Latest news with #WaltDisney—AMagicalLife
Los Angeles Times
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Disney celebrates its 70th anniversary and unveils Walt Disney animatronic
Disneyland celebrated its 70th anniversary and to mark the occasion the resort unveiled its signature attraction for its anniversary year, 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life.' The show is notable in that it features the first audio-animatronic of Walt Disney, a creation the company's creatives have stressed is its most lifelike mechanical figure to date.
Los Angeles Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Walt Disney is now an animatronic. 5 things to know about the new Disneyland attraction
Disneyland turned 70 today, and to mark the occasion the resort unveiled its signature attraction for its anniversary year, 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life.' The show is notable in that it features the first audio-animatronic of Walt Disney, a creation the company's creatives have stressed is its most lifelike mechanical figure to date. While Disneyland's 70th celebrations got underway in May, 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' is its nostalgic soul, and the aim of the production is to illustrate that the massive conglomerate that is Walt Disney Co. today was, at its heart, the vision of one man. The 17-minute-or-so experience is housed in the Main Street Opera House, where it will run for the next year. After that, it will play in tandem with 'The Disneyland Story Presenting Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln,' which has called the space home since 1965. 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' has generated much curiosity, speculation and controversy since it was unveiled at last year's D23 fan convention. A re-creation of the company's patriarch is newsworthy, generating discussion on how best to preserve a legacy, but also notable because, unlike the vast majority of Disney's audio-animatronic figures, Disney is a widely recognizable personality for which much film and audio footage exists, thanks to a weekly television show in the '60s. Audiences will likely approach the mechanical re-creation with more scrutiny than an exaggerated character on, say, Pirates of the Caribbean, or even a 'Star Wars' figure. I was at Disneyland for its 70th anniversary and took in the show. Here are some instant reactions. I'm eager to see 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' a second time, in part because I didn't catch much of what the robotic figurine was saying. Not because I wasn't interested but simply because I was distracted by how the audio-animatronic moved. I'm used to seeing figures, at Disney and elsewhere, with exaggerated motions. Not here. The Disney figure maneuvers with patience — and, dare I even say, grace. That's a huge compliment for a robot. When Disney goes from leaning on a desk to standing, and then back again, you'll be looking around the stage, wondering just what mechanization allowed that to happen. Especially impressive is the slowness with which the arms move, his hands accentuating the speech but in a natural way; that is, they don't move with every sentence. There are times Disney will point and moments he puts his arm to his hips. It's incredibly fluid. I was lucky to be seated about three-fourths of the way back in the theater, so I was able to take in the theatricality of it all — a small movement of an eyebrow, a slight twist of the wrist — without nitpicking imperfections in the machine, which brings us to the next point. By now, many Disney fans have had a chance to see the officially released images by the company as well as close-up pictures taken by park guests. There have been quibbles, to say the least, with many a fan showing snapshots of the animatronic side by side with pictures of a much younger Disney. It's important to note that the figure captures Disney in 1963. Disney died in 1966 at 65. The show has me thinking a bit on how the animatronic medium can be used best. Disney introduced its audio-animatronics in 1963 with the Enchanted Tiki Room, but elevated the form in 1965 with the 'Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln' production. We have no filmed footage of Abraham Lincoln, meaning he exists to us largely in our mind. 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' contains a 15-minute documentary-like film, 'One Man's Dream,' which is narrated by Disney and Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger, allowing us an instant comparison. From my vantage point — again, about three-fourths of the way into the theater — the animatronic was a more-than-respectable approximation of Disney. It's not perfect, perhaps — the face is a little bulky, the cheeks just a bit off — but that's because I still think the medium is best suited for more fantastical characters and creations, shows and figures that let us use our imagination rather than aim to capture life. Audio, however, is taken direct from Disney's speeches, with an emphasis on creative inspiration, and while it has been cleaned up, there's no mistaking that it's Disney's voice. Ultimately, Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative team responsible for theme park creations, deserves to be commended for this risk, as it has me eager to see how audio-animatronics will continue to evolve and elevate our immersive experiences. At its core, this is a robot, and no robot will directly capture human life, at least not yet, but this is as close as Walt Disney Co. has come. Imagineering took great pains to capture Disney accurately. That's apparent, right down to Disney's tie emblazoned with the logo for Palm Springs' Smoke Tree Ranch, a favorite retreat of his. At a media event earlier this year, Imagineers spoke of re-creating the exact suits Disney wore, as well as researching his shoe size and attempting to find the correct hair gel Disney would use. (They failed in the latter mission.) The figure's hands were sculpted with the help of actual molds of Disney's hands, courtesy of the Walt Disney Family Museum, and the Imagineers studied film footage to time how often Disney would blink. 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' is a work of theater, ultimately, and it's a period piece. The set surrounding Disney is a re-creation of his office, and it has a homey, vintage feel. Yet the focus of the show, at least until some animated effects in its final moments, is on Disney. While the animatronic portion of the production is about two to three minutes, it's a restrained, respectable production. The short answer is we don't really know. Many members of the Disney family have spoken favorably of the animatronic. There has been one notable exception: Disney's granddaughter, Joanna Miller, who has argued that Disney wouldn't want to be preserved as a robot. Additionally, Miller is fearful that future audiences will see Disney simply as an audio-animatronic character rather than a real human. Walt Disney Co. in May attempted to address those concerns. 'In all our research, we never found any documentation of Walt saying that,' Imagineer Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz said about the belief that Disney did not want to be immortalized as an audio-animatronic. 'We know that it's anecdotal, and we can't speak to what was told to people in private, and we can't speak to Joanna's specific feelings about the project. But we have worked very diligently for many years with the Walt Disney Family Museum and members of the Disney and Miller family.' Imagineering has argued that the show is important because it can show today's audiences, who may think of the name Walt Disney as simply a designation for a corporation, as a real human. 'Why are we doing this now?' Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald said. 'For two reasons. One is Disneyland's 70th anniversary is an ideal time, we thought, to create a permanent tribute to Walt Disney in the Opera House. The other: I grew up watching Walt Disney on television. I guess I'm the old man. He came into our living room every week and chatted, and it was very casual, and you felt like you knew the man. But a lot of people today don't know Walt Disney was an individual. They think Walt Disney is a company.' As someone who reported on the audio-animatronic earlier this year, I'm hesitant to give a definitive opinion on the show. I tried to approach the perspectives of Miller and Imagineering with equal respect, as I believe both are valid. I can't, for instance, relate to what it's like to see a loved one turned into an audio-animatronic. Nor am I charged with helping to preserve a company's legacy. There is one lasting thought I had, however. 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' is unique for a theme park experience. It is not tied to a massive intellectual property like a blockbuster film or hit television series. As an almost 17-minute theatrical show, with the vast majority of the experience being a documentary film, this isn't an E-ticket, the Disney term for its top-of-the-line attractions, a reference to the park's ticketing books of yore. Yes, Walt Disney Co. has objectives in appealing to the nostalgia of its fans, and it can further endear audiences to the company if it can put a face behind its roots. Today the firm is a mass of properties — Marvel, Lucasfilm, Pixar and more — and surely there's motivation in presenting Walt Disney Co. as human, one devoted to creativity and imagination, which is the primary theme of Disney's short speech. Yet, ultimately, this isn't going to pack in long-term crowds. It's an addition to Disney's original park that explores its history. And Disney enthusiasts will likely appreciate this bold endeavor from the company — or at least enjoy debating the merits of the figure. In that sense, it's the rare theme park attraction that feels like a passion project.
Vancouver Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary: Here's a look at the park then and now
Disneyland is celebrating 70 years of being 'The Happiest Place on Earth.' The summerlong festivities in southern California include the opening of 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life,' a show featuring a lifelike animatronic of the company's founder that debuts Thursday and also marks Disneyland's official anniversary. Walt Disney's vision of creating a getaway for families revolutionized the amusement park industry with immersive attractions featuring robotic figures and holographs, and shows and characters appealing to children. The park's emphasis on storytelling and attention to detail is still evident today in theme parks across the world. Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Disneyland now ranks as the world's second-most visited theme park, closely behind Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida, which opened in 1971. According to the Themed Entertainment Association, Disneyland drew more than 17 million people in 2023, bouncing back from an unprecedented 13-month closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The park was built on what was once orange groves in Anaheim, just outside Los Angeles. It opened on July 17, 1955 — a year that also saw Ray Kroc start his first McDonald's restaurant and Jim Henson introduce his original version of Kermit the Frog. Disneyland's first day was famously a disaster, all broadcast on a live television special. The park opened just a year after its groundbreaking and simply wasn't ready for its big day. Attractions broke down, there weren't enough restrooms, food and drinks were in short supply, traffic backed up for miles and the shoes of the first guests sank into freshly paved asphalt. Among the original rides still around today are the Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan's Flight and Jungle Cruise. The cost to get in that first year was $1 for adults and 50 cents for children, although tickets for most rides were an additional 10 to 50 cents. Today, a one-day ticket starts at more than $100 and on some days can double that. Over the years, the park has hosted U.S. presidents, kings and queens, and countless celebrities. A few even got their start at Disneyland — actor Kevin Costner was a skipper on the Jungle Cruise and comedian Steve Martin worked at a magic shop where he learned about being a performer. The Walt Disney Co. now has six resorts with a dozen theme parks worldwide. The parks have become one of its most successful and important business segments. The resort in Anaheim now includes Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney, a shopping and entertainment district. While Disneyland still features many of the touches Walt Disney oversaw himself, the original park is ever-evolving, sometimes to the dismay of its loyal fans. Some of the moves have been made to keep up with a changing society, while others have been made to introduce more thrilling attractions with the latest technology to keep up with competitors. Just last year, Disney received approval to expand its Southern California theme parks. A new parking structure and transit hub are the first steps in its plans to open more space for new attractions.
Toronto Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary: Here's a look at the park then and now
Stampede bartender vows 'never' to do it again, citing abusive crowds and marathon shifts Nude photo leak meant to be 'distraction' from political goals, McGregor says MANDEL: Mentally ill man with history of stabbing strangers convicted of murder Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary: Here's a look at the park then and now Photo by David F. Smith / AP Article content Disneyland is celebrating 70 years of being 'The Happiest Place on Earth.' Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account or Sign in without password View more offers Article content The summerlong festivities in southern California include the opening of 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life,' a show featuring a lifelike animatronic of the company's founder that debuts Thursday and also marks Disneyland's official anniversary. Article content tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary: Here's a look at the park then and now Back to video tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Play Video Article content Walt Disney's vision of creating a getaway for families revolutionized the amusement park industry with immersive attractions featuring robotic figures and holographs, and shows and characters appealing to children. The park's emphasis on storytelling and attention to detail is still evident today in theme parks across the world. Disneyland now ranks as the world's second-most visited theme park, closely behind Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida, which opened in 1971. According to the Themed Entertainment Association, Disneyland drew more than 17 million people in 2023, bouncing back from an unprecedented 13-month closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your Midday Sun Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The park was built on what was once orange groves in Anaheim, just outside Los Angeles. It opened on July 17, 1955 — a year that also saw Ray Kroc start his first McDonald's restaurant and Jim Henson introduce his original version of Kermit the Frog. Disneyland's first day was famously a disaster, all broadcast on a live television special. The park opened just a year after its groundbreaking and simply wasn't ready for its big day. Photo by Mark Avery / AP Attractions broke down, there weren't enough restrooms, food and drinks were in short supply, traffic backed up for miles and the shoes of the first guests sank into freshly paved asphalt. Among the original rides still around today are the Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan's Flight and Jungle Cruise. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The cost to get in that first year was $1 for adults and 50 cents for children, although tickets for most rides were an additional 10 to 50 cents. Today, a one-day ticket starts at more than $100 and on some days can double that. Over the years, the park has hosted U.S. presidents, kings and queens, and countless celebrities. A few even got their start at Disneyland — actor Kevin Costner was a skipper on the Jungle Cruise and comedian Steve Martin worked at a magic shop where he learned about being a performer. The Walt Disney Co. now has six resorts with a dozen theme parks worldwide. The parks have become one of its most successful and important business segments. The resort in Anaheim now includes Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney, a shopping and entertainment district. While Disneyland still features many of the touches Walt Disney oversaw himself, the original park is ever-evolving, sometimes to the dismay of its loyal fans. Some of the moves have been made to keep up with a changing society, while others have been made to introduce more thrilling attractions with the latest technology to keep up with competitors. Just last year, Disney received approval to expand its Southern California theme parks. A new parking structure and transit hub are the first steps in its plans to open more space for new attractions. Article content Share this article in your social network Read Next
New York Post
03-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Walt Disney is being turned into a robot — and his granddaughter is ‘pissed off': ‘I started crying'
Disney World is the happiest place on Earth — but one member of the Disney family isn't smiling about a new park innovation. Joanna Miller, granddaughter of the late Walt Disney, blasted Walt Disney Co. for creating an audio-animatronic version of her beloved grandfather to honor Disneyland Resort's 70th anniversary in July. In a scathing Facebook post, Miller blasted the new park addition as 'dehumanizing' and said that the 'robotic grampa' went against the wishes of the family patriarch, who died when she was 10. 3 (L-R) Jennifer Goff, Tammy Miller, Joanna Miller, Walter Miller and Chris Miller speak onstage during The Walt Disney Family Museum's 2nd Annual Gala at Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at The Disneyland Resort on November 1, 2016 in Anaheim, California. Joe Scarnici 'People are not replaceable. You could never get the casualness of his talking,' she wrote in the post. The Walt Disney recreation would live in the opera house on Main Street, U.S.A. for a new show, 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life,' which hopes to give parkgoers an idea of 'what it would have been like to be in Walt's presence.' Miller is one of the few who have actually seen the immortal animatronic, as Disney is notoriously secretive about its developments. 'I think I started crying,' Miller recalled of her reaction. 'It didn't look like him, to me.' Most of the current animatronics are either representative of the company's film characters or real-life political figures for the Hall of Presidents; most do not speak or move much. The incoming Walt Disney animatronic promises to be the most lifelike one yet, pulling dialogue from his speeches and more deliberate, subtle movements. 3 Walt Disney died when Joanna was 10 years old. Getty Images Miller, who lives an extremely private life, doesn't regret calling out the company. She does fear that speaking out against Walt Disney Co. might cause the entertainment company to retaliate by taking away her access to the park, a perk agreed upon when Miller's late father, Ron W. Miller, stepped down as Disney CEO in 1984. 'You just start to get pissed off. And you get tired of being quiet. So I spoke up on Facebook. Like that was going to do anything? The fact that it got back to the company is pretty funny,' she told the Los Angeles Times. Soon, Miller was face-to-face with current Disney CEO Bob Iger to discuss the animatronic. Miller makes it clear she isn't representing her five siblings or other family members — but, as she emphasized in a letter to Iger, 'I do speak for my grandfather and my mother.' Not long after sharing her concerns on Facebook, she was invited to view the figure in person and sit down with Iger and members of Walt Disney Imagineering, the behind-the-scenes team that brings the parks' immersive experiences to life. 'He was very kind,' Miller said of the CEO. 'He let me do my spiel.' Miller's main argument is that her grandfather did not want an animatronic version of himself. Her mother, Diane, founded San Francisco's Walt Disney Family Museum and rejected a robotic version of Walt. 'In all our research, we never found any documentation of Walt saying that,' Imagineer Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz said back in April. 'We know that it's anecdotal and we can't speak to what was told to people in private.' 3 Miller's main argument is that her grandfather did not want an animatronic version of himself. Getty Images That's one of the biggest challenges Miller is up against. The people she says best understood Walt Disney's wishes — her parents and trusted collaborators like former Imagineering head Marty Sklar — have all passed away. Unless others step forward, she's the last direct link to that legacy. Still, Miller isn't naive about the situation. In her view, the family's biggest misstep was selling the rights to Walt Disney's name, image, and likeness back in 1981 — a $46.2 million stock deal that effectively severed their control. As a result, the family has little to no influence over how Walt is portrayed in the parks. Imagineering, however, maintains that it consulted the Walt Disney Family Museum and current board-member descendants during the development of the animatronic tribute.
