They Brought Walt Disney Back To Life… And It’s Creeping People Out

To mark Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, a lifelike animatronic figure of Walt Disney is being introduced, complete with speech and movement capabilities.

For many devoted admirers, this seems like an emotional tribute; however, others find it merely strange or unsettling.

A Celebration That Leaves Some People Uneasy

To celebrate Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, Disney is initiating a unique venture that merges nostalgic charm with contemporary technology, resulting in an intriguing fusion of awe and unease.

The upcoming show titled “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” debuts on July 17, 2025, introducing the first-ever animatronic version of Walt Disney. However, not all viewers find it enchanting.

Here’s How the Show Unfolds

The experience begins with a short film about Walt Disney’s life, adapted from One Man’s Dream.

Next, things become quite authentic. Guests encounter a remarkably lifelike robotic replica of Walt, situated within a meticulously recreated 1963 office environment. This was the time period of Mary Poppins and the New York World’s Fair.

The design of the robot is so lifelike, it includes subtle details like age spots and facial expressions, which leaves many individuals feeling a sense of unease.

Somewhere Between Admiration And An Uneasy Feeling

Technically speaking, it’s a remarkable piece of work, but from an emotional standpoint, it treads cautiously along a delicate line. On social media, some are labeling it as “uncanny” or “creepy.” This brings up the query: merely because something can be done, does that automatically make it right?

The Ethical Debate Around Digital Immortality

As a passionate admirer, I find myself pondering this question: Is it morally acceptable to create a likeness of someone who has passed away with such lifelike accuracy, without having obtained their prior approval?

Disney Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald holds a unique perspective. In a recent interview, he pointed out that a significant number of today’s youth are unaware that Walt Disney was a real person, not just a fictional character. The depiction is designed less for glorification and more to establish an emotional bond, serving as a form of visual history lesson.

However, some critics contend that the portrayal oversimplifies Walt’s life, focusing on an idealized version while overlooking complexity, controversy, and subtlety.

Some go even further with jokes, questioning the need for the animatronic figure given that people already believe Walt was cryogenically frozen and might return one day.

but he’s alive and frozen tho
— Marcos Gutierrez Lobos (@MKMikaso) May 2, 2025

Criticism From Within The Family

Walt Disney’s granddaughter Joanna Miller has also spoken out publicly against the project.

In a Facebook post, she expressed her feelings of being deeply offended and enraged.

To her, the animatronic depiction of Walt represents an affront to his legacy, an attempt by the company to manipulate his words and actions according to their will.

Furthermore, Miller claims that as a direct descendant, she was not consulted about this decision. Instead, it was Roy P. Disney, a great-nephew, who backed the project.

In her opinion, genuine archival footage would have been more than sufficient for this purpose.

Conclusion

T What are appropriate ways to preserve the legacy of actual individuals?

Who has control over shaping historical narratives, and how much should nostalgia influence our times, given the advent of AI and digital immortality? Does this project seem fascinating to you, or does it strike you as a concept more fitting for a Black Mirror episode?

2025-05-05 21:39