Disney has announced at the D23 event that an audio-animatronic figure of Walt Disney is coming to Magic Kingdom in Florida after debuting at Disneyland in California.
Walt Disney will feature in a new opening scene in a revamped Carousel of Progress attraction at Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland.
Via a new blog post, Disney Imagineers “love this attraction and the heart of it will stay the same while introducing the Carousel of Progress to an entirely new generation of fans”.
New figure in revamped Carousel of Progress
The Carousel of Progress first debuted at the New York World’s Fair in 1964, and since then has enjoyed more performances than any other stage show in the history of American theatre.
Kirsten Komoroske, executive director of the Walt Disney Family Museum, said: “The introduction of a new audio-animatronics figure of Walt Disney in ‘Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress’ marks an exciting milestone in our shared mission to celebrate the story of the man behind the magic and inspire new generations with his innovations and vision for the future.
“We appreciate the continued efforts and meticulous care that Imagineering has taken to keep Walt’s legacy alive.”
In California, the first-ever Walt Disney audio-animatronic is part of a new attraction called Walt Disney – A Magical Life, which opened in July.
Created by Walt Disney Imagineering through extensive research and innovation, the figure shares stories and thoughts on Disney’s career and philosophy, taken from recordings spanning decades.
“From capturing the twinkle in his eyes to his expressive hands and eyebrows, the team pioneered numerous artistic and technological innovations to create the most lifelike performance of an audio-animatronics figure possible,” Disney said.
Also at D23, Disneyland Paris revealed it will launch the new World of Frozen land in spring 2023, and Imagineers shared new details about the villains-themed land coming to Magic Kingdom.
Images courtesy of Disney
