Beginning July 17, 2025, a new show will debut at Disneyland Park. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln will be paused for the new Walt Disney – A Magical Life, giving fans a glimpse at the life of Walt Disney with an incredibly lifelike animatronic.
Located in the Main Street Opera House theater, the new show begins with a film adaptation of “One Man’s Dream,” narrated by Walt himself, which follows his life from early endeavors through his dreams for the future. The finale raises the curtain, revealing the first Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney ever created. Guests can watch him in a re-creation of his office at the Studio, where he shares a few stories and thoughts on his career and philosophy.
Walt Disney – A Magical Life Fast Facts
- Location: Main Street, U.S.A.
- Height Requirement: None
- Attraction Length: About 15 minutes
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass: No
- Ride Type: Stage show
- Early Theme Park Entry Eligible: No
- Extended Evening Hours Eligible: N/A
- Ride Switch Available: No
Queue
Instead of a traditional queue, Walt Disney – A Magical Life welcomes guests inside the Main Street Opera House to explore new exhibits, including “Evolution of a Dream.” This features pieces illustrating how Disneyland grew from an idea Walt had while spending time with his daughters to a reality that brought happiness to generations of guests.
This includes curated relics and memorabilia from teh early stages of Disneyland, including pencil drawings and concept artwork of preliminary plans. Some of these plans on display have never been seen publicly. As you travel further back, you’ll find treasures and vintage merchandise from the early days of the park, including a display of Mickey ears throughout the year.
Further along, you’ll find a selection of pieces from The Walt Disney Family Museum, which has loaned more than 30 artifacts for display. One area is dedicated to Walt’s private apartment in Disneyland, including original furniture and décor from the apartment.
Further into the queue of the lobby you’ll find an exhibit showcasing the history of Audio-Animatronics storytelling, with both original and replica figures that date back to Walt Disney Imagineering’s earliest development of the technology.
At the exit of the theater, you’ll find a tribute to Disneyland Cast Members from 70 years of the park.
Accessibility
Guests may remain in wheelchairs and ECVs for this attraction.
Assistive listening, handheld captioning, video captioning, and audio description are all available for guests who need these features, too.
On-Ride Photo
There is no on-ride photo for this attraction.
Is Walt Disney – A Magical Life Kid-Friendly?
Similar to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, this is a history-based show, so your kid’s mileage may vary on how they find it! Unlike Mr. Lincoln, the focus is more on Walt Disney and the start of Disneyland, which may hold little more appeal for the younger generation.
Either way, this can be a show that serves as a great opportunity for kids who need a cool-down or some quiet time inside air conditioning.
Best For: Adults or kids who don’t mind sitting through a history-focused show.
Will Walt Disney – A Magical Life Cause Motion Sickness?
Since this is a seated stage show, guests don’t need to worry about motion sickness.
Thank you to Disney for hosting us for a preview of Walt Disney: A Magical Life. #Disneyland70
