March 2025 – At SXSW 2025, Disney unveiled the session The Future of World Building, offering an exclusive look at how the company continues to reinvent the way stories come to life. From theme parks to the metaverse, the House of Mouse combines cutting-edge technology and storytelling to transport fans into unforgettable universes.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: When Creativity Meets Technology
The worlds of Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney Animation are not just the result of artistic vision but also a joint effort between engineers, designers, storytellers, and programmers. This integration allows theme parks, films, and streaming platforms to deliver immersive and interconnected experiences.
Technology at the Service of Storytelling
The evolution of entertainment at Disney is driven by tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and visual effects (VFX). However, the company maintains a fundamental principle: technology is merely a means
to enhance emotion and narrative.
The Impact of Animatronics and Virtual Reality
From the charm of Baby Yoda (Grogu) to character interactions in the parks, Disney has perfected the use of advanced animatronics and VR to bring its stories to life in hyper-realistic ways.
The Magic of Digital Environments
Advances in graphic engines have made it possible to recreate iconic worlds with unprecedented fidelity. Settings like those in The Mandalorian are built using volumetric video and real-time rendering, blending the physical and digital in spectacular fashion.
From Parks to Digital Platforms
The Disney experience is not limited to its theme parks. The same magic is felt in films, television, video games, and digital experiences, creating an interconnected entertainment ecosystem.
Personalised Experiences in the Metaverse
Disney is exploring the potential of the metaverse, where fans can interact with their favourite worlds in unprecedented ways. From custom avatars to virtual spaces where users can live out their own adventures, the possibilities are endless.
Nostalgia and Innovation Hand in Hand
One of Disney’s secrets to success has been its ability to reinvent classics while betting on new franchises. Visual effects, advanced animation, and AI allow beloved characters to return with an innovative twist.
Storytelling as the Core
Beyond technology, Disney’s true driving force remains its ability to tell stories that move, inspire, and connect with audiences of all ages.
The Future of Imagination Knows No Limits
With constant advancements in immersive entertainment, interactive storytelling, and digital experiences, Disney continues to set the standard in world-building. The next frontier lies in the convergence of the physical and digital, where the magic never stops evolving.
