Walt Disney Animatronic Debuts at Disneyland's 70th Anniversary Celebration in July 2025

6 hours ago in "Disneyland Resort"

Posted: Wednesday February 12, 2025 2:45pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disneyland Resort is celebrating its 70th anniversary with new experiences on Main Street, U.S.A., and today, Disney announced that these additions will officially open on July 17, 2025.

Tribute to the Sherman Brothers at Main Street Cinema

The Main Street Cinema will host a new short film, The Last Verse, honoring legendary songwriters Richard and Robert Sherman. The three-and-a-half-minute film features a never-before-heard verse of It’s a Small World, written by Richard Sherman for the song’s 60th anniversary.

The film follows the song’s message of unity, showing people from around the world passing the melody from one generation to the next. The new verse will also be incorporated into the It’s a Small World attraction at Disneyland, beginning July 17.

New Exhibits at the Main Street Opera House

The Main Street Opera House is getting an expanded gallery space, showcasing Disneyland’s evolution. Curated by Walt Disney Imagineering and the Walt Disney Archives, the new exhibits will include:

  • Early Disneyland artifacts – Rare and never-before-seen images, art, and memorabilia from the park’s early years.
  • The history of Audio-Animatronics – A look at Walt Disney’s pioneering technology, tracing its development from the 1960s to today.
  • Artifacts from Walt Disney’s private apartment – For the first time, Disneyland will display furniture from Walt’s apartment above the Main Street Fire Station, including an original rocking chair, lamp, and table.

The Walt Disney Family Museum is also lending significant items, including Walt’s 1955 Emmy award for Walt Disney’s Disneyland, his 1964 Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the commemorative medal presented to his wife, Lillian Disney, by President Nixon in 1969.

Walt Disney – A Magical Life

Alongside the new exhibits, the Opera House will debut Walt Disney – A Magical Life, a cinematic experience detailing Walt’s life and career. The film will use restored footage and audio recordings to tell his story, from his early struggles to the creation of Disneyland.

A new Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt Disney will also be introduced. Using archival recordings, Walt himself will appear on stage, sharing personal stories and thoughts on creativity and innovation.

After its initial run, Walt Disney – A Magical Life will play in rotation with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

Continuing Walt’s Legacy

As guests exit the theater, they will find an area dedicated to Disneyland’s ongoing development. This space will showcase upcoming projects and how the park has continued to evolve over the decades.

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britain2 hours 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.

jrhwdw5 hours ago

Fair.

Gusey5 hours ago

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)

mickEblu5 hours ago

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.

Gusey5 hours ago

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?

mickEblu5 hours ago

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.

Disney Irish5 hours ago

I think July 17th makes much more sense given the dates importance for not only Disneyland in general but Walt himself.

DCBaker6 hours ago

You can see the original (now updated) opening date announcement here: https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/disneyland-resort-2025-event-dates-and-details/

jrhwdw6 hours ago

Wasn't it May 16th? The Start of the 70th? IIRC, this was the first Big 70th Announcement. Even before PTN & WJ.

Mr. Sullivan6 hours ago

Is it a delay? I don't know that we ever really had a clear date for it other than that it would appear during the official 70th celebration.

jrhwdw6 hours ago

Any thoughts on why This is delayed till July 17th?

Gusey6 hours ago

Exit lobby sounds like it's going to be a preview center "The exit lobby will preview projects and moments of how Disneyland will continue to move forward, as well as showcase how it has done so for decades."

DCBaker7 hours ago

Disney has announced Walt Disney – A Magical Life will now open July 17, 2025: With so much to enjoy prior to experiencing “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” this attraction will now open alongside these new Main Street Opera House exhibits on July 17. As you step into the theater, you’ll get to experience the incredible story of Walt Disney’s life. Through remastered footage and audio recordings, you’ll be taken on a cinematic journey that leads from Walt’s early endeavors to the bright lights of Los Angeles and beyond. And when the curtain rises, guests will be transported to Walt’s office. Through the magic of Audio-Animatronics storytelling that he helped pioneer, Walt will share some heartfelt stories and words of wisdom. After its initial run, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.” https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/disneyland-70th-anniversary-new-experiences-main-street-usa/

PhroobarDec 16, 2024

I have a dream where the Earth conquered by Mars with my explosive space modulator. Isn't that lovely?