Disney Confirms Some Guests Won't See New Walt Disney Show

Walt Disney may be back in Disneyland Resort, but not every guest will get to see him in action.

This summer marks a landmark occasion in Disney history as Disneyland Resort celebrated its 70th anniversary on July 17, 2025. Guests arriving in Anaheim will find a resort-wide celebration already underway, launched back on May 16, filled with spectacular nighttime entertainment and brand-new shows across both theme parks.

At the same time, the Walt Disney Company is making notable changes across its U.S. parks, aiming to better accommodate guest flow, prepare for growing attendance, and enhance the overall experience on both coasts. Whether it’s commemorating history or closing aging attractions to make room for the future, 2025 has become a transformative year for Disney parks.

Disneyland’s milestone shines brightest in Southern California, where Walt’s original park—opened in 1955—continues to thrive. Now a full resort destination with Disney California Adventure Park, several themed hotels, and dining and shopping galore, the Anaheim property retains its reputation as a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

This summer, Disneyland is giving guests plenty of reasons to celebrate. Paint the Night and Wondrous Journeys headline the entertainment lineup, lighting up Main Street and Sleeping Beauty Castle. Meanwhile, Disney California Adventure has introduced Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! and the energetic World of Color—Happiness! nighttime show.

Perhaps most notably, though, is the addition of the new Walt Disney–A Magical Life show at the Main Street Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A. Disney’s plan to bring Walter Elias Disney back to life through animatronics finally came to fruition, with the theatrical show debuting on Disneyland’s 70th anniversary.

The show, presented as a replacement (at least for the time being) with Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln, sees guests following a “cinematic journey tracing Walt’s life from his early endeavors to the bright lights of Los Angeles and beyond.” The show culminates in a visit to Walt’s office, where the creator himself speaks to guests through archival recordings. Access to Walt Disney–A Magical Life is via the virtual queue system on the Disneyland app.

However, as with any form of technology, unexpected downtime does happen–and it did on the first day of operation at Disneyland Park. That said, Disney does have a contingency plan. In the fine print of the virtual queue page, Disney states that in “some circumstances,” guests will watch Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln instead.

“The Opera House Lobby area is available approximately 15-20 minutes before showtime. Capacity is limited. Joining the virtual queue does not guarantee the ability to experience Walt Disney — A Magical Life,” the terms and conditions of the virtual queue access reads. “Showtimes are subject to change and cancellation. In some circumstances, The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln may be presented instead.”

While the Mr. Lincoln show is unavailable due to A Magical Life, the shows will eventually be performed alternately. As the webpage notes: “The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is temporarily unavailable while Walt Disney – A Magical Life, a new show that explores the life of Walt Disney, plays at the Main Street Opera House. The 2 shows will eventually be presented on a rotating basis.”

How do you feel about potentially not seeing the new Walt Disney show even after securing a virtual queue slot? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!