Disneyland Reveals the First Animatronic Walt Disney

by

Even six decades following his passing, Walt Disney continues to be omnipresent within Disneyland; through pictures, plaques, the attractions he contributed to, and the park’s lore echoed by its staff. However, unlike other figures, Disney himself has never been represented by an audio-animatronic.

In a fresh production at Disneyland, celebrating its 70th anniversary, titled “Walt Disney: A Magical Journey,” it’s now Disney himself (or his robotic likeness) who takes center stage. As detailed by Disney Parks Blog, this show offers an excellent platform to share the fascinating tale of Walt Disney, narrated in his own voice, through both film and the enchanting technology of Audio-Animatronics, a form he himself pioneered.

Upon entering a lobby adorned with Disneyland mementos and trinkets, visitors will first view the short film “One Man’s Dream.” Subsequently, they’ll encounter an imitation of the initial Audio-Animatronics figure created for Walt Disney, situated in a replica of his office. The phrases spoken by this robot are based on recordings of the actual Walt Disney over the years.

You can see and hear the first glimpse of the animatronic Walt Disney in action in the video below.

Though I’ve never personally encountered Walt Disney, I’ve seen numerous films and videos about him. The Walt animatronic, from what I’ve seen briefly, isn’t necessarily poorly made, but it doesn’t seem to fully embody Disney’s likeness. If you showed me a thumbnail of the video along with the suit and particularly the room in the background (which closely resembles Walt’s office on the Wonderful World of Disney television show), I could easily recognize him. However, if you took a photo of just his head against a generic background and asked me to identify who it was, I wouldn’t be confident in my guess. (Perhaps it looks more like Walt in person.)

Starting July 17th, I’m thrilled to share that my life story, titled “Walt Disney: A Magical Life,” will be premiering at none other than Disneyland! Nestled within the enchanting Disneyland Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A., right by the main park entrance, this theater was once home to the beloved “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln” show featuring an audio-animatronic figure of Abraham Lincoln since the 1960s. For now, it’s my turn to shine in this magical space; the cherished “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln” is set to make a comeback next year, with occasional alternating performances throughout the day. Can’t wait to see you there!

Amazing Theme Park Rides Based on Movies That Were Never Built

Indiana Jones and the Lost Expedition

Initially, Disneyland had planned an expansive Indiana Jones-themed attraction called “The Lost Expedition” in Adventureland, opening as early as 1995. This project would have significantly transformed the park by adding not one but two rides: a roller coaster mimicking the mine-car finale from ‘Temple of Doom,’ and a jeep dark ride showcasing Indy’s most iconic adventures, including incorporating the existing Jungle Cruise. However, most of this designated land was later used to construct Splash Mountain instead.

Indiana Jones Ore Car Attraction

Let’s examine the hypothetical “Ore Car Simulator” that would have been part of the abandoned Lost Expedition complex. Despite the unrealized Indiana Jones land, Disney’s empire does feature an Indiana Jones mine-train roller coaster: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, situated at Disneyland Paris. This was the first looping coaster in any Disney park. (As a teenager, I experienced it once, but it malfunctioned halfway through, which wasn’t enjoyable.)

Indiana Jones Jungle Cruise

The “River Idol” would likely be a focal point in the revamped Jungle Cruise, designed to fit seamlessly within a land dedicated to Indiana Jones-themed attractions. It indeed appears as if it’s straight out of an Indiana Jones film.

The Hauntington Hotel

Prior to interactive shooting galleries becoming a common feature in Orlando attractions such as Toy Story Midway Mania and Men in Black Alien Attack, Six Flags had devised a concept for a Ghostbusters ride called Hauntington Hotel. This proposed ride would have allowed visitors to explore a haunted building, using car-mounted proton packs to shoot at targets. As stated by the ride’s designer in an interview at 2600connection.com, the entire project – from conception to design, engineering, and prototype creation – was complete and ready for installation in Texas. Unfortunately, when Six Flags’ theme parks division was sold, the new owners abandoned the project, a development that some might view as one of the greatest disappointments in history.

Nostromo

For about eight years, the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland was home to an attraction named ExtraTERRORestrial: Alien Encounter. Riders were literally strapped down to their seats while a menacing E.T. “materialized” in the center of the room, and then proceeded to touch and breathe on them while the lights were out. When Alien Encounter opened it starred a creepy alien; when it was conceived it starred *the* creepy alien — as in H.R. Giger’s iconic xenomorph from Ridley Scott’s classic 1979 film. Astonishingly, someone at Disney thought it was a good idea to insert a little acid-blooded horror into the Happiest Place on Earth. Eventually, Disney came to their senses and abandoned the ‘Alien’ aspect (and the original name for the attraction, Nostromo, after the ship in the film), but not the overall concept. After terrifying children for almost a decade (I was one of them; this thing was pure nightmare fuel), Alien Encounter finally closed in 2003. The site now houses a toned-down version starring Stitch from ‘Lilo & Stich.’

The James Bond Live-Action Stunt Show

The initial plan for Universal Studios Florida featured a breathtaking sketch by ‘Star Wars’ artist Ralph McQuarrie for a stunt show, themed around James Bond. This concept was heavily influenced by longtime James Bond production designer Ken Adam. The proposed “Giant Circular Roof” would have opened to reveal screens displaying Bond’s most formidable adversaries, who would watch as 007 met his demise and a nuclear warhead was launched. Regrettably, this project never came to fruition; however, over the years, Universal has hosted various stunt shows themed around ‘Conan the Barbarian,’ ‘The A-Team,’ ‘Miami Vice,’ ‘Spider-Man,’ and ‘Waterworld.’

Mel Brooks’ Hollywood Horror Hotel

Initially, the Tower of Terror wasn’t associated with ‘The Twilight Zone,’ but rather, it was envisioned as a joint effort between Disney and Mel Brooks. However, Brooks eventually stepped away from the project, leading to the incorporation of ‘The Twilight Zone’ elements. Prior to this change, concepts for “Hotel Mel,” as it was known colloquially, included an attraction and functioning hotel within the same building, a murder mystery that could be solved using clues scattered throughout the property, and elevators that would suddenly plummet from their shafts. The idea of haunted elevators emerged when Brooks lost interest and departed to work on ‘Life Stinks.’ Although the Tower of Terror is an excellent ride, it’s hard not to feel a tinge of regret knowing we almost had a full Mel Brooks hotel instead.

Batman Island

At Comics101.com, there’s a breakdown of Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure’s initial design: Originally, instead of Marvel Super Hero Island, the park was set to have an entire Batman-themed district. This concept emerged in the early 90s during the height of Tim Burton’s Batman movie craze. The proposed area would have included a Batmobile ride, a Bat-jet experience, and a live action stunt show featuring Batman, Robin, and Superman. However, as changes frequently occur with such projects, the space designated for Batman was eventually replaced by characters from Marvel, such as Spider-Man and Hulk.

Batwing: Batman vs the Penguin

On Batman Island, some notable attractions might have been a suspended roller coaster offering two distinct tracks – one themed after Batman and the other after the Penguin. Each track would offer unique experiences, special effects, and pyrotechnics. In the lower left corner, you could spot Shreck’s Department Store, an homage to Christopher Walken’s character in ‘Batman Returns.’ Despite this ride never being built, the idea of “dueling” coasters was eventually implemented at Islands of Adventure with their Dueling Dragons ride (now known as Dragon Challenge and located within its Harry Potter land).

Dick Tracy’s Crime-Stoppers

In 1990, prior to the release of Warren Beatty’s ‘Dick Tracy’, it was anticipated that the film would be a massive success, and Disney envisioned capitalizing on this with an amusement park attraction. This proposed ride would have allowed participants to accompany the detective Tracy in a high-speed chase through the city (essentially, a dark ride experience). Each vehicle would have been fitted with tommy guns for interactive target shooting along the way. However, as ‘Dick Tracy’ failed to become a lasting franchise, the idea was abandoned. Nevertheless, the design of these planned vehicles shares similarities with those used in the Indiana Jones Adventure, and the concept of an interactive shooting gallery can still be found in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Ride

Visitors on this themed ride inspired by the 1993 stop-motion Christmas movie would have climbed aboard flying caskets (!), embarking on a dark journey reminiscent of Peter Pan’s Flight, but with a unique, eerie, and Tim Burton-esque twist. Disney found the concept appealing, yet Tim Burton, who jointly owned the characters, showed little enthusiasm for it and ultimately scrapped the entire plan. Instead, Disney annually reimagines the Haunted Mansion in California as “Haunted Mansion Holiday,” incorporating characters from the movie during the festive season.

Godzilla Bullet Train

Since the 1970s, there were initial plans to incorporate a bullet train ride into the Japan Pavilion at Epcot. The guests would have found themselves in a vehicle looking out at screens that replicated a journey through the Japanese countryside. However, an intriguing alternative concept envisioned Godzilla joining the ride; he’d emerge from the sea and attack the train as it traversed Tokyo Harbor. It is said that this project never progressed beyond discussions with Toho, the studio owning Godzilla, as they deemed a colossal, destructive monster like Godzilla was not in harmony with Epcot’s tranquil, naturalistic environment. Too bad.

The Great Muppet Movie Ride

For over two decades, The Muppets have been a prominent feature at Disney’s Hollywood Studios through their MuppetVision 3D movie. Originally, plans were made for the Muppets to play a more significant role in the park, as they were intended to star in a parody of the Great Movie Ride called The Great Muppet Movie Ride. In this attraction, Jim Henson’s beloved characters would have recreated famous movie scenes. However, these plans were put on hold when Disney and Henson Corporation were about to merge, but the deal fell apart following Henson’s death in 1990. Despite this setback, Disney eventually acquired the Muppets in 2004, so there may still be a chance for their most significant theme-park attraction yet.

Jurassic Park Jeep Safari

At Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Jurassic Park features a River Adventure ride which is not like the Jurassic Park films, save for the animatronic dinosaurs. The initial idea involved more Jurassic Park attractions, such as a Jeep Safari that would have mirrored the movie’s plot closely. This ride would have taken visitors on a remote-controlled journey through the park, with jeeps driving beneath brontosauruses, outrunning T-Rexes, and confronting raptors. However, DisneyAndMore.Blogspot.com reports that the Jeep Safari concept was considered “too similar” to the River Adventure, making it impossible for both to operate together.

Jurassic Park Jeep Safari

Take a look at this detailed shot of the Jurassic Park Jeep Safari vehicle. Reminds me of those classic, 8-seater DeLoreans from ‘Back to the Future’ rides.

Baby Herman’s Runaway Buggy Ride

Disney initially had ambitious plans for multiple theme-park rides based on the movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” One such ride, Baby Herman’s Runaway Buggy Ride, was envisioned where guests would assume the role of a stunt double for the mischievous baby, navigating risky scenes in buggies designed like baby carriages. To enhance the experience, riders would wear baby bonnets throughout the ride and photos could be purchased as souvenirs. However, disputes between Disney and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment over creative control of Roger Rabbit hindered the development and construction of this and other planned rides.

Toontown Trolley

Much like how disputes surrounding the character Roger Rabbit halted plans for a ride similar to Star Tours, which would’ve showcased a tour through Toontown, the cartoon-inhabited world from ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’, initially, these rides were intended to be part of a completely new Disneyland district known as Hollywoodland. However, this area was later reimagined as Mickey’s Toontown instead. I’m afraid Roger didn’t make the cut in the end.

Toontown Trolley

Here’s another fascinating concept artwork for the Roger Rabbit Trolley Ride. It appears quite vibrant and psychedelic. I’m confident that children, particularly those energized by sugar, would find it captivating.

Read More

2025-07-14 22:27