Uggggggg......POTUS 12/7

[MrsBooch]

It seems so strange to me that out of all the places you could host a President, they would pick a resort so close to such a popular tourist area...a theme park?!?! With the thousands of extra visitors around that have nothing to do with the convention, wouldn't it make more sense to just hold it at a hotel elsewhere in Orlando? Seems like it would require a lot less security if they did that.

I agree with you however the president didn't pick this - he's been invited to attend something that was planned out by the fundraising committee sponsoring the event.

 

[Lehuaann]

It seems so strange to me that out of all the places you could host a President, they would pick a resort so close to such a popular tourist area...a theme park?!?! With the thousands of extra visitors around that have nothing to do with the convention, wouldn't it make more sense to just hold it at a hotel elsewhere in Orlando? Seems like it would require a lot less security if they did that.

This “theme park” has an attraction called The Hall of Presidents, and is the only place outside of The White House that displays the Presidential Seal.

Also, President Obama spoke from the central hub of Magic Kingdom in 2012. President Trump is going to be at GF, not MK.

I’d say it’s perfectly appropriate for POTUS to be there.

 

[Chuck S]

Well, if WDW Resort guests are lucky, they'll bring him to the old STOL strip via helicopter, and that would minimize the roadways that would need to be impacted and secured., Or deliver him directly to the GF via helicopter, though those military choppers may be too large for a safe GF resort landing. Disney World seems like it would be relatively easy to secure, compared to other Orlando area venues, because of the no fly zone. The glitch is all the roadways, busses and resort/park guests.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Why would any President go to WDW?

Not sure why but many have. I remember a similar thread about an Obama visit in maybe 09? And I believe Nixon's "I am not a crook" speech was given from Disney.

Yes! He gave the speech in the Ballroom of the Americas in the Contemporary Resort's Convention Center!

 

[mom2rtk]

He should go visit his AA at HoP!

 

[DGsAtBLT]

He should go visit his AA at HoP!

If a non party day wasn’t busy enough to begin with...

 

[erc]

Yes! He gave the speech in the Ballroom of the Americas in the Contemporary Resort's Convention Center!

Wow, I never knew that. Now I am going to Google that moment in American history.

 

[Searc]

Wow, I never knew that. Now I am going to Google that moment in American history.

It was 1973 and "I am not a crook" were the famous words from that AP event.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Wonder if this will have any impact on MCO of he flies in there.

 

[gwynne]

Wonder if this will have any impact on MCO of he flies in there.

If he flies into MCO, absolutely it will have an impact.

 

[seashoreCM]

He should go visit his Audio Animatronic at Hall of Presidents!

He might! Secret Service would set up an appropriate entourage from Grand Floridian to and into Magic Kingdom.

Some presidential travel has two entourages taking different routes to the same destination, for example both helicopter and motorcade. It is not publicized which vehicle the president is riding. This is to confuse miscreants trying to do something bad.

 

[HopperFan]

Republican Party of FL fund raising event.

AFAIK, the location of the 12/7 event has not been announced. It was previously scheduled for 11/9 at Disney.

And it was delayed because they couldn't sell enough table sponsorships and raise enough money to put on the event. Also they couldn't "land a keynote speaker" for the dinner. It was originally supposed to be at CSR. Am sure with the last minute change they had to take what was available.

Now that they lined up a last minute keynote speaker, perhaps they will sell the sponsorships to pay for it so it can go forward. Or maybe Disney guests will get lucky and it will get cancelled again and not disrupt vacations.

We will be in Disney for a quick weekend trip and have a reservation at 1900 Park Fare on the 7th to celebrate a birthday with 2 little girls that are getting princess makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney Springs beforehand. I have no idea what to expect as far as how to time it to make sure we get there on time if there is going to be extra security/road closures. We won't have a car, so we'll be relying on Disney transportation or a cab/uber. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I would NOT use uber/lyft as they may well be banned from entering the hotel area. I would only use Disney transportation, bus or Minnie Van. Upon arrival and departure (likely in front of and right after speaking) there might be roads closed. This will be a much bigger impact than if they were at CSR. I would give yourself 1.5 hours as Disney suggests, maybe more if it comes out there will be roads blocked.

It seems so strange to me that out of all the places you could host a President, they would pick a resort so close to such a popular tourist area...a theme park?!?! With the thousands of extra visitors around that have nothing to do with the convention, wouldn't it make more sense to just hold it at a hotel elsewhere in Orlando? Seems like it would require a lot less security if they did that.

The Party members propose venues they want to attend and I imagine the original booking at CSR was to entice folks to come, with families and sell the tables/sponsorships. No big deal for FL people to be invited to go to a free standing Orlando hotel. This is supposed to be a special meeting each quarter and they want everyone to come.

Right now January meeting is at Wyndham Grand Jupiter, May at Mission Inn Resort at Howey-in-the-Hills and there won't be summer because of the national convention.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

It seems so strange to me that out of all the places you could host a President, they would pick a resort so close to such a popular tourist area...a theme park?!?! With the thousands of extra visitors around that have nothing to do with the convention, wouldn't it make more sense to just hold it at a hotel elsewhere in Orlando? Seems like it would require a lot less security if they did that.

It's a fundraising event. How much easier is it to attract donors (and their families) to a major tourist destination than some random convention hotel?

Wonder if this will have any impact on MCO of he flies in there.

No landings for about 45 minutes before or after Air Force One lands from my experience. We had a landing delayed on a trip to Miami where the airline thought they could make it in before the cutoff but just missed it. We circled over the Gulf of Mexico for over an hour.

 

[lanejudy]

Security will be tight, but they shouldn't shut down transportation.

I wouldn't be surprised if transportation is impacted while he is in transit. Whatever route the motorcade takes, as well as a perimeter around it -- so that would likely include monorail, boats and buses could be suspended for his arrival and departure, not likely all day.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[jerseyduke]

Why would any President go to WDW?

Fund Raiser.
You do realize the Royal Family goes too right?
Also, On Nov. 17th Nixon gave his famous I am not a crook speech from The Contemporary.
Reagan was at the opening of Epcot.
Why wouldnt one, they are people too.

 

[Lynne M]

Thanks to all for keeping political commentary out of this thread.

 

[SteveH]

Why would any President go to WDW?

What could be more American for the President of the United States to visit Disney, its a true blend of America and the world. A lot of Presidents have made official visits to WDW, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George Bush Sr., and Barack Obama. Many also visited Disneyland, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr.

I do think that Nixon wins the number of visits though. I do recall a story that he was "kiddnapped" by Walt on the Monorail when it when around the loop without Secret Service. Not sure how true it is, but a fun story non the less.

 

[VandVsmama]

What could be more American for the President of the United States to visit Disney, its a true blend of America and the world. A lot of Presidents have made official visits to WDW, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George Bush Sr., and Barack Obama. Many also visited Disneyland, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr.

I do think that Nixon wins the number of visits though. I do recall a story that he was "kiddnapped" by Walt on the Monorail when it when around the loop without Secret Service. Not sure how true it is, but a fun story non the less.

That monorail story is true. Bob Gurr is the one who tells it and he was the one who gave Nixon the trip on the monorail without Secret Service. It wasn't intended to happen that way. It was at Disneyland, I believe.

 

[kylenne]

I believe Nixon's "I am not a crook" speech was given from Disney.

It was in one of the conference rooms at CR.

Not Presidential, but Princess Diana brought William and Harry when they were young boys back in the 90s. JustinScarred on YouTube did a fun video on it. They took up an entire floor of the GF.

 

[erc]

What could be more American for the President of the United States to visit Disney, its a true blend of America and the world. A lot of Presidents have made official visits to WDW, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George Bush Sr., and Barack Obama. Many also visited Disneyland, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr.

I do think that Nixon wins the number of visits though. I do recall a story that he was "kiddnapped" by Walt on the Monorail when it when around the loop without Secret Service. Not sure how true it is, but a fun story non the less.

I'm guessing it is much more disruptive today than the days of Nixon and Eisenhower. Really I can't stand any politicians and the only one I want to see at WDW is Emperor Palpatine.