The Walt Disney Story

Main Street attraction at Disneyland, in the Opera House; opened on April 8, 1973, taking the place of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. A movie, narrated by Walt himself, told his life story. Many guests missed Lincoln, however, so the movie closed on February 12, 1975, enabling Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln to return to the theater. A Lincoln display and a model of the Capitol replaced some of the Walt Disney display in 1985. Memorabilia related to Walt Disney from the Walt Disney Archives was displayed, including awards, letters written to Walt Disney by famous people, and even an exact reproduction of his offices from the Disney Studio in Burbank. The offices were reconstructed from photographs and accurate blueprints, and furnished with the same pieces that had graced the offices originally. The scene outside the window was a photographic backdrop which had been used at the Studio when a replica of Disney’s office was built on a soundstage for him to use on some of his television lead-ins. The offices were on display until 2005. The  Walt Disney Story film, which uses Walt Disney interviews and other recordings for the narration and features rare stills and film clips, was eventually released as an educational film and in 1994 on video cassette for purchase in the parks. Also an attraction on Main Street in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World, from April 15, 1973, until October 5, 1992. The post-show area included an EPCOT Center preview in 1981-82 and a Disney-MGM Studios preview in 1987-89. The Walt Disney Story display area was reopened in 1993 to serve as a center for annual passport redemption.