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The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Meet the Man Behind Disney’s Most Famous Animatronics (Ep. 22)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Society & Culture, Places & Travel

4.81.4K Ratings

🗓️ 7 November 2024

⏱️ 39 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week on I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey welcome a true icon in the theme park industry: Garner Holt, the mastermind behind Garner Holt Productions and the creative force behind some of the most jaw-dropping animatronics in Disney, Universal, and even Chuck E. Cheese locations worldwide! What We Cover: Learn how a young Garner transformed his passion for animatronics in his parents' garage into the largest animatronics company in the world. Hear about Garner's experience creating unforgettable figures for beloved Disney attractions, from Haunted Mansion Holiday to Buzz Lightyear, Monsters Inc., and Cars Land. Garner shares how he's inspiring a new generation with "Animaker Spaces," where kids can build their own animatronics. Plus, find out how you can bring the animatronics experience home with Garner's "Make-Your-Own Animatronic Kit," a one-of-a-kind project that lets you assemble and program your own interactive Tiki bird right at your kitchen table!   Hear how Garner’s team uses animatronics to train soldiers in life-like scenarios, blending creativity and technology to save lives. With over 5,000 animatronic figures in 36 countries, Garner Holt reflects on his extraordinary career and his favorite projects, from haunted houses to high-tech figures in top theme parks. Whether you’re a Disney fan, a collector, or simply fascinated by the art of animatronics, this episode is packed with stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Sitting quietly once you've made the house all shiny.

0:04.0

Down time can be just fine playing bangers from the 90s.

0:08.0

Tea break.

0:09.0

Lunt break.

0:10.0

Maybe listen to the outbreak.

0:12.0

Sometimes it's not time for some tombola, right?

0:15.0

It's enjoying lasagna time, chilling with a book time, or time to visit your nan time. Go play some other time put your phone down tombole love open for fun

0:26.5

terms apply 18 plus gambleaware dot org welcome back to i want that to the podcast where disney merch meets disney history

0:36.3

i'm entertainment writer jim hill and joining me as always is the lovely Lauren Hersey.

0:41.7

Hi, Jim. Good evening. Good day.

0:45.0

And today's episode is truly special because we have an absolutely legendary guest.

0:53.7

Today we are talking with none other than Garner Holt, the man behind some of the most

1:00.9

iconic animatronics in the world.

1:04.5

Oh, that is sure.

1:05.7

And honestly, if you've been to a Disney park or not, or that, et cetera, to be honest, almost any major theme park and thought,

1:13.5

wow, that's an amazing animatronic.

1:16.0

Odds are that Garner-Holt productions had something to do with it.

1:20.2

But before we bring on the man to talk about his career,

1:24.2

we need to do a quick shout out to our sponsor.

1:27.8

And this episode of I Want That Too is brought to you by Turingplans.com.

1:33.4

If you're planning a trip to Disney or Universal, you want to skip the lines and make the most of

1:38.4

the trip, you need to get Turingplans.com.

...

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