New Carousel of Progress scene with Walt Disney animatronic coming to Magic Kingdom
An Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney will debut inside an updated version of Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom, honoring Walt’s legacy and inspiring new generations.
Disney announced the news on Aug. 30, 2025, during Destination D23, the company’s official convention. As part of the “Creating the Happiest Place on Earth” panel, Imagineer Chris Beatty revealed the update. This new introductory scene promises to be both nostalgic and inspiring, giving guests the chance to hear directly from the visionary who started it all while connecting his legacy to the attraction that has long celebrated innovation and progress.
Walt Disney Carousel Animatronic: What we know — and what’s next
We know the new Walt Disney animatronic figure will appear in the new opening scene of Carousel of Progress. However, details on its look, voice, or timing remain under wraps. Also, Disney has yet to announce an official debut date. However, the “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” at Disneyland attraction might lend some clues.
On July 17, 2025, marking Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, guests were treated to a new attraction, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” debuting in the Main Street Opera House. The experience begins with a cinematic presentation (adapted from “One Man’s Dream”) that narrates Walt’s journey from humble beginnings to global visionary, voiced in his own tone. The show culminates in the reveal of the first-ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney, crafted with expressive gestures, eye sparkle, and the meticulous detail of his 1963 office setting. This was all pulled directly from archival recordings and produced by Walt Disney Imagineering in collaboration with the Walt Disney Archives and the Walt Disney Family Museum. The attraction stands as a powerful tribute to the man who dreamed it all up.
The Walt Disney figure at Disneyland has faced mixed reactions from guests. However, the future addition of it to the Carousel of Progress at the Magic Kingdom shows the Disney Company’s confidence in these updates, which feature the man who started it all.
Kirsten Komoroske, executive director of the Walt Disney Family Museum, expressed heartfelt appreciation: “The introduction of a new Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney … marks an exciting milestone in our shared mission to celebrate the story of the man behind the magic and inspire new generations with his innovations and vision for the future.”
Originally debuting at the New York World’s Fair in 1964, the Carousel of Progress quickly became a sensation. Today, it stands as the most-performed stage show in American theatrical history and has been a staple in Magic Kingdom since 1975.
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