Walt Disney Comes to Life: Disneyland Unveils Opening Date for Groundbreaking Audio-Animatronic Show
Published on 12/6/24 by Craig Smith
Disneyland Resort has announced that “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” a groundbreaking show featuring the first-ever Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt Disney, will debut on May 16, 2025, coinciding with the park’s 70th anniversary celebration. This innovative attraction will be housed in the Main Street Opera House, offering guests an immersive experience that brings Walt Disney to life through advanced animatronic technology.

New show “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” coming to Disneyland .
The show will run exclusively for one year before alternating with the classic “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln,” allowing visitors to enjoy both experiences during their visits. This initiative continues Disneyland’s tradition of honoring its founder, following previous exhibits like “The Walt Disney Story” and “Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years.”
Tom Fitzgerald, Senior Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, described the project as a “labor of love,” emphasizing the team’s dedication to creating the most lifelike human figure they’ve ever produced. The new Audio-Animatronic will feature realistic hand and finger movements, as well as lifelike skin textures, showcasing the latest advancements in animatronic technology.
This announcement is part of Disneyland’s broader 70th-anniversary festivities, which will include a new nighttime spectacular, themed merchandise, special food offerings, and park-wide decorations, all celebrating the park’s rich history and ongoing legacy.
By introducing “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” Disneyland continues to honor its heritage while embracing innovative storytelling methods, offering guests a unique opportunity to connect with the visionary behind the magic.
- News Topic: Disney Parks News, Disneyland News
- Disney Park(s) in this Article: Disneyland Park Info News and Attractions
- Attraction(s) in this article: Walt Disney – A Magical Life | Disneyland Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln | Disneyland The Walt Disney Story | Disneyland Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years | Disneyland
Explore Disney History
Take a stroll through Disney history. Click on a year on this interactive timeline to find out everything that happened that year related to Disney.
- 1923
- 1924
- 1925
- 1926
- 1927
- 1928
- 1929
- 1930
- 1931
- 1932
- 1933
- 1934
- 1935
- 1936
- 1937
- 1938
- 1939
- 1940
- 1941
- 1942
- 1943
- 1944
- 1945
- 1946
- 1947
- 1948
- 1949
- 1950
- 1951
- 1952
- 1953
- 1954
- 1955
- 1956
- 1957
- 1958
- 1959
- 1960
- 1961
- 1962
- 1963
- 1964
- 1965
- 1966
- 1967
- 1968
- 1969
- 1970
- 1971
- 1972
- 1973
- 1974
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
- 1983
- 1984
- 1985
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
Our Latest Videos
Is Cinderella Castle hurricane proof? #disneyworld #magickingdom #disneyshorts #disneyrumors



The Latest Disney News
- Yearlong Room Refurbishment Underway at Disney’s Pop Centry Resort
- “Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld” to Premiere Two Days Early in “Fortnite” as Part of Disney & Epic Games’ Most Expansive Collaboration Yet
- Red Guardian Headed to Avengers Campus at Disneyland Resort
- Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room Closes for Refurbishment at Disneyland
- Phased Closure of Muppets Courtyard Begins Next Week at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Utilize Virtual Queue for Star Wars Day Merchandise Event
- Anniversary Re-Release of “Revenge of the Sith” Scores Big at Box Office
- ABC News to Air Exclusive Interview with President Trump for First 100 Days
- Land Clearing Preparations Begin Behind Magic Kingdom for Cars-Themed Expansion
- New Breakfast Offerings Coming to the Disneyland Resort April 30