Walt Disney Imagineering is working with Haddy, a Florida-based 3D-printing company, on a new way to build attraction set pieces – and one of those pieces is coming to the Jungle Cruise.
According to CNET, details about the project were shared during Disney Demo Day in Burbank, where Imagineers outlined their collaboration with Haddy to produce a full-scale prop canoe. The canoe is not a ride vehicle. Instead, it will be placed along the river as part of the attraction’s scenic environment, blending in with existing boats, animals, and shoreline props.
Haddy specializes in large-format 3D printing, using industrial robots to build objects from polymer pellets. Unlike small consumer 3D printers, Haddy’s system can produce objects as large as furniture, architectural elements, and boats.
For Jungle Cruise, Walt Disney Imagineering worked closely with Haddy to refine the canoe’s design so it matched the visual style of the attraction. The goal was to integrate the prop seamlessly so guests would not be able to distinguish it from traditionally built set pieces.
What remains unclear is where guests will see it first. Disney has not confirmed if the new 3D-printed canoe prop is destined for Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, or potentially both versions of the attraction.
According to Haddy co-founder and CEO Jay Rogers, a traditionally built 20-foot boat can require roughly 1,000 human labor hours spread across months of design, mold creation, and fabrication.
By comparison, The Jungle Cruise canoe required about 70 robot manufacturing hours, design changes can be made directly to the digital file, no physical molds are needed, and adjustments can be handled by reprinting rather than rebuilding. That flexibility allows Imagineers to move from concept to finished prop much faster.
Sustainability advantages
Another benefit is material reuse. Once a 3D-printed prop reaches the end of its usable life, the polymer material can be melted down and reused to print new objects. Traditional fiberglass construction does not offer the same level of recyclability.
For Walt Disney Imagineering, that opens up faster refresh cycles with less material waste.
Founded in 2022, Haddy produces home décor and outdoor furniture. Its work with Disney began after being selected for the Disney Accelerator Program in 2025, which provides funding, mentoring, and direct access to Disney teams.
That relationship led to hands-on collaboration with Imagineers on real attraction assets rather than concept-only demonstrations.
Read the full story at CNET.
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