Disney has graciously invited us and a select few into the secret halls of Walt Disney Imagineering to witness their ambitious project, bringing their founder back to life through the magic of Audio-Animatronics for "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" in celebration of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. This project is brimming with respect, authenticity, meticulous attention to detail, and an abundance of Disney magic.
Set to debut at Disneyland's Main Street Opera House on July 17, 2025, exactly 70 years after Disneyland's opening, "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" will invite guests from around the globe into Walt’s office. Here, they will delve into his story and discover how he revolutionized the world of entertainment.
Although we didn't get a glimpse of the actual Audio-Animatronic of Walt Disney, the insights and previews we received have filled me with confidence and excitement. Disney appears poised to execute this ambitious and meaningful project with spectacular flair.
One Man’s Dream
During our visit to Walt Disney Imagineering, we were briefed on what guests can anticipate from "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" and the significance of timing Walt’s return to the only Disney Park he ever walked.
“It's a huge responsibility, as I'm sure you could imagine, bringing Walt Disney to life in Audio-Animatronics,” said Tom Fitzgerald, senior creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering. “We are dedicating the same care and attention that Walt and his team gave to Lincoln many decades ago. Collaborating closely with The Walt Disney Family Museum and our archives department, we've reviewed countless hours of footage and interviews to create what we believe is the most authentic presentation possible. Walt's story remains as valid and relevant today as it ever was, emphasizing the pursuit of dreams despite setbacks, turning them into successes. No matter what, follow that dream.”
The team emphasized their commitment to bringing Walt back respectfully, ensuring the project is not rushed. This endeavor has been in development for over seven years, an idea contemplated by the company for decades but only now feels appropriate.
The experience of seeing this project unfold was indescribable, as if Walt Disney himself was in the room with us. “We have worked diligently for many years with the Walt Disney Family Museum and members of the Disney and Miller families, as well as the board,” said Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, executive producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. “We've taken care to ensure the family is involved in this journey, presenting a faithful and theatrical representation that keeps Walt alive through the medium he pioneered and the storytelling methods of our parks.
“To achieve this, we’re meticulously recreating Walt’s expressive gestures, his animated eyebrows, and even the glint in his eye, a feature noted by those who knew him well. The words spoken by Walt are his own, sourced from interviews over the years and carefully pieced together.”
Although the Audio-Animatronic remains unseen, the presentation included a moment I'll never forget: a storyboard unveiling a life-size model of Walt Disney used as a reference for the Audio-Animatronic. This model was so lifelike that it felt as though Walt was truly present.
Walt was depicted leaning against a desk, a pose familiar from his talks, and every detail was meticulously crafted. His hands were modeled from a bronze casting created by Adrian E. Flatt in the 60s, his suit was made from the same material he wore, each strand of hair was perfectly styled with his preferred grooming products, and he wore his beloved Smoke Tree Ranch tie. Beyond these, the model included skin blemishes, fine hairs, wrinkles, and even manicured nails that reflected his daily life.
The realism was enhanced by a subtle glimmer in his eyes, a testament to Imagineering's magic. This model left us speechless, a true piece of art crafted by a talented team at the peak of their abilities.
“Today, with smartphones, every guest can zoom in for an extreme close-up of our figures,” Fitzgerald noted. “We had to innovate to ensure they look good from a distance and up close. This is new territory, especially with human figures. We aimed for a look as realistic and authentic as possible, much like how Walt brought Abraham Lincoln to life, but tailored for a modern audience.”
The timing of Walt’s return aligns with Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, advancements in technology, and the presence of the right team to honor his legacy.
A Legacy Well Preserved
Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane Marie Disney-Miller, co-founded the Walt Disney Family Museum, which opened in San Francisco in 2009 and houses over 30,000 Disney-related items. The museum played a significant role in "Walt Disney - A Magical Life," and I spoke with its director, Kirsten Komoroske, about the project, the museum's contributions, and the family's sentiments.
“Disney informed us early on about 'Walt Disney - A Magical Life' to ensure the family, including Walt's grandchildren, were involved and comfortable,” Komoroske said. “The grandchildren were excited because Walt was fascinated by technology, and Imagineers believed their tech had advanced enough to capture him authentically. The project was approached with deep thought, respect, and care.”
The museum donated over 30 items for the exhibit, including artifacts and furniture from Walt’s private apartment above the Fire Station on Main Street. These items, such as a green velvet rocking chair, glass lamps, and a floral embroidered table, have never been displayed at Disneyland before. The exhibit will also showcase Walt’s awards and humanitarian accolades, including his 1955 Emmy for 'Walt Disney’s Disneyland,' his 1964 Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a unique plaque from the Racing Pigeon Association.
These items will be part of the "Evolution of a Dream" exhibit, opening alongside "Walt Disney - A Magical Life," offering a deeper look into Walt's life and work. Komoroske believes this exhibit continues the legacy of Walt and Diane's mission to preserve his memory.
“Diane wanted to tell the full story of her father, from humble beginnings to significant failures, like losing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and unfavorable distribution deals,” Komoroske said. “Despite these setbacks, Walt persevered, exploring new ventures from animated features to live-action films and theme parks. Her goal was to inspire people to see that their journey matters more than their starting point. Having this message at Disneyland is something the family deeply appreciates.”
A Step Back in Time
The Walt Disney we’ll meet in the show is from around 1963, inspired by his well-known Fletcher Markle Canadian Broadcasting interview. “This was when Walt was at his pinnacle,” Fitzgerald said. “He was developing the New York World's Fair shows, working on Mary Poppins, the Secret Florida project, and Disneyland was thriving. He had so much going on, and he was eager to share it all with us.”
In the show, Walt will stand in his office, a blend of his Burbank office and the set used for his TV appearances, filled with Easter eggs like a photo of Abraham Lincoln and Disneyland plans. The setting aims to make guests feel as if they’ve “dropped in and get to have some great moments with him.”
While the exact content of Walt’s office discussion remains under wraps, the overarching message is clear. "Walt will begin by discussing his legacy, but he’ll end with a profound thought," Shaver-Moskowitz said. "Despite his incredible achievements in storytelling and animation, one of his greatest gifts was understanding the simple virtues of life and connecting with people. He remained humble despite being an industry titan, and this humanitarian aspect is what we're excited to highlight.”
Throughout the presentation, there was a palpable reverence and respect for Walt’s legacy and the meticulous approach to the project. Disney historian Jeff Kurtti, who has written extensively on Disney and currently serves as Chapman University’s Presidential Fellow for Walt Disney Studies, shared similar sentiments.
“Since Walt's death, there’s been no consistent way to present his reality, persona, and philosophy to new generations,” Kurtti said. “This attraction offers a means for them to understand Walt Disney as a real person, not just a brand, and to appreciate the philosophies that continue to shape the Disney Company and resonate in world culture. Walt Disney, like Abraham Lincoln, is as absent from modern audiences as Honest Abe. This is an excellent opportunity to bring Walt into current conversations.”
Kurtti emphasized that "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" is a project the company "did not have to do." “There's no sense of driving attendance or profit with this,” he said. “It’s a sincere investment of time, talent, and funding to celebrate the identity and ideals of the company's founder, for those who remember him and for new generations.”
This approach gives me hope that "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" will achieve its lofty goals. Disney is taking all the right steps to honor Walt’s legacy and present it meaningfully to guests of all ages.
We still have to wait until "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" debuts at Disneyland to see the final result, but the beauty in this process and the show itself echoes one of Walt's famous quotes: "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."
While "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" will be a complete show, it won't tell the whole story of Walt or each individual who visits. Instead, it aims to inspire millions to pursue their own dreams, showing that they can come true. Walt did it, and so can you.
For more on Walt's story, explore our coverage of the Disney 100th anniversary, which delves into a century of Disney magic.
