Walt Disney to Be Brought to Life with Audio-Animatronics in 2025: 'Walt Disney – A Magical Life' Revealed

Aug 11, 2024 in "Disneyland Resort"

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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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Castle Cake Apologist9 hours ago

I think about this occasionally. I hate to say it, but I think he would have run the company into the ground trying to realize EPCOT, which was never feasible in the first place. He had also grown bored and uninvolved with the studio in his late years, so it likely would have continued to languish.

Disney Irish7 days ago

Too hard to tell. But for sake of argument to add to that, would Walt be too distracted with the Florida Project to actually pay attention to what was happening in the Studio? Would some of the post-Walt classics even have happened? I think the company would have still existed, as many of the reasons for the raiders in the 80s was Disney's lack of success. But it certainly wouldn't be the same company as it was in the 50s and 60s, as change would have still happened.

Phroobar7 days ago

If Walt did live into the 1970s and 1980s would the Walt Disney company still exist today? There would be no Eisner/Wells to fight off corporate raiders. Disney movies and theme parks were seen as for little kids only and not that profitable.

donaldtoo7 days ago

As long as it’s a Chesterfield, Camel or Gitanes, for historical accuracy. ;) On a related note, on another site/forum I was a member of years ago, someone posted a thread titled “What Was Disney’s Biggest Mistake?”, as in the company. A few posts in a dude posted “Chain smoking.” It was a drop the mic post moment, and it got a massive amount of reactions…!!!!! :hilarious:

Disgruntled Walt7 days ago

Let's hope he's not smoking like CBMJ did! Yes, I know it was a power failure...it's a joke!

Phroobar7 days ago

Will Disney be smoking like Mark Twain does?

TheCoasterNerd8 days ago

I do wonder how the sign will work. I hope it's not a screen cycling between names, that would feel so out of place on Main Street. Maybe just The Disney Gallery or The Disneyland Story or Main Street Opera House? Leaving the show name off completely and having a screen inside with what show is currently playing could work