mickey and Minnie pose with two laughing guests in front of the Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Credit: Disney

One of Walt Disney World Resort‘s most expensive and technologically advanced animatronic characters recently experienced a disturbing malfunction in front of guests. One Disney Park guest captured the moment on video and shared it on social media.

The Shaman of Songs animatronic is the main draw for the Na’vi River Journey attraction in Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. When the boat ride opened in 2017, she was the most intricate audio-animatronic figure ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering.

The Shaman of Songs animatronic on Na'Vi River Journey at Walt Disney World Resort's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Credit: Jeremy Thompson, Flickr

As the only animatronic character on the otherwise scenic attraction, the Shaman of Songs is a crucial part of the ride experience. However, to avoid downtime, Walt Disney Imagineers created a “B-mode” version for use when the complicated figure breaks down. Crews can slide the animatronic into a backstage area for repair and replace it with a screen displaying a digital version of the character.

Understandably, many Disney Park guests are frustrated when they encounter the rare “B-mode” version of Na’vi River Journey. But one Walt Disney World Resort visitor recently filmed an even rarer sight: the Shaman of Songs animatronic breaking mid-ride.

On January 12, TikTok user @jessprettypink7 shared this video of the Na’vi River Journey animatronic making a snapping sound and collapsing on itself. The Shaman’s song continued while she sat motionless with her eyes closed:

@jessprettypink7

#avatar #disneyworld #iwannagoback

♬ original sound – Jess🕷️

 

“Your telling me they spent 23M on this just to turn it into a screen,” the guest wrote.

The video amassed more than 3.5 million likes and thousands of comments.

“That snap sounds EXPENSIVE,” said @likewise.clockwise.

Pandora World of Avatar in Animal Kingdom at Night
Credit: Disney

“The look of shock on its face right before it powered down is terrifying actually, “@hipsterishfox wrote.

Once Disney cast members discovered the malfunction, the Shaman of Songs was likely removed from Na’vi River Journey and replaced with the “B-mode” screen. It’s unclear how long the animatronic was missing from the ride, but she was operating normally as of our team’s most recent visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park last week.

Have you ever seen an animatronic malfunction at Disneyland Resort or World Disney World Resort? Share your memories with Inside the Magic in the comments. 

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