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.
