Disney Revives Walt Disney as Audio-Animatronic for 70th Anniversary

Disney invited us and a select few others into the secret halls of Walt Disney Imagineering to witness the remarkable project of bringing their founder back to life through the magic of Audio-Animatronics for "Walt Disney - A Magical Life," celebrating Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. This endeavor is filled with respect, authenticity, meticulous detail, and a profound sense of Disney magic.

"Walt Disney - A Magical Life" is set to debut at Disneyland's Main Street Opera House on July 17, 2025, coinciding precisely with the 70th anniversary of Disneyland's opening. The show will welcome guests from around the globe into Walt’s office, offering an intimate look at his life and the transformative impact he had on the world of entertainment.

Although we didn’t see the actual Audio-Animatronic of Walt Disney, the insights and presentations we received have instilled in me a strong confidence and excitement that Disney will execute this ambitious and meaningful project with spectacular flair.

One Man’s Dream

Upon entering a room at Walt Disney Imagineering for this presentation, we were briefed on what guests can anticipate from "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" and why this moment 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,” Tom Fitzgerald, senior creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering, explained. “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 countless hours of footage and interviews to craft what we believe is the most authentic presentation possible. Walt's story remains as valid and relevant today as it ever was, emphasizing the importance of following your dream and turning setbacks into success.”

The team assured us that they are taking every precaution to ensure Walt's return is done respectfully and not rushed. This project, in development for over seven years, reflects an idea that has been considered at the company for decades, but it wasn't until now that it felt right.

The experience of seeing this felt as though Walt Disney was truly present in the room with us. “We have worked diligently for many years with the Walt Disney Family Museum and members of the Disney and Miller family and the board,” Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, executive producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, stated. “We've taken care to ensure that the family is part of this journey and that we present a faithful and theatrical representation that honors Walt's legacy in the medium he pioneered and the storytelling style of our parks.

“To that end, we’re authentically recreating the way Walt used his hands to emphasize points, his expressive eyebrows, and even the glint in his eye that many who worked with him fondly remembered. The words spoken by Walt are his own, sourced from interviews over the years and pieced together to ensure authenticity.”

Though we didn’t see the actual Audio-Animatronic, a life-size model built for reference left a lasting impression. It felt as though Walt Disney was in the room with us, leaning against a desk as he often did during talks, with every detail meticulously accounted for. His hands were cast from a bronze mold created by Adrian E. Flatt in the 60s, the suit was made from the same material he wore, and each strand of hair was styled with the same grooming products he used. He wore his beloved Smoke Tree Ranch tie, and even the smallest details like skin blemishes, hairs on his hands and nose, and the weariness in his eyes were captured. The glimmer in his eye, thanks to Imagineering magic, added an undeniable authenticity to the model.

We'll see how the actual Audio-Animatronic turns out, but the model left us speechless, a true piece of art crafted by a talented team at the top of their game.

“Today, with smartphones, every guest can zoom in and closely examine our figures,” Fitzgerald noted. “We had to reinvent how we portray them. They must look good from a distance but also believable up close. This is particularly challenging with human-based figures. We've innovated to ensure the portrayal of Walt Disney is as realistic and authentic as possible, much like how he brought Abraham Lincoln to life, but for a new era.”

The timing for bringing Walt back is a mix of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, technological advancements allowing for a respectful portrayal, and having the right team in place to honor his legacy.

A Legacy Well Preserved

Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane Marie Disney-Miller, who passed away in 2013, co-founded The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, which opened in 2009 and holds over 30,000 items related to Disney. The museum was heavily involved in this project, and I had the opportunity to speak with its director, Kirsten Komoroske, about "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" and the contributions they made.

“Disney informed us about 'Walt Disney - A Magical Life' quite early on 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 advancements had reached a point where they could capture his essence respectfully. There was a lot of thought given to doing this thoughtfully and respectfully.”

The museum donated over 30 items for 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, never before displayed at Disneyland. The exhibit will also showcase many of his awards and humanitarian accolades, including his 1955 Emmy Award for ‘Walt Disney’s Disneyland’ TV show, the Presidential Medal of Freedom from 1964, and a plaque from the Racing Pigeon Association for his contribution to the sport through the 1958 film ‘The Pigeon that Worked a Miracle.’

These items will be part of the "Evolution of a Dream" exhibit, opening alongside "Walt Disney - A Magical Life," offering deeper insights into Walt's life and work. Komoroske emphasized that this exhibit continues the legacy of Walt and Diane's mission to preserve his memory, highlighting his journey from humble beginnings to significant achievements despite setbacks.

A Step Back in Time

The version of Walt Disney we’ll see in this show is from around 1963, inspired by his well-known Fletcher Markle interview on Canadian Broadcasting. “This is when Walt was at his pinnacle,” Fitzgerald remarked. “He had the New York World's Fair shows in development, Mary Poppins, the Secret Florida project, and Disneyland was thriving. He was full of life and excitement, eager to share it all with us.”

Walt will be standing in his office, welcoming guests to learn about his story. The office will be a blend of his actual Burbank office and the set used for his TV appearances, filled with Easter eggs like a photo of Abraham Lincoln and plans for Disneyland. It’s designed to feel as though you’ve dropped in for a personal visit with Walt.

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

While the exact content of Walt’s talk remains a mystery, the message is clear. “Walt will begin by discussing his legacy but will end with a profound thought,” Shaver-Moskowitz explained. “Despite his many achievements, one of his greatest gifts was understanding the simple virtues of life and connecting with people on that level. He was a humble man despite being an industry titan, and we’re excited to highlight this humanitarian aspect of Walt.”

Throughout the presentation, there was a deep reverence and respect for Walt’s legacy and the commitment to doing this project the right way. Disney historian Jeff Kurtti, who has written extensively on Disney and worked at the company, echoed these sentiments. “In the decades since Walt's death, there have been no consistent means to present his reality, persona, and philosophy to new generations,” Kurtti said. “This attraction offers a way for new audiences to see Walt Disney as a real person, not just a brand, and to understand the work and philosophies that still inform the Disney Company and resonate in world culture today.”

Kurtti also noted that Walt Disney, like Abraham Lincoln, is as absent from the culture of current audiences as Honest Abe is unfamiliar to modern ones. “This is an excellent chance to bring Walt into the current conversation,” he added. He emphasized that "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" is a project The Walt Disney Company “did not have to do,” driven not by profit but by a sincere desire to celebrate the identity and ideals of their founder for both those who remember him and new generations.

This commitment gives me hope that "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" will achieve the heights it aims for. Disney is taking all the right steps to preserve Walt’s legacy and present it meaningfully for guests of all ages and future generations.

We still have some time before "Walt Disney - A Magical Life" debuts at Disneyland, but the beauty of this process and the show itself echoes one of Walt's famous quotes: “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”

"Walt Disney - A Magical Life" will be a complete show, yet it won't tell the whole story of Walt or each individual who visits. What it hopes to do is inspire millions to follow their dreams and show that they can come true. Walt did it, and so can you.

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