Disneyland's Latest Attraction Is An Instant Sentimental Favorite (And It's Not A Ride)

There's a big reason to take your family vacation to Disneyland in 2025 — the park is ringing in its 70th anniversary. That means discounted tickets for a limited time, new menu items, and celebratory shows and attractions. Disneyland's celebration has brought one moving new addition in particular: "Walt Disney – A Magical Life," which debuted on July 17, 2025, inside the historic Main Street Opera House. Rather than a ride you hop on, this attraction takes audience members on a sentimental ride through Disney lore.

Combining a short documentary film with the first ever Audio‑Animatronic figure of Walt Disney himself, the experience begins with a reimagined version of "One Man's Dream" (the movie shown in Walt Disney World), narrated by Disney CEO Bob Iger. The story recalls moments throughout Walt's animation career leading up to the opening of Disneyland, now one of the best historical sites to visit in America. Then the curtain rises to reveal the animatronic Walt in his recreated 1960s studio office, sharing stories in his own words.

"I grew up watching Walt Disney on television, like millions of Americans, and every week, he would come into our living room and he'd be leaning on the desk and telling us all about the exciting things that were in store for us," Disney Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald said at a media preview (via SFGate). "But we realized ... that was long ago, and a lot of people didn't have that connection with [him] and don't understand that Walt Disney was a person, as well as Walt Disney obviously being the company. We really wanted to bring that connection of what we felt growing up with Walt to an audience today."

While you might not be able to ride the "Walt Disney – A Magical Life" attraction, it certainly resonates in a different way. Many longtime fans describe it as Disneyland's most moving new attraction in years. Opening on the park's actual anniversary, this show is already being hailed as a nostalgic experience, providing fans a rare, emotional connection to the founder of the Magic Kingdom.

What makes it truly special is the animatronic's lifelike realism. Walt shifts from leaning on his desk to standing, gestures naturally, and addresses the audience using real audio clips from interviews spanning decades. "It was amazing to see in person. The movements are astounding," wrote one fan, u/whyisreplicainmyname, on Reddit. "This animatronic has some of the craziest facial tech I have seen in an animatronic," added u/Certain_Judgment6646. "The fact they accomplished a ton of detail and movement (when people see this show they really need to focus on how he keeps flashing his playful smirk so well) and have this looking so close to Walt should be celebrated."

The building itself now has a turntable stage so that the long-running show "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" can alternate throughout the day with this new tribute, after its initial run. If you're visiting Disneyland in 2025, plan to make this one of your stops — especially if you're curious about Walt Disney or want a quieter break from the thrill rides. If you're a fan of Disney history, it's powerful to see Walt come to life through a medium he helped develop. And be sure to check out these tips every Disneyland visitor should know ahead of your trip.