Disney has released the first image and video of the new Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic figure, set to debut this Thursday, July 17, 2025, in the new Main Street Opera House attraction Walt Disney – A Magical Life. This will mark the first time Walt himself has been portrayed through Audio-Animatronics, a technology he helped pioneer.
The new experience is part of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration and has been in development for more than seven years at Walt Disney Imagineering. Though the idea of a Walt figure has circulated within Imagineering for decades, the team has now brought that concept to life through a blend of historical research, storytelling, and technical innovation.
A New Theatrical Experience
The show begins with a specially adapted version of One Man’s Dream, a cinematic biography of Walt’s life—from his early years to the founding of Disneyland and beyond. The film uses restored footage and audio recordings of Walt, many of which have been carefully edited and combined to create a seamless narrative in Walt’s own voice.
The final scene lifts the curtain on a re-creation of Walt’s Burbank office, where guests come face-to-face with the Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt Disney. Wearing a faithfully researched 1963-era suit, tie, shoes, and rings, the figure appears seated before rising and delivering remarks drawn entirely from archival recordings.
Technical and Artistic Innovations
According to Disney, the figure is the most lifelike human Audio-Animatronic ever created. Imagineers studied Walt’s facial expressions, hand gestures, and posture in extreme detail. Specific breakthroughs include:
- A newly developed skin material for more realistic texture and movement
- The first-ever “lean-to-stand” motion for an all-electric figure
- Subtle facial mechanics to replicate Walt’s natural speech patterns, including how his mouth relaxed between phrases
- A visible “twinkle in the eye,” designed to reflect his trademark expressiveness
Internally, these ambitious developments were dubbed “moonshots” by the team that created them.
A Redesigned Stage and Theater
To support the alternating performances of Walt Disney – A Magical Life and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Imagineers completely redesigned the theater stage. A new rotating turntable allows both shows to operate in rotation.
Before entering the theater, guests will explore newly installed exhibits in the lobby of the Opera House. These include:
- A timeline of Disneyland’s development and design evolution
- Honors and awards presented to Walt, including his 1955 Emmy and 1964 Presidential Medal of Freedom
- A new short film titled Memories of Walt, featuring stories from colleagues and collaborators
Walt Disney – A Magical Life will open to all guests beginning July 17 and will rotate performances with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln in the same theater.
