Disneyland its marking its 70th anniversary with the launch of a new attraction exploring the life of its founder.
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” opens at the Main Street Opera House on 17 July 2025, the same date the park first welcomed visitors in 1955. The 17-minute experience begins with a short film, One Man’s Dream, tracing Disney’s early career through to his later successes. It concludes with a recreation of his office and an Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt himself, using archival recordings to share his stories and reflections.
The figure, the first of its kind, was created after more than seven years of development by Walt Disney Imagineering. Designers studied historical footage, personal mannerisms and clothing to create what they describe as their most lifelike humanoid figure to date, incorporating new movements, eye animation and detailed facial expressions.
The setting reflects Disney’s office as it appeared in 1963, based on the version seen in his television appearances. The stage has been redesigned to allow the Opera House to rotate the new show with the long-running Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, which will return after the debut season.
Alongside the main performance, the Opera House lobby will host Evolution of a Dream, a gallery of rare photographs, concept art and memorabilia from Disneyland’s history. Items on display will include early plans for the park, vintage merchandise and objects from Disney’s private apartment, many on loan from The Walt Disney Family Museum. A separate exhibit will chart the history of Audio-Animatronics, with figures from attractions such as The Enchanted Tiki Room, It’s a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean.
A pre-show video, Memories of Walt, will feature colleagues and admirers sharing personal anecdotes about Disney’s character and creative approach. After the show, visitors will see an additional display on the history of Disneyland cast members, along with a new mural celebrating the park’s past and future.
Tom Fitzgerald, senior creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, said the 70th anniversary provided an opportunity “to debut this attraction and remind guests of Walt Disney and his incredible journey”. Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, portfolio executive creative producer, said the goal was to portray Disney “with his nuances, hand gestures, facial expressions, and more – all of the attributes that make this figure’s performance feel uniquely Walt”.
Kirsten Komoroske, executive director of The Walt Disney Family Museum, described the project as a blend of “cutting-edge technology and artistry” and said she believed Walt would have been touched by the tribute.
