Credit: DisneyThe Walt Disney Company has always been on the cutting edge of technology, but there’s only so much guests can handle. When Disney utilizes its latest technology to create a new ride, like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, fans love it. However, when that technology is applied to an AI-created piece of decor in the parks, guests bemoan the move away from traditional props.
It’s a fine line that Disney has to walk with its guests, which is what makes Disney’s latest announcement so baffling. Disney is partnering with Haddy, a 3-D printing company, to create new props for its rides and eventually ride vehicles.
Haddy’s CEO, Jay Rogers, said that his company recently worked with Walt Disney Imagineering to create a new boat prop for the Jungle Cruise. Haddy got the gig when it was selected as one of four startups that received funding from the 2025 Disney Accelerator Program.
So, why would Disney opt for 3-D printing over traditional materials for its ride props? It’s cheaper and faster, and Disney believes it can achieve the same level of quality from a 3D-printed prop that it does with molds and traditional materials.
Creating a traditional prop boat can take thousands of man-hours and months to complete. Using the 3-D printer for the same project takes approximately 70 robot hours, and if an issue arises, Haddy can modify the file used for the boat and reprint it.
Beyond just speed and cost, it can also recycle any 3D-printed material and transform it into something new. Any 3-D-printed prop that is no longer needed can be melted down and reused.
Beyond just the props, Haddy used its 3-D printer to create the light fixtures at Walt Disney Studios and other decorative elements, including a replica wrought iron gate. In the future, this technology could be used for ride vehicles, including boats, as a 3-D-printed boat does float.
One of the advantages that Disney has in using this new tech is that, unlike AI photos, it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference. This provides Disney with a cheaper alternative that can be easily replaced without fan backlash. This technology also gives Disney the option to switch out props on a weekly/monthly basis, allowing them to refresh the rides at a low cost.
It’s possible that Disney finally found a technology that won’t spark backlash and could change rides for the better. We’ll see what Disney fans think soon enough.
What do you think of Disney switching to 3-D printed props in its theme parks? Let us know in the comments.