In a Disney Parks Blog post announcing new experiences coming to Disneyland for the park’s 70th anniversary, Disney quietly announced the Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic show was delayed by two months.
‘Walt Disney – A Magical Life’ Delayed
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” at the Main Street Opera House will debut the first-ever Walt Disney animatronic. The show will use new technology and archival voice recordings to bring Walt Disney to life in his office. The show was previously scheduled to open on May 16, 2025, the day the anniversary celebration begins.
It will now open with new Main Street Opera House exhibits on the resort’s actual anniversary: July 17, 2025.
Here is what Disney Parks Blog wrote:
“With so much to enjoy prior to experiencing ‘Walt Disney – A Magical Life,’ this attraction will now open alongside these new Main Street Opera House exhibits on July 17.”
Describing the show, Disney Parks Blog said, “As you step into the theater, you’ll get to experience the incredible story of Walt Disney’s life. Through remastered footage and audio recordings, you’ll be taken on a cinematic journey that leads from Walt’s early endeavors to the bright lights of Los Angeles and beyond. And when the curtain rises, guests will be transported to Walt’s office. Through the magic of Audio-Animatronics storytelling that he helped pioneer, Walt will share some heartfelt stories and words of wisdom.”
The exit lobby will preview projects and moments of how Disneyland will continue to move forward, exemplifying Walt Disney’s quote, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”
For an initial run, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will be the only show playing in the Main Street Opera House. It will then rotate with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”
“I speak for our entire team when I say there is so much pride and excitement for everyone involved in this endeavor,” Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro said about the show at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. “Creating our first Walt figure is a huge responsibility, and we’ve brought members of the Disney family along with us for every step of the journey.”
The Walt Disney animatronic has proven controversial. Though many of Walt Disney’s grandkids have praised the “stellar” figure, granddaughter Joanna Miller spoke out against the show.
A tribute to the Sherman Brothers and a new “it’s a small world” verse will also debut on July 17.
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