The Main Street Opera House was the very first building constructed at Disneyland and has had various uses over the years.  During construction and up until 1960, it was the home of the Disneyland Mill, where most of the intricate woodwork throughout the park was produced.  It was also used to promote the latest Disney movie in 1961, Babes in Toyland.  The original sets from the movie had been transplanted to Disneyland and guests got to see a sneak peek at the movie.  From 1963-1964, the Opera House became the “Mickey Mouse Club Headquarters”.  Here children had the opportunity to sign up and get their own official Mickey Mouse Club membership cards. 

All of this came to an end when a show was created for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City when Disney’s animatronic Abraham Lincoln proved hugely popular.  The decision was made to transplant Mr. Lincoln to Disneyland and there he stayed as a long-term resident.  The show opened on July 18, 1965 and remained open until January 1, 1973 when the Opera House was turned into an exhibit and movie for the Walt Disney Story.  The Walt Disney Story started on April 8, 1973, but guest reaction was not over-whelming great so in 1975 the Opera House was transformed once again and combined the two; The Walt Disney Story in the lobby and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln inside the theater.  Over time, the Abraham Lincoln audio-animatronic has received two major renovations, both to install new technology: once in 1984 and once in 2001.  During the later renovation, the show was modernized and sound effects through headphones were added.

In preparation of the 50th Anniversary Celebration in early 2005, both parts of the Opera House were closed for the installation of The First 50 Magical Years exhibit and movie.  The exhibit itself inside the lobby consists of many models and sculptures from Disneyland attractions including Sleeping Beauty Castle, Space Mountain’s track and an original model of what Disneyland looked like on opening day on July 17, 1955.  There are also many pictures showing attractions that have come and gone and how Disneyland has changed since opening day.  Inside the theater, you are in for treat as you watch a short movie hosted by actor Steve Martin, who once worked at Disneyland in the Magic shop on Main Street in the 1960’s.  Donald Duck also plays a role in the movie as he competes with Martin to be the host of the show.  The 17-minute long video is a humorous look at how Disneyland has changed over the years and gives you a little deeper look at what it took to create Disneyland.  This is a must see if you are big on Disneyland history.

Additional Trivia:

• American actor Royal Dano originally gave Mr. Lincoln his voice.  He was later given a new voice by Warren Burton.
• Disney sculptor Blaine Gibson created Lincoln’s face in the likeness of a life mask made by Leonard Volk in Chicago in 1860.
• When Royal Dano came in to record his lines for the show, Walt Disney was close by to “direct” his performance.  The first time Dano recited it, everyone thought it was perfect, except Walt.  Walt made him recite his lines again and again and again until he was exhausted.  On the last take, Dano felt he had not performed his best, but Walt loved.  Walt thought that Lincoln would have been a very tired, streesed man hence he would have also spoken in a tired tone.
• Paul Frees was the original narrator of the show at the World’s Fair as well as most of the other auxiliary characters.  The updated version of the show is narrated by a Frees soundalike, Warren Burton.
• According to stories told by Walt Disney’s wife, Lilly, and daughters, Diane and Sharon, every time Walt saw the show, he welled up with tears at the end.  On several occassions, he tried to play it off, saying he has something in his eye.