‘They are dehumanizing him’: Walt Disney’s granddaughter blasts ‘robotic grampa’ tribute

Joanna Miller, the granddaughter of Walt Disney, has spoken out strongly against Disneyland’s new robotic figure of her grandfather, calling it a disrespectful and inaccurate portrayal that harms his legacy. The animatronic is part of a new show for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, marking the first time the company has created a robotic version of its founder.

However, Miller’s emotional reaction to the figure has sparked a debate about how companies should honor their history while still respecting the wishes and memory of their founders. Miller told the Los Angeles Times that she believes the animatronic does not look like her grandfather. When she saw it for the first time, she was visibly upset, finding the resemblance poor. Beyond appearance, she argues that the robotic figure fails to capture her grandfather’s true personality.

She believes the technology cannot replicate his relaxed manner, his engaging way of speaking, or the ion he had when sharing his ideas. To her, the animatronic turns a real, complex person into a stiff, lifeless imitation; a “robotic grandpa” missing his true spirit, according to People.

Disney Animatronic is not like man, says granddaughter

Her criticism also ties into broader concerns about her grandfather’s legacy. Miller claims the animatronic distorts his image in a way he would not have wanted. She says there is evidence that Walt Disney himself did not want to be turned into an animatronic, something she learned directly from a Disney Imagineer. This makes her even more opposed to the project, seeing it not as a tribute but as a direct violation of his wishes. She believes Disney is replacing the real man with a cold, mechanical copy.

Miller went on to say in the post, “The idea of a Robotic Grampa to give the public a feeling of who the living man was just makes no sense. It would be an impostor, They are dehumanizing him.”

Miller’s concerns are deeply connected to her family’s long relationship with the Walt Disney Company and how his legacy has been handled. Similar controversies have arisen in other media, such as the portrayal of animatronic figures in the be too old to be around today anyway, but it’s a big deal even still.

Miller’s mother, Diane Disney Miller, was instrumental in creating the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. According to Miller, the museum was designed to present Walt Disney as a real person, using modern technology to share his life story without turning him into an animatronic. The family’s careful approach to his legacy at the museum contrasts sharply with Disneyland’s new robotic figure, highlighting a conflict between the company’s desire to celebrate its history and the family’s efforts to protect his true memory.

Despite her attempts to address these concerns with Disney’s leadership, Miller’s efforts were unsuccessful. She met with Disney CEO Bob Iger and of Walt Disney Imagineering, where she clearly expressed her objections and asked them to cancel the project. However, the company moved forward with the animatronic’s debut. While she acknowledges that Iger was polite and listened to her, she ultimately felt ignored. This lack of action has only deepened her disappointment and frustration.

The creation of the Walt Disney animatronic fits into Disney’s long history with robotic figures. Walt Disney himself was a pioneer in this technology, famously introducing an animatronic Abraham Lincoln at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. This innovation became a key part of Disney’s theme parks. However, Miller argues that while her grandfather’s creativity should be celebrated, using this technology to recreate him is wrong and goes against what he would have wanted.