Disney: 5 things to remember about Hall of Presidents
The Hall of Presidents has been around ever since the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971. But it’s one of those attractions that people tend to pop into once during each administration, probably to check out the latest animatronic representing the leader of the free world.
The attraction is shutting down for refurbishment. Sunday is the final day with posted hours, and Monday is Inauguration Day when Donald Trump will take the oath of office again. It is expected to reopen later in 2025, Disney says.
Before the Hall takes a break, let’s see what might have been forgotten.
Remembering real life
Before entering the theater, there is presidential memorabilia on display, usually everyday items such as Barack Obama’s basketball and George W. Bush’s Texas Ranger jacket. Also behind glass are the fly-fishing boots that belonged to Jimmy Carter and a notation about where he had fished, including Alaska, Honduras, Argentina, Venezuela, Russia and Mongolia.
Carter is one of the nine portraits hanging in the rotunda-like pre-show space, along with his successor, Ronald Reagan, the two most recent officeholders.
Also in the area: A bust of Abraham Lincoln with a large picture of Walt Disney looming behind him, as well as a bust of Walt Disney, crafted by Blaine Gibson, the sculptor who was responsible for the bulk of the animatronic heads of state inside.
Film first
The big 45-man reveal of the attraction is preceded by a wide-wide-wide screen movie titled “The Idea of a President.” Before it begins, there’s an announcement that the program “is dedicated to the memory of Walt Disney.”
His love for America inspired the creation of the Hall, the voiceover says.
“Walt’s vision was to honor the nation by honoring the American presidency,” it concludes.
Theme of the film: It’s tough to be president. But there are opportunities to make memorable speeches.
A visual highlight isn’t film at all. A curtain comes up from beneath the floor level and frames the Lincoln animatronic, which stands and makes a speech.
Men in motion
Later, all the presidents are revealed, and it really is an animatronic moment. Although major movement is limited to Lincoln and Washington, every one seems downright … human.
During the presidential roll call, each figure acknowledges their name with a nod, and there’s spotlight action. Other presidents turn their heads in the direction of the man in question. There’s some fidgeting.
Sitting farther back in the theater helps take away some of the mechanical edge.
In the most recent version, Joe Biden reads the oath of office. You might have trouble spotting Trump, though, from some angles, he might appear to be looking over Biden’s shoulder. Trump has been in the back row during the Biden administration, curiously without the usual bright red tie.
Past repeats itself
Disney World hasn’t said what changes are in the works for the attraction. A quick and easy fix would be to simply swap the Biden and Trump figures and dig the old speech out of the archives.
But maybe there are mechanical issues, not to mention regular maintenance, to consider.
Not expected: Trump in the roll call twice. Using Grover Cleveland, who was the first to serve non-consecutive terms in the White House, as a guide. He’s mentioned just once.
But Trump’s nonconsecutive terms are the first in the history of the Hall of Presidents. Cleveland’s second term was over in early 1897, more than 74 years before Magic Kingdom opened.
Side trips
Presidents not your thing? There’s more history of sorts nearby in Liberty Square. There’s a crack-free replica of the Liberty Bell that was cast “using the same mould from whence the original bell was sprung.”
Or for theme park history, there are a few other opening-week attractions still around, including Haunted Mansion, “it’s a small world” and Peter Pan’s Flight. Country Bear Musical Jamboree, another 1971er, reopened this year after an update of songs that keeps familiar characters.
Or, for a simple pleasure, snag one of two rocking chairs on the side porch of the Hall of Presidents.
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