You have built a custom SCARY Mickey Mouse animatronic inspired by Steamboat Willie!
Creating a Nightmare Mickey Animatronic
Celebrating Mickey Mouse by turning him into a nightmarish animatronic monster
Mickey Mouse has always been a beloved character, bringing joy and laughter to people of all ages. But what if we took Mickey and turned him into something entirely different? Inspired by the pioneering work of Disney Imagineers in the field of animatronics, we set out to create a nightmare version of Mickey Mouse.
Inspired by Disney Imagineers and their pioneering work in animatronics
We have always been fascinated by the animatronics at Disneyland and the incredible work of Disney Imagineers. Their ability to bring characters to life through movement and realistic features is something truly special. We wanted to pay homage to their groundbreaking work and create our own animatronic masterpiece.
Building the Animatronic Head
To bring our nightmare Mickey to life, we started by commissioning a 3D artist to create a custom model of Mickey in the style of a broken-down animatronic. Working with Beardless Props, we designed a printable 3D model complete with broken bits, holes, and animatronic mounting points. Once the model was complete, we 3D printed the pieces and began assembling the animatronic head.
Using black flocking fibers and Mod Podge, we created a fuzzy texture on the black parts of Mickey to give him a worn and creepy look. The custom head mechanism was built with servos to allow for realistic movement of Mickey’s head. We also printed and assembled other parts, such as his ears and teeth, to complete the head. Throughout the process, we used Milano, a digital tool, to organize and keep track of the project.
Finishing Touches on the Head
To add the finishing touches to Mickey’s head, we applied Bondo spot putty to fill in seams and add texture. We then painted the head with black primer and crackle medium to create a cracked effect, giving him an even more ominous appearance. Gluing on the ears, nose, and teeth brought the head to life, while clear Easter egg ornaments transformed into eyes with a blue iris gave him an eerie gaze. We also designed and attached a tongue made of foam covered in liquid latex, giving him a final touch of horror. To add depth and detail, we finished with silver paint.
Testing and Future Plans
After weeks of hard work and dedication, it was time to test our animatronic creation. Using a programmed Arduino and a PlayStation controller, we put Mickey to the test. Although we encountered a few issues along the way, we were proud of the progress we had made and excited to continue working on improving Mickey.
In the future, we plan to give Mickey a body to complete the animatronic. This will allow us to further enhance his movements and create an even more realistic and terrifying character. We also invite people to follow our progress on Patreon, where we share updates, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes content. Additionally, we encourage people to suggest future builds and contribute their ideas to our ongoing projects.
We would like to extend a special thanks to Beardless Props for creating the Mickey Mouse 3D model used in our project. Without their expertise and support, this animatronic nightmare would not have been possible.
Creating a Nightmare Mickey animatronic has been an exciting and challenging endeavor. It has allowed us to explore the world of animatronics and pay tribute to the incredible work of the Disney Imagineers. We hope that our project inspires others to push the boundaries of creativity and create their own unique creations.
