Following yesterday’s first look at the Walt Disney Animatronic, WDWNT was allowed to film the entire performance of the figure in “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” opening later this week at Disneyland.
Walt Disney Animatronic Opening
Full Walt Disney Animatronic – A Magical Life Performance
In “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” a performance by a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic follows a presentation of the documentary film, “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream” (now narrated by Disney CEO Bob Iger).
During the sequence, guests “join” Walt in his office as he recounts a personal story about his mailman brother, “the smart Disney,” what his “job” is at the studio now that he no longer draws (the figure is modeled after Walt as he was in 1963), and recounting his famous quote that “it was all started by a mouse.”
The figure speaks through the use of archival voice recordings, allowing Walt to “speak” to guests in his own words. Walt’s attire was researched and carefully crafted, including his suit, tie, shoes, and rings. Even his hands are exact, thanks to the discovery of a bronze mold taken of them prior to his death.
Walt Disney Imagineering discussed how the figure achieved several “moonshots,” or advancements in the art form of Audio-Animatronic technology. These included expressive eyebrows and facial features, the “glint” in Walt’s eye known by all who met him during his life, his hand gestures when speaking, and the “lean to stand” function, in which the Walt animatronic starts his performance by leaning on his desk, then moving to stand and shuffling his weight before speaking.
Three generations of the Disney family recently viewed the animatronic in a private showing and were” so moved and touched by it.” According to Kirsten Komoroske, executive director of The Walt Disney Family Museum, the youngest members of the family could not be convinced that the animatronic was not a real person.
After the initial run of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” the new show will rotate with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.” The two shows have been set up on a new turntable in the theater, allowing for the offerings to quite literally rotate out as they alternate performances.
In addition to the new show, several exhibits have been set up inside the Main Street Opera House, where the show is performed. These include “Evolution of a Dream,” which details how Disneyland grew from an idea to a reality; artifacts from The Walt Disney Family Museum, including furniture from Walt’s private apartment above the Town Square Fire Station; a history of Audio-Animatronics; and “A Tribute to Disneyland Past, Present, and Future.” The Main Street Opera House also got a new marquee and attraction signs advertising “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.”
Watch our video of the full Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic section of the show below:
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will open to all guests on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at Disneyland Park.
What do you think of the full performance of the Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic? Does it live up to your expectations? Share your thoughts with us in the comments and on social media.
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