Some of Walt Disney’s grandchildren approve of the new Audio-Animatronic of their grandfather that will debut at Disneyland next year, saying it is “stellar” and “as accurate as possible.”
Walt Disney’s Grandchildren Speak on Audio-Animatronic
The Audio-Animatronic is part of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” a new show at the Main Street Opera House in Disneyland set to debut on May 16, 2025, as part of the resort’s 70th anniversary celebration. This is the first time Walt Disney will be brought to life as an animatronic, a technology he pioneered with Imagineers. It will use new technology and archival voice recordings.
In July 2023, Walt Disney Imagineering invited The Walt Disney Family Museum board of directors to view progress on the animatronic. The museum was founded by Walt’s daughter Diane Disney Miller, and the board includes five of Walt’s grandchildren and three of his great-grandchildren.
Walt’s grandson and Diane’s eldest child Chris Miller said in a statement shared by The Orange County Register that Imagineering’s “work to that point was stellar and they were very eager to be as accurate as possible in creating this.” He added, “We came away confident that this is the right group to take on this important project.”
Walt’s granddaughter Tamara Miller said, “We believe that our grandfather would have been enthusiastic about the project and fascinated by the advancements of the audio-animatronics technology that was first developed during his days at WED (now Imagineering) — a technology that he was always passionate about.”
The museum’s executive director, Kirsten Komoroske, said, “We are enthusiastic about, and grateful for, the company’s efforts to create this exciting new attraction that will allow people to experience Walt Disney, the man behind the magic.”
“Creating an Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney is an enormous responsibility and one that we take incredibly seriously,” said a Disneyland spokesperson. “We are bringing the same care, research and respect to Walt Disney as Walt himself did when he advanced the technology he pioneered by creating the Abraham Lincoln figure for the 1964 New York World’s Fair and ultimately ‘Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln’ at Disneyland Resort. We continue to push the art form and technology in every way possible to ensure that this tribute is done right.”
Walt Disney’s grandnephew Roy P. Disney appeared at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event this summer in support of the new animatronic.
However, Joanna Miller, another of Diane’s children, quickly spoke out against the show, saying, “I am overwhelmed with disgust and anger. Mom would be ready to fight. I think it shows a lack of respect for Grampa.”
Joanna Miller has started a letter-writing campaign to convince The Walt Disney Company to “abandon the Robot of Grampa.” She wrote in a recent Facebook post that the animatronic “would be an imposter” and that they are “dehumanizing” Walt. According to Joanna Miller, retired Imagineers have told the current Imagineers that creating the animatronic is “out of bounds.”
“MOST IMPORTANTLY,” Miller wrote, “I learned that GRAMPA TOLD SAM MCKIM THAT HE NEVER WANTED TO BE AN ANIMATRONIC.”
Sam McKim was an Imagineer and Disney Legend. As a Disney artist, he created the Disneyland maps issued between 1958 and 1964. He contributed to several classic attractions, including “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln,” Carousel of Progress, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Haunted Mansion. A new Disney Vacation Club lounge opening at Magic Kingdom is named after McKim.
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” is scheduled to run continuously at the Main Street Opera House for the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration. It will then rotate performances with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln,” which originally debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
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