Disney has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to ride technology. In fact, some of its most recent rides, like Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind have been big hits with fans for the use of technology, as well as given awards by the theme park industry.

©Disney

However, we’re always curious as to what kind of technology Disney plans on using next in the parks. That’s where looking at patents comes in…when Disney files a new patent, there’s a likelihood that the idea in the patent is something Disney is considering for a ride or experience. Well, Disney just filed a NEW patent that is all about projecting images…and it’s giving us Villains Land vibes.

Disney just filed a patent for some new technology that could project moving images onto things like smoke, fog, clouds, and even fireworks residue. So the idea is that the tech would track the background’s shape and density in real time and then make the projections work on it to fit as it moves. So think something like the World of Color projections on water…but instead on smoke (or something like that).

World of Color

So when you look at examples on the patent, one thing you’ll notice is that one example actually shows a sketch that looks like Chernabog. The example shows an image of Chernabog projected onto smoke or fog. That could mean Disney is planning to use this for one of its rides in Villains Land (we’re thinking the Magic Mirror ride).

©U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Of course, this could also work for some nighttime shows, as well, like Fantasmic! In fact, another diagram in the patent shows an example of the technology projecting onto fireworks residue and smoke.

©U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

The patent talks about how images are usually projected onto static surfaces, but describes this new technology that will “project images on other surfaces where the size, shape, density and reflectivity ofthe surface may be changing dynamically, so as to provide a more immersive or tailored experience to guests or onlookers.”

©U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

We’ll be curious as to how Disney uses this kind of technology in the future. In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for more.

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What do you think about this patent? Let us know in the comments!