Disney has used Panasonic technology to bring captivating experiences to life for more than 20 years. Today, we continue to help Disney make magic for its guests, whether they are visiting Disney theme parks in the U.S., traveling on Disney Cruise Line ships or attending fan events. With solutions such as advanced 3D displays, 4K broadcast camera systems, and projection equipment, Panasonic supports Disney’s most imaginative endeavors.
In 2015, Disney announced the development of an all-new Star Wars-themed land, planned for Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, California and Walt Disney World® Resort near Orlando, Florida. The idea of this new land – and the prospect of transporting guests to a galaxy far, far away – created a tremendous amount of excitement.
CHALLENGES
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance fully immerse guests in their own Star Wars adventures, requiring seamless integration of imagery and innovative new technology.
SOLUTIONS
Disney and Panasonic collaborated to develop technology solutions that would create a high-quality, seamless experience for guests, ultimately turning to what would become the award-winning PT-RQ13K 4K+ illuminated laser projector, which provides 10,000 lumens and ranks among the world’s lightest and most compact high-contrast projectors.
RESULTS
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run gives guests the opportunity to fly the Millennium Falcon in a fully immersive setting, complete with film-quality views displayed with the help of Panasonic projectors. Similarly, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance brings guests into a thrilling battle between the First Order and the Resistance, and is one of the most immersive and technologically advanced attractions ever created by Disney.
Today, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a reality. Set in the village of Black Spire Outpost on the wild frontier planet of Batuu, the land features shops, restaurants and two unique attractions: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The fan-favorite land is already one of the highest rated experiences at both parks and has been named one of Time’s World’s Greatest Places 2019, among other awards.
Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative engine that designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide – including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Imagineering uses Panasonic projection solutions on many iconic attractions to immerse guests in the stories they love with high picture quality, accurate color, high brightness and rich contrast.
Early in the design process for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Imagineering approached Panasonic to discuss imaging solutions for the two attractions in the new land. To create Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Disney developed new projection systems with the help of Panasonic technology that was not yet on the market – ultimately creating an experience unlike anything seen before.
The Millennium Falcon takes flight
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run lets guests take control of the most famous ship in the galaxy as a pilot, engineer or gunner. The engines rumble as the Millennium Falcon blasts off, pushing you and your crew back into your seats as you jump into hyperspace towards adventure. The outcomes of guests’ actions are rendered in real time with stunning, engaging visuals.
In the Star Wars films, what is seen through the cockpit window of the Millennium Falcon is an essential story element – an experience that Imagineers wanted to deliver to guests. Meeting this challenge was an extraordinary effort, and the technology to create the visual elements didn’t yet exist.
For one, available 3D technology would have required guests to put on glasses, and no one wanted to interrupt the overall experience with eyewear. “We knew that we needed to create an exceptional and seamless experience for our guests,” said Paul Bailey, technical director, Walt Disney Imagineering. “Ultimately, we realized that we were going to need new systems to make this a reality, and this sparked our collaboration with Panasonic.”
The Millennium Falcon’s design presented a special set of challenges. Its elongated front and paned windows allow occupants to look out in many directions, requiring a special imaging system that would offer guests a continuous experience from each position in the cockpit. Disney achieved this effect with the help of Panasonic technology not yet on the market: the PT-RQ13K 4K+ illuminated laser projector, which provides 10,000 lumens and can project film-quality images from a distance for an even more immersive experience.
Ron Martin, Panasonic Hollywood Labs Director of Research and Development, noted, “A great immersive experience creates emotional stakes for the guest. In the case of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this means that when a guest sits at the controls of the Millennium Falcon and looks out that window, they don’t simply acknowledge that they are seeing a good projection image. They have to be able to say, ‘Wow, I actually flew it, the mission is complete, I became part of the story!’”
Experience the fight with the First Order
The land’s second attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, launched at Walt Disney World® Resort in December 2019 and opens at Disneyland® Resort in January 2020. The attraction puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance, featuring Audio-Animatronics® figures, projection screens, visual effects and full-size sets all working together.
“It’s one of the most immersive and innovative attractions we’ve ever created, with the story taking place all around you,” said Bailey. “From the moment guests step into the attraction, everything around them helps to immerse them in the experience – from set pieces and characters to their view out into the galaxy.”
To deliver this experience, Disney used PT-RQ13K 4K+ illuminated laser projectors and Panasonic’s Solid Shine laser technology, an alternative to traditional lamps that is more energy efficient and helps create rich, bold colors throughout the attraction.
And with a unique lens solution developed with Panasonic and other partners, Disney Imagineers were able to ensure that guests’ view of space is consistently in perfect focus during the grand finale of the attraction – a feat that requires that every pixel of the projected image is the correct size and color, in the correct position, and consistently illuminated at a short projection distance.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
