Author: Deb L Waters

Great Moments

with Mr. Lincoln

Back in 1970 Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln was an incredible experience, it was a classic Disneyland attraction that was a great marvel for its time.

It first debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair as a highlight of the Illinois pavilion before Walt Disney himself decided it needed a permanent home at Disneyland in 1965. When we went as a family in June of 1970, the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln had only been at Disneyland for approximately five (5) years.

It was groundbreaking at the time because it featured one of Walt Disney’s first full-scale audio-animatronics figures, bringing President Lincoln to life with incredibly realistic movements and a powerful speech. The show combines a historical presentation with a speech delivered by the animatronic Lincoln, using recordings of his actual words. It aims to inspire guests with Lincoln’s legacy and the ideals of the United States.

Entering the beautifully designed theater, often called the Main Street Opera House, the anticipation waiting for the show to begin was part of the “Disney” magic. Then, President Lincoln’s figure, so lifelike with its movements and expressions, would rise from his chair and begin to speak. We were amazed at how realistic he looked and sounded, delivering a powerful address compiled from his actual speeches, focusing on themes of liberty, union, and the importance of preserving the nation.

The building itself is a fantastic example of Disney’s immersive theming. It’s designed to look like a classic turn-of-the-century opera house, perfectly blending into the nostalgic atmosphere of Main Street, creating a sense that you’re stepping back in time. Architecturally, the facade you see, which houses the attraction, is a brilliant example of Disney’s Main Street, U.S.A. design philosophy. It’s crafted to evoke a grand, late 19th or early 20th-century opera house or theater. This style, often referred to as Victorian or Edwardian, features ornate details, classical proportions, and a sense of historical grandeur, all intended to transport guests to a romanticized turn-of-the-century American town. The prominent marquee, the arched windows, and the decorative elements all contribute to this immersive illusion, making it feel like a real historic landmark.

This attraction was one of the very first to showcase Walt Disney’s revolutionary innovation. Audio-Animatronics are essentially sophisticated robots, specifically designed to mimic human or animal movements, with their actions precisely synchronized to pre-recorded audio tracks.
For the Mr. Lincoln figure, this meant intricate hydraulics and pneumatics controlled the movements of his head, eyes, mouth, arms, and even subtle shifts in his posture, making him appear incredibly lifelike as he delivered his speech. The audio was meticulously matched to these movements, creating a seamless and convincing performance. This was incredibly advanced for 1964 and 1970 giving audiences an unprecedented experience of history brought to life through robotics, far beyond simple static mannequins. It was truly a marvel of engineering and storytelling that we enjoyed watching every time we visited Disneyland.

[I’m not sure where I was at the time (probably standing near my dad who took the picture), but the three prominent figures (two looking this way, at the camera, and the lady in the red and white tank top) are my mom, my cousin, and my brother.

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Window-2026.08.17

Photo Credit:©️1970 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm

Location: Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln; Main Street; Disneyland; Anaheim, California, USA

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