In the destination known as the ‘Happiest Place on Earth,’ Disneyland
will debut “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” at the Main Street Opera House on
July 17, 2025.
As part of Disneyland’s 70th year
anniversary celebration, guests will discover new exhibits in the Opera House lobby on Main Street before
entering the theater to hear Walt Disney’s incredible story — told in his own
words as an Audio-Animatronic creation.
Lobby exhibits include vintage merchandise, hundreds of
images, art and artifacts, pencil drawings and concept work, some seen for the
first time at
Disneyland. Twenty artifacts are on loan from The Walt Disney Family Museum
and a special area is dedicated to Walt's apartment in Disneyland. The
display includes original furniture and décor along with two rocking chairs,
two dining chairs, a table and a cranberry-colored lamp from the private apartment
he built for himself and his family above the Town Square Fire Station.
Another display features awards and humanitarian accolades
that include a 1955 Emmy award for the “Walt Disney’s Disneyland” television
series, his Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Johnson in 1964,
and the Walt Disney Commemorative Medal presented to Lillian Disney by
President Nixon in 1969.
Finally, an exhibit showcases the history of Audio-Animatronics
storytelling dating back to Disney’s earliest development of the technology.
Guests will recognize the talking birds, singing flowers and enchanting tikis
from Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room opened in 1963, a doll from the original
“it’s a small world” which debuted at the 1965-1965 New York World’s Fair and
figures from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Inside the theatre, the show begins with a film adaptation
of “One Man’s Dream” narrated by Walt Disney before the finale, showcasing the
first Audio-Animatronics figure
of Walt Disney ever created. Walt’s words create his ‘great moments’ for
the performance as he shares stories and thoughts on his career and philosophy
in the re-creation of his studio office with a twinkle in his eyes and expressive hands and eyebrows.
Guests exit the theater to a final exhibit honoring Disneyland
cast members who helped bring magic to life for 70 years. A stunning mural pays
tribute to Disneyland history, including entertainment and attractions,
culminating in a peek into the future of Disneyland Resort, a reminder of
Disney’s legacy and belief that Disneyland will never truly be complete so long
as imagination is left in the world.
?
??
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
