NEWS: The Hall of Presidents Reopens at Magic Kingdom

Following a year-long refurbishment, Disney has reopened The Hall of Presidents. Disney announced prior to the 2016 election that the Hall of Presidents would undergo and extensive refurbishment that would include not only the installation of a new president but an overhaul of the show’s content. After several delays, this Disney classic is finally back open for guests. More details below.

WARNING: Keep comments civil, dignified and respectful. This is a website for Disney news and planning, not for political debate. All comments not following these rules will be deleted immediately.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Thomas Smith:

The Hall of Presidents will officially reopen at Magic Kingdom Park on Tuesday, December 19, with enhancements that will bring the story of the American presidency to life as never before. The epic theatrical production was envisioned by Walt Disney himself to honor the country by honoring the presidents of the United States.

This endeavor began with a single animated figure of President Abraham Lincoln that was developed for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. In 1971, advances in technology made it possible for Imagineers to make Walt Disney’s vision a reality by including every chief executive who ever served the United States of America.

The history of innovation at The Hall of Presidents continues to this day. In addition to updating the show’s content, Imagineers have incorporated the latest in theatrical design and Audio-Animatronics technology. Landmark moments in history come alive on a panoramic 180-degree screen that transports guests across more than 200 years of the American story. High-impact projection, sound, lighting and other enhancements take guests into rare and indelible moments in history that helped define a nation.

As has been the tradition with every new president since the attraction debuted, an Audio-Animatronics figure of President Donald J. Trump has been added to the show and features the latest advances in technology that enable smoother and more lifelike movements. President Trump personally recorded remarks exclusively for The Hall of Presidents, just as each sitting president has done for the attraction since the early 1990s.

Rich in innovative storytelling and tradition, The Hall of Presidents carries a legacy and passion for American history that has been part of Disney Parks for more than 50 years.

RELATED ARTICLE: 8 Facts and Secrets About The Hall of Presidents at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

by Christy Caby

At the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, The Hall of Presidents sometimes get passed by for rides and other more thrilling attractions.  I feel like it is a mistake not to stop, to look around the lobby and to enjoy the show.  The history in this attraction makes up the United States and all that we have come to stand for.  Here 8 amazing facts and secrets about The Hall of Presidents:

8 – The attraction changes every time a new president is elected.

Every time a new president is elected, the ride would become outdated if it wasn’t updated.  After the inauguration, the attraction typically goes down for a couple months so that the ride can be refurbished and updated with the newly elected president.  The speech must be recorded, the roll call has to be done to add the newest president, the new president must be sculpted and the animatronic created, and the presidents are shifted around to make room for the new president to take their place.   It is a lot of work, but important to keep the attraction accurate, and is done as quickly as possible.

7 – This is the only place besides the White House where the Presidential Seal is displayed.

It actually took an act of Congress to get the Presidential Seal displayed at The Hall of Presidents.  Congress had to take a vote and agree that it could be displayed.  It is in the carpet right when you walk in with a gate around it to prevent guests from walking on it or any damage coming to it.  I witnessed a guest jump the gate to take a selfie while standing on it, and couldn’t believe how some guests just don’t appreciate the importance behind some things.

6 – For newer presidents, their wardrobes are actually clothes from the President’s closets.

When Disney cast works to record the presidential speech and prepare to add a new president, they also obtain clothes and any other items the President wants their likeness to wear during the attraction.  They will provide a suit and other articles of clothing from their own closets, making their resemblance even more authentic.  Bill Clinton even provided one of his own wrist watches to be worn in the attraction.  This level of detail is amazing.  Obviously for most of the historic presidents, their outfits had to be created based on photographs and styles from the specific time period.

5 – The attraction was one of the Walt Disney World opening day attractions.

When you think back to opening day in 1971 for Disney World, the Hall of Presidents was part of that experience and one of the attractions that guests were able to enjoy on that first day.  That means the attraction has been running for 45 years, with changes every 4 to 8 years depending on new presidential elections.  The attraction is still amazing and fosters a strong sense of American pride every time you experience it.

4 – The basis for the attraction started with Walt Disney’s first Abe Lincoln World’s Fair exhibit.

Abraham Lincoln was Walt Disney’s favorite president.  Abe was the first president animatronic that was created.  He was created to recite the Gettysburg Address at the New York 1964 World’s Fair.  The recording of the Gettysburg Address was personally directed by Walt Disney, himself.  After the World’s Fair he found a home at Disneyland reciting to guests at the “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” attraction.  Once plans for Walt Disney World were put in motion, it made more sense to relocate him and create the full attraction that Walt dreamed of.  He has since been upgraded to new versions of animatronics technology to make his movements more fluid and less rigid.

3 – There are a ton of authentic artifacts in the waiting area before the show.

Be sure to take a walk around the lobby while you wait for the next show to start.  You will find that there are tons of real artifacts that are preserved there.  You will find dresses from first ladies, boots, beer mugs, golf clubs, a microscope and so much more that were actual belongings to our presidents throughout history.  It is amazing to be that close to such impressive artifacts.

2 – The attraction only exists at Walt Disney World.

This attraction only exists at Walt Disney World and will likely only ever exist at Walt Disney World.  With the artifacts, the Presidential Seal and the personal belongings of presidents, it would be very difficult to replicate the attraction.  It would also make the attraction less special if there were was a duplicate attraction out there.  We are glad that it remains a special piece of history right from the Magic Kingdom.

1 – The building that holds the attraction was designed to look like Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

As soon as you approach the building, you will notice that the building looks like something you would expect to see from the Colonial era.  The building was actually designed specifically to be a replica to Independence Hall in Philadelphia.  If you notice the sign on the outside of the building, the year is 1787.  This happens to be the year of the signing of the U.S. Constitution!  We feel the building was perfectly executed to bring a piece of history to life.