Family, travel, mom blog | Theme Park Mom (Leigh Caldwell)

Walt Disney World’s new Hall of Presidents has inspirational message

Posted by ThemeParkMom on June 28, 2009 | 3 Comments

Walt Disney World has unwrapped the Hall of Presidents, and revealed the new audio animatonic President Obama to annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members in a preview on June 28.

The first thing you notice when entering the attraction is that the lobby has been revamped and a display case has been added. Disney says this is the “first exhibit” for the case, which should mean that the exhibits will rotate and new things will be displayed here.

First up is a display showcasing artifacts from three first ladies. The dress on the left is a reproduction of one worn by Edith Roosevelt, President Teddy Roosevelt’s wife.

In the middle is a reproduction of a dress worn by Elizabeth Monroe. And on the right is an actual dress sent by Nancy Reagan. Reagan sent six dresses to Walt Disney World, and Disney says they will be rotated every six months.

A gold and pearl brooch and painted Easter eggs belonging to Nancy Reagan are also on display.

We were asked not to take pictures or video inside the attraction just yet, but I can tell you that President Barack Obama’s audio animatronic figure is amazingly lifelike. The facial expressions are very impressive. Obama is the seventh president to be added to the Hall of Presidents since it opened in 1971. Disney Imagineers say that they are constantly refining their audio animatronic technology, and Obama is the most advanced figure they have ever made.

Before Obama is introduced, George Washington stands and speaks – also a first for the attraction. He talks about the importance of the Presidential Oath. Then Obama speaks the oath flawlessly. If you watched the inauguration, you will remember that he flubbed it a little there. I imagine that was the subject of a some ribbing when Obama recorded his speeches for Disney in the White House Map Room.

Obama then speaks about the American Spirit that has always united our nation. And yes, this Theme Park Mom cried a few patriotic tears.

Abraham Lincoln also has an expanded role in the 25-minute attraction. During the Civil War section of the film, the screen rises to reveal Lincoln, seated. He stands and delivers the entire Gettysbur Address. I think Mr. Lincoln must be smiling somewhere when his audio-animatronic figure says, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here…”

I was especially pleased with the new story line for the movie portion of the attraction. It focused on ordinary men who rose to the presidency, such as Andrew Jackson and Teddy Roosevelt, with the message that anyone can lead. Presidential Scholar Doris Kearns Goodwin worked with Disney to develop the story, and I think it meets Disney’s goal of focusing the attraction more on the men called to lead our country.

Morgan Freeman’s narration was stirring. The film’s final section is introduced with the words, “At their best, they speak the words that many of us hold in our hearts, especially in times of tragedy.” We then hear the words of presidents as they comforted the nation, closing with George W. Bush’s, “I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you!” and images from 9/11.

This focus on the men who have lived in the White House also prompted Disney to add a tag line to the attraction’s name. Its official name is now “Hall of Presidents: A Celebration of Liberty’s Leaders.” The attraction opens to the public on July 4.