Walt Disney is set to make an extraordinary return to the iconic Disneyland theme park he founded in Southern California. This momentous event is tied to the launch of the new attraction, "Walt Disney – A Magical Life," which is scheduled to open on July 17, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Disneyland. This immersive experience will take place at the Main Street Opera House and culminate in a unique encounter with an Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney himself, who will share stories and wisdom with park guests.
An Innovative Audio-Animatronics Experience
Guests will begin their journey in the lobby of the Opera House, where the "Evolution of a Dream" exhibit is featured. This captivating display includes over 30 artifacts related to Disneyland’s history, many of which are on loan from the Walt Disney Family Museum. Notably, it features furniture from Walt’s private apartment—never displayed at Disneyland before—located above the Town Square Fire Station.
The lobby will additionally showcase an exhibition detailing the development of Audio-Animatronics technology, including figures from classic attractions such as Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, It’s a Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Following the lobby exhibits, guests will be treated to the film One Man’s Dream before having their special encounter with Walt Disney’s animatronic figure.
A Lifelong Tribute to Walt Disney
As described by Tom Fitzgerald, senior creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering, creating the animatronic of Walt was both a privilege and a significant responsibility. The effort to develop this lifelike figure has lasted seven years and aimed to pay homage to the legacy of Walt through the art form he pioneered.
Disney Imagineering has claimed this animatronic to be the most advanced they have ever produced. Notable features include a "twinkle in the eye," a "lean to stand" motion, and highly realistic skin, developed utilizing cutting-edge methods. The team closely analyzed video recordings of Walt’s mannerisms, using his own spoken dialogue to enhance authenticity.
Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, a portfolio executive creative producer with Walt Disney Imagineering, emphasized their commitment to not just create a likeness but to capture the essence of Walt through nuanced gestures, facial expressions, and more.
The Historical Legacy of Audio-Animatronics
With the opening of "Walt Disney – A Magical Life," guests will also find an additional exhibit showcasing the evolution of Disney cast members throughout the years. A newly designed mural celebrating Disneyland’s history will hint at future attractions within the park.
Innovatively, the attraction will employ a virtual queue system for guests. After its premiere, the new experience will share the Opera House stage with the existing attraction, "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." To make this possible, Imagineering has redesigned the theater’s stage, incorporating a rotating turntable that enables both narratives to coexist.
The original Audio-Animatronics version of Abraham Lincoln debuted in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair before it was transported to Disneyland in 1965. Now, as Walt Disney’s legacy continues to evolve, the new attraction promises to be a permanent tribute in the only Disney park he ever walked in, creating a delightful blend of history, technology, and storytelling for generations to come.
