Disneyland Delays Highly-Anticipated First-Ever Walt Disney Animatronic Attraction

Disneyland has announced some new offerings that will be debuting as part of its 70th anniversary celebration this year at the Main Street Opera House. The announcement includes a notable change to the opening timeline of the highly-anticipated new show featuring the first-ever Walt Disney animatronic coming to this space.

In honor of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, there will be a new gallery experience for guests to explore at the Opera House and another special exhibit in the lobby including rare memorabilia from Walt Disney and Disneyland's history. These new experiences join the lineup of offerings and entertainment that was previously announced for Disneyland's 70th-anniversary celebration.

Keep reading for more details on the updated opening date of the “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” show and the new Disneyland 70th anniversary experiences coming to the Main Street Opera House. You can also see our coverage of upcoming changes to “it's a small world” for Disneyland's 70th anniversary to honor Disney Legend Richard Sherman.

Disneyland 70th Anniversary Attraction Opening Delayed

Disneyland previously announced that “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” would be debuting with the start of the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration in May, but this date has now been pushed back. The show will now open along with the new Main Street Opera House exhibits on July 17, 2025, Disneyland's 70th birthday.

The new attraction will focus on the story of Walt Disney's life. Disney shared that “through remastered footage and audio recordings, you’ll be taken on a cinematic journey that leads from Walt’s early endeavors to the bright lights of Los Angeles and beyond.” Then, we will see Walt in his office where we will see his Audio-Animatronics figure share “some heartfelt stories and words of wisdom.”

The exit lobby of the show will preview upcoming projects in Disneyland's future and how it will continue to grow, inspired by Walt's famous quote, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”

Disneyland 70th Anniversary Main Street Opera House New Gallery and Exhibit

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At the Main Street Opera House, there will be a new gallery focusing on the evolution of Walt's dream of Disneyland featuring images, art, and artifacts (including some that have never been seen). These will “show Disneyland before, during, and after Walt’s dream became a reality,” including relics and memorabilia from the early stages of Disneyland and through its evolution to become the Disneyland of today.

In the lobby of the Opera House, there will be another special exhibit highlighting the history of Audio-Animatronics technology, including a look at Walt's inspiration, the inner workings of the technology, and how it has evolved over time.

For this, Disneyland is collaborating with the Walt Disney Family Museum which has chosen over 30 artifacts for the lobby, including some original items from Walt's apartment above the Town Square Fire Station. The exhibit will include an original rocking chair, lamp, and table from the apartment, which will be publically exhibited at Disneyland Park for the first time.

The Walt Disney Family Museum is also loaning some of Walt's humanitarian accolades including Walt’s 1955 Emmy award for the “Walt Disney’s Disneyland” TV show, 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.

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