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WDW’s Hall of Presidents reopens
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The Hall of Presidents has re-opened at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The attraction now features Audio- Animatronic recreations of President Barack Obama and his 43 predecessors.
The attraction, which had been closed since Oct. 31, re-opened July 4.
Located in the Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square, the Hall of Presidents opened on Oct. 1, 1971, along with the rest of the park. On top of adding Obama to the lineup, the resort upgraded the show’s audio and visual effects systems.
In addition, President Abraham Lincoln now delivers the Gettysburg Address and President George Washington delivers a speech – the first time he has spoken at the attraction.
“Our goal with every major Disney attraction is to completely immerse our guests in a compelling story,” Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said in a news release. “The stories associated with the American presidency are some of the most engaging and relevant our guests will hear while they are with us. And, like all great stories, these stories inspire, motivate and teach us to appreciate the challenges and personal triumph that comes with overcoming adversity.”
In the 1950s, Walt Disney conceived an American history-themed show for Disneyland, but it wasn’t until the early 1960s that the technology for Audio-Animatronics developed into a viable one. Disney used the technology to create Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, a stage show featuring a lifelike 16th president who gave a speech. This raised the technology to a new level and demonstrated what was possible.
The show was a sensation, and on July 18, 1966, following the World’s Fair, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln opened at the Opera House on Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland. The show was the inspiration for the Hall of Presidents in Walt Disney World’s Liberty Square.
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