How does Hall of Presidents handle non-consecutive terms?

[happily single]

Yeah, DH just suggested they switch the heads and program a new speech. LOL

If we could only do this in real life

 

[MICKIMINI]

Simple, just go back to introducing the Presidents and not have the current one have anything to say at all. It worked well that way for years and can do so again. There is no need for it to change whenever we have a new one. He can just be introduced twice. I'm at the point that I don't give a damn one way or the other.

He or she should be introduced as the current President and give an updated speech. There are Presidents who people liked or disliked but it does not change the solemn dignity and amazing historical significance of US history. Present it as a history lesson and enjoy what a wonderful job Disney has done in HOP in my respectful opinion.

We were so lucky to have toured the White House, Capitol Building and most of the monuments in DC years ago. We were in awe of the unique history all around us, as it was a privilege just to be in those sacred buildings even though at the time we had not voted for the sitting President. It did not matter as we were100% respectful of the choice of other US citizens in their votes even if it differed from ours. If we had bumped into him in the hallway, we would have been proud to meet him despite our differences of opinion.

I am always amazed when I am at HOP surrounded by people from all over the world who clap respectfully at the end of the presentation. We should all be proud of our individual heritage.

Peace and Love

 

[MICKIMINI]

In the long run, I think that would be a good idea. We need a little bit of distance to decide which leaders were truly "historical" and deserving of a "call out" or "speaking role." Disney can stay above the politics of the moment while still celebrating our American history and democratic institutions.

That said, it would be terribly tone deaf for Disney to announce that change after the results of an election are known. If they were truly planning to do that, it would have been far more appropriate to make that announcement at the D23, or, ideally, before any of the candidates announced their run for office.

If they do it now, it will absolutely look political to a great many people. Even many folks that didn't vote for 47 will likely quietly feel this in their hearts, even if they are happy with Disney's decision. I fear that will ultimately be harmful for the attraction, and I hope Disney will tread carefully, here.

If Disney changes the President each time there is an election, there is no bias. Each President is historical and should be respected. It is living history.

 

[focusondisney]

He or she should be introduced as the current President and give an updated speech.

Except Disney changed from a speech to the oath in 2020. That seems like a pretty neutral way to handle it & shouldn’t be offensive to anyone, since every president says the same thing. And to your point… it is a historic oath. There’s no reason to have a speech that might cause the audience to make comments, cheer or jeer.

 

[Kit Jackson]

People are mentioning a rumor involving Muppets?! I realize this is probably based on a rumor/speculation with little to no basis in reality, but what Muppet related thing are people referring to?

 

[Debbie Jean]

It was a very unusual moment. Only the second time in our history that a president has won a non-consecutive election, and the only one in modern times. I assume that many Guests were responding to the magnitude of that moment in history, rather then the specific individual (although some were responding to both.)

If the other candidate had won, she would have been applauded for purely historical reasons as well (and rightly so.) I would have joined everyone else in that applause. I most certainly would not have jeered and would have reported anyone being disrespectful to any American president if I witnessed it.

You are incorrect that this was just a moment. I was there in September and people were applauding their favorites. I found it inappropriate, offensive and completely lacking in, forgive me for saying it, but class. You are free to be as political as you like but this should be neutral territory where others are not held captive to your political inclinations.

 

[BrianL]

You are incorrect that this was just a moment. I was there in September and people were applauding their favorites. I found it inappropriate, offensive and completely lacking in, forgive me for saying it, but class. You are free to be as political as you like but this should be neutral territory where others are not held captive to your political inclinations.

In fact, Disney requests that it be treated that way - apolitical and only focused on the history aspect.

 

[BrianL]

People are mentioning a rumor involving Muppets?! I realize this is probably based on a rumor/speculation with little to no basis in reality, but what Muppet related thing are people referring to?

It was a rumor making the rounds a couple of months ago when there was talk of Muppet-Vision 3D going away, that Kermit and the gang would get Liberty Square to play with. They already had the Great Momnents in History show outside, so I think it was to still be Hall of Presidents, but hosted by the Muppets with a bit more schtick or possibly muppets playing the presidents. I mean, Miss Piggy has played Lincoln before, in a seminal award-worthy performance.

 

[SeanW]

I think the best thing to do might be to record Trump for a new speech and then announce a change of plans for the next President this way there doesn't seem to be a favorability for any political candidate and it removes the appearance of favoritism and we can remove the cheers and jeers with Presidents and focus on the historical aspects of the country. Although, no matter how you do it, I don't think you will ever escape the cheers and jeers of modern Presidents.

In the long run, I think that would be a good idea. We need a little bit of distance to decide which leaders were truly "historical" and deserving of a "call out" or "speaking role." Disney can stay above the politics of the moment while still celebrating our American history and democratic institutions.

The last time I went you had people boo'ing trump and cheering for trump and people cheering for Biden, so I can see that being better, the problem is, how do you decide that? What do you constitute as historical? As someone who is interested in American History, there are lots of small events that I would consider historical and larger events that others might not consider historical. In modern Presidential history, someone who was truly historic, the dubious honor would be JFK for being one of 4 Presidents to be assisinated and then Obama for being the 1st Black/multi-racial President. Do you in include Nixon for having the highest popular vote difference in history? Do you include Reagan for having the most Electoral College votes in history and pressuring the Soviets to tear down the Berlin Wall and presiding over the collapse of the Soviet Union? Do you include George W Bush for his speeches after 9/11?

They could continue it as it is now… Biden's speaking is limited to the oath of office. Then there’s nothing political or offensive about it, it’s the same for every president. And they don’t have to worry about getting any kind of cooperation for a speech segment every 4 years. Which I think delayed the attraction opening in 2017. That change was not announced, so there’s no need for any kind of announcement this time. It’s just how the attraction evolved. Making changes depending on which political party is in the office is asking for more trouble.

From my understanding, Biden decided not to give a short speech after he read the oath. If Disney was the one to make that decision, then it would likely continue down that path for now.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

They can probably just go straight to Biden and then say " And the 45th and 47th President of the United States " etc etc

 

[DopeyRN]

Just curious how the Hall of Presidents handles non-consecutive presidential terms?

Does the narrator call that out, somehow?

Also, is it likely that Disney will make a new animatronic for 47?

I asked my husband the same question.

 

[Becky2005]

My thinking was they would just switch Biden and Trump's places at this point, skip saying Trump until the end and then treat it like they do Cleveland....so at this point, it would go Obama, Biden, Trump and then when 2028 rolls around, they would switch it to Obama, Trump, Biden....new President. I like the current President just saying the Oath.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

The Muppets would've run this country better than (insert name of rival political figure here).

Like you weren't thinking it!

In all reality I too love that there's some semblance of history left in the theme parks. Just like how Epcot used to be educational. Would not want to see the HoP change much and definitely wouldn't want it to go away.

 

[BrianL]

The Muppets would've run this country better than (insert name of rival political figure here).

Like you weren't thinking it!

To be fair, I think they'd probably do better than ALL of them.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

To be fair, I think they'd probably do better than ALL of them.

haha I was trying to be apolitical and just echoing many people's sentiments about whoever the opposing party is these days. I agree that there have been many head scratching moments from both sides for the last 24 years+ maybe even longer. But this is about the HoP and it's logistics and as ironic as it is to say...we should all probably keep politics out of it.

 

[whiteness]

It was a rumor making the rounds a couple of months ago when there was talk of Muppet-Vision 3D going away, that Kermit and the gang would get Liberty Square to play with. They already had the Great Momnents in History show outside, so I think it was to still be Hall of Presidents, but hosted by the Muppets with a bit more schtick or possibly muppets playing the presidents. I mean, Miss Piggy has played Lincoln before, in a seminal award-worthy performance.

Maybe they could sing Disney songs, too?

For example, Kermit playing George Washington can sing "Let it go" to Sweetums as King George III.

Disney can make American History so much more entertaining if they just think outside the box a little. While also injecting additional Disney IP into an existing attraction, which their shareholders will love.

 

[Sheryl2059]

Animal for president 2028!

 

[butterscotchcollins]

I agree 1000% Muppets doing American History would be way more entertaining and educational!

 

[MICKIMINI]

I think the best thing to do might be to record Trump for a new speech and then announce a change of plans for the next President this way there doesn't seem to be a favorability for any political candidate and it removes the appearance of favoritism and we can remove the cheers and jeers with Presidents and focus on the historical aspects of the country. Although, no matter how you do it, I don't think you will ever escape the cheers and jeers of modern Presidents.


The last time I went you had people boo'ing trump and cheering for trump and people cheering for Biden, so I can see that being better, the problem is, how do you decide that? What do you constitute as historical? As someone who is interested in American History, there are lots of small events that I would consider historical and larger events that others might not consider historical. In modern Presidential history, someone who was truly historic, the dubious honor would be JFK for being one of 4 Presidents to be assisinated and then Obama for being the 1st Black/multi-racial President. Do you in include Nixon for having the highest popular vote difference in history? Do you include Reagan for having the most Electoral College votes in history and pressuring the Soviets to tear down the Berlin Wall and presiding over the collapse of the Soviet Union? Do you include George W Bush for his speeches after 9/11?

From my understanding, Biden decided not to give a short speech after he read the oath. If Disney was the one to make that decision, then it would likely continue down that path for now.

With respect, every single day in history is a historical day for each President. Often, looking back in retrospect we find wisdom or we find fault in both large and small happenings that we may have miissed at the time. By picking and choosing what or whom we feel is historical - at any given time - is absolutely wrong IMO. History will tell the story. As they say, "time will tell".

 

[whiteness]

With respect, every single day in history is a historical day for each President. Often, looking back in retrospect we find wisdom or we find fault in both large and small happenings that we may have miissed at the time. By picking and choosing what or whom we feel is historical - at any given time - is absolutely wrong IMO. History will tell the story. As they say, "time will tell".

I agree. It's very hard to know, in the moment, what is truly important. What will lead to lasting, meaningful change. I have my opinions, as do most people. And my opinions might be wrong. Indeed, many people who try to impose their "opinions" on others have a political agenda for doing that, so people need to be very skeptical and cynical towards other people's "facts" about recent events and trends.

I love that Disney has tried to create educational attractions. I hope they continue to do so. Teaching about historical events is less risky than current events, and if I were Disney that's what I'd prefer to do. Visiting a theme park can be educational, but it must be enjoyable, and should never be upsetting or divisive. If I want to be upset and stressed out about current events, I can save my money and watch cable news.