I saw this on Facebook, and I'm hoping it's an ugly rumour. It said that President Trump would not be given a speaking part and would just be an animantronic. :mickey:
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I saw this on Facebook, and I'm hoping it's an ugly rumour. It said that President Trump would not be given a speaking part and would just be an animantronic. :mickey:
That will completely tick me off.
It appears real, but as usual there are multiple reasons.
Obviously he's a very polarizing person and Disney doesn't want to make either group upset.. (good luck there)
But another major factor is (from the original article: )
"Another contributing factor to Trump's auditory exclusion is his own lack of participation and obstinance. Disney reportedly reached out to Trump starting in January, but there has been no compromising effort to get things moving."
Before anybody starts to think this would be a historical slight to Trump, it would be a return to how things were prior to 1993.
Agreed. In the past, the new President didn't have a speaking part at the HOP. I think Abe Lincoln did most of the talking at one point! But we've gone through this with most new Presidents over the past couple decades. Most have been considered polarizing in some way or another. It's just the nature of the position and the nature of politics. I think Disney has done a pretty good job of honoring the important position of President of the US, not dictating actions based on the person or the political climate.
As others have said there is significant talk that they will be returning to the earlier version when current president's did not have a speaking role. Only 3 current presidents have had speaking roles, Bush (W), Clinton and Obama.
There has been much talk that this would be a way, in a highly politicized environment, to focus the hall of presidents on the role of the office of the Presidency, and not on any one person or party.
And I would be completely fine with that!
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I just wanted a confirmation on the question I asked, and I guess I got the spin I expected. End of story.
That would be too bad. If the story about him not making himself available for a recording is true, then I hope they can work out a schedule to get him to record his speech. If Trump doesn't speak, I don't think we'll be in any hurry to visit HoP anytime soon.
Ha...looks like my comments didn't make the cut! No worries! While I didn't think they were that off-putting I'm not upset by the removal. Sometimes healthy discourse is helpful but I could see how it could quickly spiral. It is becoming harder and harder to look at anything without considering politics. I wonder if Walt would have even considered HOP if he was building WDW today in light of our political environment?
Personally, I think despite whatever side you are on politically, it's best the show return to it's original form.
I certainly hope so. It's history and it's important. There's an entire story around the Presidents themselves that is very important to be told.... As for the current political environment? Based on things I've read, it was every bit as difficult of an environment (if not more so) for 98% of the Presidential elections in this country. It's an important position - and when you have important topics being decided through history, there will be people in favor and against. Some of the elections in our past got pretty nasty.
I have to believe the topic of "politics" came up when Walt was putting this together many years ago. And I believe the attraction is a relevant today as it was 40 years ago and as it will be 40 years from now.
This is interesting. I wonder which part of the story is true - has Trump declined to participate in this, or has Disney realized that no matter who is president, there will be some who really, really dislike that person?
I actually enjoy this attraction - I like watching the "presidents" fiddle and move while each other are speaking. I would have gone to see it if Trump spoke, and I'll go to see it if he doesn't.
Well, disappointing, but not surprising this hasn't been a high priority for POTUS. I would have really liked to keep up the trend of the newer presidents speaking. For me though, this is the way it has always been. I like this difference than the DL version w/ Lincoln.
If they want to roll back the clocks, then bring back the american store that was just outside that sold like tri-cornered hats, civil war caps, etc.
Darn it. I was hoping he would use this speech to explain what is "covfefe."
This. I have never understood why people would get worked up over an audio animatronic regardless of who you voted for in a presidential election. I go to this attraction once a presidential term, regardless if I voted for the person or not, and would have maintained this practice with the current President.
What I have read is Washington and Lincoln would recite the speeches created for them in the post 1993 version and have the presidential roll call pre-1993 style, thus shortening the length of the attraction, since people now seem to have the attention span of a gnat!
Okay...I'm a little embarrassed that I've never been to the Hall of Presidents. How can this be? My husband went during a trip with his parents way back in the 70s. He never really pushed the issue when the question of whether to take it in...or not, came up during our trips with the kids. Ah well. Maybe he and I will make it a point to see it this Nov.
I grew up in Cedar Knolls, so I had my share of visits to the NJ Washington sites. Now I'm in the DC area so I've had a chance to bring the kids to Mt. Vernon and Monticello and start teaching them about American history. HOP is a great way to sneak a history lesson into your Disney vacation.
Agreed! Let Abe, George (washington) and maybe Kennedy do the talking. Let us be able to buy old timey colonial period knick nacks and learn a little something. Having current presidents speak is just asking for issues. (I mean, I heard people boo W and Obama's HOP versions so just imagine now)
Just make it a glorious 3 hour tribute. :sam::sam::sam::sam::sam:
The news today is that the Trump animatronic will speak "a few words."
Disney is/was going to be criticized no matter what they do here. It's a no win situation for them. Personally, I thought a return to previous HOP style was a good idea--then there is no issue now or going forward, regardless of election results.
Let's remember to keep the responses focused on the topic at hand and avoid the editorial/political commentary. This is a hot enough potato as it is, so please try not to fan the flames ;)
This is interesting. I don't recall when the change occurred but I do remember sitting through the old HOP had every president speak. I'm fine with them doing this but obviously it should be the more recent/important presidents. However now that I'm older and can appreciate it more, it would be awesome if they ran a long play presentation a few times a day that incorporated all the presidents.
In the original version of HOP, each president nodded or acknowledged their name as the roll was called. However, they did not speak. Only Lincoln. I'm trying to recall if Washington introduced him or not, but no one else had a speaking part until Clinton. AFAIK, they should have kept it in the original format.
Politics has gotten more and more divisive and polarized in recent years, and the presidency is up for grabs every four years. Trying to keep up with the current chief executive is going to rock the boat by definition for every transfer of power or second term. Disney needs to look past 2017, 2021, 2025, etc., and play the long game. It's unlikely any of the presidents on Mount Rushmore will recede in popularity within that time frame. They're a safe bet, largely immune from current day politics. It's the smart move.
The thing I love most about Disney parks is that I forget about the actual world when I'm there, politics included. Good bad or indifferent, it's psychic energy I'd rather spend on figuring out a way to double-fist Dole Whips without obviously looking like I'm double-fisting Dole Whips. Now that is America.
oh I could see a day where they want to take Roosevelt or TJ off the mountain.
I think old Walt considered himself a bit of a patriot and was proud to have "America" be part of Disneyland and Disneyworld. Could we imagine DW/DL without Livery Square or Epcot without the American Pavilion? Look around the foyer of the American Pavilion and in typical Disney fashion there is detail with all the painting and statues. Yes, politics may seem like a bit of a mess right now (granted the media isn't helping) but why wouldn't we want to celebrate our 241 years of greatness?