Hall of Presidents Update

[Wayne]

As President Biden assumes office, I wonder if it isn't time for the Hall of Presidents to return to an earlier form of the program. Until the early 90's, the current President didn't speak in the attraction. The only speech came from Lincoln (and very early on, I believe Washington as he introduced the 16th President).

As our politics has become more polarized, I would hope that the Imagineers would return to the earlier version which only introduced the current President in the line of succession and left the speaking to (possibly Washington) and Lincoln.

[brad192]

I was thinking the exact same thing a couple of days ago while watching the inaugural events. Practice "proactive imagineering" & eliminate any reasonable chance to create controversy and potential disruptions & incidents within the attraction.

[Cinderelley]

They could, but it isn't unreasonable to expect grown adults to act like an adult. There isn't any need for disruptions inside a Disney attraction over politics.

[goofyskier]

They could, but it isn't unreasonable to expect grown adults to act like an adult. There isn't any need for disruptions inside a Disney attraction over politics.

Me Yelling at a robot at Disneyworld is akin to me yelling at my iRobot vacuum at home. Doing both will not make a bit of difference and both also make me look at tad crazy. :)

[Wayne]

I agree with you both, Cinderelly and goofyskier. Unfortunately, the reality of our time is that our political life is complicated by an intransigence that leads to some people acting out. The original version of HOP which lasted for the first couple of decades saw fit to use only the Washington and Lincoln AA's to speak. It can be that way again. I wish it would return to that production since I think that we can all agree that the last thing that we want when we visit the Magic Kingdom is a reminder of the current issues in our world.

[Cinderelley]

I agree with you both, Cinderelly and goofyskier. Unfortunately, the reality of our time is that our political life is complicated by an intransigence that leads to some people acting out. The original version of HOP which lasted for the first couple of decades saw fit to use only the Washington and Lincoln AA's to speak. It can be that way again. I wish it would return to that production since I think that we can all agree that the last thing that we want when we visit the Magic Kingdom is a reminder of the current issues in our world.

While I understand your point of view, and I really have no problems with a ride going back to its original version, I don't think that the majority of people should be punished for the actions of a few. If I were to see someone taken down for misbehaving at Disney World, I would walk on by thinking "Well, don't act like an idiot." It really wouldn't ruin my day. In fact, it would probably add to all my stories I tell about Disney. lol

[DizneyFreak2002]

I agree with you both, Cinderelly and goofyskier. Unfortunately, the reality of our time is that our political life is complicated by an intransigence that leads to some people acting out. The original version of HOP which lasted for the first couple of decades saw fit to use only the Washington and Lincoln AA's to speak. It can be that way again. I wish it would return to that production since I think that we can all agree that the last thing that we want when we visit the Magic Kingdom is a reminder of the current issues in our world.

Then escort them and their family, children included, give them a trespass and ban from the park... If you aren't mature enough to NOT boo at a stinking robot cause you get triggered, then you don't belong mingling with normal folk in society...

We have to stop dumbing things down cause a small percentage of people do not know how to act...

[baldburke]

I agree with you both, Cinderelly and goofyskier. Unfortunately, the reality of our time is that our political life is complicated by an intransigence that leads to some people acting out. The original version of HOP which lasted for the first couple of decades saw fit to use only the Washington and Lincoln AA's to speak. It can be that way again. I wish it would return to that production since I think that we can all agree that the last thing that we want when we visit the Magic Kingdom is a reminder of the current issues in our world.

So we let cancel culture win again?

[Wayne]

I am not saying anything about "cancel culture." What I am saying is that the ORIGINAL version of the attractions (through several administration changes) acknowledged the current administration through the calling of the roll and then gave speaking parts to ONLY to Washington (in the early years) and Lincoln.

Why is this so controversial to suggest a return to that original version? From the reaction of some of you, you'd think that I was advocating selling the Statue of Liberty!

[Wayne]

Then escort them and their family, children included, give them a trespass and ban from the park... If you aren't mature enough to NOT boo at a stinking robot cause you get triggered, then you don't belong mingling with normal folk in society...

We have to stop dumbing things down cause a small percentage of people do not know how to act...

Frankly, I don't know how advocating for a return to the ORIGINAL version of the attraction is "dumbing" anything down. But, hey, that's just me. What do I know.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Frankly, I don't know how advocating for a return to the ORIGINAL version of the attraction is "dumbing" anything down. But, hey, that's just me. What do I know.
Because it would be done simply to cater to the lowest common denominator... Instead of actually having security do some work and escort the booing idiots out, they would remove the speech from the current president to appease the few... That is dumbing down...

There is no reason the current president shouldn't have a speaking part...

[John]

So. I frankly think the current sitting president should not have a speaking role in the hall of presidents.

I’ve stated it publicly before (since this new tradition begun) and my buddy and fellow Disney blogger Alan Dalinka has also opined on the same topic.

I believe the original intent of the attraction was true and having the current president give a speech only upsets 50 percent of the audience.

I’d rather go back to celebrating the ideals of the country and democracy- rather than the current occupant be they Democrat or Republican.

That’s just me.

[dnickels]

I'd be fine with it going to that previous style, but the problem is that if people say it needs to change NOW, then the question is why didn't it have to change 4 years ago?

I think the only way for Disney to make that change without coming across as partisan is to come out and say something like "in 2028 we're going back to the old way...." so that they don't come across as favoring one side or the other.

[PopPhan]

I'd be fine with it going to that previous style, but the problem is that if people say it needs to change NOW, then the question is why didn't it have to change 4 years ago?

I think the only way for Disney to make that change without coming across as partisan is to come out and say something like "in 2028 we're going back to the old way...." so that they don't come across as favoring one side or the other.

I believe this same type of 'request' WAS made 4 years ago and, like this one is sure to follow, fell on deaf ears.

On your second point, I agree that if they want to make a change like that, they should make the determination in the 'mid-term' election cycle so that it doesn't seem partisan in any way.

[John]

I'd be fine with it going to that previous style, but the problem is that if people say it needs to change NOW, then the question is why didn't it have to change 4 years ago?

I think the only way for Disney to make that change without coming across as partisan is to come out and say something like "in 2028 we're going back to the old way...." so that they don't come across as favoring one side or the other.

I did say it 4 years ago, I did say it 8 years before that. I've said it pretty much since day one.

It has ZERO to do with he current or previous or previous-previous occupant of the white house to me and many others I've talked to. It's all about celebrating american history.

Didn't like it then - don't like it now.

You are free to disagree with me! :soapbox::down::blowup::noway:

[dnickels]

I did say it 4 years ago, I did say it 8 years before that. I've said it pretty much since day one.

It has ZERO to do with he current or previous or previous-previous occupant of the white house to me and many others I've talked to. It's all about celebrating american history.

Didn't like it then - don't like it now.

You are free to disagree with me! :soapbox::down::blowup::noway:

I agree with you! Not sure why the need for the 'blowup' and 'noway' icons?

[John]

I agree with you! Not sure why the need for the 'blowup' and 'noway' icons?

Just trying to have some fun. I meant anyone is free to disagree with me.

No disrespect to anyone that doesn't feel the way I do. If we all felt the same way about everything - there wouldn't be much need for discussion or discussion boards for that matter.

Cheers to all! :beer:

[Jeff]

I believe the original intent of the attraction was true and having the current president give a speech only upsets 50 percent of the audience.

I’d rather go back to celebrating the ideals of the country and democracy- rather than the current occupant be they Democrat or Republican.

That’s just me.

I agree with this 100%!

[Altair]

I'm sure there's a segment of society that don't like Lincoln. :hide2:

[John]

I'm sure there's a segment of society that don't like Lincoln. :hide2:

Almost certainly true - at least at that time.

There's a pretty common thought - that it takes time and distance to reflect on history. ;)

Which in my mind is all the more reason to return the attraction be being more about the history of our nation and significant speeches under individual presidencies - and less about the current occupant of the white house.

[Cinderelley]

To be honest, I'm not sure I've ever been in the Hall of Presidents. Now I may have to go just to see what all the hullabaloo is about.

[DizneyFreak2002]

It's all about celebrating american history.



They have an attraction for that already... The American Adventure... :thumbsup:

[John]

Ha. Different park, different tone, different execution.

Presidents thru history and historic speeches etc. is what would be interest to me. Plus, my friend, you know the opening movie does it already.

[baldburke]

On this topic, my kids sent me a TikTok of an old promo reel for Disney's America park that was to be in Virginia just west of DC. I remember hearing the new when the idea first came about.

While it would be awesome to have another east coast Disney venue, could you imagine the hullabaloo that something like that would cause today? It's sad actually, but in today's environment they'd probably have to re-theme the park six ways to Sunday to keep all the factions happy.

[Jeany031]

Just point of Pov!

[DonaldsBFF]

I just want to know if the newest addition will end the speech with an ...anyway