‘Walt Disney – A Magical Life’ review | Seeing Disneyland’s new animatronic in person
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” just opened in Disneyland on the park’s 70th anniversary, July 17, 2025. For the first time, The Walt Disney Company has presented an Audio-Animatronics figure featuring the likeness of the company’s founder, Walt Disney. After dreaming about it for years, I finally got to see this come to fruition. I was overcome with emotions.
I’ve wanted to see The Walt Disney Company create an Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney for a long time. I even wrote about my desire for it back in 2020. The following are my thoughts after experiencing it for the first time.
As I sat in the audience at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in 2024 when they announced this attraction for Disneyland, my jaw dropped. It was my favorite announcement to come from the convention, and I was simply thrilled that it was finally happening. To say I was shocked is an understatement.
Fast forward to just about a year later and I was grateful to attend an advance media event to witness the attraction. I was going in cautiously optimistic. I knew how important this was to me. Walt Disney has been a huge inspiration to me (as he has many others), and I wanted this to be nothing short of spectacular. I was not disappointed.
The attraction resides inside the Main Street Opera House and begins with “One Man’s Dream,” a biographical film featuring Disney CEO Bob Iger as narrator. Then the curtain rises for Walt Disney just as it has many years for President Lincoln. Seeing Walt standing there, or more accurately leaning there, gave me literal chills throughout my body. When he began speaking, I could feel myself beginning to tear up. I’ve experienced a lot. Therefore, I’m a tough critic who is sadly jaded by a lot of entertainment. I wasn’t expecting this wash of emotion to come over me.
Something to keep in mind when forming opinions about “Walt Disney – A Magical Life”: like any theme park attraction, it’s meant to be seen in person. I’ve seen a lot of videos and photos online with quite a bit of criticism in the comments. In some cases, I can agree with the comments based on the photos and videos. But in person, it was nothing short of spectacular for me.
The speech
From my front-row seat, the animatronic simply looked like Uncle Walt. For a couple seconds, the technology even convinced me it was Uncle Walt. The speech Walt gives is an amalgamation of interviews he conducted through the years. Together, the stories tell a tale of gratitude, resilience, and even a touch of envy.
Some of the speeches are poignant interviews we’ve heard many times. But the story of Walt’s brother, who was a mailman, and how Walt gives him credit as “the one that had all the fun” is not heard often. I loved this choice for the attraction, as it’s Walt shedding light on the fact that there are many kinds of people in the world, each with their own purpose. A lot of folks may have envied Walt’s position in life, but even Walt wished he could stop and have more fun instead of worrying about business sometimes. It’s a lesson of comparison I believe a lot of guests will take to heart.
The sound
Although I’m thrilled Imagineers used actual audio from Walt Disney for the presentation, I hope the audio quality will be plussed in the years to come. These recordings are very old, and they came from various interviews. To get them sounding like one continuous speech I’m sure was arduous. Regardless of all that work, the voice has a tin-like quality to it, as if it were being played through an old gramophone.
I’m not sure if the technology to make the voice more lifelike using old recordings simply isn’t there yet. If that’s the case, I’m sure Walt’s show will be updated throughout the years, as Lincoln’s has. If the technology to do that is currently available, I wish they had invested more in it. I would love to hear the voice sound like it’s coming from an actual human.
The look
A lot of conversation has been had online, typically based on videos and photos, about the look of the figure. Is it a perfect replica of Walt? No. But is it bad? Also no. In that moment when the figure was presented in the way it was designed to be seen in person, it was convincing to me. In particular, the sparkle in his eye using corneal bulges does the job well.
The fact is, I’ve never seen an Audio-Animatronics figure featuring a celebrity’s likeness that looks good in photo or video. Whether it’s The Hall of Presidents, Ellen DeGeneres in Ellen’s Energy Adventure, any of the actors portrayed in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and many other examples, Audio-Animatronics figures often have something “off” about them when not viewed the way they’re intended to be seen and experienced.
The figure’s movements
As far as the figure’s movements, I think it’s a home run in respect to how I’ve seen Walt move in archive videos. Imagineers nailed the little details like his fingers tapping and his eyebrow expressions. The figure is first seen leaning against his desk in a pose we’ve all seen Walt in prior. Part way through he stands up, takes a step forward, and puts his hand to his hip. It all felt like Walt.
The set design of ‘Walt Disney – A Magical Life’
The set he stands on is a fantasy mash-up version of his offices. If you’ve ever toured the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank through D23, you’re sure to recognize items from your visit. One of my favorite details is the nod to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln on display in the office. It’s a fun moment recognizing the attraction Walt was working on while we’re seated in the space the attraction eventually filled.
Speaking of Lincoln, part of this project included installing a turntable on the stage. Eventually, the Main Street Opera House will present both “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” as well as “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.” Given the fact how Lincoln’s set took up a lot of the stage previously, I expect there to be some adjustments to that show once it returns.
‘Walt Disney – A Magical Life’ is a must-do
Overall, I believe “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” is a wonderful addition to Disneyland. If you’re a guest visiting the park with little knowledge of Walt Disney, it is an excellent introduction to Walt sharing important moments and lessons in his life through the film and Audio-Animatronics figure. If you’re someone who walks into Disneyland with a lot of Walt Disney knowledge, it is a breathtaking experience that may make you feel closer to Walt.
For me, this new addition to Disneyland has quickly become a must-do when visiting the park. If you’re visiting Disneyland for the first time, I suggest making it your first stop, especially if you don’t have much knowledge about Walt Disney and the creation of Disneyland. I think you’ll appreciate the park much more after experiencing “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.”
Hear more about my detailed thoughts of the attraction on the latest episode of “Dizney Coast To Coast,” available wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Jeff DePaoli is an event producer and voiceover artist living in Los Angeles. He can be heard as the voice of Disney Trivia on Alexa as well as the host of “Dizney Coast to Coast” podcast, where he and his special guests share honest opinions on all things Disney at DizneyCoastToCoast.com. DePaoli’s opinions are his own and do not necessarily represent Attractions Magazine.
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