MK The Hall of Presidents closing for refurbishment on January 20, 2025

TrainsOfDisney

Well-Known Member
In the modern day of the internet, no the average person doesn’t need to know the name of the 30th president because why does it matter? What is far more important is the events and impact they had which is not really stated as part of the show.
I’m so confused. Why does anything matter? If everything can be looked up on the internet then nothing is worth knowing or learning about?
 

The Leader of the Club

Well-Known Member
you think little Timmy is ecstatic to go into the hall of president to learn the name of William McKinley with no information on they did or why they are important? The president is not nearly as important to kids nowadays and it’s not held in that same regard.
They do learn information on a good handful of presidents. Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, and both Roosevelts are all highlighted in the film portion. Now, little Timmy might not retain any of it after a full day at the park…
 

TheMaxRebo

Well-Known Member
I’m so confused. Why does anything matter? If everything can be looked up on the internet then nothing is worth knowing or learning about?

Which is part of why "edutainment" where it is just telling you things, isn't really as relevant or interesting to people any more ... More information in your pocket than what an exhibit can tell you

So needs to be more than that - something you experience, something that gets you excited to explore more on your own.

For some, seeing the animatronic presidents may do that, but I can understand why some people don't find it that interesting or as informative as it used to be
 

The Leader of the Club

Well-Known Member
So what is an example of that? Spaceship earth? Circle vision in China or Canada? Voices of Liberty?
Spaceship Earth is a good one I think. It really puts you in history and has scenes/quotes that stick in your mind (we all know who invented the ABCs…).

I’d say American Adventure fits into this category as well. I think a more overarching view of American history is more entertaining than simply focusing on the leaders.
 

TheMaxRebo

Well-Known Member
So what is an example of that? Spaceship earth? Circle vision in China or Canada? Voices of Liberty?

SSE at least you move threw and has the smells that get you with another sense, etc, plus the interactive ending (which obviously isn't great but does try to personalize it).

Other things that, like HoP, are mostly just "telling you" things would include things like Circle vision films. Circle of Life film. American Adventure (though I think that does it in a bit more entertaining way), Impressions de France.

Voices of Liberty is entertainment more then educating on too much so see that a little different

Just think they are moving away from things that are more "telling" vs "experiencing" ... Journey of Water is a good example of that

Not saying the former can't exist but do understand the viewpoint of it being boring and not telling me anything I can't just look up on my phone so let's spend our time doing things that I can't just look up on my phone
 
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TheMaxRebo

Well-Known Member
Circle of Life is better than Hall of Presidents?

Didn't say that - said both could be viewed as just "telling" you information and can understand why people wouldn't want to spend their time in a theme park at either of those when the information shared could be found on your phone at another time and place

Edited my prior post to better connect it to being similarly viewers not counter
 

AidenRodriguez731

Well-Known Member
Didn't say that - said both could be viewed as just "telling" you information and can understand why people wouldn't want to spend their time in a theme park at either of those when the information shared could be found on your phone at another time and place

Edited my prior post to better connect it to being similarly viewers not counter
Bingo. Theme parks are for having people EXPERIENCE something. Not for information you can find in a simple placard anywhere. The best edutainment makes the education an experience. Talking to the viewers with just saying "Hey guys, the president role is super important! Here's the names of all of them in order as they just stand there!" Is not educational and also fails to be entertaining to most people. So I must ask, why have it there if its neither?
 

TrainsOfDisney

Well-Known Member
Didn't say that - said both could be viewed as just "telling" you information
Oh I see…. You put them in the same category. Circle of Life, Mickey Shorts, Awesome Planet are just films that you can see anywhere else. At least Mickey shorts has a cute theatre design - but those are literally just films you could experience on Disney+ in virtually the same way.

Circle vision on up is a unique experience that combines things you can’t experience at home. (Eventually circle vision may be obsolete with the apple glasses etc.)

So I must ask, why have it there if it’s neither?
Ask Walt? At this point it’s a legacy attraction like Carousel of Progress, Lincoln, etc.
 

Andrew C

You know what's funny?
Bingo. Theme parks are for having people EXPERIENCE something. Not for information you can find in a simple placard anywhere. The best edutainment makes the education an experience. Talking to the viewers with just saying "Hey guys, the president role is super important! Here's the names of all of them in order as they just stand there!" Is not educational and also fails to be entertaining to most people. So I must ask, why have it there if its neither?
To teach people that this country comes from some place, that it is bigger than the current person in office, that despite our differences we continue to move forward, to celebrate the history of the US.

It is fine not to like it. Many don't...
 

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
Thats the thing, this attraction is not really that educational. The main president part just lifts off the presidents names in order. Theres not really any reason anyone needs to know this nor is any kid remembering that. This is the most surface level of surface level "educational" attractions. Journey of Water or Living with the Land are better at actually educating and exploring concepts.
They should put up some sort of explanatory movie with the AAs!
 

KaliSplash

Well-Known Member
The Hall of Presidents is clearly not aimed at little Timmy. The attraction for me is the roll call of presidents, the moving and swaying and nodding etc. The period clothes, The idea of all our presidents in the same place. I love it. Not as much as many other attractions, of course, Tiana, Big Thunder, etc. But I love it just like COP. What's great about Pirates and many other attractions is the attention to detail. As for Timmy, he can sit in the air conditioning and not be waiting in another line, He MIGHT even learn something.
 

peter11435

Well-Known Member
Yes twice, didn't care for it either time but wanted to give it a chance.
Then you should know that the roll call portion at the end of the show is only a small portion of the presentation. The bulk of the show is more than simply “Here's the names of all of them in order as they just stand there!" The rest of the show actually does contain discussion about several presidents and covers “information on what they did or why they are important.”
 

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