Walt Disney

‘Walt Disney – A Magical Life’ brings the man himself to Disneyland

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

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.

“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” debuts at the Main Street Opera House in Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., on July 17, 2025. The attraction features a cinematic presentation of Walt Disney’s journey, culminating in a visit with Walt in his office, made possible through the magic of Audio-Animatronics storytelling. (Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort)

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. 

Within the lobby of the Main Street Opera House, a special exhibit showcasing the story and history of Audio-Animatronics technology debuts alongside “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” in Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif. on July 17. 2025. This exhibit features original and replica figures dating back to Walt Disney Imagineering’s earliest development of the technology. Attractions featured include Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean and more. (Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)

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.

Original attractions at Disneyland that are still around today

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

It’s been 70 years since Disneyland opened. Walt Disney began his speech, “To all who come to this happy place: welcome. Disneyland is your land.”  

It has been dubbed “The Happiest Place on Earth” and for families that has been true for generations as young and old have happy memories of their time spent in the resort.

When it opened Disneyland was much different than the resort we know today. The parking lot is now known as Disney California Adventure! How’s that for a change?

While it has gone through countless changes there are still some original attractions that remain today. 

The attractions have been upgraded, spoofed up, and attended to through the years, but the bones are still the same as the day Walt Disney opened the park. 

Walt Disney was a train enthusiast and he insisted Disneyland included a railroad. The Disneyland Railroad still operates and loops around the park. Currently it stops at Main Street, U.S.A., New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, and Tomorrowland while also taking guests on a tour of the Grand Canyon and the Primeval World. 

Fantasyland

“Here is a world of imagination, hopes, and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, age of chivalric, magic, and make-believe are reborn, and fairy tales come true. Fantasyland is dedicated to the young and the young in heart, to those believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams do come true.” Walt Disney

What would a theme park be without a carrousel? King Arthur Carrousel still excites guests young and old. It has been restored several times since 1955 yet remains as beautiful and enchanting as ever. The Carousel sits at the entrance to Fantasyland and is the first attraction guests encounter when they walk through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. 

With Disney music accompanying the horses and animals as they ride around, this carousel reminds guests of the joy the park and the films have brought to young and old.

Peter Pan’s Flight is so popular there are always lines to enter. Guests fly through the air (slowly) in a pirate ship and encounter the story of Peter Pan, Wendy, and the whole gang with the streets of London at their feet. 

The pirate ships glide on a track giving riders the illusion of flying through the air like Peter and the others. This attraction is one of the most popular in the land.

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is another Fantasyland attraction that has stood the test of time. As guests travel through the story of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, they sit in an old-fashioned car just like the one Mr. Toad drives in the film 1949 animated film.

This is the quintessential ride through a story, which the original attractions were meant to be.

Snow White’s Scary Adventures takes guests through the story of the princess. This attraction is the only one in Fantasyland that is dedicated to a Disney princess, which is interesting as the princesses have become some of the most popular Disney characters. The ride has been re-themed with a more fantasy approach than a scary one, and it has been tamed down, items added, and renamed Snow White’s Enchanted Wish. 

The re-themed version is more in keeping with the joy and delight associated with the land and brings the love of the princess to the delight of fans. Fantasyland less fear and more fantasy, and that is just what guests get in the Snow White attraction.

Mad Tea Party is a spinning ride as guests twirl around in teacups. As many people have discovered, even though it is possible to keep the cups from spinning too fast this ride is not for everyone. If you can handle spinning, then this is a fun – and colorful – attraction. 

Guests have the ability to spin their cups fast or slow while they also twirl around on a table top. At night with the lights above this is a beautiful sight with the colorful teacups spinning under the twinkling lights.

The Storybook Land Canal Boats cruise is a leisurely boat ride on a canal that winds through miniature settings of some popular Disney films. The ride has been updated through the years as new films have come out bringing more opportunities for various recreations.

Since it first opened there have been so many new films and they have required their own space in Storybook Land. 

As mentioned above, Walt Disney enjoyed trains. Besides the Disneyland Railway, the Casey Jr. Circus Train is another train ride. This one takes passengers through more miniature representations of Disney films. Some of these can also be seen on the Storybook Land Canal Boats. This is actually a fun little train ride for the very young.

Tomorrowland

“A vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying man’s achievement, a step into the future with predictions of constructive things to come. Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure, and ideals — the atomic age, the challenge of outer space, and the hope for a peaceful and unified world.” Walt Disney

Autopia has had many car upgrades throughout the decades but remains a tribute to Walt Disney’s idea of giving youngsters the thrill of driving their own car. This is one car ride where traffic jams are not a problem. And drivers won’t get a speeding ticket, although the cars can only go a maximum of 6 miles per hour. Whew! 

Adventureland

“Here is adventure. Here is romance. Here is mystery.” Walt Disney

Adventureland is the home of the Jungle Cruise. While the boat ride remains the same as it was on opening day, what is happening on the shore has been tweaked over the years. The original ride was a bit more adventurous than the often-comic one we know today. Everyone remembers when they see “the back side of water.”

Frontierland 

“It is here that we experience the story of our country’s past — the color, romance, and drama of frontier America as it developed from wilderness trails to roads, riverboats and civilization; a tribute to the faith, courage, and ingenuity of our hearty pioneers who blazed the trails and made this progress possible.” Walt Disney


In Frontierland the Mark Twain Riverboat on the Rivers of America remains a nice way to unwind, relax, and enjoy a peaceful cruise. It’s tame and peaceful away from the hustle and bustle of the park. This is a delightful 14-minute ride aboard an old-time paddlewheel boat.

Disneyland is 70! What a legacy!

While these attractions have been upgraded and altered throughout the years, they are still the foundation of the park. They were opened by Walt Disney in July 1955 with the hope of entertaining and delighting all ages.

Disneyland has had many changes in the past 70 years and is still undergoing advancements. As Disney famously said, “Disneyland will never be completed, as long as there is imagination left in the world”. And oh boy, is there ever still imagination in the world. Stay tuned for some big changes but in the meantime these original attractions remain a throwback and tribute to Mr. Walt Disney.

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.

Photo use is approved by Disney