Hall of Presidents appreciation thread

Beacon Joe

Beacon Joe

Well-Known Member
It's a rite of passage for every red-blooded American boy to have to sit through Hall of Presidents when they're getting antsy and thinking about how much more fun they'd have riding Big Thunder or making the ghost riders appear at the shooting gallery. :D I definitely grew to appreciate it more as I got older.

It remains a very well-done and worthwhile attraction, IMO.
 
danyoung56

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
I try to visit the Hall of Presidents on every trip. I really enjoy the current movie - kind of a cross between traditional animation, stills, CGI, and live action. Very innovative.

I do have to say, though, that I was really surprised the first time I saw the new version with Trump in it. I was all steeled to hear boos when his name was first mentioned, but about 1/2 of the crowd applauded.

And just to be picky, to the OP - it's "Great MOMENTS with Mr. Lincoln".
 
hauntology

hauntology

Active Member
Favorite part of it is how they put a pink carnation on William McKinleys suit.

I also enjoy it regardless of the president in charge...if only because of how lifelike the animatronics are. Their little movements are crazy.
 
Walt Disney1955

Walt Disney1955

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Tommye1078 said:
I love the HOP I just can’t get the kids interested. Last time I braided them. $5 each. Hahaha
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We have three kids 8 and under. Last year I figured for sure there would be some squirming in seats and the kids wouldn't be able to sit through a 22 minute show that I liked. To my surprise, my son really loved this show. I think it was just the animatronics. Even to this day, that show is unique, where else can you see it? So if adults are appreciative of it kids can be too.
 
MattFrees71

MattFrees71

Well-Known Member
Current version I think is... ok. To me, it feels more like a History Channel special or some production they would have at the Smithsonian... doesn't have that classic Disney feel. I say this in light of how good the American Adventure at Epcot is and how it has remained mostly original since 1982.
 
ChrisRobin124

ChrisRobin124

Active Member
When I was last there in September, my family went in but I was delayed by a "work thing" and did not get there before it started. I spent some time in the rotunda while I waited for them, and was treated to a conversation with a cast member who was amazingly knowledgeable about American history and explained the difference between the Great Seal of the United States and the Presidential Seal. So if you have some time before you go in, don't hesitate to engage some of the cast members. Some have such interesting facts to share.
 
Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
I love the HoP. While I confess I'll be sitting it out for awhile for personal reasons until it has a new "keynote speaker," I think the animatronics are amazing, the historical overview is presented well, and the unabashedly patriotic bent of the show has always tugged at my heartstrings. I love that it's still there.

We saw "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" at Disneyland for the first time this summer, and while we thoroughly enjoyed that as well, I felt like HoP is even more impactful.
 
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Animaniac93-98

Animaniac93-98

Well-Known Member
Weather_Lady said:
We saw "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" at Disneyland for the first time this summer, and while we thoroughly enjoyed that as well, I felt like HoP is even more impactful.
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While I enjoy Mr. Lincoln, it was obviously the compromise to the full Presidential experience. When Disney finally had the technology and confidence to do the complete show, they delivered on the concept and have improved it over time.

And then The American Adventure took it one step further and expanded the scope of the show's history and pushed the scale of the production even further.

What's most important though, is that all three shows still exist and are true to their original intent. I hope they stay for years to come. :)
 
Monty

Monty

Brilliant...and Canadian
In the Parks
No
I have always visited, despite the current WH incumbent. I'm genuinely impressed with how the U.S. "does" patriotism. HoP, AA and generally throughout the parks, the theme is strong. The very first time we watched HoP, my then 5yo son was in awe. As we left the hall, I told him that was one thing you folks do better than anyone, blow your own horn. Justifiably so in most instances, a little over-the-top in others, but you "own" it, and that's admirable.

I'm Canadian. We tend to be more humble in our self-admiration, but there are times I envy your egos.
 
danyoung56

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
ChrisRobin124 said:
...and was treated to a conversation with a cast member who was amazingly knowledgeable about American history and explained the difference between the Great Seal of the United States and the Presidential Seal.
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That was probably James - he's been there for many years. I started a conversation with him a few years ago while waiting for SpectroMagic. The problem was I couldn't really have a conversation with him, as he kept going into his schtick and trivia. It was interesting, but I was kinda hoping to talk to James the person instead of James the attraction host.
 
Mr Mindcrime

Mr Mindcrime

Well-Known Member
I've been a WDW visitor since the year it opened and I have to confess that I had never seen the American Adventure until a September visit this year (our first "empty nester vacation" ). I'm not sure why I was never drawn in before but wow, just wow, what a great show. We loved it and felt like it was well done. I'm a USMC veteran so I'm a little on the patriotic side and the show was wonderful.

My wife is a big "Office of the President" fan so we enjoy the HOP. Obviously the animatronics are amazing and of course the story of our country is interesting. We don't go (or not go) based on who is currently in the White House. 45 men have been the US President and every one of them was flawed in some way, so we go not for politics but for American History. Unfortunately we live in an era of division that was not created by the current President (he, like his predecessor, just embraces it). Go see the HOP and AA and maybe you'll be moved to appreciate our country a bit better and maybe we can all make a positive difference in spite of our leaders.
 
Heppenheimer

Heppenheimer

Well-Known Member
Monty said:
I have always visited, despite the current WH incumbent. I'm genuinely impressed with how the U.S. "does" patriotism. HoP, AA and generally throughout the parks, the theme is strong. The very first time we watched HoP, my then 5yo son was in awe. As we left the hall, I told him that was one thing you folks do better than anyone, blow your own horn. Justifiably so in most instances, a little over-the-top in others, but you "own" it, and that's admirable.

I'm Canadian. We tend to be more humble in our self-admiration, but there are times I envy your egos.
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BTW, I saw that projection-mapped Canadian history light show they did on the Houses of Parliament a few summers ago. I wonder if they contracted with the same firm that produces the shows at Disney parks. I found it interesting, if somewhat dry. Best thing I learned was that one of the motivations for Confederation was the fear that after the Civil War the US was turn the Union Army northward. Not a completely unreasonable fear, since the Union Army in 1865 was the world's largest by far (although quickly demobilized thereafter).

Funny thing about the Hall of Presidents... we bought the souvenir LP on our first visit in 1977, and at one point, I think my brother and I listened to it daily. We probably had the script completely memorized. To this day, I can probably quote most of Lincoln's speeches from the original show word-for-word.
 
Walt Disney1955

Walt Disney1955

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Mr Mindcrime said:
I've been a WDW visitor since the year it opened and I have to confess that I had never seen the American Adventure until a September visit this year (our first "empty nester vacation" ). I'm not sure why I was never drawn in before but wow, just wow, what a great show. We loved it and felt like it was well done. I'm a USMC veteran so I'm a little on the patriotic side and the show was wonderful.

My wife is a big "Office of the President" fan so we enjoy the HOP. Obviously the animatronics are amazing and of course the story of our country is interesting. We don't go (or not go) based on who is currently in the White House. 45 men have been the US President and every one of them was flawed in some way, so we go not for politics but for American History. Unfortunately we live in an era of division that was not created by the current President (he, like his predecessor, just embraces it). Go see the HOP and AA and maybe you'll be moved to appreciate our country a bit better and maybe we can all make a positive difference in spite of our leaders.
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That is what makes the show what it is. You can't see the show without having someone who you like(d) or didn't approve of. Nixon was the current President in 1971 when it opened. While he won the 1972 election in a landslide there would be people who didn't like him then as well. So be it. The show goes on everyday. As a Canadian I think the show is patriotic and it ought to be unapologetically.
 
John park hopper

John park hopper

Well-Known Member
The Empress Lilly said:
'I love everything about it'....'nuff said!

.The HoP lends class and dignity to the entire park. Classic Disney, classic MK, classic Americana. I always leave teary-eyed, cursing the gods that I wasn't born American.
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If you believe in Liberty, Freedom, and the government answers to the people not the other way around---if I had the power I would make you and Honorary American
 

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