Disney invited us and a few others into the secret halls of Walt Disney Imagineering to witness the meticulous process of bringing their founder back to life through the magic of Audio-Animatronics for "Walt Disney - A Magical Life," a project celebrating Disneyland's 70th anniversary. The project is imbued with respect, authenticity, and a touch of Disney magic, promising an experience filled with incredible attention to detail.

Set to debut at Disneyland's Main Street Opera House on July 17, 2025, exactly 70 years after Disneyland's opening, "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" will welcome guests into Walt's office, offering a deep dive into his life and his transformative impact on the entertainment world.

Although we did not see the actual Audio-Animatronic of Walt Disney, the insights and previews we received have instilled a strong sense of confidence and excitement about Disney's ability to execute this ambitious and meaningful project spectacularly.

One Man’s Dream

During our visit to Walt Disney Imagineering, we were briefed on what guests can anticipate from "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" and why now is the perfect time to bring Walt back to the only Disney Park he ever walked in.

"It's a huge responsibility, as I'm sure you could imagine, bringing Walt Disney to life in Audio-Animatronics," said Tom Fitzgerald, senior creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering. "We are giving the same care and attention that Walt and his team did with Lincoln many decades ago. We worked closely with The Walt Disney Family Museum and our archives department, reviewing hours of footage and interviews to create what we believe is the most authentic presentation possible. Walt's story remains as relevant today as it ever was, emphasizing the importance of pursuing your dreams and turning setbacks into successes."

The team emphasized their commitment to honoring Walt's legacy without rushing the project, which has been in development for over seven years. The concept of a Walt figure has been considered for decades, but it wasn't until now that it felt right.

"We have worked diligently for many years with the Walt Disney Family Museum and with members of the Disney and Miller family and the board," said Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, executive producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. "We've taken care to ensure the family is part of this journey and that we present a faithful and theatrical representation that keeps Walt alive in the medium he pioneered and how we tell stories in our parks."

To achieve authenticity, the team meticulously recreated Walt's mannerisms, including his hand gestures, expressive eyebrows, and the famous glint in his eye. The words spoken by Walt in the show are his own, carefully pieced together from various interviews over the years.

Although we did not see the actual Audio-Animatronic, the life-size model of Walt Disney, used as a reference for the project, was revealed. It was a moment that felt as if Walt was in the room with us. The model, leaning against a desk in a pose familiar to those who knew him, captured every detail, from the bronze casting of his hands to the material of his suit, the styling of his hair, and even his favorite Smoke Tree Ranch tie.

The model went beyond mere appearance, featuring skin blemishes, small hairs, and even a weariness in his eyes, complemented by realistic wrinkles and manicured nails. The glimmer in his eye, a testament to Imagineering's magic, added a layer of believability that left us speechless.

"Today, with all of our phones, every guest can zoom in and do an extreme close-up of our figures," Fitzgerald noted. "We had to reinvent how we portray them, ensuring they look good from a distance and just as believable up close. This is particularly challenging with human figures, but we've innovated to bring Walt Disney to life in a way that honors his legacy and reflects the advancements in our technology."

The timing for this project aligns with Disneyland's 70th anniversary, the evolution of technology to a point where it can be done justice, and having the right team in place to honor Walt's legacy.

A Legacy Well Preserved

Walt Disney's daughter, Diane Marie Disney-Miller, co-founded The Walt Disney Family Museum in 2009, which opened in San Francisco and holds over 30,000 Disney-related items. The museum played a significant role in "Walt Disney - A Magical Life," and its director, Kirsten Komoroske, shared insights on the project and the family's involvement.

"Disney informed us about 'Walt Disney - A Magical Life' well in advance to ensure the family, including Walt's grandchildren, were involved and felt comfortable," Komoroske said. "Walt was fascinated by technology, and the Imagineers believed their tech had advanced to a point where they could capture the man as he was in his professional life respectfully and thoughtfully."

The museum contributed over 30 items to the exhibit, including artifacts and furniture from Walt's private apartment above the Fire Station on Main Street, such as a green velvet upholstered rocking chair, glass lamps, and a floral embroidered tilt-top table, all of which have never been publicly displayed at Disneyland before.

The exhibit "Evolution of a Dream" will showcase many of Walt's awards and humanitarian accolades, including his 1955 Emmy Award, the 1964 Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a plaque from the Racing Pigeon Association honoring his contribution to the sport through the 1958 film "The Pigeon that Worked a Miracle."

Komoroske emphasized that this exhibit continues the legacy of Walt and Diane's mission to preserve his memory, highlighting his journey from humble beginnings through significant failures to monumental successes, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

A Step Back in Time

The version of Walt Disney that guests will meet in the show is inspired by his appearance in the 1963 Fletcher Markle Canadian Broadcasting interview, capturing him at his pinnacle with numerous projects in development, including the New York World's Fair shows, "Mary Poppins," the Secret Florida project, and Disneyland itself.

Walt will be standing in his office, a blend of his actual Burbank office and the set used for his TV appearances, filled with Easter eggs such as a photo of Abraham Lincoln and plans for Disneyland. The setting aims to make visitors feel as if they've "dropped in" for a personal encounter with Walt.

Tom Fitzgerald and Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz with a model of the stage.

While the exact content of Walt's speech remains a surprise, Shaver-Moskowitz hinted that it would begin with his legacy and conclude with a profound thought about the simple virtues of life and his ability to connect with people, highlighting his humility despite his industry titan status.

Throughout the presentation, there was a palpable sense of reverence and respect for Walt's legacy. Disney historian Jeff Kurtti, who has written extensively about Disney and currently serves as Chapman University's Presidential Fellow, Walt Disney Studies, underscored the importance of this project in presenting Walt's reality, persona, and philosophies to new generations.

"In the decades since Walt's death, there have been no means to consistently present his reality, his persona, and his philosophy to new generations," Kurtti said. "This attraction and presentation offer a means for new generations to see and understand Walt Disney as a real person, not just a brand name, and to appreciate the work and philosophies that still inform the Disney Company and resonate in world culture."

Kurtti emphasized that this project was not driven by profit motives but by a genuine desire to celebrate the identity and ideals of the company's founder, for those who remember him fondly and for new generations.

The anticipation for "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" is high, and while we await its debut, the process and the show itself echo one of Walt's most famous quotes: "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."

While "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" will be a complete show, it won't tell the whole story of Walt or each individual who walks through those doors. Instead, it aims to inspire millions to follow their own dreams and show that they can come true, just as Walt did.

For more on Walt's story, check out our look at how a century of Disney magic began from Disney's 100th anniversary.