Walt Disney to Be Brought to Life with Audio-Animatronics in 2025: 'Walt Disney

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Walt Disney - A Magical Life Concept Art

Posted: Sunday August 11, 2024 11:17pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

For the first time ever, when it debuts in 2025 at Disneyland, you'll actually be able to see Walt Disney through the magic of Audio-Animatronics technology in "Walt Disney – A Magical Life."

Walt Disney - A Magical Life Concept Art

Walt Disney Imagineering's first Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney is being created for this very special experience. "I speak for our entire team when I say there is so much pride and excitement for everyone involved in this endeavor," Josh D'Amaro told the crowd.

The past, present and future are coming together, giving visitors the chance to imagine what it would be like to stop by Walt's office. Who knows what he might be dreaming up inside? Only time will tell with Walt.

"Walt Disney – A Magical Life" will debut inside the Main Street Opera House, and after its initial run, the attraction will play in rotation with "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." A fitting acknowledgement of Walt's significant advances with Audio-Animatronics about 60 years ago when he first introduced the groundbreaking technology.

"Creating our first Walt figure is a huge responsibility, and we've brought members of the Disney family along with us for every step of the journey," Josh continued on stage. "His great-nephew, Roy P. Disney, visited the Imagineering campus recently to see our progress. And he's here tonight. Thank you, Roy, for helping us fulfill this dream."

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Figments Friend16 days ago

Had a feeling the opening date would be July 17th. Very befitting, and makes sense. Still have mixed feelings about this…Walt AA. But also admit I am curious to see how lifelike a figure they construct. Just hard to know how to feel when I know this is something he never wanted to see happen. Hopefully this will be done tastefully. We shall find out in a few months… -

Touchdown16 days ago

A mechanical sign would be far more pleasing. It just needs to be two sided and flip. It’s a simple mechanical issue.

TheCoasterNerd17 days ago

I hope not... but I betcha that's what they're going with. Makes it easier to cycle sadly.

etc9817 days ago

I just hope they don’t go with a digital sign like they did in the France Pavilion at Epcot for switching between the two shows.

TheCoasterNerd18 days ago

https://dapsmagic.com/2025/02/main-street-opera-house-sign-removed-as-disneyland-prepares-for-walt-disneys-audio-animatronic-arrival/

Agent H26 days ago

That would be a real power move

JohnD27 days ago

I'll be in DLR 5/16-18 for the 70th anniversary. I'm disappointed I'll miss it. But then again, it's my first time, so glad I'll be able to experience everything there as a new guest and also other 70th anniversary offerings that start 5/16.

MisterPenguin31 days ago

Yes.

britain31 days ago

I expect a couple of photos of Pandora and Avengers mounted on the wall on your way out. This is not a huge amount of space. Once again Disney is shining a spotlight on something that should have been a nice little surprise moment.

jrhwdwFeb 12, 2025

Fair.

GuseyFeb 12, 2025

Exactly, especially as Avatar was the last "bargaining chip" by Disney for Disneyland Forward when they announced it was to be a part of Disneyland Forward last year (when that first piece of concept art was revealed)

mickEbluFeb 12, 2025

Definitely won’t be TL as they haven’t announced it yet but that would be a hell of a way to surprise us all. Yeah my money would be on a model of Pandora/ DL Forward plans. Technically Pandora and the eastern gateway are part of the DL Forward plans even if sometimes we don’t look at it that way because of its likely location at DCA proper.

GuseyFeb 12, 2025

I was thinking that or (getting my hopes up again) New Tomorrowland. It could be the Avatar Land model combined with the new Eastern Gateway which is supposed to be phase 1 of Disneyland Forward?

mickEbluFeb 12, 2025

Conspiracy Theory - they re postponing the attraction opening to 7/17 to line up with the DL Forward plans and or third gate announcement which will be displayed in the exit lobby. What’s probably is going on: They need a couple more months and chose the parks opening day.