AI has proven extremely controversial in creative fields over the past year, and Disney parks are no exception. That’s why a potential new update is likely to upset some guests.
Fresh off the revelation that Walt Disney World Resort is testing a new AI-powered system—designed to help guests purchase food court items in a quicker, more efficient manner—at its All-Star Sports Resort as of earlier this December, reports from Disneyland Resort claim that a classic ride has been updated with AI technology.
King Arthur Carrousel at Disneyland Park has introduced a new safety spiel, reportedly featuring a voiceover from Merlin. However, Disney cast members believe the voiceover is likely AI-generated.
Merlin was originally voiced by Karl Swenson in The Sword in the Stone (1963), upon which the ride is based. Seasoned voiceover actor Jeff Bennett has primarily provided Merlin’s voice for various media appearances since 2005.
The two new safety spiels play before and after the ride.
While the first says, “For your safety, please remain seated or standing, and supervise your children. Enjoy your ride,” the second says, “Your ride is slowly coming to an end. Please remain seated and do not dismount from your horse until the carousel comes to a full and complete stop. Once the carousel stops, please get down, watch your step, and carefully dismount from your horse. Thank you, and enjoy your day here at Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom.”
King Arthur Carrousel, located in Disneyland Park, is a classic attraction that has been a staple of the park since its opening in 1955. The carousel features 68 hand-carved wooden horses and is inspired by the legendary tale of King Arthur and his knights. Originally built in 1922 for a Los Angeles amusement park, it was relocated to Disneyland and became a symbol of the park’s nostalgic charm.
For now, the use of AI is just hearsay. However, if the classic attraction has indeed been updated by the tech, it would be part of a trend that many find increasingly alarming for The Walt Disney Company. In October, Disney launched a major AI initiative through a new strategic division focused on integrating advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and mixed reality, into its various businesses.
Named the “Disney Office of Technology Enablement” (OTE), the division aims to position Disney as a leader in responsibly deploying cutting-edge technologies across entertainment, parks, and media.
A key goal of OTE is to incorporate next-generation technology into Disney’s offerings while preserving its commitment to family-friendly, accessible, and innovative experiences. By collaborating with teams from Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences, the division is expected to create synergy across the company’s diverse sectors.
For many, the biggest issue is that the use of AI suggests a creatively corrupt environment at a company supposedly famous for its endless imagination, replacing the innovative minds of actual humans in the process. Disney has been accused of using AI to design park merchandise and criticized for using AI in the opening sequence of the Disney+ release, Secret Invasion, and, allegedly, some of its promo posters for Loki Season 2.
The Disney+ original movie Prom Pact (2023) also employed AI to replace background actors. A viral clip on social media shows a scene with student cheerleaders and a group of students clapping and cheering from the bleachers. However, an entire row of characters appears to be either AI-generated or, at the very least, computer-created.
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