Disney Parks head Josh D’Amaro was all smiles as he unveiled plans to develop a lifelike audio animatronic figure of company founder Walt Disney, essentially bringing “Uncle Walt” back to life as a puppet the company can control. The throngs of onlookers in the arena applauded and screamed with joy. Walt’s great-nephew Roy P. Disney was also in attendance, voicing his support of the project.
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro via Disney Parks YouTube
However, not every member of the Disney extended family is on board with this move. Walt’s granddaughter Joanna Miller, the daughter of Walt’s Daughter Diane Disney, voiced her thoughts on social media for the world to see.
And she’s not happy.
Walt Disney in Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (1966), Walt Disney Productions
“Everyone please stop the madness,” she wrote. “Do not let them turn Grampa (sic) into a ROBOT!” She then went on to drop a fairly major bombshell that shines some light on this project.
Apparently, Disney had attempted to create a Walt animatronic in the past, but those efforts were thwarted by Diane Disney.
“Mom tried to stop this years ago and they respected her wishes,” Miller said. While no timetable for this project was given, it sounds as though the company has been waiting for the opportunity to present a version of Walt they can control, a version of him that could parrot whatever messaging they want, for quite some time.
It would also seem that now, with Diane Disney a decade gone, they felt as though her feelings were no longer valid.
“There is plenty of film so people can see and hear him talk,” Miller continued on. “He has told you everything on TV show lead ins and specials.”
There is only one or two ways you could respectfully bring back Walt as an AA, and this is decidedly NOT it.
But don’t take my word for it, see what his daughter (via his granddaughter) both have to say: #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/UuKehqPkNB
— Joshua L Harris (@JLHomni) August 12, 2024
The proposed Walt animatronic is set to make its debut in the near future in Disneyland at the Main Street Opera House. It will be called “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.”
After its initial run, it will play in rotation with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, which has been on Main Street USA in Disneyland since July 18, 1965.
Concept art for Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln via Disney Parks Blog
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D’Amaro and the rest of the Disney higher ups seem to be using Roy P. Disney as a sort of shield against this kind of backlash during the event.
“Creating our first Walt figure is a huge responsibility, and we’ve brought members of the Disney family along with us for every step of the journey,” D’Amaro said. “His great-nephew, Roy P. Disney, visited the Imagineering campus recently to see our progress. And he’s here tonight. Thank you, Roy, for helping us fulfill this dream.”
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Ken Potrock, Asad Ayaz, Ariana DeBose and Josh D’Amaro at Disneyland with a performance from Wish at Disneyland on November 11, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)
It looks as though the approval of Walt’s great nephew will be used as justification for this upcoming project, even in the face of this pushback from his granddaughter, expressing the wishes of Walt’s daughter.
Miller ended her social media post with a plea for Disney fans to aid her in this cause. She specifically referenced an event from 2016, when Walt’s Uncle Robert’s house was set to be demolished. This was a house where Walt lived and worked on his Alice comedies for some time. Thanks to fan outcry, it was eventually declared an historic-cultural monument.
Walt Disney’s childhood home via D23
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The message from Miller was clear. If Uncle Robert’s house could be saved by fan passion and love, then perhaps Diane Disney’s wishes could also be upheld with that same love and support.
“Please help protect the memory and legacy of Grampa,” she said in conclusion.
Walt Disney in Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (1966), Walt Disney Productions
Do you think Disney should be making this Walt Disney animatronic figure? Should the wishes of Walt’s great nephew overrule those of his daughter and granddaughter? Sound off in the comments and let us know.
Marvin The Movie Monster Montanaro is a YouTube commentator and personality specializing in movies, TV, video games, and professional wrestling. He can be found on his channels Tooney Town TV and Tooney Town Wrestling with daily content and weekly livestreams. He can also be found on That Game Place, the That Park Place video game channel.
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