Revealed to WDWNT this week at a special press briefing at Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, California, the upcoming “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” attraction at Disneyland will not only feature the world’s first Audio-Animatronics figure of the company’s founder, it will also feature the return of the “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream” film at Disneyland Resort.
‘Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream’ Coming to Disneyland
The beloved documentary debuted on October 1, 2001 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as part of the 100 Years of Magic celebration, marking the 100th birthday of Walt Disney. The film is still shown in Florida today at Walt Disney Presents, but it also could be seen at Disney California Adventure from December 5, 2001 until April 6, 2005 in the Disney Animation building.
The film was originally narrated by then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner, but he was replaced by Julie Andrews of Mary Poppins fame when the film was updated upon Eisner’s departure.
Tom Fitzgerald, Senior Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, told WDWNT that the 24-year-old film will be uniquely adapted for “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” but will still be the journey from Walt’s childhood through to his vision for Walt Disney World and EPCOT, told in his own words. After the 15-minute film, the curtain will rise, and the world’s first Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure will perform for guests for about 2 minutes.
Despite what is commonly shared among the Disney community, Walt Disney Imagineering has said they have no record of Walt not wanting his own Audio-Animatronic. WDI also shared that the innovative figure will feature several “moonshots” that will change Disney attractions forever.
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” and its presentation of “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream,” will debut at Disneyland Park on July, 17, 2025. It was previously scheduled to open on May 16, the start of the Disneyland 70th anniversary festivities, but was delayed. The new Main Street Opera House exhibit, “Evolution of a Dream,” will also open that same day.
Read every new detail we learned about “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.”
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