Welcome to today's podcast, where we dive into an intriguing development at Disneyland as it prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary this July. Disney has announced the introduction of an animatronic Walt Disney, poised to greet guests and share his story in the Opera House.

However, the response has been mixed. Walt Disney's granddaughter, Johanna Miller, expressed her disapproval, stating, "The idea of a Robotic Grampa to give the public a feeling of who the living man was just makes no sense. It would be an imposter.”

On the other hand, supporters like Roy P. Disney and Kirsten Komoroske from the Walt Disney Family Museum believe this innovation pays tribute to Walt's legacy. Komoroske noted that the project has been carefully considered and that there are no records to confirm Miller’s claims against it.

Tom Fitzgerald from Disney Imagineering shared insights, saying, “What could we do at Disneyland... to bring Walt to life in a way that you could only experience at the park?” He believes that now is the perfect time to introduce this homage as many younger fans may not recognize Walt as a real person.

So, this summer, guests will have the unique opportunity to meet the animated version of Walt Disney, keeping his spirit alive in an innovative format. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project!
Link to Article