Patent Yogi has discovered a patent filed by Walt Disney Imagineering in June 2015 that would allow for an “audience interaction projection system” that could create a realistic lightsaber experience.
Imagine battling an animatronic performer in a quest to restore peace and justice to the galaxy.
Here is how it would work. The air would be filled with some sort of particulate matter such as water vapor, theatrical fog, liquid nitrogen, etc. The guests will then be given a lightsaber that includes LEDs that transmit infrared ligh towards the target. The rays would be detected by IR sensors in the target who would then project visible light towards the lightsaber. This would give the illusion that the light saber has deflected laser beams.
To make the experience even more realistic, the guest could be outfitted with a haptic feedback vest that could cause a sensation when a laser “hits” the guests and not the lightsaber.
We do not know if this experience will be included in the upcoming Star Wars Lands at Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but it sounds like it could be a lot of fun.