TerrosauX

The TerrosauX is a villain featured in the former Epcot show Splashtacular.
==Background==
The TerrosauX is a massive cyborg dinosaur resembling that of a theropod (such as a Tyrannosaurus), obeying the Alien Sorceress' plans of stealing colors of the rainbow. Sent from a distant galaxy, it obeys the Alien Sorceress' orders in helping her steal all the colors during the show as part of her evil plans. Despite its massive size, it ended up getting defeated by Mickey, resulting it and the Alien Sorceress to be defeated during the show.
===Development===
The TerrosauX was created for the short-lived Splashtacular show at Epcot, eleven years after the park opened at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, designed by Rick Baker of Disney's Creative Entertainment Div. During development of the show, many hydraulic elements were left exposed to give this creature a "Technoid" look, giving out a rare instance where viewers could see of how fluid power would work in an entertainment application. Due to its extremely heavy weight, the lift was designed for a maximum load of 20,000 pounds, so the monster could not exceed the value. The way how the dinosaur worked was composed of eight axes of hydraulic motion controlling its movements, where its assets were synchronized to move in sync.
Rather than using a lot of complicated hydraulic or electronic controls, Lenz began relying on driver cards to that an input signal would synchronize the movements of the TerrosauX with two puppeteers operating the arms in six different multiple-function joysticks rather than being controlled by a computer. Lenz then explained that Kevin Schultz "implemented sophisticated envelope-protection scheme to prevent motion in certain areas. His design depended on linear feedback sensors within the cylinders sending data to a PLC that he programmed with the operating envelope. The complexity and accuracy of the envelope protection was amazing."
Splashtacular had its final performance on June 11, 1994. Following its closure, the TerrosauX prop was sent to the Magic Kingdom to be used in 1994's "Tomorrowland Galaxy Search" show, with the large robot dinosaur being redressed as an intergalactic Elvis Presley impersonator.
==Appearances==
===Splashtacular===
The TerrosauX took part in the climax of the attraction during the battle between against Mickey and the Alien Sorceress at the Fountain of Nations, bringing a surprise (as in a visitor from her galaxy) on Earth. It began to roar as part of the Sorceress' plans to steal all colors, leading Mickey to summon the soldiers to drive the monster away, only to find their power weak against it. This eventually led Mickey and Minnie to stop the dinosaur from ruining the celebration, so Mickey decided to use a weapon, the Exterminator, to ward off the dinosaur, only to find out that his weapon was ineffective. The TerrosauX began to launch a flare upon Mickey, leaving him unable to fight back, much to Minnie's worry.
With the battle being difficult, Mickey managed to stand up against evil and save Minnie, leading him and Minnie to stop the monster. Mickey then fired a flare onto the TerrosauX's body, causing it to malfunction in defeat, much to the Sorceress' breakdown that her plans failed, followed by the latter being defeated. With the TerrosauX and the Alien Sorceress defeated, Mickey and his friends triumphantly celebrated with the water and fireworks shooting into the air and a large rainbow banner being unfurled at the back of Spaceship Earth.
==Trivia==
*In Splashtacular, the way Mickey calls TerrosauX a "big palooka" is a possible reference to one of the lines often said by Donald Duck.
==References==
Category:Epcot
Category:Dinosaurs
Category:Cyborgs
Category:Theme park characters
Category:Disney characters
Category:Villains
Category:Adults