Joe Biden To Join Disney’s Hall Of Presidents In August

by · Forbes

Topline

An animatronic President Joe Biden is set to join one of Walt Disney World's most classic attractions next month, when the 46th president will finally begin headlining Disney's Hall of Presidents, the company said Monday.

Then-Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden takes off his sunglasses while speaking at a campaign ... [+] stop at Community College of Beaver County on Nov. 2, 2020 in Monaca, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)Getty Images

Key Facts

The attraction has been shut down since Biden took over the presidency from former President Donald Trump on Inauguration Day, as Disney worked to update the experience after the change in administration.

The sitting president typically delivers a speech about the presidency during the 25-minute show, and Disney said Biden will deliver a presidential oath of office recorded at the White House as part of the experience.

A table next to Biden will also feature the president's signature Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses and peach blossoms to represent Biden's home state of Delaware, according to Disney.

The Trump figure in the Hall of Presidents theater will be repositioned away from its central placement and be put alongside the other 43 men (Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms) who have been president, Disney said.

What We Don't Know

The Hall will reopen in August, but Disney hasn't revealed what day the attraction will reopen.

Key Background

The Hall of Presidents served as one of the initial attractions when Disney World opened in 1971, and remains the centerpiece of the Liberty Square area of the Magic Kingdom park. Initially, the show was centered around the roll call of the animatronic figures, but a prominent new feature was added when Bill Clinton took office in 1993—the sitting president giving a speech. Since that time, the experience has also taken on a politically polarizing tone, with the sitting president's speech usually coming with a mix of cheers and boos from the audience. Combined with a fairly low attendance compared to other Disney attractions, calls especially grew during the Trump administration for Disney to shut the attraction down for good. But there are no signs Disney has any intention to close down the classic experience.

Crucial Quote

"Since opening day of Magic Kingdom Park in 1971, The Hall of Presidents has brought to life the heritage of the United States and shared the symbolic importance and uniqueness of the office of the President," Disney Parks Editorial Content Director Thomas Smith said in an official blog post on Monday. "Almost 50 years later, the story of liberty’s leaders continues to be told and retold to new generations as Walt Disney originally envisioned."

Further Reading

Disney: Hall of Presidents closed for refurbishment; Biden figure to be added (Orlando Sentinel)