Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down in Walt Disney’s office and have a conversation with him? Wonder no more. Through Disney magic and the technical advances of Audio-Animatronics, Walt Disney has come back.

This new event in the Main Street Opera House in Disneyland was created especially to highlight the 70th anniversary of the park, which was created through the amazing imagination of Mr. Disney. He saw it from the inception to the opening and beyond. Unfortunately, he never lived to see any of his other parks however he was deeply involved with Disneyland and had a little apartment above the firehouse where he could watch the guests enjoying the fruits of his labor.

The folks at Disney are not new to bringing people from the past into the modern world for guests to enjoy. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln was the first time people of this time were – and are – able to watch this man and hear him. And in Orlando, The Hall of Presidents takes it even farther bringing back every U.S. President, so guests could see the history of the country through the leaders and hear from one or two of them in their actual voices.

The new Walt Disney event not only brings the likeness of the man to view but also includes his actual voice. 

Prior to a visit with Mr. Disney, audiences are treated to exhibits showcasing parts of Disneyland with replicas and original figures from the talented folks that have been part of the Disney experience either on the film side or the park side.

So, what makes the Walt Disney animatronic different from those in the past that have wowed guests through the years? The technical advances are amazing, making him even more lifelike and less jerky than past figures. 

In a collaboration with the Walt Disney Family Museum, the imagineers and creators at Disneyland gathered several items together for an interesting and informative pre-show in the lobby of the theater. This experience in the gallery is called “Evolution of a Dream” and adds insight and perspective to the genius that was Walt Disney.

After experiencing this visually stunning and informative pre-show, guests then proceed into the theater where they view One Man’s Dream, a video with more background of Walt Disney. After that video, the main event, a visit with Walt Disney, engages the audiences with the “presence” and voice of Walt Disney, with his sense of humor and deep understanding of his contribution to the world.

Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, Portfolio Executive Creative Producer, Walt Disney Imagineering, said about this new event/experience,

• “This fitting tribute will give millions of guests a moment of wish fulfillment – to feel like what it was like to be in Walt’s presence. We worked closely with the Walt Disney Archives and The Walt Disney Family Museum to depict the details of Walt and his office accurately in this theatrical presentation. Most importantly, we were passionate about creating an Audio-Animatronics figure designed specifically for this attraction, delivering a portrayal that has his nuances, hand gestures, facial expressions, and more- all of the attributes that make this figure’s performance feel uniquely Walt and not simply creating a figure to look like Walt.”

There is no doubt Walt Disney-A Magical Life will be one of, if not the first, place guests to Disneyland will head. And rightly so. 

For those who think Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is gone, think again. After the Walt Disney experience has been launched and settled, Lincoln will return and the shows will rotate between Disney and Lincoln.

Click below to get a sample of the new Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic

The Disney magic is still as bright and the folks at Disney are still bringing their ingenuity and creativity to the max. Now, a little sit-down with Walt Disney will be a mainstay for guests to the park.

And upon leaving the theater guests see some drawings and other items from Disneyland’s past and even its future. Yep, Disneyland is growing and soon there will be more to enjoy at the resort. However, before all of those get finished, a visit with Walt Disney himself is the best way to start a day and even end a day at Disneyland.

As Walt Disney said when opening the park 70 years ago, “Disneyland is your land.”  And now guests get to share a little bit of that with Walt Disney in the flesh, well, actually, not quite flesh but as close as you’re going to get in this lifetime.  Enjoy a memorable visit with Walt Disney when you visit the resort. He’ll be arriving July 17, 2025, and he’s amazing.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

All visual material provided by Disneyland Resort for editorial use.