While we still have to wait until July 17 for the debut of Walt Disney – A Magical Life, when that date does arrive, the lobby of the Main Street Opera House will also host an all-new gallery experience titled “Evolution of a Dream”. Here, guests will discover images, artifacts, and art – some never before seen – that show Disneyland before, during, and after Walt’s dream became a reality.
Art and Original Furniture from Walt’s Apartment Coming to Disneyland
Included in this walkthrough museum space, put together by Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Executive Kim Irvine, will be pencil drawings and other concept artwork of the first and secondary preliminary plans of Disneyland.
Legendary Disney Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald told WDWNT that these missing pieces were discovered rolled up in a tube in recent years, and finally connect some of the dots between Walt’s earliest plans for the park and what opened to the public in 1955. This early artwork will begin the guest journey through the history of The Happiest Place on Earth, which will then be broken up into the five “original” lands of the park.
For “Evolution of a Dream”, Walt Disney Imagineering and the Walt Disney Archives have curated relics and memorabilia from the early stages of Disneyland, including vintage 1950s merchandise, correspondence, and more. The Walt Disney Family Museum has selected more than 30 artifacts for these experiences in the lobby, including furniture and more from Walt’s private apartment on Main Street U.S.A., which have never been publicly exhibited at Disneyland Park before. The furniture from Walt’s apartment will include an original lamp and table. These artifacts will be on loan from the museum.
As well, 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. Items on display will include the antique mechanical singing bird that Walt bought on a trip to New Orleans, which inspired him to task his staff with creating animated, three-dimensional characters for Disneyland. Famous Disney attractions featured in the space will include Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean, and more.
The Walt Disney Family Museum will also loan some of Walt Disney’s humanitarian accolades. These include his 1955 Emmy award for the “Walt Disney’s Disneyland” TV show, his Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Johnson in 1964, and the Walt Disney Commemorative Medal presented to Lillian Disney by President Nixon in 1969.
There will be even more to see when guests exit “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” as they’ll experience another new exhibit showcasing cast members at work through the 70 years of The Happiest Place on Earth, as well as a stunning new mural paying tribute to Disneyland history, including entertainment and attractions, plus what’s to come.
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” was previously scheduled to open on May 16, 2025, the date that the Disneyland 70th anniversary festivities begin, but was delayed to July 17, the actual milestone anniversary date. The show will also include a presentation of the film, “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream.” The new Main Street Opera House exhibit, “Evolution of a Dream,” will open on the same day. Also debuting on July 17 will be a new “it’s a small world” verse and a tribute to the Sherman Brothers.
The Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic featured in the new show will sport innovative “moonshots” which, according to Walt Disney Imagineering, will change Disney attractions forever. WDI has also stated that they have no record of Walt not wanting his own animatronic.
Check out every new detail we learned about “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.”
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