Disneyland has announced that several attractions on Main Street USA, along with It’s a Small World, will be changing to commemorate and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Disneyland. All of these changes will be implemented or will open on the date of the park’s 70th anniversary on July 17th. Read on to find out what these changes are, as well as my thoughts on them.
Walt Disney: A Magical Life and new Disney Gallery Exhibits Opening July 17
The new audio animatronic Walt Disney show will officially open on July 17, 2025. It was previously scheduled to open with the 70th anniversary celebrations on May 16, 2025. Personally, I’m disappointed by this announcement. I was expecting and counting on it to be open by May 16 as I move out of LA in Mid-June. But what’s done is done and I guess I’ll just have to experience this attraction when I find time to return back to LA for a visit.
Walt Disney: A Magical Life will retell and celebrate the life and legacy of Walt Disney. Disney says they used remastered footage and audio recordings to bring Walt’s story to life. The show will span from Walt’s early endeavors to his move to Los Angeles and beyond. Of course the star of the show is the Walt Disney animatronic that will be situated in a replica of Walt’s office as it is located in the Burbank studio. The animatronic will share “some heartfelt stories and words of wisdom” and, after its initial run, will play in rotation with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
The Disney Gallery will also see some new exhibits, including an all-new gallery that features the evolution of Disneyland. It will showcase images, art, and artifacts, some of which have never been seen before, that will tell the story of Disneyland before, during, and after Walt’s dream was realized.
There will also be an exhibit on the history of Audio Animatronic technology, from when they were first invented under Walt until their eventual evolution into what they are today. The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco is also collaborating with the park and will exhibit 30 different artifacts in the lobby of the Disney Gallery. After viewing Walt Disney – A Magical Life, guests will also see exhibits showcasing Disneyland’s future.
I am so excited for these exhibitions. They’re the perfect way to celebrate Disneyland’s history while also getting a peak into its future. I’m most excited for the exhibit about the evolution of Disneyland. As a big Disney history buff, getting to see rare artifacts from Disneyland’s infancy will be a treat.
A Tribute to the Sherman Brothers and New Verse on it’s a Small World Will Also Debut on July 17
Starting July 17, the Main Street Cinema will be showcasing “The Last Verse”, a three and a half minute film which celebrates the iconic song “It’s a Small World”. The film was created for the song’s 60th anniversary, and even includes a special third verse that the late Richard Sherman wrote as his final contribution to Disney before he passed away. The third verse will also be featured on the ride starting from July 17.
I could not be more happy about this news! When I first heard the new lyrics, they brought a tear to my eye. In a world that has become so divided, we need reminders that there’s more that brings us together than tears us apart, and this verse does a good job of reminding us of that. Here’s how the new lyrics go:
“Mother earth unites us in heart and mind
And the love we give makes us humankind
Through our vast wondrous land
When we stand hand in hand
It’s a small world after all.”
The lyrics are absolutely beautiful as you can tell, and I can’t wait to hear them for myself when I ride It’s a Small World soon. The power these lyrics have is just a testament to the absolute genius of the Sherman Brothers. They created a song that has been touching the hearts of millions for generations, and now it’s about to do that all over again with these new lyrics.
All these experiences debut on July 17, 2025.