Disney Revives Walt Disney as Audio-Animatronic for Disneyland's 70th Anniversary

Disney invited us and a few others into the secret halls of Walt Disney Imagineering to witness how they are bringing their founder back to life through the magic of Audio-Animatronics for the project titled "Walt Disney - A Magical Life," celebrating Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. This endeavor is filled with respect, authenticity, incredible attention to detail, and a significant dose of Disney magic.

Set to debut at Disneyland's Main Street Opera House on July 17, 2025, exactly 70 years after Disneyland's opening, "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" will invite guests from around the world into Walt’s office, offering a glimpse into his life and his transformative impact on the entertainment industry.

Although we didn’t see the actual Audio-Animatronic of Walt Disney, the insights and details shared have instilled a sense of confidence and excitement that Disney will execute this ambitious and meaningful project spectacularly.

One Man’s Dream

During our visit to Walt Disney Imagineering, we were introduced to the vision behind "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" and the significance of bringing 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've worked closely with The Walt Disney Family Museum and our archives department, reviewing hours of footage and interviews to create the most authentic presentation possible. Walt's story remains as valid and relevant today as it ever was, embodying the idea of pursuing your dreams, overcoming setbacks, and turning them into successes. No matter what, follow that dream.”

The team emphasized their commitment to bringing Walt back respectfully and accurately, a project that has been in development for over seven years. The concept of a Walt figure has been considered for decades, but the timing felt right now.

Though we couldn’t see the actual Audio-Animatronic yet, the experience was profound. “We have worked diligently for many years with the Walt Disney Family Museum and members of the Disney and Miller family, ensuring the family's involvement throughout the journey,” explained Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, executive producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. “We aimed to present a faithful and theatrical portrayal that keeps Walt alive in the medium he pioneered and in the storytelling tradition of our parks.

“We’re authentically recreating Walt’s hand gestures, his expressive eyebrows, and the glint in his eye that many who knew him described. The words spoken by Walt are his own, compiled from various interviews over the years.”

A storyboard revealed a glimpse of the narrative guests will experience, and behind it stood a life-size model of Walt Disney used as a reference for the Audio-Animatronic. The model captured Walt leaning against a desk, a pose familiar from his talks, with every detail meticulously crafted. His hands were recreated from a 1960s bronze casting, his suit made from the same material he wore, and each strand of hair styled with his preferred grooming products. He wore his beloved Smoke Tree Ranch tie, and the model even included skin blemishes, nasal hairs, and manicured nails, all contributing to a lifelike portrayal. The glimmer in his eyes, thanks to Imagineering magic, added a touch of realism.

“Today, with smartphones, every guest can zoom in for extreme close-ups of our figures,” Fitzgerald noted. “We had to innovate to ensure they look good from a distance and up close. This is especially challenging with human figures. We aimed for a look that’s as realistic and authentic as possible, much like Walt brought Abraham Lincoln to life, but for a new era.”

The timing for bringing Walt back now is influenced by Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, advancements in technology, and having the right team to honor his legacy.

A Legacy Well Preserved

Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane Marie Disney-Miller, co-founded The Walt Disney Family Museum, which opened in San Francisco in 2009 and houses over 30,000 Disney-related items. The museum played a crucial role in this project.

“Disney approached us early about 'Walt Disney - A Magical Life' to ensure the family, including Walt's grandchildren, were involved and comfortable,” said Kirsten Komoroske, the museum's director. “The grandchildren felt that Walt’s fascination with technology and the Imagineers’ advancements made this the right time to capture his professional essence respectfully and thoughtfully.”

The museum contributed over 30 items for the exhibit, including never-before-seen pieces from Walt’s private apartment above the Fire Station on Main Street, such as a green velvet rocking chair, glass lamps, and a floral embroidered table. The exhibit will also showcase some of Walt’s awards, like his 1955 Emmy for ‘Walt Disney’s Disneyland,’ the 1964 Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a unique plaque from the Racing Pigeon Association.

These items will be part of the "Evolution of a Dream" exhibit, opening alongside "Walt Disney - A Magical Life," providing further insight into Walt’s life and work. Komoroske emphasized that this exhibit continues the legacy of Walt and Diane’s mission to preserve his memory, highlighting his journey from humble beginnings through significant failures to monumental successes.

A Step Back in Time

The version of Walt depicted in the show is from around 1963, inspired by his well-known Fletcher Markle interview on Canadian Broadcasting. “This was when Walt was at his pinnacle,” Fitzgerald said. “He had the New York World's Fair shows, Mary Poppins, the Secret Florida project, and Disneyland was thriving. He was full of life and eager to share his vision.”

In the show, Walt will be in his office, 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. The setting aims to feel as if guests have "dropped in" for a personal moment with Walt.

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

While the exact content of Walt's speech remains under wraps, Shaver-Moskowitz hinted, "Walt will start by discussing his legacy but will leave guests with a profound thought. Despite his achievements in storytelling and animation, one of his greatest gifts was understanding life's simple virtues and connecting with people. He remained humble despite being an industry titan, and we're excited to highlight this humanitarian aspect of Walt.”

Throughout the presentation, there was a profound respect for Walt’s legacy and a commitment to doing this right. Disney historian Jeff Kurtti, who has authored over 40 volumes on Disney and served as Chapman University’s Presidential Fellow in Walt Disney Studies, echoed these sentiments.

“Since Walt's death, there has been no consistent way to present his reality, persona, and philosophy to new generations,” Kurtti said. “This attraction offers a means for people to see Walt as a real person, not just a brand name, and to understand the philosophies that still guide the Disney Company and resonate in world culture.

“Walt Disney, like Abraham Lincoln, is absent from the current cultural consciousness. This is a great opportunity to bring him back into contemporary conversation.”

Kurtti emphasized the sincerity of the project, noting that it wasn’t driven by profit 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 time, talent, and funding to celebrate the founder of the company, for those who remember him fondly and for new generations.”

This dedication gives hope that "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" will achieve its lofty goals. Disney is taking the right steps to preserve Walt’s legacy and present it meaningfully for guests of all ages and future generations.

While we await the debut of "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" at Disneyland, there is beauty in this part of the process and the show itself, echoing one of Walt's famous quotes: "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."

"Walt Disney - A Magical Life" will be a complete show, but it won't tell the whole story of Walt or each individual who walks through those doors. Hopefully, it will inspire millions to follow their own dreams, showing that they can come true. Walt did it, and so can you.

For more on Walt's story, explore our coverage of how a century of Disney magic began with the Disney 100th anniversary.