New exhibits are opening in the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland for the park’s 70th anniversary on July 17, 2025. The opening of the exhibits coincides with the premiere of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” a new show featuring a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic.

Main Street Opera House

The Main Street Opera House has a new marquee advertising both “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” and “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln.” The facade also features blue, magenta, and yellow bunting for the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration.

Although both shows are listed on the marquee, “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln” is on a temporary hiatus. After the initial run of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” the two shows will play in rotation.

A sign on the ground indicates that “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln” has “No Shows Today.” Because we were attending a media-exclusive event, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” was also listed as not performing for regular guests. The new show and exhibits all officially open on Thursday, July 17.

Evolution of a Dream

Upon entering the Main Street Opera House lobby, you’ll get to experience the “Evolution of a Dream.” Pieces throughout this front section of the lobby illustrate how Disneyland grew from an idea Walt had while spending time with his daughters to become the theme park that changed the world, bringing happiness to generations of visitors. 

Walt Disney Imagineering and the Walt Disney Archives curated relics and memorabilia from the early stages of Disneyland, including pencil drawings and concept artwork of preliminary plans. Some of the site plans on display in this space have never before been seen publicly.

Banners representing lands of Disneyland hang from above, and beneath them are images and storyboards showing both past and present, from concept through to what they are today.

You’ll find treasures and vintage merchandise from the earliest days of the park. A display of Mickey ears through the years pays tribute to the accessory that has become an iconic element of theme park style, and a case of Disney watches offers a glimpse at fashion trends from the past 70 years, with some added pixie dust.

Artifacts from The Walt Disney Family Museum

As you continue through the Opera House, you’ll find a selection of pieces from The Walt Disney Family Museum, which has loaned more than 30 artifacts for display. Some of these have never been publicly exhibited at Disneyland before. 

A truly special area is dedicated to Walt’s private apartment in Disneyland. Walt knew he would be spending lots of time in Disneyland in the early years of the park, so he built a small apartment for himself and his family above the Town Square Fire Station. 

This display includes original furniture and décor from the apartment, including two rocking chairs, two dining chairs, a table and a cranberry-colored lamp. 

Nearby, you can also take a closer look at some of Walt’s awards and humanitarian accolades on loan from The Walt Disney Family Museum.

These include Walt’s 1955 Emmy award for the “Walt Disney’s Disneyland” television series, his Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Johnson in 1964, and the Walt Disney Commemorative Medal presented to Lillian Disney by President Nixon in 1969.

Even his plaque from the Racing Pigeon Association in recognition of the greatest contribution to the sport of racing pigeons is on display.

History of Audio-Animatronics

The Main Street Opera House is home to “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln,” featuring one of Disney’s first Audio-Animatronics. The new “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” show, on the other hand, showcases Disney’s newest, most advanced animatronic. This exhibit celebrates the legacy of Audio-Animatronic technology.

As you move further into the lobby, you’ll find an exhibit showcasing the history of Audio-Animatronics storytelling featuring original and replica figures dating back to Walt Disney Imagineering’s earliest development of the technology.

Audio-Animatronics figures were first formally introduced to Disneyland in 1963, when Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room opened with hundreds of talking birds, singing flowers and chanting tikis. Two animated birds are included in this space.

You’ll also see a doll from the original run of “it’s a small world” at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, figures from Pirates of the Caribbean and more. This area, including the beautiful portraits along the wall, provides a closer look at Walt’s passion for working alongside Disney Imagineers and breaking technological boundaries.

In this area, you may also view a heartfelt video called “Memories of Walt,” in which those who worked alongside Walt Disney — and those inspired by his vision — share personal stories and reflections. Through touching anecdotes and memories, they offer a rare glimpse into Walt’s character and the man behind the magic.

It’s a fitting tribute, as you prepare to enter the Opera House theater to view the first-ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt in the attraction “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.”

A Tribute to Disneyland Past, Present, and Future

After viewing “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” guests will exit through a tribute to 70 years of Disneyland. On one side are historical images of Cast Members at work over the past seven decades. On the other side is a mural paying tribute to Disneyland history.

The exit gallery culminates in a peek at the future of Disneyland Resort with plans for new attractions and guest experiences underway, reminding guests of Walt’s legacy and his belief that Disneyland will never truly be complete so long as imagination is left in the world.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

The post PHOTOS: New Exhibits About History of Disneyland, Audio-Animatronics, and Walt Disney in Main Street Opera House appeared first on WDW News Today.