Credit: Disney“I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing – that it all started with a mouse”.
While Walt Disney may have wanted us to believe that everything began with a mouse, we know that Disney and its immeasurable impact on the world would not have started without Walt Disney’s wonderful imagination.
Mr. Disney had dreams that were so much bigger than the town of Marceline, Missouri. So, he packed up and moved to California with nothing more than a suitcase and a dream. Now, one hundred years later, it seems hard to think of what life would be like without Disney theme parks, movies, and memorable characters.
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It seems hard to believe, but it has been nearly 70 years since Walt Disney changed the theme park industry with the opening of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. And on May 16, Disneyland Resort will kick off its epic 70th anniversary celebration!
There will be a ton of great offerings during the celebration, including the return of the Paint the Night parade and the Wondrous Journeys nighttime spectacular. There will also be specialty food and beverage offerings, and Mickey Mouse and the gang will be wearing special outfits to commemorate the occasion.
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One of the more controversial announcements was the fact that Disney would be creating a brand-new animatronic for the celebration. They will be bringing Walt Disney to life in a brand-new show — Walt Disney: A Magical Life, which will run in rotation with Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln.
Walt Disney and his Imagineers were the first to create audio-animatronics, and this new animatronic will honor that legacy. Imagineers even worked with members of the Disney family to ensure the animatronic was as lifelike as possible while honoring the man who is responsible for what Disney is today.
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Walt Disney – A Magical Life was originally set to premiere on May 16, when the 70th anniversary began. However, according to reports, Disney has pushed back the show’s opening to July 17, 2025.
And while it may be disappointing to hear that the show is delayed, it is actually a very fortuitous situation! Now, the show will premiere on the exact date that Disneyland opened 70 years ago!
Because Disney doesn’t do anything small, Disneyland’s 70th-anniversary celebration will run through the summer of 2026, so you’ll have plenty of time to get down to The Happiest Place on Earth and enjoy the festivities!
Are you excited to see Walt Disney brought to life with a brand-new animatronic? Will you be heading to Disneyland to celebrate its 70th Anniversary? Let us know in the comments!