Disney invited us and a few others into the secret halls of Walt Disney Imagineering to witness the innovative process of bringing their founder back to life through the magic of Audio-Animatronics for "Walt Disney - A Magical Life." This project, set to celebrate Disneyland's 70th anniversary, is brimming with respect, authenticity, meticulous attention to detail, and an abundance of Disney magic.
"Walt Disney - A Magical Life" is slated to debut at Disneyland's Main Street Opera House on July 17, 2025, precisely 70 years after the park's opening. This show will invite guests from around the world into Walt's office, offering an immersive experience that delves into his story and his transformative impact on the entertainment industry.
Although we didn't see the actual Audio-Animatronic of Walt Disney, the insights and previews we received during our visit have instilled confidence and excitement in me. Disney appears poised to execute this ambitious and meaningful project with spectacular flair.
One Man’s Dream
During our presentation at Walt Disney Imagineering, we learned about what guests can expect from "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" and why this is the perfect moment to bring Walt back to the only Disney Park he ever walked in.
“It's a huge responsibility, as I'm sure you could imagine, bringing Walt Disney to life in Audio-Animatronics,” said Tom Fitzgerald, senior creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering. “We are giving the same care and attention that Walt and his team did with Lincoln many decades ago. We worked closely with The Walt Disney Family Museum and our archives department, reviewing countless hours of footage and interviews to create the most authentic presentation possible. Walt's story remains as valid and relevant today as ever. It embodies the idea of pursuing your dreams, overcoming setbacks, and turning them into success. No matter what, follow that dream.”
The team emphasized their commitment to bringing Walt back respectfully and without haste. This project has been in development for over seven years, and the concept of a Walt figure has been considered for decades. However, the timing felt right only now.
The experience of seeing the life-size model of Walt was profound; it felt as though he was in the room with us. “We have worked diligently for many years with the Walt Disney Family Museum and members of the Disney and Miller family, as well as the board,” said Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, executive producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. “We've taken care to ensure the family is part of this journey and that we present a faithful and theatrical portrayal that keeps Walt alive in the medium he pioneered and in the storytelling style of our parks.”
To achieve authenticity, the team meticulously recreated Walt’s hand gestures, expressive eyebrows, and the iconic glint in his eye, as described by those who knew him. The words spoken by the Audio-Animatronic are Walt's own, compiled from various interviews over the years.
Though we didn't see the final Audio-Animatronic, the storyboard and life-size model left a lasting impression. Walt was depicted leaning against a desk, a pose he often adopted during conversations, and every detail was meticulously crafted. His hands were modeled from a bronze casting created by Adrian E. Flatt in the 60s, and his suit was made from the same material he favored. Each strand of hair was punched into his head and styled with the grooming products he used, and he wore his beloved Smoke Tree Ranch tie. The model also featured skin blemishes, small hairs, wrinkles, and even manicured nails, all contributing to a lifelike portrayal. The glimmer in his eye was particularly striking, adding a touch of Imagineering magic that made the model incredibly believable.
The project also required innovation in portraying figures that look good from a distance and in extreme close-ups, thanks to modern smartphone technology. “Today, with all of our phones, every guest can zoom in and do an extreme close-up of our figures,” Fitzgerald explained. “We had to reinvent how we portray them to ensure they look believable from any angle. This is particularly challenging with human-based figures, but we’ve made significant advancements to bring Walt Disney to life in a way that honors his legacy and reflects the technological advancements since his time.”
The timing of this project aligns with Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, the evolution of technology to meet the project's high standards, and having the right team in place to honor Walt’s legacy.
A Legacy Well Preserved
Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane Marie Disney-Miller, who co-founded The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco in 2009, passed away in 2013. The museum, which holds over 30,000 Disney-related items, was heavily involved in "Walt Disney - A Magical Life." I spoke with the museum's director, Kirsten Komoroske, about the project and the family's involvement.
“Disney informed us about 'Walt Disney - A Magical Life' quite early to ensure the family, including Walt's grandchildren, were involved and felt comfortable,” Komoroske said. “The grandchildren were particularly excited because Walt was fascinated by technology, and the Imagineers felt their tech had advanced to a point where they could do justice to his memory. There was a lot of thought given to doing this thoughtfully and respectfully.”
The museum donated over 30 items for the exhibit, including artifacts and furniture from Walt’s private apartment above the Fire Station on Main Street, such as a green velvet upholstered rocking chair, glass lamps, and a floral embroidered tilt-top table, which have never been displayed at Disneyland before. Additionally, guests will see many of Walt's awards, including his 1955 Emmy Award for ‘Walt Disney’s Disneyland’ TV show, his 1964 Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a plaque from the Racing Pigeon Association.
These items will be part of the "Evolution of a Dream" exhibit, which will open alongside "Walt Disney - A Magical Life," providing a deeper look into Walt's life and work. Komoroske believes this exhibit continues Walt and Diane's mission of preserving his memory and inspiring others with his journey from humble beginnings to significant achievements.
A Step Back in Time
The portrayal of Walt in the show will be based on him around 1963, inspired by his well-known Fletcher Markle Canadian Broadcasting interview from that year. “This is when Walt was really at his pinnacle,” Fitzgerald said. “He had the New York World's Fair shows in development, 'Mary Poppins,' the Secret Florida project, and Disneyland was thriving. He was full of life and excitement, eager to share it all with us.”
In the show, Walt will be standing in his office, welcoming guests to learn about his story. This office will be a blend of his actual Burbank office and the set used for his TV appearances, filled with Easter eggs like a photo of Abraham Lincoln and plans for Disneyland. It's designed to feel like you've "dropped in and you get to have some great moments with him."
While the exact content of Walt's speech remains under wraps, Shaver-Moskowitz hinted at its themes. “Walt will begin by discussing his legacy, but he’ll end with a profound thought,” he said. “Despite his many achievements in storytelling and animation, one of his greatest gifts was understanding the simple virtues of life and connecting with people. He remained humble despite being an industry titan, and that's the humanitarian aspect of Walt we're excited to highlight.”
Throughout our visit, the reverence and respect for Walt’s legacy were palpable. I also spoke with Disney historian Jeff Kurtti, who has written extensively about Disney and is currently Chapman University’s Presidential Fellow for Walt Disney Studies. Kurtti emphasized the importance of presenting Walt as a real person to new generations. “In the decades since Walt's death, there have been no consistent means to present his reality, persona, and philosophy to new generations,” Kurtti said. “This attraction offers a way for people to see and understand Walt Disney as a person, not just a brand, and to appreciate the philosophies that still influence the Disney Company and resonate in world culture.”
Kurtti also highlighted the project's sincerity, noting that it's not driven by profit or attendance but by a genuine desire to celebrate Walt’s identity and ideals. “There's no sense of driving attendance or profit with this,” he said. “There's a sincerity in investing the time, talent, and funding to celebrate the founder of the company, for those who remember him fondly and for new generations.”
This dedication to preserving Walt’s legacy in a meaningful way gives me hope that "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" will meet its lofty goals. Disney is taking all the right steps to present Walt’s story in a way that will inspire guests of all ages.
As we await the debut of "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" at Disneyland, the beauty of this project echoes one of Walt's most famous quotes: "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world." While the show will be complete, it won't tell the whole story of Walt or each individual who visits. Instead, it aims to inspire millions to pursue their own dreams, showing that, just like Walt, they can achieve them.
For more on Walt's story, explore our feature on how a century of Disney magic began during the Disney 100th anniversary celebration.
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