Walt Disney has returned to the world-famous theme park he created in Southern California thanks to Audio-Animatronics technology and the debut of the new attraction ‘Walt Disney – A Magical Life’.
The attraction officially opens on July 17, the 70th anniversary of Disneyland, at the Main Street Opera House in Disneyland Park. It culminates in a visit with an Audio-Animatronics figure of the patriarch himself in his office, sharing stories and words of wisdom with guests.
“Creating this figure is an enormous responsibility and one that the team has taken very seriously, likely as seriously as Walt Disney did in creating the Audio-Animatronics figure of Abraham Lincoln so many decades ago,” Tom Fitzgerald, senior creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering, said.
“We hope to honor Walt through the art form that he pioneered, and that ‘Walt Disney – A Magical Life’ will be a permanent tribute here at Disneyland … the only Disney park Walt ever walked in.”
Lifelike Walt sits and stands
The Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney has been in the works for seven years and is the most lifelike figure that Walt Disney Imagineering has ever created. The team achieved many innovations never done before in a humanoid figure, such as achieving a ‘twinkle in the eye’, the first ‘lean to stand’ motion for an all-electric figure, realistic skin through new methods, imagineering studied muscle structure and the nuances of speaking and gesturing such as how the mouth falls when the figure is speaking, as well as the very Walt mannerisms and movements including the way Walt used his hands.
The technological leaps to achieve these far-reaching ambitions were called “moonshots” within the team that innovated them.
“This fitting tribute will give millions of guests a moment of wish fulfillment – to feel like what it was like to be in Walt’s presence,” Walt Disney Imagineering portfolio executive creative producer, Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, said.
“We worked closely with the Walt Disney Archives and The Walt Disney Family Museum to depict the details of Walt and his office accurately in this theatrical presentation. Most importantly, we were passionate about creating an Audio-Animatronics figure designed specifically for this attraction, delivering a portrayal that has his nuances, hand gestures, facial expressions, and more – all of the attributes that make this figure’s performance feel uniquely Walt and not simply creating a figure to look like Walt.”
Inside the lobby of the Main Street Opera House, an all-new gallery experience titled “Evolution of a Dream” will display images, artifacts and art – some never before seen – that show Disneyland before, during and after Walt’s dream became a reality. Included will be pencil drawings and other concept artwork featuring preliminary plans for Disneyland.
Walt Disney Imagineering and the Walt Disney Archives have curated relics and memorabilia from the early stages of Disneyland including vintage merchandise, correspondence and more.
Walt’s private apartment
The Walt Disney Family Museum has selected more than 30 artifacts for these experiences in the lobby, including original items from Walt’s private apartment which have never been publicly exhibited at Disneyland Park before. These artifacts will be on loan from the museum.
A special exhibit about the story and history of Audio-Animatronics technology will feature original and replica figures dating back to Walt Disney Imagineering’s earliest development of the technology. Attractions featured include Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean and more.
In a pre-show tribute video to “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” called “Memories of Walt,” those who worked alongside Walt Disney – and those inspired by his vision – share personal stories and reflections about Walt Disney. Through touching anecdotes and behind-the-scenes memories, they offer a rare glimpse into Walt’s character, and the man behind the magic. These intimate recollections reveal his relentless curiosity, hands-on leadership and unwavering belief in creativity and people.
“The expertise and care that Walt Disney Imagineering has devoted to this project is nothing short of remarkable,” The Walt Disney Family Museum executive director, Kirsten Komoroske.
“Diane Disney Miller was driven to create The Walt Disney Family Museum to not only honor her father, but to also expose the public to the extraordinary – and real – man behind the globally impactful brand. We are endlessly grateful to The Walt Disney Company for their exceptional and considerate efforts to make Walt an integral part of the park experience.
“I think that Walt would be thrilled with the blend of cutting-edge technology and artistry. And I think that he would be touched by the tribute.”
