Upcoming Disney Event
As Disneyland prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary this July, the Main Street Opera House will host a unique tribute to Walt Disney. In a robot form, Walt Disney will share his story with audiences, marking a new era in Disney’s use of technology to bring its founder to life.

Mixed Response to the Announcement
The announcement at D23 Expo 2024 that Walt Disney Imagineering is working on an animatronic Walt Disney has received a mixed response, even from members of the Disney family. While Roy P. Disney, Disney’s grandnephew, was present to support the announcement, Walt’s granddaughter, Johanna Miller, expressed her disagreement with the idea. In a Facebook post, Miller stated that Walt would not have wanted to be turned into an animatronic, calling it an "imposter."

Disney Imagineering’s Perspective
Tom Fitzgerald of Disney Imagineering believes that creating an animatronic Walt Disney is in line with Walt’s aim to always push the boundaries of technology. "His life story had been told in other formats already," Fitzgerald explained. "We wanted to create an experience that would be unique to Disneyland and bring Walt to life in a way that could only be experienced at the park." Fitzgerald also mentioned that the technology had advanced to a point where it was possible to create a lifelike animatronic.

Support from the Walt Disney Family Museum
Kirsten Komoroske, the executive director of the Walt Disney Family Museum, has expressed her support for the project. According to Komoroske, the organization has consulted with other members of the Disney family, who believe that Walt would have liked the project. Komoroske also stated that there is no documentation to support Miller’s claim that Walt would have opposed the idea. "We’ve worked closely with the Disney family to ensure that the project is faithful to Walt’s legacy and presents a theatrical presentation that keeps him alive in the medium he pioneered," Komoroske said.

Why Now?
Fitzgerald explained that the Walt animatronic is happening now for two reasons. Firstly, Disneyland’s 70th anniversary is an ideal time to create a permanent tribute to Walt Disney. Secondly, Fitzgerald believes that many people today do not know Walt Disney as an individual, but rather as a company. "I grew up watching Walt Disney on television, and he came into our living room every week," Fitzgerald said. "But a lot of people today don’t know Walt Disney was a person. They think Walt Disney is a company."

Meet Walt Disney, the Robot
This summer, Disney fans of all ages will have the opportunity to meet Walt Disney, the robot, at the Main Street Opera House.

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