How Disney Is Bringing Walt Disney Back to Life as an Audio-Animatronic for Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary

Disney recently granted us a rare glimpse into the secret halls of Walt Disney Imagineering, where they are meticulously crafting an Audio-Animatronic of their legendary founder for the upcoming show, "Walt Disney - A Magical Life," celebrating Disneyland's 70th anniversary. This ambitious project is a testament to Disney's commitment to respect, authenticity, and the magic that Walt himself championed.

Set to debut on July 17, 2025, exactly 70 years after Disneyland's opening, the show will be housed in the Main Street Opera House. It promises to transport guests into Walt's office, offering an intimate look at his life and his revolutionary impact on entertainment.

Though we didn't see the final Audio-Animatronic, the details and passion shared during our visit filled me with confidence and excitement about the project's potential. Disney is poised to honor Walt's legacy in a spectacular and meaningful way.

One Man’s Dream

At Walt Disney Imagineering, we were introduced to the vision behind "Walt Disney - A Magical Life." Tom Fitzgerald, senior creative executive, emphasized the gravity of bringing Walt to life through Audio-Animatronics. "It's a huge responsibility," he stated, highlighting the meticulous care taken to ensure authenticity, drawing parallels to the attention given to the Lincoln figure decades ago. The team collaborated extensively with The Walt Disney Family Museum and Disney's archives, reviewing countless hours of footage and interviews to craft a presentation that resonates with Walt's timeless message of pursuing dreams despite setbacks.

Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, executive producer, reassured us that the project, which has been in development for over seven years, is being approached with the utmost respect. The Imagineers have worked closely with Walt's family to ensure a faithful and theatrical representation, capturing Walt's expressive gestures, his distinctive eyebrows, and even the legendary glint in his eye. The dialogue is composed of Walt's own words, meticulously pieced together from historical interviews.

A highlight of our visit was a life-size model of Walt, built as a reference for the Audio-Animatronic. Positioned as if leaning against a desk, the model was an astonishingly accurate recreation, down to the bronze-cast hands, the material of his suit, and the grooming products used on his hair. Every detail, from skin blemishes to the manicured nails, was crafted to bring Walt's presence to life. The model's eyes, with their lifelike glimmer, added an uncanny realism that left us feeling as though Walt was truly in the room.

The timing of this project is significant, aligning with Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the advancement of technology to a point where Walt can be brought back in a way that honors his legacy. Fitzgerald noted the challenges of creating figures that are believable from both a distance and in close-up, especially with today's technology allowing guests to zoom in on details.

A Legacy Well Preserved

The Walt Disney Family Museum, co-founded by Walt's daughter Diane Marie Disney-Miller, played a crucial role in this project. The museum's director, Kirsten Komoroske, shared that the family, including Walt's grandchildren, were involved from the outset, ensuring the project captured Walt's essence respectfully. The museum donated over 30 items for the exhibit, including personal artifacts from Walt's private apartment above the Fire Station on Main Street, never before displayed at Disneyland.

These items, along with Walt's awards and accolades, will be part of the "Evolution of a Dream" exhibit, opening alongside "Walt Disney - A Magical Life." Komoroske emphasized that the show continues Walt and Diane's mission to inspire others by showcasing Walt's journey from humble beginnings to his diverse achievements in animation, live-action films, and theme parks.

A Step Back in Time

The show will feature Walt as he appeared around 1963, inspired by his well-known Fletcher Markle interview. This period was a peak in Walt's career, with projects like the New York World's Fair, "Mary Poppins," and the secretive Florida project underway. The office setting will be a blend of his Burbank office and the set used for his TV appearances, filled with Easter eggs like a photo of Abraham Lincoln and Disneyland plans.

Tom Fitzgerald and Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz with a model of the stage.

While the exact content of Walt's dialogue remains under wraps, Shaver-Moskowitz hinted that it will reflect Walt's humility and his connection to the simple virtues of life. Disney historian Jeff Kurtti, who has extensively documented Disney's history, praised the project for its potential to introduce Walt's persona and philosophies to new generations, much like the ongoing presence he had through television and interviews during his lifetime.

Kurtti emphasized that "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" is not driven by profit but by a sincere desire to celebrate Walt's identity and ideals. This approach gives hope that the show will reach its lofty goals, preserving Walt's legacy in a meaningful way for current and future generations.

As we await the debut of "Walt Disney - A Magical Life," the anticipation builds, echoing Walt's famous words about Disneyland never being complete and always growing with imagination. This show aims to inspire millions to pursue their dreams, just as Walt did, and to understand that those dreams can indeed come true.

For more on Walt's story, explore our coverage of Disney's 100th anniversary, where we delve into how a century of Disney magic began.