Walt Disney Animatronic Coming to Disneyland

Written by Joshua Posted August 11th, 2024

Sixty years ago, Walt Disney’s WED Enterprises team created an Abraham Lincoln Audio-Animatronic for the World’s Fair. It revolutionized entertainment in theme parks, wowing guests at the Fair and Disneyland alike. All these years later, Disney Imagineers are still creating beautiful characters, most recently for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Now they’ve been tasked with honoring the man who started it all. Walt Disney will soon be immortalized as an animatronic.

Walt Disney – A Magical Life animatronic concept art. Copyright Disney. — Click or tap for a larger view. Copyright Disney.

“Walt Disney — A Magical Life” is coming to Disneyland’s Main Street Opera House in 2025. The concept art shows Walt standing in front of his work desk and a large aerial photograph of Disneyland. The scene is authentic. Danielle recently toured Walt Disney Studios and shared this photo with us.

Aerial photograph of Disneyland in Walt Disney's office — Click or tap for a larger view. Copyright Danielle Ernest

This has to be an awesome undertaking for Imagineers. Josh D’Amaro acknowledged as much at last night’s D23 Parks panel presentation:

“I speak for our entire team when I say there is so much pride and excitement for everyone involved in this endeavor. Creating our first Walt figure is a huge responsibility, and we’ve brought members of the Disney family along with us for every step of the journey”
Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences Chairman

Roy P. Disney, Walt’s great-nephew visited Imagineering recently to check in on the progress. He was also in attendance at last night’s event.

After its initial run, “Walt Disney — A Magical Life” will alternate with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”